2017 was a tumultuous year in more ways than one, which is why WE are grateful for those who played a role in making it better. Here’s who WE think made an impact this year!

OPRAH WINFREY

What a hell ‘o fun shoot! Thank you @instylemagazine.????

A post shared by Oprah (@oprah) on Jan 25, 2018 at 10:41am PST

Oprah is known for her wisdom, level headedness and generosity, which is why it should come as no surprise that her speech at this year’s Golden Globe Awards gave us all the feels, along with pure hope for our future. After making history as the first black female recipient of the Cecil B. DeMille Award, Oprah delivered a speech in which she addressed the issues of racial injustice and sexual assault that are still too prevalent in our society. She praised those who told their truth, while encouraging more to do the same, and letting those who can’t know that they are not alone. She created the most buzz by hinting at a 2020 run for President, a rumor which she put to bed shortly after. She may not think it’s in her DNA, but WE can always dream!

TARANA BURKE

#throwback #latepass #thistimelastweek #goldenglobes

A post shared by Tarana J. Burke (@taranajaneen) on Jan 13, 2018 at 9:20pm PST

Back in 2007, civil rights activist Tarana Burke coined the phrase “Me Too” to raise awareness of the sexual abuse and assault that plagues our society, particularly in underprivileged communities. In 2017, Hollywood helped bring her “Me Too” campaign to the forefront. Burke has spent years working directly with women who have been victims of sexual harassment and assault. She also started a nonprofit called Just Be Inc. which strives to empower, guide and support young women of color.

COLIN KAEPERNICK

Though I never had the pleasure of meeting Muhammad Ali, he mentored me without ever meeting me. He in many ways laid the foundation of what I saw as the zenith of athlete-activism and perfecting the utilization of your platform as an athlete to force conversations about how America was not living up to what America professes to be. Lonnie Williams, the wife of Muhammad Ali was in attendance tonight. I am equally honored to share this space with her. She once said that, “Muhammad’s legacy is not just for me and his children and grandchildren, it’s a legacy for the world.” I accept this award, not for myself, but on behalf of the people, because if it were not for my love of the people, I would not have protested. If it were not for the peoples willingness to support me, I would not be on this stage today. Thank you very much to Sports Illustrated for the honor of the Muhammad Ali Legacy Award. I am humbled and honored to share this with the people. ?: @KarlFergusonJr

A post shared by colin kaepernick (@kaepernick7) on Dec 5, 2017 at 9:47pm PST

Colin Kaepernick created waves throughout the NFL, as well as the country, when he began taking a knee during the National Anthem as a way to peacefully protest the injustices and inequalities faced by the Black community in 2016. The movement grew in 2017 with entire teams either kneeling, locking arms, or waiting until the anthem was over before even taking the field as a display of unity.

TAMIKA D. MALLORY

Stand up for me, white women. Come to my aid. You say you want to be my friend? Don’t just tell me with your words. Show me when you vote in the midterm elections. #PowerToThePolls pic.twitter.com/qKjEtrrzdb

— Tamika D. Mallory (@TamikaDMallory) January 23, 2018

WE have Tamika Mallory to thank for her part in organizing the largest, single-day protest in US history. Tamika is co-president of the Women’s March which took place in Washington D.C. and was comprised of over half a million people publicly and peacefully protesting the newly elected President. Tamika and her co-chairs plan to keep the fires burning with annual marches designed to impact, engage and transform various communities across the country.

ALISON DESIR

“Uncertainty is part of the process. Everyone has to fling themselves into the unknown to get to the next level.” # Crazy packed week behind me and a packed weekend in front of me. I’ll be in #Atlanta this weekend - where should I be running/eating/hanging out? Looking forward to connecting with some new and old friends and hopefully getting some warmth...it’s warm in Atlanta, right? #HarlemRun #WeRunHarlem #RoadTrip #Alimir ? by @alacrityamir

A post shared by Alison Mariella Désir (@alisonmdesir) on Jan 26, 2018 at 5:23am PST

In 2013, Harlem native Alison Desir created the Harlem Run which she described as “a collective of runners passionate about running and community.” In 2017, she led a group of runners on a 250-mile course from Harlem to Washington D.C. in support of women’s rights. The group arrived on the morning of the Women’s March and the funds raised from the run were donated to Planned Parenthood. According to Desir, planning this event was a leap of faith which ended up garnering support from women around the country and became “...bigger than anything we ever could have imagined.”

VIOLA DAVIS

"If you have been given influence, you have to step into it or lose it." #MondayMotivation ? @oneimage365

A post shared by Viola Davis (@violadavis) on Jan 22, 2018 at 8:13am PST

Every time Viola Davis speaks, WE listen! At this year’s Women’s March, Viola gave a speech that should go down in history as one of the most impactful to date. Viola began her speech by mentioning Malcom X and Martin Luther King Jr., before delivering a set of sobering statistics on sexual assault and sex trafficking of women of color. She talked about her own history of sexual assault and poverty and finished by reminding us to “never go back” and to “keep it rolling” at home - not just at a march. Watch the speech in its entirety here.

APRIL REIGN

‪Got my black on in support of #MeToo and #TimesUp. I would’ve suggested that women and their allies wear t-shirts like mine instead of black gowns to make a political statement, not a fashion one. #GoldenGlobes ‬

A post shared by April Reign (@reignofapril) on Jan 7, 2018 at 12:39pm PST

It’s not the President who dominates Twitter, it’s April Reign. The former lawyer-turned-social-activist took social media by storm in 2015 when she came up with the hashtag #Oscarssowhite. She created another buzz on social media with her hashtag #NoConfederate in response to HBO’s upcoming series which depicts a world in which the south won the Civil War. And this past fall, April created the hashtag #wocaffirmation in hopes of encouraging women of color to speak up and join the conversation on sexual assault after voicing her concerns that they don't receive the same type of support that white women do. Keep tweeting, April!

WE will be celebrating Black History all month long! For more articles, videos and events, click here!