Misty Copeland, First Black Principal Dancer at American Ballet Theatre

In its 75-year history, the prestigious American Ballet Theatre (ABT) has never promoted a Black to the rank of Principal Dancer, its highest rank. The petite, 32-years old Misty Copeland, until recently a soloist ballerina, has reached the rank. She was promoted to the Principal Dancer rank of ABT on June 29, 2015. For most observers, it was overdue, as she has become the ultimate symbol of dance theatre in America and across the World.
Misty Copeland was promoted along other ballerina and dancers. She had sought the title for some time, mostly, according to her, 

Nikole Hannah-Jones and Cornel West

Renowned Black journalist Nikole Hannah-Jones and Black scholar and activist Cornell West faced racial prejudices during their tenure cases and had to make tough decision: take a stand, resign, and move forward, setting an example as role models. The Netflix series, The Chair, starring Sandra Oh, an Asian-American, explores the similar struggles for the people of color, including Asian-Americans and African-Americans, in institutions, more specifically in academia. The two unrelated sagas and fictional work highlight the widely known issue in America: the elusiveness of career development, promotions, and tenure, or leadership acceptance for and prejudice against Blacks and other people of color in corporations, academia, and other institutions in the United States of America.

Bobby Seale's book cover on Black Panther Party

When the Black Panther Party of Self-Defense was created in 1966, its reputation was quickly mostly misunderstood, said Bobby Seale, one of its two co-founders in an interview with NPR's Rachel Martin, aired on October 23, 2016, during 50th Anniversary celebration. 

Inspired by the teachings of human rights leader and activist Malcolm X, who was assassinated in 1965,  Bobby Seale and Huey P. Newton created, in October 1966,  the Black Panther Party for Self-Defense. Although seeking changes through peaceful means, they adopted Malcom X's slogan

Bob Dylan Has Won the 2016 Nobel Prize in Literature

Bob Dylan has won the 2016 Nobel Prize in literature, being the first American to win  since Toni Morrison won in 1993.

According to the statement from Sara Danius, the permanent secretary of the Nobel Prize Academy committee, Bob Dylan won the prize for "having created new poetic expressions within the great American song tradition." 

Smithsonian African American History and Culture Museum

It has been more than 100 years that an African American museum was proposed. Today, on September 24th, 2016, the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture became a reality when it opened its doors in Washington, D.C.

Photograph of an African-American soldier and his family. Exposition at the Library of Congress, under "The Last Full Measure: Civil War Photographs from the Liljenquist Family Collection," in August 2011

 Carla Hayden, 64,  the first African American to head the Library of Congress, was sworn in today, on Wed Sep 14, 2016. The longtime CEO of Baltimore's library system was nominated in 2015  by President Barack Obama and was confirmed by the Senate to head the Library of Congress in March 2016.  She will serve under the new law enacted by President Obama that limits the lifetime appointment to a 10-year term.