21st Century History Makers: Black Firsts from 2000-2025

 

Over the past 25 years, also known as the new millennium, black folks have been trailblazing!

From politics to entertainment, business to sports, these history makers have shattered barriers and set brand new precedents for what is achievable by becoming “firsts.” Their accomplishments are more than just personal milestones—they represent progress, perseverance, and the power of representation.

As we look back at the 21st century so far, let’s celebrate those who have paved new paths, proving that excellence knows no bounds.

Here are the groundbreaking Black “firsts” from 2000 to 2025

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Barack Obama — First Black President of the United States (2009)

Robert L. Johnson — First Black billionaire after selling BET to Viacom for $3 billion (2001)

 

Gabby Douglas — First Black gymnast to win the individual all-around Olympic gold medal (2012)

 

 

Billy Porter — First openly gay Black man to win an Emmy for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series (2019)

 

Dr. Lisa DeNell Cook — First Black woman appointed to the Federal Reserve Board of Governors (2024)

 

Virgil Abloh — First Black artistic director for Louis Vuitton’s menswear line (2021)

 

Ketanji Brown Jackson — First Black female Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court (2022)

 

Ursula Burns — First Black woman to lead a Fortune 500 company, Xerox (2009)

 

Ruth Simmons — First Black president of an Ivy League university, Brown University (2001)

 

Edward Enninful — First Black editor-in-chief of British Vogue (2017)

 

Carla Hayden — First Black Librarian of Congress (2016)

 

Laphonza Butler —First openly lesbian Black woman to serve in the U.S. Senate (2023)

 

Kendrick Lamar — First non-jazz, non-classical artist to win a Pulitzer Prize for Music (2018)

 

Victor Glover — First Black astronaut as Artemis II Pilot (on track to fly to the moon as part of NASA’s Artemis II mission) (2023)

Amanda Gorman — First National Youth Poet Laureate to recite a poem at a U.S. presidential Inauguration (2021)

 

Kamala Harris — First Black and South Asian woman elected as Vice President of the U.S (2020)

 

Simone Biles — First Black woman to win four Olympic gold medals in gymnastics in a single Games (2016)

 

Ibram X. Kendi — Creator of First major center for antiracist research (2020)