At the start of the new decade life delivered a culture kick that was way outside the norm. Everyone watched as death came and collected the brightest stars, civil unrest was triggered in a major way and a pesky pandemic enveloped the world, and this was just the welcome to the start of a new decade.
However, in the midst of all that’s occurred in these first years of the new decade: 2020 and beyond, there’s a beautiful phenomenon taking place: Black Women are Winning! Sisters are rising like never before. Dr. Maya Angelou must be smiling down from the clouds, because history is being made by Black Women at phenomenal levels. In case you’ve missed it. . . Here are a few of the many black women who’ve made history and are breaking barriers since the new decade began:
Megan Thee Stallion
Rapper and Entertainer Megan Thee Stallion’s collaboration with a fellow female artist yielded a hit song, leading her to become among the first-ever No. 1 female rap collaborations in the UK in 2020. Additionally, Megan became the First woman to secure the top spot on Billboard‘s Rap Songwriters chart, and the first woman to have three No. 1 songs within a single year on Billboard‘s streaming charts.
Dr. Kizzmekia S. Corbett
The spread of COVID-19 caused the entire world to shift. Dr. Kizzmekia Corbett came in with assistance despite all the conspiracy theories. Dr. Corbett is a Viral Immunologist working with the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases. She took the lead to develop a curing vaccine for Coronavirus. With over 10 years of research under her belt, Dr. Corbett is leading the way for a COVID free future.
Source: Black Enterprise
Lashana Lynch
Actress Lashana Lynch apparently has “No Time To Die“, or live in fear. She’s stepping into the role of the infamous 007, making her the First Black Female 007 agent. She’s confirmed to be taking over the role from the current actor Daniel Craig. Lynch is a British actress with other action characters on her resume. The film No Time To Die is scheduled for a 2021 release.
Source: BET
Marsai Martin
Marsai Martin became the world’s youngest Hollywood Executive Producer to produce a major budget film. The credit comes from her hit film ‘Little‘. Martin shared her award winning acting skills on the TV show ‘Blackish‘ at a young age. She produced the film ‘Little‘ in 2019, at 14 years old. Her film did outstanding at the box office. Martin is set to produce and develop more projects for upcoming release.
Source: The Grio
Mariya Russell
A Michelin star is one of the highest honors a chef or restaurant can earn in the culinary industry. Chef Mariya Russell of Chicago recently became the First Black Woman to earn a Michelin star. The honor comes from her role as the chef de cuisine at Kumiko Bar and Restaurant. Russell’s natural talent, skills and training have shined through, leading her to the history making honor.
Rihanna
“Better have her money and don’t act like you forgot”. Singer, Entertainer, and Boss lady Robyn Rihanna Fenty currently holds the title as the worlds richest musician. Fenty is reportedly worth $600 Million, which surpasses Madonna, Celine Dion, and even Beyoncé’s financial wealth. Her capital includes income from her makeup line and lingerie line. This is in addition to her music. The star is currently the second-best-selling digital artist of all time.
Source: Black Enterprise
Cori Bush
Cori Bush has an incredible story. In 2020 Bush became the first black congresswoman in Missouri. As a Ferguson activist, as well as a nurse and ordained minister, her win brought an end to a 10-term dynasty headed by William Lacy Clay. Overcoming COVID-19 and a loss in a previous political election bid, her persistence and purpose paid off, leading her to history making victory.
Sydney Barber
For the first time in it’s 175-year History, The U.S. Naval Academy is placing it’s First Black female Brigade commander: Midshipman First Class Sydney Barber. Barber will be the First Black Woman Commander. She will be the 16th Woman to lead the brigade since 1991, when “women were still prohibited from flying warplanes or serving on warships at sea“.
Source: I Hear That Girl
Madeline Swegle
In 2020 Lt. j.g. Madeline Swegle is the First Black Female Tactical Jet Pilot with the U.S. Navy. According to Time. “Swegle follows in the footsteps of trailblazers such as Brenda Robinson, who’s thought to be the first Black female aviator in the Navy’s history.
Source: Time
Jo Martin
British Actress Jo Martin is the First Black Woman to be cast as title character Dr. Who in the BBC One series that has been running for over fifty years. Martin, a veteran actress shared publicly that the role was her “dream job”.
Lisa Cupid
In 2021 Lisa Cupid made history in Georgia as Cobb County’s First Black and First Woman Board of Commissioners Chairperson. Cupid previously represented South Cobb for two terms as it’s sole Democratic commissioner before her historic appointment.
Beverly H Burks
Talk about a celebration! Beverly Burks was sworn in as the First Black and First Woman Mayor of Clarkston Georgia on her Birthday, November 30, 2020 and won her fight with Breast Cancer the month before in October. Burks shared in a statement “I’m excited to be the first African-American woman to be mayor in Clarkston,” “I’m very humbled and blessed.” Blessed indeed. In Clarkston’s 128-year history, Burks win is momentous.
Nia Dacosta
Screenwriter and Director Nia DaCosta is set to direct Marvel’s sequel to ‘Captain Marvel‘. This leadership role for Dacosta will be one of the biggest-budgeted films to be directed by Black female director.
Source: I Hear That Girl
Teyonah Parris
Marvel universe fans rejoice! The Chi-raq bombshell and Julliard graduate Teyonah Parris made Black herstory in cinema by becoming the First Black Character to join the Avengers franchise. Parris made her 2021 debut in the role of Monica Rambeau in the Disney+ series “WandaVision”.
Stacey Abrams
Stacey Abrams is a political juggernaut. Her work to solidify voting rights spearheaded the move to flip Georgia to a blue state in the 2020 Presidential election results and to serve the underserved in the community with real progress and uplift, has landed her to be nominated for a Nobel Peace Prize. Her and her team are greatly responsible for helping the state of Georgia evolve into a completely new political climate.
Regina King
In 2020, in her hometown Los Angeles, Regina King became the First Black Woman Director to have her film screened at the Venice Film Festival.
Source: Black Enterprise
Allyson Felix
Allyson Michelle Felix is one of the most decorated women in U.S. track and field history. Prior to the break of the new decade Felix raised her voice over injustice in her contract with the footwear company Nike regarding her pregnancy and it’s implication on her pay. Her writing of a piece featured in The New York Times and taking action, led up to a Congressional Inquiry, with the support other voices influenced to Nike roll out “New Maternity Protections” for the female athletes it sponsors. The shift holds historical implications for female athletes and equality in general.
Source: Just Women’s Sports
Marilyn Strickland
In Washington, Democrat Marilyn Strickland made history by becoming the First Black candidate elected to represent the state in Congress and the first Korean-American woman elected to Congress.
CoCo Gauff
In her first appearance at the Australian Open, 15-year-old CoCo Gauff became the youngest player in professional tennis history to claim the throne against a champion. Gauff has accomplished several wins and history making firsts throughout her career before hitting age 16.
Source: Wikipedia
Zendaya
In 2020 Zendaya became the youngest actress ever to win an Emmy for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series.
Source: Buzzfeed
Kamala Harris
In 2020 Kamala Harris made history by becoming the First Black Vice President of the United States and the First Woman to hold the seat. Harris stands on the shoulders of Black Women who’ve made strides and powerful wins in the field of politics.
Cheers to these women for their wins. May there be even more wins for Black Women as we move through the centuries and keep leading the new narrative for change.
