To put it plainly, being a Black woman in 2016 was extremely lit.
We worked hard, we had fun, we loved, we danced, we snapped back, we bossed up and we ran the world from the kitchen, to the newsroom, to the bedroom, to the boardroom and back. And we did it all with style, grace and unapologetic pride in the fact that no one can do it quite like Black women.
All that being said, here are 25 reasons we loved being Black women in 2016.
1. We dominated in television, politics, film, music, fashion, sports and everything in between.
2. A host of Black female politicians made history across the country.
3. Beyonce and her dancers took over the Super Bowl halftime dressed as militant Black women with glorious natural hair.
4. Ninety-four percent of us did our part to keep a leader who embraced misogyny, sexism, racism and discrimination out of the White House.
5. We traveled the world with our family, friends and loved ones…and we did it fabulously.
6. Black women excelled on all platforms daily….and it made headlines.
7. We found out that one of the most fearless, revolutionary Black women in history will be going on the $20 bill in the near future.
8. We stood tall and united in the face of people trying to shame us for being ourselves from head to toe.
9. First. Lady. Michelle. Obama.
10. We learned that one of the most influential Black women in civil rights history will be going on the postage stamp.
11. Solange gave us all A Seat At The Table and it earned her a Grammy nomination.
12. Black women continued to represent the fastest-growing group of entrepreneurs in the country.
13. We started and owned most of the biggest fashion, beauty and hair trends of the year.
14. The White House hosted young girls of color just to celebrate their intelligence and beauty.
15. We made our voices heard on and off of social media in ways that brought about change and furthered important discussions.
16. We slayed on multiple magazine covers and set the bar high for those who followed.
17. Insecure happened.
18. A 106-year-old Black woman shared a dance with the nation’s First Black President and First Lady at the White House.
19. Ava, Shonda and Oprah kept us at the forefront of television programming that celebrates all of who we are.
20. Representation of Black women in media, business, politics, sports, fashion and entertainment was at an all-time.
21. VH1 honored six amazingly talented female powerhouses who paved the way for women in hip-hop.
22. We landed our dream jobs while simultaneously setting and exceeding new goals.
23. President Obama said he was a feminist.
24. Beyonce gave us Lemonade and we sipped all year long.
25. Just because we were the sh*t.