By Andrea Stevens
AFRO Staff Writer
astevens@afro.com
The year 2025 delivered moments that reshaped politics, culture and daily life across the globe. Voters in several states had their say at the polls, activists demanded change and Black elected officials across all levels of government worked to challenge the 47th president, his executive orders and the policies handed down by his administration. There were lawsuits and public demonstrations, but also community and coalition-building. Through it all, the Black community remained resilient.
From historic firsts to sobering reminders of the work to come in 2026, take a look at the moments that left a lasting mark to be remembered well beyond the calendar year.
- Rebuilding Black Neighborhoods
In the wake of the Jan. 7 fire that spread devastation across the Los Angeles County, Calif. area, a group of Black architects, engineers and other experts came together to form the Altadena Rebuild Coalition. The organization supported recovery and reconstruction efforts after thousands of homes in Altadena, Calif. were destroyed by the fire that began near Eaton Canyon.
- States challenge executive order ending birthright citizenship
On the day of his Jan. 20 inauguration, the 47th president issued a flurry of executive orders, including one that sought to abolish birthright citizenship. In response, Maryland Attorney General Anthony Brown joined 18 other states in filing a lawsuit to block the order, asserting that it was a violation of constitutional rights. Though the case has made its way through federal courts and multiple injunctions have blocked the policy, the dispute has now reached the U.S. Supreme Court— which agreed to review the legality of the executive order in December.
- States contest presidential policy pausing funding to states
After the 47th president moved to pause trillions in federal assistance to states on Jan. 28, Maryland Attorney General Anthony Brown and a coalition of 22 other attorneys general sued the administration. They argued the freeze was unconstitutional—putting critical health care, education, disaster relief and public safety programs that serve millions of Americans at risk. A federal court in Rhode Island quickly blocked the administration’s attempt to withhold funds, issuing a temporary restraining order and later a preliminary injunction, ruling that the president could not unilaterally override Congress’ power of the purse.
3b- Multistate coalition takes on DOGE
On Feb. 7th, Maryland Attorney General Anthony Brown alongside 19 other attorneys general sued the 47th president’s administration after Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) staffers, led by Tesla billionaire Elon Musk, were granted access to the Treasury Department’s central payment system. The coalition argued that the move violated federal law and endangered Americans’ sensitive, private data and could allow political appointees, like Musk, to disrupt funds for Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid and more. The lawsuit resulted in a court blocking unauthorized access to Treasury payment systems, but the case remains ongoing.
The fight was the first in many against DOGE, which ravaged the federal workforce with layoffs throughout the year.
3c. National Urban League fights back against anti-equity orders
The National Urban League, a historic civil rights organization, filed a lawsuit challenging three January executive orders from the 47th president on Feb. 19. They included decrees that ended federal equity, accessibility, diversity and inclusion efforts; barred recognition of transgender identities and related funding; and prohibited federal contractors and grantees from leading equity, diversity, accessibility and inclusion initiatives. In May, a federal court denied their motion for preliminary injunction, but an amended complaint was submitted in June.
- Jamal Bryant Target Boycott
On Ash Wednesday, March 5, Pastor Jamal Bryant began a 40-day fast from the big box retail store chain Target. What was supposed to be a short time of abstaining from the store because they slashed their diversity, equity and inclusion efforts turned into a year-long boycott that is still going strong. The company has lost billions of dollars of dollars as consumers decided to fight for equality with the power of the dollar.
- 13 year old breaks Dr. King’s record set in 1944
In March, Joshua Suddith was accepted into Morehouse College at just 13 years old, breaking the previous record set by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. at 15 years old.
- Marylander leaders react after Supreme Court rules that Kilmar Abrego Garcia be returned to state
The U.S. Supreme Court ordered the U.S. government to facilitate the return of Kilmar Abrego Garcia, a Salvadoran immigrant who lived in Maryland and was wrongfully deported on April 10. Following the ruling, Maryland’s federal delegation released statements calling on the 47th president to act swiftly to return Abrego Garcia to the states. However, his homecoming did not come until later in the year and his fate is still uncertain.
- Democratic Senators release report outlining harm to vulnerable populations in 47th president’s first 100 days
On April 30 Senators Angela Alsobrooks (D-Md.), Tim Kaine (D-Va.) and Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), alongside members of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee, unveiled a report examining how older adults and people with disabilities have been hurt by policies made by the 47th president in his first 100 days. It found that proposed cuts and changes to federal programs, like Medicaid, Medicare and the Social Services Block Grant, could leave millions of seniors and people with disabilities without essential health care, nutrition and community supports. It also reported that layoffs and agency closures at the Health and Human Services Department and Social Security Administration are already delaying access to services.
- The first American Pope
A U.S. citizen was named head of the Catholic Church in 2025. Pope Leo XIV was elected to the role on May 8, making history as the first American pope. The new pope’s background sparked conversation, as his Black roots were put under the microscope.
- Omaha, Neb. elects first Black Mayor
Omaha made history on June 9 with the election of its first Black mayor, John Ewing, marking a milestone in a city long shaped by racial and political divides. The victory signaled changing voter priorities in a competitive Midwestern battleground. Later in the year, on Nov. 4, Black leaders were elected to serve as mayors across the country, including Sharon Owens in Syracuse, N.Y., Dorcey Applyrs in Albany, N.Y., and Mary Sheffield in Detroit. All are the first Black women mayors in their respective areas.
- A win for HBCU’s
Historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) saw increased funding of over 1 billion dollars and higher enrollment. Philanthropist MacKenzie Scott donated to multiple HBCUs, including $63 million to Morgan State University in October, followed by another $38 million to University of Maryland Eastern Shore later in the month and $50 million to Bowie State University in November.
- States challenge SNAP suspension during longest shutdown of federal government in history
On Oct. 28, a number of state attorneys general sued the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and Secretary Brooke Rollins for halting the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) on Oct. 28. Payments from the program to millions of the vulnerable Americans were put in jeopardy because of the government shutdown. On Oct. 31, a federal court deemed the suspension unlawful and ordered the benefits to be paid. The fight came during the longest shutdown in federal history, which lasted from Oct. 1 to Nov. 12.
- Jasmine Crockett announces Senate run
U.S. Rep. Jasmine Crockett (D-Texas- District 30) launched a campaign Dec. 8 to serve as the next U.S. senator from Texas. Crockett made a name for herself as the outspoken legislator from the Lone Star State long before 2025.