The results of African-American presidential campaigns had ranged from winning the presidency to ending before primary voting began . However , all of the candidates have had a political impact by making sure their voices were a part of the national debate and gaining some attention from their party 's establishment . Chisholm paved the way for African American and female candidates . Her goal was to make the Democratic Party more responsive to the people . When describing her reasons for running , Chisholm said , “ I am not the candidate of black America , although I am black and proud . I am not the candidate of the women ’s movement of this country , although I am a woman , and I am equally proud of that … I am the candidate of the people of America . ” In the 1972 primary , Chisholm won more than 430,000 votes in fourteen states and 28 delegates at the Democratic Convention in Miami . Chisholm provided a boost to George McGovern , the eventual Democratic nominee when she campaigned for him after the convention . Chisholm 's candidacy inspired many women and African Americans to make a difference in politics . As the first African American and woman to run for the nomination of a major party , Chisholm paved the way for Jesse Jackson Sr. who would be the next major African American candidate to run . For future candidates , Chisholm advised , “ the next campaign by a woman or black must be well prepared , and well-financed ; it must be planned long in advance , and it must aim at building a new coalition . ” Jesse Jackson seemed to follow Chisholm 's advice in his 1984 run for president . His 1984 campaign sought to bring together a “ Rainbow Coalition ” of African Americans , Hispanics , the poor , the elderly , family farmers , and women that would challenge the conservative policies of President Ronald Reagan . Jackson placed third out of ten candidates for the Democratic nomination with more than 3 million primary votes . He won primaries or caucuses in four states and the District of Columbia . Jackson 's campaign made progress by building on Chisholm 's legacy . His 1984 campaign registered nearly 2 million voters of all racial backgrounds . By registering so many new voters , Jackson expanded the Democratic Party 's base . He also inspired African American voters . Exit polls showed that nearly 12 % of all Black voters were participating for the first time . Jackson 's campaign won him a speaking slot at the 1984 Democratic Convention , which provided a national platform for him to present his agenda . In his 1988 campaign , Jackson increased his support to 6.9 million primary votes and won 9 states , the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico
Democratic Convention
1972 Democratic National Convention
African-American candidates for President of the United States