2017 has been a groundbreaking year in many ways. This year has seen black people dominate the music world, break barriers in film and outsmart the competition in academia despite everything the world tries to throw at us. Here are some of the biggest wins for black culture this year we should all be proud of and celebrate.
1. Serena Williams won her 23rd grand slam title while pregnant
At 35, Serena Williams became the first and only tennis player to win 23 Grand Slam single titles in the Open Era. And to top her own record, she won earlier this year while pregnant with her first child. Williams has had an incredible year capped off by marrying billionaire Reddit Founder Alexis Ohanian in a majestic wedding in New Orleans.
2. Colin Kaepernick earned GQ's Citizen of The Year honor and started a movement
The former San Francisco 49ers QB has become a living legend for his activism and bravery in the face of unremitting backlash. It's been one year since Kaepernick started his protest against police brutality and his stance has since attracted support, including being recognized as GQ's Citizen of The Year and being the recipient of Sports Illustrated's Muhammad Ali Legacy Award, which was presented to him by Beyoncé. Recently, he expressed interest in being part of Diddy' plan to buy the Carolina Panthers. Who knows what 2018 will bring Kaep's way.
3. Rihanna and Fenty Beauty dominated the makeup industry
The world was introduced to a thicker, more voluptuous Rihanna in 2017, and she didn't take crap from body shamers. The Caribbean princess also ventured away from the mic, becoming a juggernaut in the makeup industry with her Fenty Beauty line. Experts believe that the makeup line featuring shades suited for various tones of black skin is valued at $70 million in advertising.
4. Get Out broke records and cemented itself as a must-see film
Jordan Peele 's hit debut film has become an instant pop culture phenomenon. The film depicting the downward spiral of a black man entering into a white liberal hellscape broke records. It is the highest-grossing original debut ever — the film grossed more than $160 million a budget of $5 million and it has become the subject of a UCLA course centered around black horror films.
5. Lena Waithe and Donald Glover made history at the Emmys
Writer and producer Lena Waithe broke down barriers by becoming the first black woman to win an Emmy for writing in a comedy series for her work on Master of None, "The Thanksgiving Episode." She followed up her big win with a Thanksgiving engagement announcement and a new Showtime series called, The Chi , about her beloved Chicago. The Emmys were also graced with Donald Glover's black excellence when he became the first black person to win for best director in a comedy series for his work on Atlanta.
6. LeBron James "U Bum" tweet ruthlessly challenged 45
Cleveland Cavaliers star LeBron James flexed his power by calling out the most unpopular president of our generation a "bum" without repercussion, without being suspended and without losing a dime. That was a win for everybody black.
7. Tiffany Haddish became the first black woman comic to host SNL
Comedienne Tiffany Haddish has had a breakout year. The Girls Trip star propelled the all-black-woman-fronted comedy to the top of the box office this year when other comedies failed. Her star has risen. Haddish also revealed an ugly truth by becoming the first black female stand-up comic to host Saturday Night Live in its 43 seasons. She has used her new platform to serve as a vocal force against sexual harassment in comedy during this crucial moment in Hollywood.
8. Cardi B's meteoric rise landed her the spot on the Billboard Hot 100 chart
Cardi B had a year to remember. She had the record-breaking song of the summer, "Bodak Yellow" and got engaged to her beloved boyfriend and fellow rapper Offset. The reality TV star turned rap princess became the fifth female rapper to ever lead the Billboard Hot 100 chart, and the second-ever to do so with a solo single after Lauryn Hill in 1998. To cap off this amazing year, Cardi B also received Grammy award nominations for Best Rap Performance and Best Rap Song.
9. 10 African Americans were named Rhodes Scholars, marking the highest number of new black scholars the program has ever announced
The first ever black woman to serve as captain of the Corps of Cadets at West Point, Simone Askew, was one of many standout black students making waves in academia and becoming pillars in their communities. The Princeton University senior Jordan D. Thomas was also a Fulbright Summer Institute fellow at the University of Bristol and interned at the Office for Civil Rights’ Program Legal Group at the U.S. Department of Education before being named as a Rhode Scholar. For the full list of black Rhodes Scholars, check out Blavity's initial coverage here.
10. #BlackPantherSoLit epitomized black folks' excitement for the star-studded film
When the first Black Panther teaser trailer dropped in June, Black Twitter exploded with joy at the sight of the black excellence of Wakanda. Chadwick Boseman, Angela Bassett, Forrest Whitaker, Lupita Nyong'o, Michael B. Jordan and others lead a star-studded cast in what is going to be the biggest film of 2018. Disney clearly gave Ryan Coogler the keys to the kingdom. Everyone wants to visit the world of Wakanda.
11. Confederate monuments came down across the country
This year was dominated by the endless debate over the removal of Confederate monuments. Activists nationwide scored major victories to get the country to reckon with the sins of slavery and white supremacy. Statues on the University of Texas campus were removed. A monument dedicated to controversial pro-slavery U.S. Supreme Court Justice Robert B. Taney in Maryland was removed. Statues in New Orleans, Baltimore and most recently Memphis were among some places the monuments were removed this year.
12. Sen. Cory Booker introduced his marijuana bill and got a big boost of support
New Jersey Sen. Cory Booker introduced a progressive new policy to federal lawmakers called the Marijuana Justice Act in August that would remove cannabis from the controlled substances list. His bill, enacted, will all those to restructure sentences, get job training and the bill will also reinvest in communities hit hardest by the War on Drugs.
13. Chance the Rapper won not one Grammy, but three.
Chicago's own Chance the Rapper spent most of the year giving back to children of his hometown. But Chance also kicked down some doors on the way. At 59th Grammys, Chance took home his first three awards including one for Best New Artist, Best Rap Performance and Best Rap Album. He is the first streaming-only artist to win a Grammy and the first male rap solo artist to win Best New Artist.
14.Six black Americans were named MacArthur geniuses
Courtesy of the John D. and Catherine MacArthur Foundation, writer Jesmyn Ward, composer Tyshawn Sorey, journalist Nikole Hannah-Jones, singer Rhiannon Giddens, photographer Dawoud Bey and painter Njideka Akunyili Crosby will receive a $625,000 award from the foundation that will be paid out over five years with no strings attached. The funds could be used to create projects in their respective fields. Out of the 24 other fellows, these incredible six were the only black recipients this year.
15. We saw a boost in representation at elections throughout the country.
While celebrities got a lot of the spotlight in 2017, many new politicians have risen to the surface with the promise of change in the age of Trump. Newly elected Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottom will continue the tradition of black power in the city as she serves as the second woman mayor in the black mecca. Vi Lyles became the first black woman mayor of Charlotte, North Carolina. New Orleans activist Latoya Cantrell made history when she was elected as city's first female mayor. Others like Jackson, Mississippi Mayor Chokwe Antar Lumumba is the youngest to hold the office, San Francisco's London Breed was named first black female mayor after the sudden death of Ed Lee and Andrea Jenkins, the first black, openly trans woman in U.S. history to win elected office.
