Rev. Channing E. Phillips made history on August 28, 1968, when he became the first Black person to be nominated for president by a major U.S. political party. He was a “favorite son” candidate, meaning his nomination was primarily a symbolic gesture rather than a serious bid for the presidency. Phillips was put forward by the District of Columbia delegation at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago and received 67.5 delegate votes. His nomination was a significant moment in the fight for racial equality in American politics.

Phillips was a minister, civil rights leader, and political activist. He was a strong supporter of Robert F. Kennedy’s candidacy before Kennedy’s assassination in June 1968. His nomination at the convention highlighted the growing influence of Black political leaders within the Democratic Party, even though Hubert Humphrey ultimately secured the nomination.