The Best Things to Happen to Black People in 2023 – Word In Black

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2022 was a *wild* year. Book bans swept the country, the U.S. The Supreme Court struck down Roe v. Wade, and 10 Black people were tragically gunned down in a grocery store in Buffalo, New York.
But there was also plenty to celebrate in the Black community. Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson became the first Black woman to be confirmed to the U.S. Supreme Court, Brittney Griner came home to her family, and the Emmett Till Anti-Lynching Act finally passed.
Knowing that, even in hard times, our community members were fighting — and winning! — battles for racial justice and equity gives us hope. That’s why we’ll keep turning the spotlight on the organizations and people working to create positive change. We’ll update this list periodically with all the good news happening to Black folks in 2023.
1. Family Sells Bruce’s Beach for $20M. After being stolen in 1924, a Manhattan beachfront property was returned to the descendants of Willa and Charles Bruce as an act of reparations in 2022. Now, they are selling the property back to Los Angeles County.
Stay up-to-date on reporting that amplifies the stories, voices, and perspectives of Black America.
Nearly 100 years ago, the government took a Southern California beach away from its Black owners because of the color of their skin.

Descendants finally regained the land — and now they intend to sell it back to LA County for nearly $20 million. https://t.co/NPYd7gVGNg
2. You can stream The 1619 Project. The Pulitzer Prize-winning work The 1619 Project exists as a news series, a book, and now a show on Hulu. Nikole Hannah-Jones’ longform work will be told in a six-part docu-series of the same name.
The greatest story never told. Coming Jan. 26. #1619hulu from @nytimes @onyxcollective and executive producers @oprah @Shoshana_guy @Rogerrosswill @Caitlinroper @Kll5 and myself. Join us. pic.twitter.com/Pv35wnQvRc
3. A historic deal and better food in Houston’s airport. LaTrelle’s, a Black-owned and family-led restaurateur firm, recently inked a $334 million contract for a space in the William P. Hobby Airport. The funds go toward the renovation and revitalization of the airport’s dining hub.
LaTrelle’s Wins Prime Contract At HOU. Read more on Airport Experience News! You can find the full article here: https://t.co/rbOf9g6BNr pic.twitter.com/Z7glLJWGrP
4. Sticking the landing. Fisk University made history as the first HBCU to compete in NCAA gymnastics. Morgan Price, their five-star recruit, was the team’s strongest performer in all four events.
History = made ✅

Fisk University is the 1st HBCU program to compete at the @ncaa level!#fiskgymnastics #fiskuniversity #super16 #hbcu #explore #morganprice pic.twitter.com/z9zJVuIrTC
5. Well-deserved flowers. The Recording Academy announced The Supremes and Slick Rick will receive Lifetime Achievement Awards at this year’s GRAMMYs ceremony in February.
Congratulations to #TheSupremes on their Lifetime Achievement Award Honoree at this year’s #GRAMMYs @RecordingAcad pic.twitter.com/urBSer385Z
6. A sweet reunion. Cleveland Cavalier guard Donovan Mitchell reunited with a special fan. Before he was traded and played in Louisville, Josh waited for Mitchell outside the arena after every game for five years. The two got to hug again for the first time since Mitchell was traded.
My guy Josh has been waiting for me at the arena every game for 5 years!! My first time seeing him since I got traded… it’s moments like these that last forever! Missed you Josh ❤️❤️!! pic.twitter.com/Y0SQphzecP
7. A one stop Black-owned business shop. The D.C. area is now home to a strip mall made of entirely Black-owned businesses. When Angel Gregorio opened her new spice shop, she invited others to join her, ultimately transforming a 7,500 square foot space into a one-stop-shop for local Black-owned businesses, called Black And Forth.
A post shared by Black And Forth (@black.and.forth)
8. Doctors in the making. Morgan State University is the first HBCU in 45 years to open a medical school. The new school will be in partnership with Ascension Saint Agnes Hospital, and it aims to open doors in 2024.
A post shared by April D. Ryan (@adr1600)
9. Puzzle practice. Test your knowledge of the Black diaspora with Black Crossword, a free mini crossword puzzle made of terms and clues from the diaspora. New puzzles are released daily.
Black Crossword is live!

