15 Black Women Who Broke The Internet In 2017

There was no shortage of major #BlackGirlMagic moments in 2017, especially on the web. Black Twitter and Black women continued shaping the culture, creating viral moments that had the Internet buzzing. There were Duke students serving #BlackExcellence, Remy Ma’s “Shether” left us shook, and members of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority gave us a real moment. 

Powerful hashtags like #NoConfederate and #BlackWomenAtWork were also launched this year by Black women who hoped to bring awareness to troubling TV pitches or to show their support for one another and the realities we face. Here are just some of the women and Black Twitter moments that broke the Internet this year.

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Beyoncé stunted on us by having twins and by dropping an ethereal photo where she’s draped in a veil and silky fabric while cradling her twins, once they were born. The photo was the most liked photo in Instagram's history.

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When asked at the Emmys who she was looking forward to seeing win, Issa Rae kept it real. The 'Insecure' actress said she was "rooting for Black people," which immediately caught the attention of Twitter. 

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The ESPN show host spoke about her upset with the current state of this country, making waves in the sports world. While she was shortly suspended from ESPN, she wasn't silenced— in fact, her words of equality were even more outstanding. 

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Black women mobilized to clap back at systematic racism we face at work in defense of Aunt Maxine Waters after Bill O'Reilly made a disparaging remark about her hair. Waters' appearance. Commenting negatively on a black woman's hair is just one of the many microaggressions black women face at work, as the women who participated showcased with harrowing stories about people's ignorance. 

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In an essay for The New York Times, Lupita Nyong'o shared that she too had suffered from sexual intimidation from Harvey Weinstein. The actress joined the dozen actresses who had similar stories about the movie executive. 

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The social media personality went from a character on "Love & Hip Hop" to an international rap star with her hit song "Bodak Yellow." She blew up so much that she's nominated for two Grammys.

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We rejoiced when Xscape announced the long-awaited (at least a decade long) reunion, ESSENCE Fest performance and reality show.

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John Sciulli/

Remy Ma had the entire internet shook and feeling personally victimized when she dropped "Shether," a diss track aimed at Nicki Minaj. 

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Tarana Burke is the real MVP! Burke started the #MeToo movement which has encouraged women around the world to share their experiences with sexual assault. It takes a lot of bravery and every woman sharing her story is helping to eradicate rape culture one testimony at a time. 

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Michelle Obama’s inauguration side eye became the meme we all needed then, and still need now.  Because...why!

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The traffic ensemble anchor for Channel 8 ABC Dallas was body shamed by racist trolls and handled it like a champ. Her clap back was classy and fabulous, just like she is.

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HBO tried it when they announced that they greenlit Confederate, a series set in an alternate universe where the south won the Civil War. This doesn't need further explanation why it's disturbing. However, April Reign, creator of #OscarsSoWhite, mobilized Black Twitter and launched #NoConfedarate, along with Rebecca Theodore, Jamie Broadnax, Shanelle Little, and Lauren Warrenand, and got production shut all the way down!

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Twitter/Tamarjuana

The #BlackHairChallenge started when the women of the Melanin Mamis account began encouraging black women to showcase the diversity of our hair in four pictures. From braids to weaves to locs to afros, it was lit! 

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Fairy tale dreams do come true and soon, Suits actress Meghan Markle will join the royal family after tying the knot with Prince Harry. The two announced their engagement in November to the joy and elation of everyone—including Black Twitter (who like us is waiting on the official invite to the May wedding). 

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@bidrop_images

Twenty-eight members of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority from FAMU took a girl’s trip to Costa Rica, to celebrate ten years of sisterhood. The resulting photo from a shoot they did on the beach had jaws dropping. The photos featured various shades of black women in stunning nude bathing suits. It was literally a rainbow of chocolate.