In honor of Black history month, here's some Presidential trivia. Which President signed the first civil rights legislation? Dwight D Eisenhower. Eisenhower was also the first President to appoint an African American to serve as executive assistant to the President. Who was the first to invite an African American to the White House? Teddy Roosevelt who invited Booker T Washington to the White House. Teddy Roosevelt was also the first President to appoint African Americans to Federal positions. As a matter of fact, Teddy Roosevelt often traveled from his home in Long Island to visit Lake George. He was hiking nearby Mount Marcy when he heard of President McKinley being shot.