These free daily mini puzzles put an emphasis on terms and clues from the Black diaspora.

Play today’s puzzle here:https://t.co/AwS6OyeKFT pic.twitter.com/MIZymb8qs3
10. Never stop exploring. Now 78, J.R. Harris hasn’t stopped exploring since 1966. He hikes mountains, goes river rafting, travels to remote villages across the globe — and he visits elementary schools to encourage kids to follow their dreams.
A post shared by J. Robert Harris (@jrinthewilderness)
11. Need renovations. After years of walking past a portrait of likely enslaver Cecilus Calvert in Maryland’s Senate building in Annapolis, Sen. William C. Smith Jr. had enough. He began a project to get that painting taken down, and it was replaced by a painting of Baltimore’s Thurgood Marshall, created by West Baltimore artist Ernest Shaw Jr.
I was truly honored to join @Willcsmithjr at the unveiling of Artist Ernest Shaw’s portrait of Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall. I hope all those who visit the Senate JPR Committee Room will be inspired by his legacy of fighting for racial equality. pic.twitter.com/FvIwFJwp2p
12. Mayoral power. For the first time in history, four of the largest cities in the United States are being led by Black mayors. New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, and Houston all have Black leaders in the mayoral office.
Black mayors are leading the nation’s biggest cities for the first time – POLITICO#KeepHopeAliveWithRevJesseJackson Radio Show| #ChicagoMayor2023| SUN: 8-10aE/866.594.HOPE/#FacebookLive @YouTube @iHeartRadio| .@SantitaJ
https://t.co/CJUBTQyISz
13. The kids are alright. National Spelling Bee champion Zaila Avant-garde won our hearts in 2021, and this year she plans to publish two children’s books. The first is a non-fiction title called “It’s Not Bragging If It’s True: How to Be Awesome in Life,” which is due May 2, and the second is a second picture book called “Words of Wonder from Z to A,” which is set for a June publication.
Hi everyone! I would like to announce that I have 2 books coming out this summer, ??. Preorder your copies Today at ? https://t.co/vlt6ktBs7P. I hope everyone’s having a great week! pic.twitter.com/Ogwoq1mflh
14. It’s time to spout off. Entrepreneur Christopher Bouzy announced the next evolution of social media, which is set to launch on the first day of Black History Month. Called Spoutible, it will be a Black-owned alternative to Twitter.
?On Feb 1, we will make history for Black history month by launching the first viable Black-owned Twitter alternative. pic.twitter.com/wfLY8whhEw
15. A shining star. Figure skater Starr Andrews, 21, became the first Black woman to medal at the U.S. nationals in 35 years. She earned fourth place — the pewter medal — and stood on the podium, flowers in hand, with the other top finishers.
A post shared by Starr☆ (@starrandrews2001)
16. A future scientist. Bobbi Wilson, 9, was honored by Yale University for her efforts to eradicate the invasive spotted lanternfly species from her neighborhood. In October 2022, Bobbi was racially profiled while collecting lanternflies with a homemade repellent. The incident garnered national news attention, and Bobbi was invited to Yale to meet with other Black women scientists.
Bobbi, 9, was the subject of alleged racial profiling while working to eradicate the invasive spotted lanternfly in Oct. Last week, she was honored by @Yale. The lanternflies she donated to @yalepeabody will be forever associated with her name.

More: https://t.co/gWKQDzD7el pic.twitter.com/uxuLQoRSOv
17. The future of STEM. David Balogun, a 9-year-old in Pennsylvania, graduated high school. He loves science and computer programming, and he wants to be an astrophysicist to study black holes and supernovas.
Nine year old boy, David Balogun, graduates HIGH SCHOOL! Loves Computer Programming and wants to be an astrophysicist!

