Doug Jones scored the first senate win for a democrat in Alabama in 25 years and its all thanks to black women! Black women have BEEN holding things down and

it's about time America took notice! We hold our kids down, our men down, and this time black women held America down. According to the USA Today, 17%

of Alabama voters were black women and 98% of them showed up, stood up, and voted against Roy Moore leading Jones to his victory. Now that is some true #Blackgirlmagic! 

12-year-old Marley Dias spent 2017 showing us that not only do heroes not always wear capes, they're not all adults either! This shining star and up and coming author started

the #1000blackgirlbooks movement after she grew tired of not seeing girls like herself as the main character in books. What started as a goal to collect and donate 1000 books

featuring black protagonists has now grown to a list of over 9,000 books and counting. Marley was recently named one of Forbes 30 Under 30, making her the youngest

to grace the list this year! #Salute

Mass incarceration is a major issue in America that impacts thousands of black men and women across the country. For many, they are given unreasonable bail amounts that are often

hard to afford. Kortney Ziegler, a social engineer from Compton, developed and launched an app that works to combat this issue. His app, Appolition, allows users to use

their spare change towards the bails of black men and women across the country. Since it's launch a month ago, the app has already bailed out 8 individuals! #Salute

11-year-old Mikaila Ulmer shined in 2017 scoring a sweet $11 million dollar deal with Whole Foods to sell her BeeSweet lemonade. Her tasty recipe, which she inherited from her great-grandmother,

Helen, includes a combination of mint, flaxseed, and honey. Mikaila even gives a portion of what's sold to bee rescue foundations! We see you Mikaila. #Salute

Jonathan Smith doesn't consider himself a hero. But the rest of the world does and so do we! Amid the chaos and horror of this year's Las Vegas shooting, which

claimed 58 lives, Smith ran through the crowd, shouting, "active shooter, active shooter, let's go! We have to run." He grabbed people and told them to follow him toward a handicapped

parking area away from Las Vegas Boulevard. According to CNN, he saved at least 30 lives before he was shot in the neck. He may live with the bullet

in his neck forever, but he'll also live with the memory of the lives he helped save that day! Jonathan Smith is a #REALHERO and we #salute him.

Further proving that some of the baddest super heroes are definitely women, check out Chicago police officer Jennifer Maddox. This sista, who was born and raised on the Southside of

Chicago, is working to end the violence that is plaguing the young black youth in the neighborhood she grew up in. Her nonprofit, Future Ties, is an after school program

geared towards providing a free, safe space for children to learn, grow, and succeed. Maddox even works a second job to help her fund and support the program. #Dedication This

strong black woman has been fighting for the last six years to keep our youth off the streets and out of the prison system! #Dedication

Khali Sweeney had a rough upbringing, but despite his parents giving him away to a neighbor when he was a baby, and eventually dropping out of school, Sweeney turned his

life around. Now he helps youth in his native city of Detroit by helping them avoid the pitfalls he fell into as a child in the inner city.  Ten years

ago, Sweeney started the Downtown Boxing Gym Youth Program, an after school program that runs five days a week. The gym has a tutoring center and through boxing and mentorship

the kids are taught accountability, sportsmanship, and perseverance. CNN reported that over 267 students have completed the program, all of them have graduated high school, and 98% have gone

on to college! #Props

Mama Rosie's story started in 1989 when she noticed a group of children playing in a dump near her home, she invited them in, they sang songs and she gave

them food and water. That was the start of her free daycare. After over a decade of service, in 2000, Mama Rosie was ready for retirement when one day a

child with sores was left at her doorstep. Police advised Rosie that she would be best to care for the child and the rest was history. By the end of

the year, Mama Rosie was caring for over 67 children, all in her own home! Today, her group, Baphumelele -- which translates to "we have progressed" -- has provided care to

over 5,000 sick children in need. Proof that it only takes one person to impact change. #Salute

This Mcdonalds manager deserves all the positivity coming her way. After acting quickly in what most of us would consider a scary situation, according to the NY Daily

NewsWalker flagged down a police officer and handed in the gun that would help catch the serial killer that plagued Tampa for weeks. Delonda not only brought justice to the

families of the four slain victims, but there is no telling how many lives she saved in the process. Delonda Walker is truly a hero in every way! #Salute

We love seeing young black talent at work! Brothers Justen and Julien Turner (15 and 19-years-old) made history this year by becoming the youngest filmmakers to produce a short film for

Sesame Street, as reported by AJC. They even have their own production company, Dreadhead films. This duo just screams #BlackExcellence and we are here for it! #Salute