NO ONE can deny that 2017 was definitely Colin Kaepernick's year. 

The former NFL quarterback not only started the powerful #TakeAKnee Movement that has influenced millions, but did so sacrificing

his own athletic career. 

But here's what we know: He will persist. 

Most importantly, the 30-year-old doesn't just talk about it, he IS about it, donating his own money to racial

justice organizations around the country. 

Kaepernick is truly is the champion of the people, on and off the field. 

Talk about a comeback!

Congresswoman Maxine Waters may have been working for the government for decades, but this year, the 79-year-old was the talk of the town, helping us "reclaim

our time" and resist this president. 

Speaking of which, Auntie Maxine has been one of the loudest voices in the fight to impeach Trump and stress that #45 colluded with

Russia to win the election. 

Waters' story is clear: Age ain't nothing but a number and that it's always important to listen to Black women!!!

While Black folks usually die first in horror films, Jordan Peele's "Get Out" provided a much-needed alternative to that mess. 

And folks were here for this twisted tale of racism,

interracial dating, body-switching and horror. Made for $4.5 million dollars, the film raked in a whopping $254 million worldwide, showing that there is an audience for African-American-led horror films and that

we need more of them. 

Peele also gave us the best tagline of the year: The Sunken Place. That alone is enough to make this list!

Maaan...2017 really was the Year of Tiffany Haddish!

Not only did the 38-year-old make a name for herself with the hit comedy "Girls Trip," she was the first Black standup

comedienne to host "Saturday Night Live," AND she has three new movies coming out.  

Oh, and did we mention she just dropped a new memoir, "The Last Black Unicorn"? 

Tiff is

EVERYWHERE and WINNIN!!!

But it's also her down to earth, around-the-way girl personality--i.e. the Jada Pinkett-Smith swamp boat ride story--that has made America fall in love with her. 

We hope

that 2018 brings her even more success and maybe an Oscar! 

Chance The Rapper may only be 24-years-old, but he is wise beyond the years. 

Like Kaepernick, the Grammy winner puts his money where his mouth, donating funds to better the

lives of the people who live in his hometown of Chicago. 

Just recently, he teamed up with Google to donate $1million dollars to Windy City public schools to make sure that

no child gets left behind. 

In addition to his hit music, Chance has used his fame this year to raise awareness around police brutality, racial injustice and sexual harassment. 

Who

doesn't love this kid?

JAY-Z and Beyonce continue to kill the game with multiple Grammys, hit albums, breaking the Internet with their twins and topping all kinds of Forbes' lists.

But this year, they

haven't been afraid to open up about their personal lives, talk about the importance of Black men getting therapy and showing us the importance of Black love. 

The power couple

has also used their platform to speak up about issues that impact Black folks AND they gave money to multiple causes from hurricane relief to Black Lives Matter. 

They stay

doing it for the culture!

Not just ANYONE can win a Grand Slam Championship, while refusing to drop an entire set the whole tournament AND be eight weeks pregnant at the same time. 

But Serena

Williams can AND did, proving why she is the greatest tennis player of ALL-TIME. PERIOD.

 Just ask Nike, who recently named their headquarters after her. 

After giving birth and getting married,

the icon has her eyes on a comeback! She'll be back next month defending her Australian Open title LIKE A BOSS! 

Serve, ace, match point, WIN! 

Marvel's "Black Panther" film doesn't even come out until next February, but we don't care. 

Since the trailer and the film posters recently dropped, Black Twitter has lost its collective

mind celebrating the fact that this is the BLACKETY BLACK film that we need AND deserve. 

Just look at all of this melanin!!!

Here's what we know: It looks like

director Ryan Coogler has a hit on his hands and we CAN'T WAIT to see it in the theaters. 

Love him or hate him, it can't be denied that LaVar Ball's insane antics have made him a household name.

This year, he also has taken the throne as the

King of Clapbacks, taking on President Trump and giving no damns. We respect the fact that he bows down to no one, even if the President did help his son

get out of a Chinese jail. 

Oh, and his company BBB's profits are shooting through the roof. (Thanks Trump)

We can't wait to see what Ball and his sons are

up to next year. 

ESPN's Jemele Hill proves that #45 isn't the only one with Twitter fingers. 

And while she may have been suspended from her job for them and got called out by

the White House, Hill has never backed down from speaking her mind. 

She's also been clear: Sports are political and racial and as a Black female sports journalist, that focus

will always be front and center in her work. 

Even better? She's also not afraid to call a white supremacist, a white supremacist. 

And we love her for that!