Absolutely Incredible 👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽 pic.twitter.com/hXsQec1HXk
18. In the record books. During this year’s Super Bowl, ASL interpreter Justina Miles became the first Black deaf woman to perform at the big game. She performed “Lift Every Voice and Sing” with Sheryl Lee Ralph during the pre-game, and, of course, with Rihanna during the halftime show.
Enjoying watching the woman doing the sign language for Rihanna at the #SuperBowl half time show having the time of her life. Her name is Justina Miles 🙌🏻pic.twitter.com/pO32nMECFv
19. It’s all going swimmingly. The Howard University men’s swimming and diving team, the nation’s only all-Black swim team, won the Northeast Conference championship, which was the team’s first conference title in 34 years. Separately, the team was also the first from an HBCU to be featured on the cover of Sports Illustrated.
📸 Your 2️⃣0️⃣2️⃣3️⃣ #NECswimdive Men’s Champion…

👉 @HUBisonSports 🏊‍♂️🏆 pic.twitter.com/Ka6WoLvp9x
20. College bound! Amir Staten found out he was accepted to Morehouse College — and he couldn’t contain his excitement. His mother, Karlynne Staten, took a video of him running up and down a street in his native Philadelphia, cheering and jumping in celebration. The video quickly went viral. Congratulations, Amir!
A post shared by Karlynne Staten (@kstat69)
21. Electing history. Dawanna Witt was elected as the Hennepin County sheriff, making her the first Black woman to ever hold the position. Witt campaigned on her 22 years of experience in law enforcement.
👨🏼👨🏼👨🏼👨🏼👨🏼👨🏼👨🏼👨🏼👨🏼👨🏼👨🏼👨🏼👨🏼👨🏼👨🏼👨🏼👨🏼👨🏼👨🏼👨🏼👨🏼👨🏼👨🏼👨🏼👨🏼👨🏼👨🏼👨🏼👩🏾

Thank you Hennepin County! I am honored to be elected as the 29th Sheriff of Hennepin County! #GetWittIt pic.twitter.com/Sx4mOGaIfd
22. Recognizing a superhero. Ruth Carter won an Oscar for costume design for “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever.” She is the first Black woman to win multiple Oscars. Congratulations, Ruth!
A post shared by Ruth E. Carter (@therealruthecarter)
23. Get reading! California’s Pasadena got its first Black-owned bookstore. Octavia’s Bookshelf opened in February 2023, and the Black- and woman-owned independent shop will highlight BIPOC authors.
A post shared by Octavia’s Bookshelf (@octavias_bookshelf)
24. Queen Brandy. Now 26 years after her groundbreaking performance as the first Black Cinderella, singer and actress Brandy is reprising her role. This time, though, she’ll be Queen Cinderella in the new Disney movie “Descendants: The Rise of Red.”
A post shared by Descendants (@disneydescendants)
25. Writing history. Leroy Chapman Jr. was named editor of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, making him the first Black person to head the paper in its 155-year history. Congratulations, Editor Leroy!
#BREAKING: The Atlanta Journal-Constitution has named Leroy Chapman Jr. editor-in-chief to replace Kevin Riley, who announced his retirement Thursday.@AJCLeroyChapman will be the first Black top editor in the newspaper’s 155-year history. https://t.co/UaoHgfDErv
26. 50 and counting! Atlanta-area senior Daya Brown has been accepted to more than 50 colleges, wracking up over $1.3 million in scholarships. The Westlake High School Student Body President will attend Duke University in the fall. Congratulations, Daya!
A post shared by daya<3 (@thedayabrown)
27. Proving the impossible. Two New Orleans-area teens made an “impossible” math discovery, outsmarting all mathematicians from the last 2,000 years. During a presentation at the American Mathematical Society’s Annual Southeastern Conference, high school students Calcea Johnson and Ne’Kiya Jackson proved the Pythagorean Theorem does not require circular logic.
👊🏾 New Orleans teenagers Calcea Johnson and Ne’Kiya Jackson’s figured out a mathematical equation that had seemingly been impossible. Johnson and Jackson demonstrated that Pythagoras’ Theorem can be proven with trigonometry.#BlackHistory 👊🏾 pic.twitter.com/bAKDSkMVoP
28. Honoring a legend. Maryland’s Bowie State University unveiled the Dionne Warwick Theater, and the namesake was in attendance for the event. It was the first performing arts venue named in her honor.
“I do not lend my name to everything; I feel exceptionally privileged to have my name of those doors.” – Dionne Warwick speaks at the theater naming ceremony at Bowie State University pic.twitter.com/HzryAB3wrj
29. Out of this world! NASA announced its group of astronauts that will head to the moon late next year, the first group to do so in 50 years — and Victor Glover, a Black naval aviator, will be in the crew. Glover will be making a return to outer space, as he previously lived on the International Space Station.
Our #Artemis II pilot is @AstroVicGlover!

