The first African American to serve as Secretary of State was Colin Powell. He held this position during the presidency of George W. Bush from 2001 to 2005. Powell was a distinguished military officer, having served as a four-star general in the U.S. Army, and gained immense respect for his leadership, particularly during the Gulf War. His tenure as Secretary of State was marked by his efforts to shape U.S. foreign policy and diplomacy, significantly impacting international relations in the early 21st century.