African Americans are a diverse ethnic group in the United States whose ancestry traces primarily to West and Central Africa and whose history is deeply intertwined with the country’s development, from slavery through the civil rights movement to today’s cultural and political life.

Who African Americans Are

African Americans constitute one of the largest ethnic groups in the United States, with roots going back to the early 1600s in the English colonies. Most have predominantly African ancestry, but many also have European, Native American, or other non-Black ancestors because of centuries of migration, coercive relationships under slavery, and later intermarriage. The term “African American” gained broad use in the late 20th century as a way to emphasize both African heritage and American nationality.

Historical Quick Scoop

  • In 1619, about 20 Africans arrived in the Virginia colony as indentured servants; by the late 1600s, colonies increasingly shifted to race-based chattel slavery.
  • Between the 17th and 19th centuries, hundreds of thousands of Africans were forcibly transported to what became the United States as part of the Atlantic slave trade.
  • Enslaved people endured forced labor, family separation, physical violence, and sexual abuse under a legal system that treated them as property.
  • Resistance took the form of work slowdowns, escapes (including via the Underground Railroad), rebellions, and the creation of independent Black churches and communities.
  • The American Civil War and the Emancipation Proclamation, followed by the Thirteenth Amendment, legally abolished slavery, though new systems of racial control quickly emerged.

After slavery, the Reconstruction era briefly expanded Black political rights, including Black officeholders in Southern states, but white backlash led to Jim Crow segregation, disenfranchisement, and widespread racial violence. These systems of inequality shaped access to education, housing, jobs, and voting well into the 20th century and continue to influence disparities today.

Culture, Community, and Identity

African American culture blends African traditions with experiences in North America, creating distinctive forms of music, language, religion, food, and art. Spiritual life has historically centered around the Black church, which functioned as a religious, social, and political hub and helped sustain community organizing from slavery days through the civil rights era. Oral traditions, including folktales, sermons, and storytelling, played a crucial role in passing down history and values when access to formal education was restricted.

Key cultural contributions include:

  • Music: Spirituals, blues, jazz, gospel, rhythm and blues, soul, funk, hip-hop, and more have shaped not only American music but global popular culture.
  • Language: African American Vernacular English (AAVE) reflects both African linguistic patterns and American English, and it influences everyday slang, literature, and media.
  • Foodways: Dishes often called “soul food” draw on West and Central African techniques and ingredients adapted to the American South (for example, greens, rice-based dishes, and slow-cooked meats).
  • Arts and literature: From the Harlem Renaissance to contemporary film, visual arts, and literature, African American creators have profoundly influenced how stories about race, identity, and democracy are told.

An example of this cultural continuity is the way African-derived call-and- response patterns echo in Black church worship, blues performances, and hip- hop concerts, linking past and present across different styles.

Present-Day Issues and Achievements

African Americans have made major contributions in politics, civil rights, science, sports, and entertainment, from abolitionist and civil rights leaders to artists, athletes, and elected officials at every level of government. At the same time, legacies of slavery, segregation, housing discrimination, and unequal schooling contribute to gaps in wealth, health outcomes, policing, and incarceration rates. Institutions such as the National Museum of African American History and Culture highlight these intertwined histories of oppression, resilience, and creativity for a broad public audience.

Public conversation about African Americans remains a central part of U.S. political and cultural debate, whether in discussions of voting rights, criminal justice reform, education policy, or representation in media and fashion. Online, Black-focused platforms and news aggregators track stories about Black celebrities, activism, style, and technology, reflecting both serious social concerns and everyday pop-cultural life.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.