Celebrating Black Excellence: Moments That Left a Lasting Impact
Graphic by Emma Novy
2025 created significant moments and movements that evolved Black culture and recognized the impact of important Black figures. From entertainment to politics, these spaces are becoming more diverse by the year. While there is still progress to be made, it is important to recognize what Black people have accomplished.
One of the most significant moments for Black culture in 2025 was Kendrick Lamar’s Super Bowl halftime show. With over 100 million people watching the show, Lamar made an impactful statement, televising a revolution.
While the show’s purpose is always to entertain, this one had a call to action for social justice. Samuel L. Jackson was featured as Uncle Sam, challenging the idea of the typical American as a white man and creating a new image of patriotism.
The performance was set up as a video game, with Jackson stating at the beginning that Lamar must play the game–the game being Black artists trying to conform and suppress their self-expression. At the end of the performance, “Game Over” signaled the end of these restrictions and Lamar–along with all Black artists–taking agency over their work and lives.
On November 15, 2025, the Studio Museum in Harlem was reopened, showcasing galleries, studios, and a public rooftop. This reopening marks a milestone in recognizing and promoting Black art and sharing Harlem’s cultural legacy.
During the Harlem Renaissance, Black people expressed their emotional explosions through art, literature, poetry, music, and more. With racial prejudice still prevalent, Black people used art as a means for connection, understanding, and a call for equal opportunity.
On December 31, 2026, Sharon Owens took office as the mayor of Syracuse, New York, being the 55th mayor, yet the first Black mayor of Syracuse. Her election signified a shift in representation in politics, moving towards a more inclusive government.
Ryan Coogler’s Sinners won 16 Academy Awards nominations for 2026, which was the most Academy Awards a film has ever been nominated for. This win defied traditional tropes that the Oscars typically recognize, for it contains horror and musical aspects rooted in Black history.
The film explores racial trauma in the 1930s Jim Crow South, with the vampires symbolizing society tainting Black art and joy. The film highlights the importance of community amongst oppressed groups to overcome systemic violence.
The film’s recognition by the Academy signifies a shift in what mainstream audiences engage in. While films and actors that rise to popularity are typically white, this film being so popular even among white audiences signifies an important outreach, causing everyone to understand and appreciate Black culture and filmmaking.
This year, Laila Edwards became the first Black woman to play for the U.S. Olympic ice hockey team, and the first Black woman to win a gold medal. Edwards emphasizes diversity in hockey and aims to inspire minority communities to take up space.
Dr. Opal Lee is an American educator, activist, and author, and has been working for decades to recognize Juneteenth as a federal holiday. In 2016, she walked from Fort Worth, Texas to Washington D.C. at the age of 89 to raise awareness, which led to Juneteenth’s ultimate recognition as a federal holiday in 2021. She is often referred to as the “Grandmother of Juneteenth.” She walked 2.5 miles, symbolizing the number of years it took after the emancipation of enslaved people for all of them to know they were free.
On January 22, 2026, Mattel created a Barbie doll of Lee, exposing the newer generations to a strong Black leader. Lee’s Barbie was made to express to young girls that no goal is too far-fetched, and anyone can make a broad impact, no matter how small it may begin.
These events that occurred in 2025 and so far in 2026 are crucial moments in Black history, and will likely persist as significant events. While the U.S. is still divided and oppression is still prevalent, these instances signal progress and recognition of prominent Black figures and their impacts.