Top Black Conservatives

For years, the mainstream narrative has tried to paint conservatism as an exclusive club in which only Mar-a-Lago visitors could participate in, but black conservatives are proving that’s a lie. With a growing movement that embraces faith, family, free markets, and unapologetic patriotism, more and more black Americans, from every community in the country, are hopping on to the right. The 2024 election made it clear: Trump’s gains among black men were definite. And they were also a wake-up call for Democrats who thought they had black communities siding with them. Let’s look at some of the most influential black conservatives making waves today.

Officer Tatum

Brandon Tatum, better known as Officer Tatum, is a former police officer who has become a strong voice for black conservatives. He speaks out on issues like law enforcement, personal responsibility, and the narratives surrounding race and criminal justice. He is active on his YouTube channel and podcast, The Officer Tatum Show. He’s also the co-founder of the Blexit movement with Candace Owens, to push independent thinking to reject the victimhood mentality.

Rob Smith

Rob Smith is a former U.S. Army veteran and a bold voice in the black conservative movement. In his own words, he’s “The OG Black Gay Veteran Republican Icon”. His podcast, “Rob Smith is Problematic” and social media presence have earned him a dedicated following. He recently left the Republican Party over a spat, but is still a conservative voice and blasted GQ because they didn’t mention he was black in a recent article. 

CJ Pearson

CJ Pearson started making waves as a teenager at just 13 years old, launching into political commentary with a focus on conservatism. You might know him from that recent New York Magazine profile “The Cruel Kid’s Table,” in which they featured young white conservatives on the cover. CJ was actually hosting the meeting and the magazine cropped him out of it. CJ, of course, slammed the magazine.

Candace Owens

Candace Owens is a rising star in the conservative movement, and she’s known for her taking aim at the left, particularly on race and identity politics. A former liberal who made a dramatic shift to the right, Owens became the voice of Blexit, with Brandon Tatum, a movement urging black Americans to leave the Democratic Party. Her outspoken opinions on topics like police brutality, victimhood, and personal responsibility have made her well-known among conservatives. Still, last year she came under fire for her antisemitic comments and her show, Candace, on Ben Shapiro’s The Daily Wire was cancelled. Now she runs an independent YouTube channel with over 3.8 million subscribers and a podcast called A Shot in the Dark.

50 Cent 

50 Cent has always been a straight shooter in the entertainment industry, but his turn toward conservatism lately has stirred up controversy. Though he claims to stay away from politics, the rapper and entrepreneur became more vocal about being a black conservative, especially after voicing concerns over taxes under Democratic policies. While not as political as others, his influence in the hip-hop world and beyond has drawn attention to the broader conversation about black conservatism, such as financial independence, self-sufficiency (get rich or die tryin’), and rejecting dependency on government programs.

Thomas Sowell

Thomas Sowell, a 94-year-old commentator, is a definitive model in the world of black conservatism. A renowned economist, author, and scholar, Sowell’s massive body of work has critiqued liberal policies and praised free-market capitalism, individual liberty, and personal responsibility. He was a critical figure for conservatives during the Reagan era. His views on social justice ended up making him an intellectual influence among black conservatives.

Ben Carson

Ben Carson is best known for his brilliant career as a neurosurgeon—he was the first successful surgeon to separate conjoined twins joined in the back of the head—but his shift to politics as a black conservative in 2013 also drew attention. After running for president in 2016 and serving as Secretary of Housing and Urban Development under Trump, Carson became an advocate for faith, family, and fiscal responsibility. His humble beginnings and rise to success are a good example of the American Dream, and his focus on education and economic opportunity has made him a big part of the conservative movement.

Larry Elder

Larry Elder, known as the Sage from South Central, has been a prominent conservative commentator and author for years. As a black man from one of the most challenging urban areas in America, Elder has long challenged the conventional narrative around race, poverty, and success. He has issued criticisms of the Democratic Party, particularly on issues like welfare, crime, and education. He hosts The Larry Elder Show, where he shares his perspective on current issues in America.

Condoleezza Rice

Condoleezza Rice is a highly respected leader in American politics and a longtime black conservative. As Secretary of State under President George W. Bush, she directed foreign relations after 9/11. Mrs. Rice tore down racial and gender barriers as the first female African-American Secretary of State and the first woman to serve as national security advisor.

Scott Turner

Scott Turner is a former Texas state representative and is now serving as the 19th United States secretary of Housing and Urban Development under President Trump. Known for his leadership in promoting economic opportunity, Turner advocates for policies that inspire communities to rise above dependency on government aid. He recently announced a DOGE task force for his department so he can cut waste.