10 Inspiring Black History Moments

BET.com looks back at these history makers.

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Barack Obama Becomes First Black President - In 2008, Barack Obama ran on the campaign of “change” and became the first Black president of the United States. He was later re-elected in 2012 and will be finishing out his final term this year. (Photo: Mark Wilson/Getty Images)

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Viola Davis Reps for Black Actresses at the Emmys - How to Get Away With Murder star Viola Davis became the first African-American to win an Emmy for Best Actress in a Drama Series this year. As she walked to the stage, she received a big, proud, sisterly hug from fellow Black actress and friend Taraji P. Henson. She then went on to give an acceptance speech that brought the tears. “The only thing that separates women of color from anyone else is opportunity,” Davis proclaimed.(Photo: Kevin Winter/Getty Images)

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Gabby Douglas Makes Olympic History - Gabby Douglas became the first African-American athlete to win the Olympic gold medal in the Artistic Gymnastics Women’s All-Around final in August 2012. The talented gymnast accomplished the feat at the age of 16. (Photo: Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)

Photo By Photo: Streeter Lecka/Getty Images

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Tristan Walker Inspires With Bevel - Tristan Walker is inspiring a new generation of entrepreneurs. Walker & Company Brands changed the grooming game in 2014 after releasing the Bevel shaving system, designed to solve a problem many people of color have: razor bumps. And for years, the mainstream cosmetic industry has ignored this annoying, irritating and persistent condition that gets in the way of keeping that beautiful brown skin smooth.   (Photo: Noam Galai/Getty Images for TechCrunch)

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The Greatest: Serena Williams - In 2015, Serena Williams, arguably the greatest athlete of all time, made history after winning three consecutive Grand Slam titles. She won the Australian Open, French Open and Wimbledon.(Photo: Julian Finney/Getty Images)

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Misty Copeland Takes Over Ballet World - From sharing a shabby hotel room with her five siblings to making history as the first African-American female principal dancer with the American Ballet Theatre, Misty Copeland has been killing it in the dance world. Ever since her debut in 2001, Copeland has been working her way up to becoming the American Ballet Theatre's first African-American soloist in the company's 75-year history. Because of Misty’s determination, she inspires, drives and motivates many young women in the dance world today. (Photo: Ricky Fitchett via ZUMA Wire/Corbis Images)

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Misty Copeland Takes Over Ballet World - From sharing a shabby hotel room with her five siblings to making history as the first African-American female principal dancer with the American Ballet Theatre, Misty Copeland has been killing it in the dance world. Ever since her debut in 2001, Copeland has been working her way up to becoming the American Ballet Theatre's first African-American soloist in the company's 75-year history. Because of Misty’s determination, she inspires, drives and motivates many young women in the dance world today. (Photo: Ricky Fitchett via ZUMA Wire/Corbis Images)

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Black Lives Matter Inspires a New Movement - Black Lives Matter is a rally cry against police brutality. The movement was sparked by the brutal killings of Michael Brown and Eric Garner. The movement has shattered the silence on issues of police brutality, through social media and social activism. The Black Lives Matters movement has pushed this generation to become more involved in the conversation of race in America.(Photo: Scott Olson/Getty Images)

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Mae Jemison  - Mae Jemison was the first African-American female to go to space in September of 1992. Not only was she an astronaut but she was also a physician, a teacher, a Peace Corps Volunteer, and the founder and president of two technology companies. "Never be limited by other people's limited imaginations,” Jemison said about success.  (Photo: Brendan Hoffman/Getty Images)

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The Fast Runner - Jesse Owens is one of the most influential athletes in Black History. Owens won four gold medals in the 1936 Olympics in the face of a Nazi supremacist Germany. After the Berlin Olympics, Owens was involved in the formation of the West Coast Baseball Association (WCBA) a new Negro baseball league.(Photo: Hulton Archive/Getty Images)

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Changing the Face of the Air Force - The Tuskegee Airmen were America’s first Black military pilots that fought in World War II. Officially known as the 332nd Fighter Group, the Tuskegee Airmen blazed their way into Black history despite living through harsh racism and fighting in a war. They still served with zeal, successfully carrying out over 200 missions. (Photo: Rich Lipski/The Washington Post/Getty Images)

Making History Now: Amina Abdullah Winstead - Capella University Alumna Amina Abdullah Winstead, Ph.D, is also making history today. She holds a doctorate from the institution and has more than 20 years of experience in the academic and health care fields. Winstead also has published a series of books called Their Journey to the PhD, a collection of personal stories from individuals who earned their doctorates.(Photo: Amina Abdullah Winstead via Facebook)

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Making History Now: Amina Abdullah Winstead - Capella University Alumna Amina Abdullah Winstead, Ph.D, is also making history today. She holds a doctorate from the institution and has more than 20 years of experience in the academic and health care fields. Winstead also has published a series of books called Their Journey to the PhD, a collection of personal stories from individuals who earned their doctorates.(Photo: Amina Abdullah Winstead via Facebook)