The Presidential Medal of Freedom is the highest civilian award in the United States, recognizing individuals who have made significant contributions to society, culture, politics, and other areas. In Black history, several prominent figures have been awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom for their outstanding achievements and contributions.

- One notable recipient is civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr., who was posthumously awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1977 for his leadership in the American civil rights movement and his advocacy for nonviolent protest.

- Another important figure in Black history who received the Presidential Medal of Freedom is Rosa Parks, known as the "mother of the civil rights movement." Parks was honored with the award in 1996 for her pivotal role in the Montgomery Bus Boycott and her lifelong commitment to fighting racial discrimination.

- In 2011, novelist and activist Toni Morrison was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom for her contributions to American literature and her exploration of the African American experience in her novels.

These are just a few examples of the many Black individuals who have been recognized with the Presidential Medal of Freedom for their extraordinary contributions to society and culture.