Victor Glover is part of our 2013 class of @NASA_Astronauts and was the pilot for NASA’s @SpaceX Crew-1 mission. He’s logged 3,000 flight hours in more than 40 different aircraft, and will pilot @NASA_Orion around the Moon. pic.twitter.com/P0zJ8pwaeL
30. Put on your dancing shoes. TODAY Show anchor Sheinelle Jones rang in her 45th birthday by fulfilling a childhood dream of being a backup dancer for Janet Jackson. Jones previously dressed up as Jackson for Halloween in 2019.
A post shared by Sheinelle Jones (@sheinelle_o)
31. Marvel-ous to meet you. During a trip to Disneyland, a young boy couldn’t contain his excitement when he saw Captain America, who then descended Avengers Headquarters to meet the young fan and teach him some powerful poses.
Just a little timeline cleanse: #blackboyjoy at Disneyland. My son saw Captain America and was super excited. Captain America came down and found my son just to show him some love. It was such a dope gesture and meant the world to us. Representation matters 🖤💙 pic.twitter.com/rs0RI3evae
32. Rolling in acceptances. Dennis Barnes, a New Orleans-area senior, broke U.S. records when he was accepted to 125 colleges and received more than $9 million in scholarships. Your future is bright, Dennis!
🎓🎉 Congrats to New Orleans senior Dennis Barnes who has set a NATIONAL RECORD with offers from 125 colleges totaling more than $9 million in scholarships – more than any other college bound senior in U.S. history. https://t.co/QODn2iYTYB pic.twitter.com/qnN7NCBfI6
33. Books can change lives. Mahogany Bookstore, a Black owned bookstore located in Washington, D.C., donated over a 100 new books to detainees in Maryland — because “Those behind bars deserve access to books too.”
A post shared by MahoganyBooks (@mahoganybooks)
34. Missy Elliott will officially be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame! The Virginia-native MC will be the first woman in rap to be included. Congrats, Missy!
It’s times I have gotten on line & seen your irrelevant your a flop your washed up & it would crush me at times🥺BUT God you made me STRONG I kept going & you allowed my decades of WORK to SPEAK 4 itself🙏🏾 I am HUMBLED thank you all my Supporters💜 I LOVE YOU💜 pic.twitter.com/gkHUttWoU5
35. Break out the dictionary — the new one. Harvard University scholar Henry Louis Gates Jr. is editing the first ever Oxford Dictionary of African American English, set to publish in March 2025. The full list of 1,000 definitions is still under wraps, but 10 entries were released, including bussin, kitchen, and pat.
The first ten words of the African-American English dictionary. https://t.co/E9mdg3GQTx pic.twitter.com/741fhnVPd5
36. Game on! Tiana is a 12-year-old aspiring sports reporter. Business card in hand, the budding journalist watched a WNBA game court side with her future colleagues. Great work, Tiana!
Everybody meet Tiana! 12-years-old and handed me her business card (wow), and told me she wanted to be a sports and entertainment reporter!! I told her well then I guess you need to watch the game with me then! Turns out this is her FIRST wnba game and now court side ❤️❤️❤️ pic.twitter.com/ayWcZ38lwI
37. Funding futures. Late philanthropist Jacqueline Avant has a new piece to her legacy: The Jacqueline Avant Children and Family Center. The Los Angeles center provides physical and mental health services to underserved youth. Thank you, Jacqueline!
It was an honor to celebrate the legacy of Jacqueline Avant at the unveiling and dedication ceremony for the Jacqueline Avant Children and Family Center in the Watts-Willowbrook community. Mrs. Avant was a devout philanthropist and a long-time supporter of children and (1/3) pic.twitter.com/gwRkOgrl6s
38. For the culture. Want to see more Black-made and Black-featured TV shows and movies? Enter Mansa, a free-streaming service that offers a curated selection of global Black culture. Get the popcorn ready!
Welcome to Mansa👑

