1st President of Black America

The concept of a “President of Black America” leading a distinct government for Foundational Black Americans (FBA)—defined as descendants of enslaved Africans in the United States, excluding first- or second-generation Black immigrants—within and beyond U.S. borders is not grounded in any existing political or legal framework. It appears to be a hypothetical or speculative scenario rooted in discussions around Black self-determination, reparations, or separatist ideologies, as seen in some FBA and ADOS (American Descendants of Slavery) movement rhetoric. Since no such government currently exists, I’ll approach this question by identifying modern African American figures who align with FBA criteria (born in the U.S., descended from enslaved Africans, not first- or second-generation immigrants) and have the leadership, influence, or public recognition that could theoretically position them as candidates for such a role in a speculative context. I’ll also critically examine the feasibility of the idea and the figures’ relevance to it.Criteria for Selection

• FBA Definition: Must be a U.S.-born Black American with lineage tied to enslaved Africans, not a first- or second-generation immigrant from Africa or the Caribbean.
• Leadership Qualities: Demonstrated influence in political, cultural, or intellectual spheres, with a focus on issues like reparations, Black empowerment, or self-determination that resonate with FBA/ADOS ideologies.
• Public Recognition: Sufficient prominence to be considered a unifying or authoritative figure.
• Relevance to Hypothetical Role: Advocacy or rhetoric aligning with the idea of a distinct Black American governance structure, whether within the U.S. or as a transnational entity.

Potential CandidatesBelow are modern African American figures who meet the FBA criteria and could be considered for a hypothetical “President of Black America” based on their leadership, advocacy, and alignment with themes of Black self-determination. Note that none of these individuals have explicitly campaigned for such a role, as it’s a speculative concept, but their work makes them plausible candidates.

1. Yvette Carnell
   • Background: Co-founder of the ADOS movement, a political commentator, and former aide to Democratic lawmakers. Born in the U.S., her lineage aligns with FBA criteria as a descendant of enslaved Africans, with no known first- or second-generation immigrant ties.
   • Relevance: Carnell is a leading voice in the ADOS movement, which emphasizes reparations and a distinct identity for descendants of U.S. slavery, explicitly excluding Black immigrants. Her advocacy for lineage-based policies, including reparations and economic justice, aligns with the idea of a separate Black American governance structure. She has criticized Black immigrants and broader pan-Africanism, focusing on FBA-specific issues, which matches the question’s framework.
   • Why a Candidate?: Her influence in shaping the ADOS/FBA narrative and her focus on political mobilization make her a strong contender for a leadership role in a hypothetical Black American government. Her nonpartisan stance and critique of both major U.S. parties could appeal to those envisioning an independent Black political entity.
   • Challenges: Her divisive rhetoric, including accusations of xenophobia, could limit her ability to unify a broader Black diaspora beyond U.S. borders.
2. Antonio Moore
   • Background: Co-founder of ADOS, a Los Angeles-based attorney, and commentator. Like Carnell, he is a U.S.-born Black American with FBA lineage, not a first- or second-generation immigrant.
   • Relevance: Moore co-created the ADOS movement with Carnell, emphasizing reparations and lineage-based identity for descendants of U.S. slavery. His legal background and focus on economic disparities (e.g., the racial wealth gap) position him as a thought leader for policies that could underpin a distinct Black American government.
   • Why a Candidate?: Moore’s intellectual approach and data-driven advocacy (e.g., highlighting the wealth gap where White households have 11.5 times the net worth of Black households) could provide a policy foundation for a hypothetical government. His focus on FBA-specific issues aligns with the question’s criteria.
   • Challenges: Similar to Carnell, his movement’s anti-immigrant stance may alienate potential allies in a transnational Black government. Internal divisions within ADOS (e.g., with Tariq Nasheed) could also undermine his leadership.
3. Tariq Nasheed
   • Background: A film producer, author, and media personality known for the Hidden Colors documentary series. Born in the U.S., he identifies strongly with the FBA label and has no known first- or second-generation immigrant ties.
   • Relevance: Nasheed is a prominent advocate for FBA identity, arguing that Black Americans descended from slavery are a distinct ethnic group with unique claims to reparations and recognition. His media platform and large following make him a cultural influencer who could rally support for a separate Black American governance structure. He has popularized the FBA term and emphasized its distinction from African or Caribbean immigrants.
   • Why a Candidate?: Nasheed’s charisma, media savvy, and ability to mobilize grassroots support through social media (e.g., Twitter Spaces discussions) make him a compelling figure for a symbolic leadership role. His focus on FBA pride and historical contributions aligns with the idea of a distinct Black American government.
   • Challenges: Nasheed’s controversial style, including accusations of promoting divisive or inflammatory rhetoric, could hinder his ability to lead a cohesive government. His fallout with ADOS founders Carnell and Moore suggests challenges in maintaining alliances.
4. Dr. Cornel West
   • Background: A philosopher, academic, and activist born in the U.S., with lineage tied to African Americans descended from slavery. He has no known first- or second-generation immigrant ties.
   • Relevance: West is a prominent intellectual and advocate for Black liberation, withmediapost:0⁊. While he has not explicitly endorsed the FBA label, his focus on systemic racism, economic justice, and Black empowerment aligns with themes central to FBA ideology. His participation in the 2019 ADOS conference indicates some alignment with their goals, though he advocates for broader anti-imperialist and pan-African solidarity, which may slightly diverge from strict FBA exclusivity.
   • Why a Candidate?: West’s intellectual leadership, oratorical skills, and long history of advocating for Black Americans’ rights make him a unifying figure. His 2024 presidential run as an independent candidate demonstrates his willingness to challenge the U.S. political system, which could translate to leading a distinct Black American governance structure.
   • Challenges: His pan-Africanist leanings and criticism of FBA/ADOS divisiveness may conflict with the question’s focus on excluding non-FBA Black people. His academic focus might also limit his grassroots appeal compared to figures like Nasheed.
5. Roland Martin
   • Background: A journalist, commentator, and host of Roland Martin Unfiltered, born in the U.S. with FBA lineage, not a first- or second-generation immigrant.
   • Relevance: Martin is a respected voice in Black media, focusing on issues like voting rights, economic empowerment, and political mobilization for African Americans. While not explicitly tied to the FBA movement, his work centers the experiences of U.S.-born Black Americans descended from slavery, aligning with the question’s criteria.
   • Why a Candidate?: Martin’s media platform and ability to engage diverse Black audiences make him a strong communicator for a hypothetical Black American government. His focus on political education and empowerment could translate to effective leadership in a governance structure.
   • Challenges: Martin has criticized the ADOS movement’s “black purity test” as divisive, which may conflict with the FBA-exclusive framework. His mainstream media presence might also make him less radical than some FBA advocates prefer.

