great white hope

Etymology
Coined in the early 20th century, first appearing in 1911; during a period when African-American heavyweight champion boxer seemed unbeatable by a Caucasian boxer. When a promising Caucasian hopeful arrived as a challenger in a championship match, the white race's hopes were attached to said boxer, and they were labelled the "Great White Hope". The term was repopularized in the late-mid 1900s with the appearance of the play and film ; and its definition extended beyond boxing and Caucasians.

Noun

 * 1) A highly skilled white/Caucasian challenger for leadership in a field whose top ranks are dominated by non-Caucasians; especially a field which was once dominated by white Caucasians, and is now dominated by those of black-African descent.
 * 2) A person expected to succeed and bring prestige to their native group.