A year in the making and we're now available for streaming (US only as of now). Check us out on all socials @streammansa and… pic.twitter.com/L6cq0XwZVq
39. Professor Abrams. Activist, author, former gubernatorial candidate — and now professor. Stacey Abrams will join Howard University in fall 2023 as the inaugural Ronald W. Walters Endowed Chair for Race and Black Politics. Where do we sign up?
Honored to join @HowardU as its inaugural Ronald W. Walters Endowed Chair for Race and Black Politics. Our obligation to build generational leadership in public policy never stops – here in GA or DC, across the US or around the world. Let’s get it done. https://t.co/1f4uGwg3cs
40. Archiving history. A partnership between the HBCU Library Alliance and Harvard University will help HBCUs digitize their libraries, ultimately preserving massive African American history collections held in HBCU libraries and archives nationwide.
Exciting news: @HBCULibAlliance will build on its ongoing work to digitize and expand access to African American history collections in a new partnership with our library, funded by the Harvard & the Legacy of Slavery initiative. Read more: https://t.co/Srwy5fWdez
41. Way to go, Alexis! Serena Williams’ daughter Alexis Olympia Ohanian, Jr, is now the youngest owner of two sports teams. At just five years old, Oymipia is reportedly a part-owner of the women’s soccer team Angel City FC and The Los Angeles Golf Club.
Serena Williams' daughter, Alexis Olympia Ohanian Jr., is now the owner of TWO professional sports teams! How cool! pic.twitter.com/kNLRepWFKK
42. If it’s Sunday… Kristen Welker, a prominent NBC News journalist, will soon be the host of the popular Sunday show “Meet the Press.” Welker will be the second woman and first Black journalist to moderate the show. Congratulations, Kristen!
.@chucktodd has been a mentor and friend since my first day at @NBCNews. I’ve learned so much from sitting with him at the anchor desk and simply experiencing his passion for politics. I'm humbled and grateful to take the baton and continue to build on the legacy of @MeetThePress
43. Cemented in history. Long overdue, Tupac Shakur finally got his star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. His sister Sekyiwa “Set” Shakur accepted the star on his behalf.
Tupac Shakur finally got his star on The Hollywood Walk of Fame and YG showed up to honor him 🎉🙏 pic.twitter.com/emdBNt2C7c
44. Big moves. Maj. Gen. Janeen Birckhead became the sole Black woman National Guard leader. Maj. Gen. Birckhead is now the top military official in Maryland and was appointed by the country’s only Black governor, Wes Moore. Thank you for your service!
Yesterday, Governor Wes Moore hosted a change of command ceremony where Maj. Gen. Timothy Gowen, 30th adjutant general for Maryland, relinquished command of the MDNG to Maj. Gen. Janeen Birckhead at the Fifth Regiment Armory.

Read about the ceremony here:https://t.co/Zh4OtNZNbR pic.twitter.com/2F2L8vcEbN
45. Reading hero. LeVar Burton is celebrating 40 years of Reading Rainbow. The iconic PBS show first aired in June 1983, and filmed 155 episodes across 21 seasons. Thank you, LeVar!
Apparently, today is my 40th Rainbow-versary!!!#ReadingRainbow #icanflytwiceashigh https://t.co/TxNDTcXtkc
46. Visibility matters. The Recording Academy announced three new categories for the 66th GRAMMY Awards, and one is Best African Music Performance. We’re so excited to see, hear, and celebrate all of the nominees.
Our goal at the #RecordingAcademy is to recognize and honor the very best in music from across the globe.

Today, we're proud to announce a new category for the 66th GRAMMY Awards – Best African Music Performance.

