<P> Writers and directors have featured a black man as president in several memorable portrayals . There have been film and television proposals based on the idea , as well . The first movie portrayal of a black American president was probably that of Sammy Davis Jr. in the 1933 film Rufus Jones for President . In this short musical comedy , the 7 - year - old Davis is told by his mother , portrayed by Ethel Waters , that `` anyone can become president , and later dreams of his own inauguration '' . Outside the dreams , the film reflects contemporary racist attitudes . </P>
<P> Writers and directors have featured a black man as president in several memorable portrayals . There have been film and television proposals based on the idea , as well . The first movie portrayal of a black American president was probably that of Sammy Davis Jr. in the 1933 film Rufus Jones for President . In this short musical comedy , the 7 - year - old Davis is told by his mother , portrayed by Ethel Waters , that `` anyone can become president , and later dreams of his own inauguration '' . Outside the dreams , the film reflects contemporary racist attitudes . </P>
who played the first black president in a movie
who played the first black president in a movie
Sammy Davis Jr. in the 1933 film Rufus Jones for President
Sammy Davis Jr. in the 1933 film Rufus Jones for President