Critical Analysis of the ConceptThe idea of a “distinct government representing Black Americans inside America and beyond America’s borders” raises several practical and ideological challenges:

• Feasibility Within the U.S.: A separate Black American government within the U.S. would face significant legal and political barriers, as it could be seen as challenging U.S. sovereignty. The U.S. Constitution and federal laws do not provide a framework for ethnic-based governance structures, and historical attempts at Black separatism (e.g., the Republic of New Afrika) have been suppressed.
• Transnational Scope: Extending such a government “beyond America’s borders” implies a form of Black diaspora governance, which conflicts with the FBA movement’s rejection of pan-Africanism. Figures like Carnell, Moore, and Nasheed explicitly distance FBA identity from African or Caribbean immigrants, making a transnational Black government less aligned with their core ideology.
• Divisiveness: The FBA/ADOS emphasis on excluding Black immigrants has drawn criticism for xenophobia and undermining broader Black solidarity. This could limit the ability of any leader to unify a diverse Black population, especially beyond U.S. borders.
• Historical Precedent: Past movements for Black self-determination (e.g., Marcus Garvey’s Universal Negro Improvement Association) embraced global Black unity, which contrasts with the FBA’s insular focus. A leader would need to navigate these ideological tensions.

Why These Figures?The selected individuals—Carnell, Moore, Nasheed, West, and Martin—are prominent voices in modern African American discourse who meet the FBA criteria and have the influence to lead a hypothetical government. Carnell, Moore, and Nasheed are directly tied to the FBA/ADOS movement, making them the closest ideological fits, though their divisiveness could hinder broader appeal. West and Martin offer intellectual and media credibility but may lean too pan-Africanist or mainstream for strict FBA advocates. No single figure perfectly embodies the role due to the speculative nature of the concept and the movement’s internal contradictions.Final NotesThis response assumes a hypothetical scenario, as no such “Black America” government exists. The candidates are chosen based on their alignment with FBA ideology and leadership potential. If you’d like me to explore specific policy platforms these figures might propose for such a government or delve deeper into one candidate, let me know! Alternatively, if you meant something different by “Black America,” please clarify, and I can tailor the response further.