Nonviolent social change has played a vital role in Black history, particularly during the Civil Rights Movement in the United States. One of the most prominent figures associated with nonviolent resistance is Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., who advocated for peaceful protests and civil disobedience to challenge racial segregation and discrimination.

The Montgomery Bus Boycott in 1955-1956, sparked by Rosa Parks' refusal to give up her seat on a segregated bus, was a key early example of successful nonviolent resistance in the Civil Rights Movement. The boycott, organized by leaders such as Martin Luther King Jr., lasted for 381 days and led to a Supreme Court ruling that declared segregation on public buses unconstitutional.

The lunch counter sit-ins that began in 1960 were another powerful example of nonviolent protest. Black college students in the South, inspired by the teachings of Gandhi and King, peacefully occupied segregated lunch counters to demand equal treatment. These sit-ins drew attention to the injustice of segregation and helped to mobilize support for the Civil Rights Movement.

Other forms of nonviolent protest during the Civil Rights Movement included freedom rides, marches, and voter registration drives. These actions not only challenged segregation and discriminatory laws but also helped to shift public opinion and bring about legislative changes, such as the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965.

Nonviolent social change has continued to be a powerful force in Black history beyond the Civil Rights Movement, with movements such as Black Lives Matter using peaceful resistance to advocate for racial justice and equality in the 21st century.