PEOPLE 2008 YEAR IN REVIEW

Civil rights icon Cong. John Lewis switched his support of Hillary Clinton to Barack Obama, saying, "Something's happening in America, something some of us did not see coming."

The decision by former Secretary of State Colin Powell to endorse Barack Obama for president instead of fellow Republican and long-time friend John McCain caused more undecided voters to lean toward the Democratic frontrunner, political experts said.

Video clips of controversial sermons delivered by Obama's former pastor, the Rev. Jeremiah Wright, gained traction and drew negative attention to the Obama campaign. In one clip, Wright asserted that the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks were a function of cause and effect, and that African Americans should sing "God damn America" instead of "God bless America."

President-elect Barack Obama’s African-American appointees so far include: Eric Holder, U.S. attorney general; Susan Rice, United Nations ambassador; Lisa Jackson, administrator, Environmental Protection Agency; Ron Kirk, U.S. Trade Representative; Melody Barnes, director, White House Domestic Policy Council; Valerie Jarrett, senior adviser, Desiree Rogers, social secretary.

The African Methodist Episcopal Church selected three bishops at its 48th General Conference in St. Louis, Mo.: Dr. Jeffrey Leath of Philadelphia, Revs. Julius McAllister Sr. of South Carolina and John F. White Sr. of Florida.

Julian Bond announced he was stepping down as chairman of the NAACP but a few weeks later he reversed his decision, saying an outpouring of support persuaded him to change his mind.

Donna Edwards Becomes Maryland’s First Black Woman Congresswoman
Prince George’s County lawyer Donna Edwards made history when she became the first Black woman elected to Congress from Maryland. Edwards defeated nine-term Cong. Albert Wynn in the Democratic primary.

Longtime Tuskegee Mayor Johnny Ford lost his bid for an eighth term. Ford was elected as Tuskegee’s first Black mayor in 1972. He lost in 1996 but was elected to the state House in 1998 and re-elected in 2002. After switching to Republican Party, he won election again as mayor.

Dr. Joseph S. Francisco, a chemist and professor at Purdue University, was named president-elect of the American Chemical Society, the world’s largest scientific society.

Jesse Jackson, Jr., denied any wrongdoing in his efforts to fill the Senate seat being vacated by President-elect Barack Obama. “I reject and denounce ‘pay-to-play politics,’” said Jackson referring to the scandal surrounding Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich’s alleged influence-peddling.

William Jefferson, D-La., the scandal-plagued politician, lost his congressional seat in a predominantly Black district after voters failed to turn out in large numbers.

Rep. Barbara Lee, D-Calif., was selected the new chair the Congressional Black Caucus. One of its most progressive members, Lee was the only person in Congress to vote against authorizing the use of force in Iraq after Sept. 11, 2001.

Nelson Mandela celebrated his 90th birthday July 18. After 27 years in prison, Mandela became South Africa’s first Black president, ushering in a democratic, multiracial society.

Barber-Scotia College in Concord, N.C., installed David Olah as the school’s first White president at the school since 1932. Olah is the 17th president of the historically Black school which was founded 1867.

Less than two years after he reluctantly ran for lieutenant governor, David Paterson became the first Black governor of New York following the resignation of Gov. Eliot Spitzer over Spitzer’s links to a high-priced prostitution ring. Paterson is only the nation’s third Black governor since Reconstruction.

Sherman Rose, a former flight instructor for the famed Tuskegee Airmen, died Aug. 20. He was 88. Rose was among the first African Americans to receive pilot training from the U.S. government. The Tuskegee Airmen were an all-Black unit that helped to break racial barriers while gaining fame escorting bombers in World War II.

Howard University President Patrick Swygert retired after 13 years. Swygert’s legacy includes upgrading the prestigious institution by raising an unprecedented $275 million. He was succeeded by Sidney Ribeau, president of Bowling Green University in Ohio.

Entertainer and businesswoman Sheryl Underwood was elected the 23rd international president of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority during the organization’s bi-annual business meeting in Las Vegas, Nev. Zeta Phi Beta was founded at Howard University in 1920. Some of her sorors later challenged Underwood’s claim to the presidency.

Kristen Elizabeth White of Georgia was crowned the new “Miss Black USA” following a seven-day competition in June among 50 women. The 21st annual event took place in Las Vegas.

The nation’s first elected Black governor, L. Douglas Wilder, announced he would leave office after a 40-year public service career. Wilder, serving as mayor of Richmond, Va., said he would not seek a second, four-year term. Wilder’s career included his history-making achievement nearly two decades ago when he was elected governor of Virginia.