Why a black lead works on this show

1.) Benjamin Sisko is a unique character and not a rehash of a canonically white character.

2.) He's a strong, well-written character and even develops and grows as a person throughout the show, rather than just being there to check off a diversity box. Heck, he's not even a token minority either, he's one of the STARS.

3.) Avery Brooks is a very good actor, and even makes his severe over-acting work for Benjamin, because Captain Sisko is a very passionate person.

4.) Sisko is a very likeable character and it's great watching the dynamics between him and the other characters on the show.

5.) He has a family that's also well-written, and even develops a love interest (Cassidy) later on in the show.

6.) He's not perfect. He's not a "boss" of any kind, and will even screw up sometimes on the show, but he learns from it and does better, rather than pretending it never happened.