The U.S. House of Representatives has a rich history when it comes to African American representation. Following the Civil War and during the Reconstruction era, several Black politicians were elected to the House. Joseph Rainey, a former slave, became the first African American to serve in the House in 1870. Throughout the late 19th and early 20th centuries, a handful of Black representatives served in Congress, although their numbers remained extremely low due to systemic racism and voter suppression.

It wasn't until the Civil Rights Movement in the 1960s that the number of Black representatives began to increase significantly. Notable figures from this era include Shirley Chisholm, the first Black woman elected to Congress in 1968, and John Lewis, a civil rights icon who was elected in 1987 and served until his passing in 2020.

Today, the U.S. House of Representatives boasts a more diverse membership, with a significant number of African American members representing various states and districts. These representatives continue to advocate for the interests of their constituents and work towards addressing issues of racial inequality and social justice in America.