The history of Black representation in the Texas Senate has been marked by challenges and milestones.

The first Black person to serve in the Texas Senate was Matthew Gaines, who was elected in 1869 during the Reconstruction era. Gaines represented African American citizens and advocated for their rights, including access to education and political participation.

Following Reconstruction, the era of Jim Crow laws in Texas limited Black representation in the Senate due to voter suppression and discriminatory practices. It wasn't until the Civil Rights Movement of the 1960s that more Black politicians began to be elected to the Texas Senate.

Barbara Jordan made history in 1966 when she became the first African American woman elected to the Texas Senate. Jordan was a trailblazer in Texas politics and went on to serve as a U.S. Congresswoman and later a professor at the Lyndon B. Johnson School of Public Affairs.

Since Barbara Jordan's groundbreaking election, several other Black politicians have been elected to the Texas Senate, including figures like Rodney Ellis, Royce West, and Borris Miles. These individuals have continued the legacy of advocating for Black communities and addressing key issues such as criminal justice reform, education equity, and healthcare access.

While progress has been made in increasing Black representation in the Texas Senate, challenges such as gerrymandering and voter suppression continue to impact the ability of African Americans to fully participate in the political process. The ongoing struggle for equality and justice remains a central theme in the history of Black representation in the Texas Senate.