"I think it was more of a challenge being practically the only African-American in a white school system," she said.

She is also tired of being the only African-American in class and having the professor turn to her for "the black opinion."

In the 1970's, I rose to middle management and was the only African-American in my division.

She also has to deal with being the only African-American in the troupe and the attitude of rural fans to her as bad girl Black Lightning.

In New Hampshire, he is almost always the only African-American in the room.

He was the only African-American in Harvard Law's 1928 graduating class.

The only African-American in a Nascar driver's seat, Bill Lester, is a 41-year-old rookie in the third-level truck series.

Mr. Brown, who refinanced, re-energized and unified the Democratic Party after its loss in 1988, was the only African-American who could make that claim.

Andy Walker, the only African-American in the field, is tied for 144th.

Irvin was the only African-American in the race.