Who was the first black member of the US Senate?

Hiram Rhodes Revels (September 27, 1827[1] - January 16, 1901) was the first African American to serve in the United States Senate. Since he preceded any African American in the House, he was the first African American in the U.S. Congress as well. He represented Mississippi and 1871 during Reconstruction. As of 2009, Revels is one of only six African Americans ever to have served in the United States Senate.