14 Times Black Women Rocked 2015...and Did It with Style
1/15There's nothing that gets us ready for a new year like reflecting on all of the inspirational moments of the previous 12 months. The beauty, entertainment, and fashion industries may still have a long way to go when it comes to diversity, but there's absolutely no denying that black women had some pretty epic wins in the past year at awards shows, on television, onstage, and many more arenas. And they did it in style too: No small feat when you're literally changing the world. Here are 14 times #blackgirlmagic was at play in 2015.
2/15Amandla Stenberg Created a Comic Book and Solidified Herself a Social Activist
Many only knew Amandla Stenberg for her pivotal role as Rue in The Hunger Games, but she made her presence felt this year by speaking up about black women’s issues, cultural appropriation, and feminism. Her powerful words and actions led to her distinction as one of the Feminist Celebrities of the Year by Ms. Foundation for Women, as well as TIME's 2015 list of the Most Influential Teens. That’s not all, as Stenberg also created her Niobi: She Is Life comic with writer, Sebastian Jones. When it came to fashion and beauty, she experimented on the red carpet wearing up-and-coming designer Phelan, as well as trying out gray box braids.
3/15Zendaya Coleman Showed and Spoke Up About the Diversity and Depth of Black Beauty…And Got Her Own Barbie Too
Zendaya Coleman took to the red carpet in a number of hairstyles this year: faux locs at the Oscars, cornrows at the Emanuel Ungaro Spring 2016 show, a cropped wig at the BET Awards, and the list goes on. That first hairstyle—crafted by hairstylist Shelby Swain—was the inspiration for the actress and K.C. Undercover co-producer’s Barbie doll: an honor and such a great moment for Coleman and girls and boys everywhere who now know that the way they look is beautiful and worthy of celebrating. She also graduated high school, launched her own shoe line, and covered our February issue.
4/15Misty Copeland Became the First African-American Female Principal Dancer for ABT
The ballerina danced her way into history by becoming the first ever African-American female principal dancer for ABT in its 75-year history. She also secured a spot on TIME’s 100 Most Influential people of 2015, had a documentary released about her career, landed on Vanity Fair’s 2015 International Best Dressed List, debuted on Broadway in “Old Town”, and owned the red carpet in pieces from Hervé Léger, Self Portrait, and Tom Ford.
5/15Viola Davis Was the First Black Woman to Win the Emmy for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series
Viola Davis has been dominating onscreen for almost two decades, but her role as Annalise Keating on How To Get Away With Murder has catapulted her to a whole new level of popularity. She’s also been able to push the envelope with the help of the hit ABC TV show’s creator Peter Nowalk and executive producer Shonda Rhimes. Thus it was pretty much a shoo-in that Davis walk away with the Emmy for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series, which she won—making history as the first black woman to do so. For the momentous occasion, she wore a Carmen Marc Valvo design — just one of the many stunning numbers she wore in 2015, including designs from Zac Posen, Donna Karan, Max Mara, and Escada.
2015 Taylor Hill6/15Maria Borges Walked the 2015 Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show With Her Natural Hair
The Angolan beauty has already graced the runway for Balmain, Moschino, Suno, and Jeremy Scott, but she left an indelible impression on the Victoria’s Secret catwalk this year—sporting a T.W.A. (teeny weeny afro). It was the first time she had done it, as well as the first time the sultry mega brand had a black model wear her natural hair on the runway.
7/15Serena Williams Was the Sportsperson of the Year and the First Woman to Win 3 Straight Major Tennis Titles
Serena Williams was victorious both on and off the court, winning her 20th Grand Slam Title, becoming the Sportsperson of the Year, becoming the 1st woman to win three straight major tennis titles, and so much more. She also dominated in the fashion department, staging her second runway collection, wearing a design of her own making on the red carpet, and donning pieces from Ines di Santo and Burberry.
8/15Taraji P. Henson Made Cookie Lyon a Household Name
Literally everyone we know watches Empire: after all, music, fashion, drama, and family make for a pretty scintillating TV show. The Lyon family matriarch, Cookie, is one of the series’ most beloved characters, thanks in large part to Taraji P. Henson. Her portrayal of the girl boss and leopard-loving mom-ager garnered her first Emmy nomination, and we know there are many more where that came from. She also became a fashion darling, twirling on the red carpet in Alexander Wang, Emanuel Ungaro, Moschino, and Alexandre Vauthier Couture.
9/15Janet Jackson Returned
Janet Jackson came back to reclaim her throne, giving us an album, worldwide tour, beauty, and style in the process. Unbreakable debuted at number 1, making that her seventh album at the top of the charts.
10/15Shonda Rhimes Became the Queen of TV
It was truly the year of yes for Shonda Rhimes, which made her memoir of the same title quite fitting. She somehow found time to write her story, while signing on to produce her seventh show for ABC. And Scandal, How To Get Away With Murder, and Grey’s Anatomy continued to be among the most-watched and most-loved shows on the small screen. Rhimes also took to the red carpet more than ever before, clad in supremely feminine lace dresses, stripe gowns, pink sheaths, and flare numbers.
11/15Oprah Did More Oprah-ing
Though she’s already one of the greatest moguls of all time, Oprah Winfrey solidified her billionaire status even further by buying a ten percent share in Weight Watchers—more than doubling the company’s stock and reportedly making her almost seventy million dollars in just one day. Talk about power! She also embarked on her An Evening With Oprah Tour, wearing her gorgeous natural curls, wrap dresses, sequins, and curve-hugging silhouettes.
12/15Nina Simone’s Influence Reached Whole New Audiences
What Happened, Miss Simone became the documentary to watch this year, truly delving into the life of the famed singer, songwriter, and activist. Though controversy has shrouded the production, Zoe Saldana is also starring in a biopic about Simone, set to come out next year. And Simone’s influence didn’t stop there, as she inspired Derek Lam and Adam Lippes’s Spring 2016 collections.
13/15Ava Duvernay Got Her Own Barbie Doll
Having a Barbie created in your likeness means you’re a pretty big deal. Ava Duvernay is that and then some and her doll sold out in mere minutes — a true testament to the director’s clout and influence on the hearts and minds of people all over the globe. She was spotted on the red carpet this year more than ever before, effortlessly exuding elegance and grace in Tracy Reese, LWDs, and amazing updos showcasing the beauty of her locs.
14/15Apple’s Emmy Commercial With Taraji P. Henson, Kerry Washington, and Mary J. Blige Was Fun Personified
Another win for Ava Duvernay of course! Aired during the 2015 Emmys, the director brought together Taraji P. Henson, Kerry Washington, and Mary J. Blige for an Apple commercial that literally combined our favorite things: music, dancing, laughing, and this trio of ladies. We don’t usually look that drop dead gorgeous when we’re just hanging and jamming out with our BFFs, but a girl can dream right?
15/15Riley Curry Was the Cutest
We first became obsessed with Riley Curry during her dad’s (Golden State Warriors point guard) NBA playoffs press conference. She was completely unbothered (the mood we eternally wish to embody which is also the state of being of many three year olds) and was singing the chorus of one of our favorite tunes of the year: Big Sean and Drake’s “Blessings”. She captured our hearts by doing the nae nae, being an adorable big sister, and starring in her mother’s Instagram posts.
