Person of Year

March 7, 2025 marks the 60th anniversary of the Selma to Montgomey, Alabama march, known as the “Bloody Sunday.”  In 1965  civil rights activists and marchers were beaten by the police while trying to march to Montgomery. The annual event, this year, took place amid persistently growing challenges to Voting Rights that were the foundation of the march. US Civil Rights and Racial Justice Activists and leaders have stressed that the dynamics leading to the ceremonies and gatherings  this year have been driven by a mixture of recognition of the accomplishments, fear in face of new challenges,  dejection, defiance, and determination for a renewal. 

  Thérèse Kayikwamba Wagner, 42, is a Congolese political scientist and politician and DR Congo Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation and Francophonie.  Her public stand has been the highlight  of her achievements for over one year, since she took over the office. She has been at the diplomatic frontline dealing  with the invasion of the DR Congo by the Rwandan Defense Forces (RDF), under the cover of March 23 Movement (M23).  Hence AfroAmerica Network has included Thérèse Kayikwamba Wagner on the list of Most influential Black Persons as of 2025 (see AfroAmerica Network Most Influential Black Persons as of 2025)

 Most Influential Black Person and AfroAmerica Black Person of the Year, as of 2025

In the table below are the Most Influential Black persons and AfroAmerica Black Persons of the Year, as of 2025. Each year, AfroAmerica Network names a Black Man and a Black Woman of the Year. The influential Black persons are usually selected for a much longer period. Click on the name/link to explore more.

  Jasmine Felicia Crockett, 43, is an American lawyer and politician and a U.S. representative from Texas's 30th congressional district since January 2023.  She has made history this year with her unshaken positions and actions on human rights,  civil rights,  racial justice, and freedom.  Rep. Jasmine Crockett's popularity has reached new heights with her unwavering support for diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) bill and initiatives and fighting for the underprivileged regardless of the race and other classifications.

  Charles Auguste Onana, 60, a French-Cameroonian  political scientist, investigative journalist,  historian, essayist, author, and publisher has marked history in 2024.  Over the  year 2024,  Charles Onana became a major focus of world media during a trial  widely  labelled a political scheme and denounced for  targeting the  activist and  investigator journalist. In fact, Charles Onana's trial has  put a focus on the systematic massacres, war  crimes, crimes against humanity, and alleged genocide committed by  Rwandan Patriotic Front in Rwanda and in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, led by Rwandan dictator Paul Kagame’s RPF.   The verdict is expected on December 9,  2024.  Regardless of the outcome, whether a guilt or an acquittal, Charles Onana has changed history and is considered as a hero, a voice for the voiceless people in the African Great Lakes Region.

Monday, January 15, 2024 is Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Tributes to civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr.  were held in the Unites States, nationwide. This is the second year people interactions were allowed after a break  in 2021 and 2022 hit by worldwide COVID-19 pandemic.  As usual, the day has been marked by  commemorations including events,  marches, speeches, and peaceful protests to remember and celebrate the national civil rights leader who was instrumental in challenging the racial caste system that delineated how millions of Americans lived their lives and promoted racial injustices targeting minorities, especially Blacks.  The day also comes as the World is going through  racial,  ethnic,  or religion related wars, insecurity, and human tragedies especially in the Middle East, the Great Lakes Region of Africa, West and  East Africa, Eastern Europe, and South America. 

 Most Influential Black Person and AfroAmerica Black Person of the Year, as of 2024

In the table below are the Most Influential Black persons and AfroAmerica Black Persons of the Year, as the year 2024 starts. Each year, AfroAmerica Network names a Black Man and a Black Woman of the Year. The influential Black persons are usually selected for a much longer period. Click on the name/link to explore more.

  Jordan Haworth Peele, 44, is an American actor, comedian, and filmmaker. He is best known for the outstandingly successful horror movies "Get Out"", "US" and "Nope" and the hilarious Key & Peele comedy sketches with Keegan-Michael Key. He has received several awards, nominations, and acclaims for a wide range of his work.  From the comedy sketch duo with Keegan-Michael Key,  Jordan Peele self-proclaimed  himself the “black nerd”.  Since then, he has used and is expanding his skills to reach and conquer territories where no black movie producer has shined before:  the horror film genre.

  Quinta Brunson, 33, is an American writer, producer, actress, and star comedian. She is best known for creating, executive producing, co-writing the smash hit show Abbott Elementary. She has been nominated for and has won several awards in movies and shows, both as an actress and a writer..

Monday, January 16, 2023 is Rev.  Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Tributes to civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr.  were held in the Unites States, nationwide. This year, unlike in 2021 and 2022 hit by worldwide COVID-19 pandemic,  people interractions were allowed. The day has been marked by  commemorations including events,  marches, speeches, and peaceful protests to remember and celebrate the national civil rights leader who was instrumental in challenging the racial caste system that delineated how millions of Americans lived their lives and promoted racial injustices targeting minorities, especially Blacks.  

 Most Influential Black Person and AfroAmerica Black Person of the Year, as of 2023

In the table below are the Most Influential Black persons and AfroAmerica Black Persons of the Year, as the year 2023 starts. Each year, AfroAmerica Network names a Black Man and a Black Woman of the Year. The influential Black persons are usually selected for a much longer period. Click on the name/link to explore more...

Francia Márquez, a Black woman from Colombia, South America has marked history in 2022.  On Sunday 19, 2022, Francia Márquez, a vice presidential candidate and running mate of Gustavo Petro, became the First Black in Colombia to be elected Vice-President. Her win marked a major step towards racial equality.