These Modern-Day Black History Makers Are Advancing Society In Business, Sports, And More

February always hits different for me because this month feels like both a celebration and a reminder. It’s a time to look back at the women who have set precedents and one to recognize the modern-day Black history-makers who have built excellence on that foundation. Black history is not just something to study from years past. It’s alive. It’s breathing. And right now, Black women have continued to make history in real time.

While it’s great to remember the strides of those who laid the groundwork from decades past, it’s important to give flowers to the modern-day history-makers breaking records, overcoming obstacles, and creating new pathways for future generations.

And the beauty of all this? We’re doing it while wearing braids, headwraps, natural curls, acrylics, sneakers, heels, and everything in between. We are showing up as our full, authentic selves. And what inspires me most is how multidimensional our wins are. 

Black History Month is about recognizing the present and investing in the future. Let’s offer a few modern-day women their flowers, commemorating recent strides and achievements:

Laila Edwards made history as the first Black woman to play for the United States women’s national ice hockey team and the first to represent Team USA in women’s hockey at the Olympics. The 6-foot-1 forward for the Wisconsin Badgers women’s ice hockey has won two NCAA national championships and helped take Team USA to two world championship wins. At just 22, Edwards is already becoming one of the faces of American hockey and transitioned to defense for the 2026 Winter Olympics, showcasing her versatility and historic impact on the sport.

One of the top favorite Atlanta Housewives, singer-songwriter Kandi Burruss expanded her legacy into historic territory last year as co-producer of the Othello revival, starring Denzel Washington and Jake Gyllenhaal. During previews, the production grossed a record-breaking $2.8 million in a single week, making it the highest-grossing play in Broadway history. This year, she’s continuing her Broadway run, this time as an actress playing Angelique in &Juliet, which is slated to continue until March, as well as working on the production team of the Broadway revival of August Wilson’s “Joe Turner’s Come And Gone.”

Steele made history in 2024 as the first creator on TikTok to earn over $1 million in a single live session. The milestone showcases her innovative marketing strategy and relentless drive, cementing Canvas Beauty’s status as a powerhouse in the beauty industry. Last year, she launched a first-of-its-kind collaboration with Fenty Beauty, and earlier this year, launched her first celebrity collaboration with actress LaLa Anthony.

She made headlines in 2019 when she was accepted into nine law schools at just 16 years old. In May 2022, she graduated from Southern Methodist University’s Dedman School of Law, becoming the Dallas school’s youngest Black graduate. By 2024, at age 21, she was sworn in to the Minnesota State Bar Association, officially becoming an attorney. She now serves as an educator and advocate as founder of Trailblazers Forum: Youth Civic Engagement, a program in the Dallas and Fort Worth area to empower youth and teens aged 12 to 16 to get involved in positive civic action.

While Queen Bey has broken several records and enjoyed enormous success both professionally and financially, this 2025 history-making win was different. Fans were thrilled when she ventured into country music, but she faced just as much, if not more, criticism and snubs for breaking into a genre that is predominantly white and male. Cowboy Carter was cited as the highest-grossing country tour in Boxscore history, grossing $407.6 million and selling 1.6 million tickets. That same year, she became the first Black woman to be awarded a Grammy for “Best Country Album” for the work, which also won “Album of the Year.” With the success of the tour, merchandise sales, endorsement deals, and her liquor, haircare, fashion, and other business investments, she’s now enjoying a position among the billionaire ranks, made official late last year.

This powerhouse sports agent made history in 2023 when she brokered Jalen Hurt’s record five-year $255 million contract with the Philadelphia Eagles. She was named president of football at Klutch Sports Group in April of that year, a milestone in a sports career she started in 2015. She also broke new ground as the first woman to represent the NFL’s elite at PlayersRep, then one of the league’s leading agencies. In recent wins, she managed to secure client Myles Garrett’s contract extension deal with the Cleveland Browns—valued at $204.8 million and $100 million in cash over the first three years, with $122.8 million guaranteed and a no-trade clause—early last year, making him the highest-paid non-quarterback in NFL history.

She became the first Black woman to join the crew of the International Space Station for an extended mission in 2022, marking a major milestone in human spaceflight. While more than a dozen Black astronauts—including four Black women—have traveled to space since Guion Bluford broke barriers in 1983, none had previously lived and worked in orbit for long durations. Her mission reflects the expanding diversity of astronaut crews and underscores ongoing efforts to broaden representation in space exploration and long-term scientific research.

In March 2025, this Philadelphia-based board-certified dermatologist was appointed to a one-year term as president of the American Academy of Dermatology, making her the first Black dermatologist to lead the world’s largest dermatologic society. The organization represents nearly 21,000 physicians. She also serves as president of the American Academy of Dermatology Association. Dr. Taylor is also the Bernett Johnson Professor of Dermatology at Perelman School of Medicine and received the AAD’s John Kenney Jr., MD Lifetime Achievement Award in 2022.