Franklin D. Roosevelt played a significant role in Black history through his policies and actions as President of the United States during the Great Depression and World War II. While Roosevelt's New Deal programs were aimed at providing economic relief to all Americans, including African Americans, they were not always implemented in a fair and equitable manner.

Roosevelt faced pressure from civil rights leaders such as A. Philip Randolph and organizations like the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) to address racial discrimination and segregation in federal programs and the military. In response, Roosevelt took some steps to advance civil rights, such as issuing Executive Order 8802 in 1941, which banned discrimination in defense industries and established the Fair Employment Practices Committee.

However, Roosevelt also faced criticism for not doing enough to address racial injustice, including the internment of Japanese Americans during World War II and the continuation of segregation in the military. Despite these shortcomings, Roosevelt's presidency laid the groundwork for future civil rights advancements, and his policies helped improve economic conditions for many African Americans during a time of widespread poverty and hardship.