While it has been a year full of heartache for black men and women, black women are still moving forward and changing the world as they go. We are only half way through the year, yet we have seen many new entertainers, political movements, culture innovations, and icons. It is easy to miss these awesome game-changers in the midst of everything else that has been going on. Because of this, I created a list of eight groundbreakers who are exceeding in abundance, this year.
1. Faatimah Knight- The Muslim Woman Helping to Rebuild Burned Black Churches
Faatimah Knight had no idea of how big of an impact she would make when she started a campaign to help the recently destroyed black churches. She reached out to other Muslim friends and acquaintances to collect donations in hopes of helping Charleston’s Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church after the shooting. Soon after, she and others heard about several arson attacks happening to black churches in the south. Upset about outbreaks of attacks against these places of worship, Knight managed to raise just under $30,000 with the help of other organizations and donors. In an interview with the Som Tribune, Knight said, “All houses of worship are sanctuaries, a place where all should feel safe, a place we can seek refuge when the world is too much to bear."
2. Imaan Hammam, Lineisy Montero, and Aya Jones- “Fashion’s New Faces”
Everyone knows how big of an issue diversity is in the fashion world. After recently being accused of racial appropriation for a certain article, it seems Teen Vogue is trying to move into the right direction. Of course having women of color on the cover does not completely make up for the limited representation over the years. However, it is nice and long-overdue to see some more brown skin on the cover page! Meet 18-year-old Imaan Hammam, 19-year-old Lineisy Montero, and 20-year-old Aya Jones. These beautiful Egyptian-Moroccan, Dominican, and French-Ivorian women are proud to represent Teen Vogue and rip the runway as “Fashion’s New Faces.”
3. Judge Victoria Pratt-The Judge Who Assigns Essays in Court
Judge Victoria Pratt, a pioneer in procedural justice, has developed her own progressive method to help her defendants. It’s simple! She asks them to write essays about their goals, commends them when they comply, and is seeing real results. After years of working in the justice system, Pratt has recognized a pattern in procedural justice-people are more willing to obey the law when they are not being humiliated by the justice system. Pratt says to her defendants, “This court is going to treat you with dignity and respect, and we expect you to treat us the same way.”
5. Kiersey Clemons-“Dope” Star
Kiersey Clemons, 21, is a fresh face in the entertainment world. She most recently starred in Sundance film “Dope” that debuted in theaters in June. The movie tells a story of high-school seniors on a hilarious and wild adventure. Clemons isn’t totally new to the big screen. She’s also a former Disney star and co-starred on shows on Nickelodeon and MTV. While her new movie is a big stretch from her Disney days, Clemons is excited to grow in the entertainment industry and wants other young entertainers to be themselves. In a recent interview with the YBF, Clemons addressed that very topic.
“God granted me with what I needed to grow. And at the end of the day, that’s all I’m focused on is being the person I’m supposed to be at this time and at this moment.”
6. Nykhor Paul- Model Who is Setting it Straight Once and For All
After being tired of the unprofessionalism she experiences in the fashion industry, South Sudanese model, Nykhor Paul, posted an open letter on Instagram to set things straight. “Why do I have to bring my own makeup to a professional show when all the other white girls don’t have to do anything but show up?,” she asks.
She confronts makeup artists who are continuously unprepared with makeup to match her skin tone. Paul just wants them to make an effort and realize that models of darker complexion do exist. The model's courage to acknowledge something that many have been silent about for years, encouraged many on social media.
8. Bree Newsome- The Woman Who Took Down The Confederate Flag
On June 27, Bree Newsome, a North Carolina educator and activist from Charlotte, North Carolina, strapped on her climbing gear and scaled the South Carolina Statehouse flagpole with one mission in mind: to take down the confederate flag in hopes of making a statement. Newsome landed a misdemeanor charge that could possibly equal a $5,000 fine. Her bravery brought about tens of thousands twitter fanatics and celebrity fans who raised more than $100,000 in donations. In a press release Newsome said, “We removed the flag today because we can’t wait any longer. We can’t continue like this another day.”
This is only the beginning of the list of black women making power moves this year. Though we still have the second half of the year left, black women are still serving as daily inspiration. With beauty, poise and power to offer, I can't wait to see what's in store during the rest of the year.
