In United States history, a group of advisors, not officially part of the President’s cabinet, who provide counsel on policy matters, particularly regarding race and civil rights, has sometimes been informally termed a “black cabinet.” These advisors, typically prominent African Americans, offer insights and perspectives often underrepresented within the formal executive branch structure. An example includes the informal group of African American intellectuals and leaders who advised President Franklin Delano Roosevelt during the New Deal era.
The significance of such advisory groups lies in their potential to influence policy decisions related to African American communities and to advocate for racial equality. They provide a conduit for concerns and perspectives from those communities to reach the highest levels of government. Historically, these advisors played a crucial role in shaping legislation, executive orders, and initiatives aimed at addressing racial discrimination and promoting social and economic advancement for African Americans. Their contributions, though often unofficial, significantly impacted the trajectory of civil rights and social justice movements in the United States.
