Who was the first African American president of the United States?

Barack Obama was the first African American president of the United States, serving from 2009 to 2017. His election was historically significant as it represented a milestone in the United States' ongoing struggle with race and equality, marking the end of a long history of racial barriers in the highest office of the country. Obama’s presidency demonstrated the possibilities for increasing diversity in leadership within the U.S. political landscape and inspired many individuals from various backgrounds to pursue public service and political engagement.

The other individuals mentioned, while notable figures in their own rights, did not hold the office of president. Colin Powell served as the Secretary of State and was a prominent military figure, Kamala Harris has made history as the first female vice president and the first woman of Black and South Asian descent to hold that office, and Jesse Jackson has been a prominent civil rights leader and presidential candidate, but none of them have served as president.