Learn more: https://t.co/neBAQWE7cc #GRAMMYs pic.twitter.com/qJoQoF8PqA
47. Something’s cookin’. Ebony magazine’s vintage test kitchen just found its new permanent home: The National Museum of African American History and Culture. It was at risk of demolition in 2018, and now museum-goers will be able to see (and almost taste) the iconic set.
.@NMAAHC recently acquired the @EBONY test kitchen, the "proving ground" for dishes featured in the trailblazing magazine. @NMAAHCdirector called it a "testament to the power of Black excellence and innovation in the culinary world." https://t.co/AnT5VYYh46
48. Unvarnished history. The first International African American History Museum opened its doors in Charleston, South Carolina. The museum is built on sacred ground — Gadsden’s Wharf, where an estimated 45% of enslaved Africans entered the United States. Plan your visit soon!
A dream come true— the doors to the International African American Museum are officially open today!

Timed tickets are REQUIRED for entry, and we’re currently sold out through July 4, 2023. Visit https://t.co/AUxGKSK8XP to plan your visit! pic.twitter.com/XT6UVWX15M
49. Lifesavers. Damar Hamlin, the Buffalo Bills football player who went into cardiac arrest during a game, presented the team’s training staff with the Pat Tillman Award for Service at the 2023 ESPYS for their life-saving actions.
Damar Hamlin presents the Pat Tillman Award for Service to the @BuffaloBills training staff at the ESPYs 🫶 @HamlinIsland

