The statement “Obama didn’t do anything for us!” is often thrown around by some in our community without much thought. Many of these folks don’t take the time to read or stay informed about politics unless it directly affects them. They rarely even glance at the evidence that disproves this belief. What evidence, you ask? The evidence that Barack Obama was far from an absentee President for Black America. The issue I have with this mindset is that people expect Presidents to be biased in their favor, but that’s not how it’s supposed to work. It just feels that way because, historically, we’ve only known white men as our commanders in chief.

You can agree or not, but the truth remains: Barack Obama is the GOAT in African American politics, not just because he was the first Black president, but because of the profound and lasting impact his policies had on Black communities across the United States. He accomplished this while governing as a Black man, enduring relentless scrutiny and ridicule about his family, and simply living as a Black man in America. Throughout his presidency, Obama championed initiatives that directly tackled systemic inequalities, uplifting Black Americans in critical areas such as healthcare, education, criminal justice, economic opportunity, and housing. His legacy is one of resilience and transformative change, solidifying his place as a true leader for Black America.

His Affordable Care Act (ACA) significantly reduced uninsured rates among Black Americans, while his My Brother’s Keeper Initiative created opportunities for young men of color. By reforming the criminal justice system and enforcing fair sentencing, he tackled racial disparities head-on. Through the expansion of Pell Grants, funding for HBCUs, and investments in early childhood education, Obama opened doors to educational advancement for millions of Black students.

Furthermore, his administration’s efforts to expand affordable housing, protect consumers from predatory lending, and increase broadband access helped empower Black families and communities economically. By addressing environmental justice, supporting minority-owned businesses, and enforcing fair housing practices, Obama laid the groundwork for long-term progress in Black communities.

Obama’s legacy is one of transformative change, deeply embedded in policies that continue to resonate within Black culture. His presidency was a masterclass in leveraging political power to not only address immediate needs but also to create sustainable, systemic shifts that have positively impacted Black Americans for generations to come. 

Here are some of Barack Obama’s key accomplishments that have had a profound impact on Black culture and communities:

  1. Affordable Care Act (ACA): The ACA significantly reduced the uninsured rate among Black Americans, providing access to healthcare for millions who previously lacked coverage, addressing disparities in health outcomes.

  2. My Brother’s Keeper Initiative: Launched in 2014, this initiative aimed to address opportunity gaps faced by young men of color and ensure that all youth can achieve their full potential, focusing on education, employment, and mentorship.

  3. Criminal Justice Reform: Obama’s administration took steps toward reforming the criminal justice system, including commuting the sentences of hundreds of non-violent drug offenders, addressing the racial disparities in sentencing.

  4. Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act: Although not exclusively for Black Americans, this act, the first Obama signed into law, was crucial in combating wage discrimination, which disproportionately affected Black women.

  5. HBCU Funding: Obama increased funding for Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act and reauthorized the HBCU Capital Financing Program to help these institutions thrive.

  6. Executive Order on Educational Excellence for African Americans: This order established a White House Initiative to improve educational outcomes for African Americans, focusing on closing the achievement gap.

  7. Fair Sentencing Act: This 2010 law reduced the sentencing disparity between crack and powder cocaine offenses, which had disproportionately affected Black Americans, marking a significant step toward addressing racial injustice in sentencing.

  8. Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA): Obama signed this act into law to provide better access to employment, education, training, and support services for those facing significant barriers to employment, including Black communities.

  9. Expansion of Pell Grants: The Obama administration expanded Pell Grant funding, increasing access to higher education for low-income students, including many Black students, making college more affordable.

  10. Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act: This law included provisions to protect consumers from predatory lending practices, which had disproportionately affected Black communities during the financial crisis.

  11. The Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act: This act expanded access to healthy meals for low-income children, which disproportionately benefited Black children who often face food insecurity, by improving the nutritional standards of school meals.

  12. Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA) Implementation: Under Obama, efforts to enforce the PREA were intensified, helping to protect incarcerated individuals, many of whom are Black, from sexual violence in prisons.

  13. Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA): While this program primarily impacted undocumented immigrants, it also benefited a significant number of Black immigrants from African and Caribbean nations, allowing them to live and work in the U.S. without fear of deportation.

  14. Racial Profiling Guidance Expansion: The Obama administration expanded guidance to limit racial profiling by federal law enforcement agencies, aiming to reduce discriminatory practices that disproportionately affect Black communities.

  15. Job Corps Program Expansion: The Obama administration expanded the Job Corps program, which provides education and vocational training to young people from disadvantaged backgrounds, including many Black youth.

  16. The Race to the Top Initiative: While focused on education reform broadly, this initiative incentivized states to adopt policies aimed at closing the achievement gap, which disproportionately affects Black students.

  17. Reducing Youth Incarceration Rates: Obama’s administration worked to reduce the number of youth incarcerated in the juvenile justice system, many of whom are Black, through funding for alternatives to detention and efforts to reform juvenile justice practices.

  18. Expansion of the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC): The Obama administration expanded the EITC, which disproportionately benefits low-income Black families, providing them with additional financial support.

  19. The First Step Act: While passed after Obama’s presidency, the groundwork for this significant criminal justice reform was laid during his administration. His efforts to reduce mass incarceration and promote sentencing reform influenced the eventual passage of this bipartisan law.

  20. Investment in Early Childhood Education: The Obama administration made significant investments in early childhood education, particularly through the expansion of Head Start and Early Head Start programs, which benefit many Black children by providing access to quality early learning opportunities.

  21. Advancement of the Affordable Housing Initiative: Obama’s administration invested in affordable housing through the Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Department, including initiatives like the Choice Neighborhoods program, which aimed to transform distressed neighborhoods and improve housing for low-income families, many of whom are Black.

  22. Disparate Impact Rule in Housing: The Obama administration enforced the Fair Housing Act more stringently, applying the “disparate impact” rule, which allowed for challenges to practices that may not be explicitly discriminatory but that disproportionately harm minorities, including Black Americans.

  23. Financial Regulatory Reforms through CFPB: The creation of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) helped protect Black consumers from predatory lending practices, such as payday loans and subprime mortgages, which had severely impacted Black communities during the financial crisis.

  24. Advancement of Broadband Access: The Obama administration pushed for the expansion of broadband internet access to underserved communities, including predominantly Black neighborhoods, through the Broadband Technology Opportunities Program (BTOP).

  25. Support for the Arts and Culture: Obama’s administration supported the National Endowment for the Arts and the National Endowment for the Humanities, which funded many projects that highlighted and preserved Black culture, history, and artistic expression.

  26. The 21st Century Policing Task Force: Established in response to the unrest in Ferguson, Missouri, this task force provided recommendations to strengthen community policing and trust, aiming to reduce tensions between law enforcement and Black communities.

  27. Youth CareerConnect Grants: The Obama administration launched this initiative to prepare high school students for college and career readiness, particularly in STEM fields, focusing on underrepresented communities, including Black students.

  28. Reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA): Obama signed the reauthorization of VAWA, which included provisions specifically addressing the needs of communities of color, including Black women, in dealing with domestic violence and sexual assault.

  29. Advancement of Environmental Justice: The Obama administration strengthened efforts to address environmental issues disproportionately affecting Black communities, such as air and water pollution, through the establishment of the White House Environmental Justice Advisory Council.

  30. Support for Entrepreneurship in Black Communities: Through initiatives like the Small Business Jobs Act, the Obama administration provided increased access to capital, counseling, and support services for minority-owned businesses, including many Black entrepreneurs, helping to foster economic growth within these communities.