From campus programs to dozens of new state laws and employers shrinking or rebranding their diversity offices, this year saw a decline in corporate DEI support. More than 400 college campuses eliminated, rebranded, or sharply cut their DEI programs, while roughly 30–35 major companies scaled back or disbanded DEI teams.

A federal corruption case against Adams imploded after the DOJ moved to drop charges and a judge dismissed the indictment, a saga that prompted resignations from line prosecutors and left City Hall mired in controversy. In his final weeks, Adams signed executive orders aimed at blocking city agencies from participating in or supporting boycotts and divestment that go against political interests (BDS). The moves were reportedly last-minute attempts to tie the hands of incoming Mayor Zohran Mamdani.

The superstar and A$AP Rocky expanded their family in 2025 and welcomed daughter Rocki Mayers into the bunch, joining her brothers RZA and Riot. Big R Energy in that household!

The Grammy-nominated R&B singer died in a fatal car crash on March 1 at 63, and the news rocked the world. Her family made new claims about her death in a lawsuit that alleges Stone was alive after the van overturned and the tractor-trailer driven by Jared Wilkinson then crashed into the van, causing her death.

Erivo scored an awards-season milestone with two lead-actress nominations in the Comedy/Musical category, a rare recognition that shows her impressive range.

Paul Tazewell became the 1st Black man to win the Academy Award for Best Costume Design, a landmark win for Black creatives behind the camera and a sign of widening recognition at the Oscars.

The Oscar-winning actor received the lifetime achievement honor and used the platform to reflect on her difficult upbringing, the work that made her who she is, and the responsibility of storytelling. Her speech was shared far and wide.

This year saw a sharp uptick in Immigration and Customs Enforcement — known as ICE — bookings, and deportations rose dramatically, and detention numbers hit levels not seen in years, part of a broader policy push that increased raids, removals, and federal enforcement activity.

Reports and data showed an increase among Black Americans seeking opportunity, safety, or lower costs abroad, a trend with long-term implications for communities and the workforce.

In October, former Sangamon County deputy Sean Grayson was convicted of a homicide-related charge in the 2024 shooting death of Sonya Massey, a case that gripped the country and sparked protests over police conduct. The trial examined bodycam footage and witness testimony.

Police identified the remains of 15-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez in a Tesla in a tow-yard registered to the musician, and the case triggered a high-profile homicide probe. The investigation remains active.

Consumer backlash over corporate rollbacks in diversity initiatives propelled a widely publicized boycott of Target, which organizers say dented store traffic and forced the retailer into crisis mode.

Ten inmates crawled through a hole in a cell wall to freedom at the Orleans Parish Prison, launching a massive manhunt that prompted multiple arrests, including alleged accomplices and a jail employee. Authorities said the group included several murder suspects, and after months of searches, the last fugitive, Derrick Groves, was captured in Atlanta on Oct. 8.

Adriana Smith was the 31-year-old Georgia nurse who was declared brain dead in February after a medical emergency, while roughly nine weeks pregnant. Hospital staff kept Smith on life support under state law to allow the fetus to mature. Doctors delivered her baby by emergency C-section in June. Smith was removed from life support days later. The extremely premature newborn remains hospitalized and her family has pushed for the proposed “Adriana’s Law” to protect pregnant patients’ medical decision-making.

Between Kamala’s candid “these motherf*ckers are crazy” and Michelle Obama jokingly explaining why “so many of us can’t swim,” these queens have shown the public that life post-White House doesn’t mean a quiet retreat into private lives. No, these women have plans, and clearly, being a First Lady and a Vice President were just the beginning.

Mamdani is New York’s youngest mayor since 1892 and its first Muslim mayor. His progressive win was a particular upset against Andrew Cuomo and the political “establishment.” For many democrats and independents, his campaign symbolized the power of grassroots organizing and the importance of community mobilization.

2025 produced a historic number of Black women winning local, state, and national posts, a clear shift in representation that will shape policy and leadership for years.

It’s safe to say that the shutdown was something we’d all like to forget, but it was a stark reminder of how vulnerable the daily systems we take for granted really are. From SNAP benefits and Head Start programs failing the public to airport delays due to staffing shortages and the IRS, and the National Parks services reducing operations, everyone was affected

Meg’s defamation suit verdict was a warning to those peddling harmful gossip. A jury found a blogger liable for spreading an AI deepfake and false claims about her — a clear legal win for the rapper. The ruling matters because it sets a precedent for holding outlets and creators accountable for synthetic-media harassment, and signals courts will treat deepfakes as real-world harm, not just online noise.

“Sinners” was 2025’s must-see original—a Black-led blockbuster that grossed over $300 million and dominated awards conversations. Its success proved to studios that ambitious stories by Black creators can be critically adored and wildly profitable. Coogler’s Warner Bros. deal also returns ownership of “Sinners” to him after 25 years and gives him final-cut control plus first-dollar gross. That rare level of rights ownership, once reserved for the Spielbergs, Lucases, and Tarantinos of the world, is a landmark win for Black creative ownership.

Scott’s large, unrestricted grants to multiple HBCUs have reshaped budgets, bolstered scholarships, and pushed long-term institutional planning in a single fiscal year. To date, she’s given almost $1B to HBCUs.

In celebration of the storied Metropolitan Museum’s “Superfine: Tailoring Black Style” exhibition, Black dandyism was put on full, dazzling display with this year’s Met Gala red carpet theme, “Tailored For You.” Black tailoring,  sartorial history, produced viral red-carpet looks and a cultural conversation about style, history, and Black fashion’s institutional visibility.

The neo-soul pioneer’s passing in 2025 paused the culture and prompted waves of tributes, retrospectives, and renewed appreciation for his influence across R&B and neo-soul.

From headlining the Super Bowl LIX Halftime show to GNX dominating awards season, 2025 was Kendrick’s year.

Beyoncé finally won “Album of the Year” at the Grammys for her country album, “Cowboy Carter,” after years of snub conversations and being overlooked.