The Republican Party is making some very visible changes to appeal to minorities, and its 2016 presidential contenders may include two Hispanic senators, an Indian-American governor, a female business leader and a black neurosurgeon, The Associated Press reported.

Most of the GOP candidates to succeed President Barack Obama, however, are still white men. Among those who are not is Carly Fiorina, a former Hewlett-Packard chief executive.

Fiorina, who in 2010 unsuccessfully ran for a U.S. Senate seat in California, is already hiring staffers to lay the groundwork for her campaign, according to the National Journal.

"This is a diverse nation, and we need to be a diverse party," said the only Republican woman openly considering a 2016 bid. "That doesn't mean we sacrifice our principles, but it means we need to look like and understand and empathize with the nation."

The AP also pointed to the Hispanic heritage of Sens. Marco Rubio and Ted Cruz, of Florida and Texas, respectively, both of whom are said to have White House ambitions. Louisiana's Bobby Jindal, who -- despite his much criticized 2009 response to Obama's State of the Union address -- has long been considered a rising GOP star, is the nation's first Indian-American governor.

Even former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush stands out in terms of diversity: The brother of George W. Bush and son of George H.W. Bush speaks fluent Spanish, is married to a native Mexican and has made a mark for himself by pushing an immigration overhaul that includes a pathway to citizenship for many who are in the country illegally.

Bush is the only candidate to have made things at least semi-official when he recently announced plans to "actively explore" a presidential bid.

Republicans "are going to have to make a decision about whether they're going to build a meaningful multiracial coalition by respecting and defending the rights of all people in this country," said Benjamin Jealous, a former president of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People.

A candidacy by retired neurosurgeon and conservative pundit Ben Carson may help in that effort.

"Police have to admit that maybe there are some other tactics and things that can be utilized," said the early field's only black man said in the wake of recent tensions. "People in neighborhoods have to recognize that people who are thugs are thugs. You can't make them into angels. Unless the two sides can admit those things, meaningful discussions will never be had."