Ben Crump and Barack Obama are the Top Black Newsmakers of the 21st Century

January 26, 2026

According to a media analysis by the National Newspaper Publishers Association, civil rights attorney Ben Crump has appeared in more major national headlines than any other Black American over the past 25 years, surpassing even former President Barack Obama. Crump rose to prominence representing Trayvon Martin's family in 2012 and has since become known for representing families in high-profile civil rights cases including George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, and Ahmaud Arbery, while also securing massive legal settlements and verdicts. The top ten list includes political figures like Obama and Kamala Harris, athletes like Serena Williams and LeBron James, and entertainers like Oprah Winfrey and Beyoncé, but Crump's headlines stem from courtroom battles and demands for justice rather than achievements or election cycles.

Who is affected

Ben Crump (civil rights attorney)
Families of victims Crump has represented: Trayvon Martin, Michael Brown, George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery, Botham Jean, Lewis Butler, Malcolm X, and others
Children affected by the Flint Water Crisis
Black women affected by Johnson & Johnson talcum powder products and chemical hair relaxers
Henrietta Lacks (medical racism reparations case)
Tamara Lanier (descendant in Harvard lawsuit over slave photographs)
Former President Barack Obama
Vice President Kamala Harris
Athletes: Serena Williams, LeBron James, Simone Biles
Entertainers: Oprah Winfrey, Beyoncé, Kanye West (Ye)
Michelle Obama

What action is being taken

No explicit ongoing actions are described in the article. The article primarily discusses past accomplishments, completed cases, and historical analysis of media coverage.

Why it matters

This matters because it demonstrates how civil rights litigation and the fight for racial justice have dominated American consciousness over the past quarter century, surpassing even presidential politics in media attention. Crump's prominence reflects America's ongoing constitutional crises around racial injustice and police violence, forcing national confrontation with systemic inequality. The massive verdicts and settlements he has secured—totaling hundreds of millions of dollars—represent tangible recognition of the value of Black lives and accountability for discrimination, negligence, and violence. His work has established a legal model that combines courtroom litigation with public opinion advocacy, creating lasting impact on how civil rights cases are pursued and how businesses and institutions are held accountable for their treatment of Black Americans.

What's next

No explicit next steps stated in the article

Read full article from source: The Washington Informer