(via @espn, @AdamSchefter) pic.twitter.com/xGBE9CYE2G
50. Funding clean futures. Through her firm Public Ventures, Zoey Dash McKenzie launched a $100 million impact fund to invest in founders who want to save Black communities from climate change.
A post shared by Zoey McKenzie (@zoeydash)
51. Better, not back. Two years after being suspended for a violation — and losing the chance to compete at the Tokyo Olympics — track star Sha’Carri Richardson won the 100-meter title at the U.S. championships. In a post-race interview, Richardson said, “I’m not back, I’m better.”
Just in case you missed; Sha'Carri Richardson on her remarkable victory in the women's 100 meters at the World Championships—Fastest woman alive! pic.twitter.com/lQxtXOQax6
52. Record-setter. Tennis player Christopher Eubanks didn’t win at Wimbledon, but he did set a record. He hit 321 winners in a single championship, breaking a record from the 90’s. The future is bright for the 27-year-old tennis star!
A post shared by Wimbledon (@wimbledon)
53. Money moves. Sean Tresvant is now the CEO of Taco Bell, the first Black man to hold the position in the company’s 61-year history. And we can thank him for bringing back the Mexican pizza.
A post shared by The Peoples Platform (@thesourcela)
54. Booked up. Squire, a barbershop scheduling app, earned more than $1 billion in payments. Co-founder Songe LaRon thanked the barbershop community for making this possible.
1/4 @GetSquire has just surpassed $1B in payments processed! A huge thanks to our barbering community for making this possible. It's your trust that's brought us here. 🚀
55. No (re)introduction needed. The Brooklyn Public Library unveiled a surprise exhibit honoring the life and legacy of Jay-Z. It features images, art, and other artifacts from throughout his life. The exhibit coincides with the ongoing celebration for the 50th anniversary of hip-hop.
Lucky to live around the corner from the ⁦@BKLYNlibrary⁩ and get a taste of this surprise exhibit this morning on Jay-Z honoring his Brooklyn roots. pic.twitter.com/4akOoUJ5ZM
56. GOAT behavior. In her first competition two years after withdrawing from the Tokyo Olympics, Simone Biles earned first place at the Core Hydration Classic (formerly the U.S. Classic). Her score qualified her for the U.S. Championships. Welcome back, Simone!
Simone Biles places 1st in first gymnastics competition in two yearshttps://t.co/rUrGcLbDCp pic.twitter.com/Y08XpqMGRn
57. Limitless. Keisha Schahaff and Anastatia Mayers are living their dreams — and breaking barriers. As members of the Virgin Galactic civilian crew heading to space, the two women will be both the first mother-daughter duo to leave the Earth’s atmosphere together and the first Caribbean astronauts in space. Turns out the sky isn’t the limit!
Behind every astronaut number is a new story, revealing the unique ways we're all connected to space. We can't to see what they will achieve on August 10! #Galactic02 pic.twitter.com/ugbAdDUy47
58. Trailblazer. Filmmaker Ava DuVernay made history as the first Black woman to compete in the Venice Film Festival. The festival has been around for 80 years, and DuVernay said she was previously told not to apply because “you won’t get in.” We see you, Ava!
A post shared by Ava DuVernay (@ava)
59. Family matters. Serena Williams and her husband, Alexis Ohanian, welcomed their second child, a daughter named Adira River. Congrats, mama!
A post shared by Serena Williams (@serenawilliams)
60. Collecting experiences. A first grade teacher took her class on a trip to Mexico. Not literally, but she created an entire experience for them, starting from passports and boarding passes to math lessons in a gift shop to a home cooked meal at the end. A lesson to remember!
61. Go RiRi! Performing artist and fashion icon Rihanna has made history once again. Her Super Bowl Halftime show now holds the Guinness World Record for the most concurrent viewers during a halftime show in Super Bowl history, with 121 million TV viewers.
🚨 Guinness Book confirms Rihanna’s Super Bowl as the most watched Super Bowl Halftime Show of all time (121 million TV viewers), surpassing Katy Perry’s previously held record with 118.5 million viewers.pic.twitter.com/1aB2bFBpw5
62. A new champion. Coco Gauff, a 19-year-old tennis superstar, won the U.S. Championship. She is the youngest player to win the tournament since Serena Williams in 1999, and the first American to win a major title since 2020. We love to watch you, Coco!
Concrete jungle where dreams are made of…… @usopen pic.twitter.com/Zgx3mRAFkc
63. Exonerated ‘Central Park Five’ member wins Council seat. Yusef Salaam won a seat on the New York City Council, completing a stunning reversal of fortune decades after he was wrongly imprisoned in the infamous rape case.
Exonerated ‘Central Park Five’ member Yusef Salaam wins New York City Council seat https://t.co/sRfBEG413E
64. Making an impact. The track at the Jesse Owens Athletic Complex in Dallas will be named after three-time world medallist Sha’Carri Richardson.
Sha'Carri Richardson 'Speechless' After Hometown Stadium In Texas Decides To Name Track After Herhttps://t.co/1brwjv1oS2
65. Young genius! 14-year-old Heman Bekele was honored for inventing a soap that does more than kill germs — it’s a potential treatment for skin cancer. The teen was awarded the “American Top Young Scientist Award” for his efforts.
A post shared by Black Millionaires ®️ (@blackmillionaires_)
66. Making progress. New York Governor Kathy Hochul signed the Clean Slate Act, which will allow eligible formerly incarcerated individuals to have their criminal records hidden from the public, removing barriers to success and clearing a path for them to reach their full potential after serving their time.
A post shared by LA LA (@lala)
67. Way to go, ladies! Tennis superstar Serena Williams and civil rights activist Ruby Bridges are set to be inducted into 2024’s National Women’s Hall of Fame. The honor is well deserved.
Serena Williams and Ruby Bridges will be inducted into the National Women’s Hall of Fame! These exceptional Black women broke down barriers and served as role models for younger generations! Beautiful to see Black women get the honor they deserve! https://t.co/9ZlaqlvzeS
68. Making the world a better place. Climate justice activists Wawa Gatheru and Leah Thomas were honored in Forbes 30 Under 30. Learn more about Gatheru in her interview with Word In Black. Thank you for the work you do to protect our communities!
Hugest congratulations to two Black women who are literally making the world a better place for being honored as #Forbes30under30: @wawagatheru and @Leahtommi are two of the most dynamic, kindest, and incredible young women in #climatejustice and I am so PROUD to know them. pic.twitter.com/DtYYQUQzdH
69. It’s not really a world tour if you aren’t going to Africa. Kendrick Lamar’s company, pgLang, is working with Global Citizen to establish a touring circuit across Africa. The first show in Rwanda was a huge success, and pgLang has committed to curating annual Move Afrika shows for the next five years.
LIVE FROM @bkarenarw: Massive turn-up for the inaugural 'Move Afrika: Rwanda' concert as rapper Kendrick Lamar performs in Kigali for a historic first time.

📸: @Dankwizera1 /TNT pic.twitter.com/M2jfuzDeX6
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✔ Fund outreach and convenings that power solutions to the greatest problems confronting American society
Word In Black is a first-of-its-kind national newsroom powered by a collaboration of the nation’s leading Black publishers.

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