We’re not going to lie, 2024 has been a lot. But while we have a lot to reflect on, we also have plenty to celebrate. Black people broke records and barriers in sports, entertainment, politics and more, and as we get ready to close the books on 2024, there’s no time like the present to look back on it all.
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From Kamala Harris’ historic Presidential campaign to Beyoncé’s chart-topping country album release, these are some of the most important Black images of 2024.
Historic Nomination
After becoming the first Black woman elected Vice President of the United States in 2020, Kamala Harris continued to make history in 2024, accepting the Democratic Party nomination for President after President Joe Biden dropped out of the race in July. Harris ultimately lost to former President Donald Trump in the general election, but her campaign raised over one billion dollars in just over three months.
Kendrick Pops Out
Rapper Kendrick Lamar was the talk of 2024. Besides his epic “The Pop Out - Ken and Friends” show in Los Angeles on Juneteenth, he was announced as the headline act for the 2025 Super Bowl halftime show. Oh, and in case you missed it, he surprised everyone with a new album on November 22.
Shaboozey Owns the Summer
This summer, it was all about Shaboozey, the Nigerian-born country artist whose number-one song “A Bar Song (Tipsy),” was on everyone’s playlist. Although he lost the CMA’s Single of the Year award to Chris Stapleton’s “White Horse,” his star continues to shine.
Black Women in the Senate
Although Republicans will have control of the Senate in 2025, Democrats still have plenty to celebrate with two new Black women heading to D.C. to represent their states – Senators-elect Angela Alsobrooks of Maryland and Lisa Blunt Rochester of Delaware.
Medal-Worthy Performances
The 2024 Summer Olympic Games in Paris was full of excitement. But one of the highlights was the first ever all-Black female podium in the women’s floor exercise competition. American Simone Biles took home the gold medal, Rebeca Andrade of Brazil won the silver and Jordan Chiles of the United States got the Bronze. Chiles was stripped of her medal after the games due to a controversial ruling by judges, but as of this post, she continues to fight to get it back.
Bonjour, Snoop!
The athletes definitely did their thing at the 2024 Summer Games in Paris, but one of the biggest stars at the Olympics was rapper Snoop Dogg, who kept us entertained as he carried the Olympic torch and cheered on Team USA at many of the events.
Gold Medal Run
Team USA sprinter Noah Lyles won the gold medal for the men’s 100m at the 2024 Summer Olympic Games, beating Jamaican sprinter Kishane Thompson in a photo finish.
Usher at the Super Bowl
You may not remember anything about the game between the San Francisco 49ers and the Kansas City Chiefs, but Usher’s Super Bowl 2024 halftime performance featuring guest appearances by Alicia Keys, Lil Jon and Ludacris, will go down in history as one of the best.
Cowboy Carter
In March, Beyoncé surprised and delighted fans with her first country album, “Cowboy Carter.” The album features collabs with artists like Shaboozey, and remakes of classic songs like Dolly Parton’s “Jolene” and “Blackbird” by the Beetles. Although it was snubbed at the Country Music Association, it did receive 11 Grammy noms.
Championship Season
2024 was an exciting year for women’s college basketball and Dawn Staley, who coached the University of South Carolina’s women’s basketball team to its third NCAA Championship after defeating Iowa 87-75 in the title game. The win was a perfect end to an undefeated season and a huge accomplishment for Staley, who coached an entirely new starting five.
Father and Son
Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James and his son Bronny James made history in October, becoming the first father and son duo to play together in the NBA. LeBron’s oldest son was selected by the Lakers with the 55th pick in the 2024 NBA draft.
Don’t Mess With Ms. Crockett
Representative Jasmine Crockett (D-TX) has been making good trouble in the United States House of Representatives since she was elected in 2023. But she made headlines in May after a viral takedown of Trump ally Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA) in the middle of a May 16 House Oversight Committee Meeting. When Rep. Greene commented on Rep. Crockett’s eyelashes, the Texas Dem came back with an alliterative clap back for the ages. The term “Bleach Blonde Bad Built Butch Body,” inspired memes, videos and even wearable merch for months.
Elphaba Everywhere
Cynthia Erivo has been everywhere in 2024, promoting the film version of the wildly popular musical “Wicked.” Erivo, who stars as Elphaba in the film, is only the second Black woman to play the wicked witch in a major production. Although the movie just hit theaters on November 22, Erivo’s portrayal is already getting Oscar buzz.
Club Shay Shay
Shannon Sharpe’s “Club Shay Shay” podcast has become appointment viewing for many. Guests like Mo’Nique, Ray J and Amanda Seales have created viral moments that spread across social media like wildfire. But it was Katt Williams’ January appearance in which he came for many of his comedy peers, including Kevin Hart, Steve Harvey and Cedric the Entertainer, that had everyone talking.
Coming Together in Crisis
In March, the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore collapsed after it was struck by a cargo ship. The crash killed six people and caused a huge interruption in the supply chain. Here, Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott and Maryland Governor Wes Moore prepared to tour the damage and work on a plan to help get things back on track.
Hello, Baby
On Sept. 7, rappers Cardi B and Offset welcomed their third child. Cardi kept her pregnancy a secret for months, announcing she was expecting in August, shortly after filing for divorce from Offset. But Cardi was still over the moon about her new little bundle of joy, calling her “The prettiest lil thing” in an Instagram post announcing her birth.
Oscar Win
Cord Jefferson won an Oscar for Best Adapted Screenplay for the critically-acclaimed “American Fiction.”
In his acceptance speech, he called on Hollywood executives to give more aspiring filmmakers opportunities to succeed, calling it “a plea to acknowledge and recognize that there are so many people out there who want the opportunity that I was given.”
Time for a Tony
In 2024, actress Kecia Lewis took home the Tony for Best Performance by a Featured Actress in a Musical for “Hell’s Kitchen,” a musical loosely based on Alicia Keys’ life growing up in New York City.
You Better Werk
Supermodel Tyra Banks made a return to the runway in 2024, closing out the Victoria Secret Fashion Show in New York City. The former “America’s Next Top Model” host came out of retirement, walking in the show for the first time since 2005.
That Time Rihanna Threw Shade at Naomi Campbell
New York Fashion Week is always full of surprises, but in 2024 the moment people couldn’t stop talking about was Rihanna’s surprise appearance at the Alaïa runway show at the Guggenheim Museum. The show was held for 30 minutes until RiRi made her grand entrance. But fans also couldn’t help but notice the healthy dose of shade she served Naomi Campbell as she walked past her without saying a word.
Tribute to a Music Legend Lost
On Nov. 3, the music industry lost a legend when Quincy Jones passed away at 91. This photo shows fans literally giving Jones his flowers at a makeshift memorial at his star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
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