In later years , he was critical of his party 's rightward trend and was gratified to have lived long enough to have seen his country elect its first black president -- who was , in turn , grateful enough to Brooke 's pioneer steps to give him a presidential gold medal in 2009 . Edward Brooke and Stuart Hall , two important African Americans , attended . Both challenged expectations of what it meant to be black and make way for others .
Edward Brooke and Stuart Hall , two important African Americans , attended . Both challenged expectations of what it meant to be black and make way for others .