To help understand "black Republicans," please see my piece on the subject. Now, I don't know that that gentleman was or was not actually a republican. However, his mindset and his actions, suggest that he is:. Also, there are some resources reeferenced there which delve much deeper in this matter than I ever have.

https://hdyerjr.medium.com/central-parks-black-birdwatcher-betrays-all-five-centuries-of-the-black-freedom-struggle-feecab2e8701