Osceola McKaine

Osceola Enoch McKaine (December 18, 1892 – November 17, 1955) was an American public speaker, businessman, civil rights activist and political candidate. He was a candidate for US Senate in 1944 as part of a Black-led splinter challenge to the Democratic Party.

Early life and education McKaine was born in Sumter, South Carolina. He graduated from Lincoln Graded School in 1908. He worked to expand Black political participation in the South during the 1940s. He strived to help register Black voters and challenge the current primary system.

He conducted a survey to report the disparity of white and black teachers' salaries. making him the first black candidate to run for statewide office since Reconstruction.

McKaine returned to Belgium to his supper club work after World War II.

Personal life McKaine spoke four languages.

He died in Brussels, Belgium, at age 62 and was buried in his hometown, Sumter, South Carolina, at Walker Cemetery.