15 Moments in Entertainment This Year That Were Total Wins for the Black Community

Oftentimes, Hollywood and the entire realm of entertainment are criticized for its lack of diversity among stars, films and TV shows. After all, there is the tendency to "white-wash" original characters of color as they are replaced by white actors and actresses. However, with the rising racial tension in the country during the past few years and the acknowledgment of the lack of diverse faces on the screen and in music, 2015 has brought about a change in the field of entertainment where the black community, specifically, has been able to rejoice in the fact that when one of us wins, all of us win.

1. Viola Davis is the first black woman to win an Emmy for Best Actress in a Drama

Primetime Emmy Night served some major girl power—Viola Davis not only became the first black woman to win Best Actress in a Leading Role - Drama, but girl-on-girl support shined with Taraji P. Henson's congratulatory praise for not only Viola, but also Regina King and Uzo Aduba.

2. Misty Copeland becomes the first black principal dancer in the American Ballet Theater

Misty became the true definition of #BlackGirlMagic when she became the first Black Principal Dancer in the American Ballet Theater's 75 years this past June and a Glamour Woman of 2015. After a lauded performance in Swan Lake as the lead, a biographical documentary covering her rise over her potentially career-threatening injury and a one Under Armour ad, the 32-year old is showing no signs of slowing down, especially as she continues to unapologetically talk about the issues of race and diversity in the dance world.

3. Empire returns for a second season, followed by the premiere of Rosewood

The show that premiered last year and became a musical phenomenon starring Taraji as Cookie and Terrence Howard as Lucious Lyon returned for a second year filled with a slew of guests stars and even more musical talent while also addressing social issues affecting the black community. Meanwhile, Rosewood starred the ever handsome and charming Morris Chestnut, making it another win for the black community as it joined a list of the new shows starring black men, those of which served in defeating the stereotype that they can only be the funny sidekick or street thug.

4. The world is introduced to Tidal

After making headway as a new music streaming service that would allow subscribers into the musical thoughts and minds of artists such as Jay Z, Beyoncé, Kanye West, Rihanna, Nicki Minaj and more, Tidal held its first branded concert as a way to celebrate its growing success—a concert that became known as the Bey & Nicki show as they teamed to perform their hit, "Feelin' Myself."

5. Straight Outta Compton was unapologetically real

The bibliographical film about the World's Most Dangerous Group, NWA, introduced us to the era of gangsta rap. Ice Cube and Dr. Dre both allowed us all to reminisce in the artists of the '90s on the West Coast, propelled the release of Dr. Dre's 2015 Grammy-Nominated album, Compton, served as a prologue to the upcoming Tupac biopic and covered the issue of police brutality against black Americans, that of which is still plaguing us now.

6. Kendrick Lamar garners 11 Grammy nominations

After being snubbed by the Grammys in 2013, this year, Kendrick went on to release a new album, To Pimp a Butterfly. The album includes the socially-conscious and black uplifting records, "The Blacker the Berry,""King Kunta" and the Grammy-nominated "Alright." Kendrick not only received the most Grammy nominations of the year, but showed that millennials can still make, listen and groove to socially conscious music.

7. John Boyega & Lupita Nyong'o star in the new Star Wars

Despite facing racial comments for being the protagonist in JJ Abrahams'Star Wars, English actor John Boyega made his American debut as Finn in The Force Awakens and gracefully ignored any negative comments about his role. After her Oscar win in 2014, Lupita Nyong'o also starred in the episode 8 of the Star Wars installments, where she, like John, has received critical acclaim for her performance.

8. Serena Williams delivers another Serena Slam

Serena never usually disappoints, and this year was no exception. At Wimbledon, Serena won her fourth consecutive Grand Slam Championship—and her 21st championship overall. She also brought about the topic of race and body image in the world of sports, as criticism arose when it was discovered she receives less money than her white counterparts.

9. Zendaya stands up for natural-haired women

Zendaya shined in the year 2015, as she first fought back against former Fashion Police host Giuliana Rancic's comments about her dreads by posting an educational message on the history of natural hair for black girls on Instagram. She also showed major class when she gracefully accepted Rancic's apology.

10. ...She gets her own doll, too!

This and the premiere of her new show, K.C. Undercover, led to the release of her own Barbie Doll stylized with her famous Oscar look from earlier this year. 

11. There's a new Hermione in the Harry Potter plays

There was, of course, controversy over the casting of a black Hermione for the new play, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, when Noma Dumezweni was selected to play the female heroine of the series. However, Noma received HP author and creator J.K. Rowling's approval, as well as the approval of many fans who had always wanted to see more faces of color in the fantasy series.

12. Ava DuVernay receives her own Barbie doll

Director of the Oscar-nominated film, Selma, which is about the rise of the Civil Rights Movement and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., had a Barbie doll personalized after herself. We especially love that it also featured her signature dreadlocks!

13. The Apple Music commercials star Mary J. Blige, Taraji P. Henson and Kerry Washington

Just watch this one minute of greatness.

14. #TGIT, courtesy of Shonda Rhimes, continues

Because HTGAWM, Scandal and Grey's Anatomy truly define TGIT.

15. The Wiz Live! airs on NBC

Known as the black version of The Wizard of Oz originally starring Michael Jackson and Diana Ross, a revamped installment with a host of amazing celebs, like Queen Latifah, OITNB's Uzo Aduba, Mary J. Blige, and introducing Shanice Williams as the new Dorothy premiered this winter on NBC filled with a number of R&B/soul-infused musical numbers that both added to the legacy of The Wizard of Oz, as well as rounded out the year of black greatness in entertainment.

While this year was great for black entertainment, let's just make sure those windows of opportunity stay open in 2016. Tell us collegiettes, which moment was the best win for the black community this year?