2009

Barack Obama was inaugurated as the 44th President of the United States, the first African American to hold the office. An estimated 1.8 million people attended the ceremony on the National Mall, the largest audience for any event in Washington DC history.

Michelle Obama became the first Black First Lady of the United States, a Princeton and Harvard Law graduate whose family moved into the White House on January 20, 2009. Her style, grace, and advocacy transformed the role of First Lady and made her one of the most admired women in the world.

Michelle Obama, a Princeton and Harvard Law graduate, became the first Black First Lady of the United States. Her style, advocacy, and public persona transformed the role of First Lady and made her one of the most admired women in the world.

Lee Daniels' Precious, based on the novel Push by Sapphire and starring Gabourey Sidibe and Mo'Nique, won both the Grand Jury Prize and Audience Award at Sundance. Mo'Nique won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress, and the film received nominations for Best Picture and Best Actress.

Lee Daniels' Precious, starring Gabourey Sidibe and Mo'Nique, won both the Grand Jury Prize and Audience Award at Sundance. Mo'Nique won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress and the film received Best Picture and Best Actress nominations.

Beyoncé won three Grammy Awards for Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It) and other songs from I Am... Sasha Fierce. The song's iconic video dance became one of the most imitated in YouTube history and the phrase became ubiquitous in popular culture.

Kobe Bryant won his fourth NBA championship and first Finals MVP without Shaquille O'Neal, defeating the Orlando Magic and silencing critics who had questioned whether he could win without his former partner, cementing his legacy as one of the greatest to play.

Michael Jackson, the King of Pop and one of the best-selling music artists in history, died at age 50 of acute propofol and benzodiazepine intoxication in Los Angeles. His death triggered global mourning on a scale rarely seen for an entertainer and a reappraisal of his cultural legacy.

Serena Williams defeated her sister Venus in the 2009 Wimbledon final for her twelfth Grand Slam title, further extending her dominance of women's tennis and the Williams sisters' extraordinary hold over the sport throughout the decade.

Michael Steele was elected chairman of the Republican National Committee, becoming the first African American to lead the party of Lincoln in its 155-year history, an election made more striking by coming just days after Barack Obama's inauguration.

Eric Holder was confirmed as the 82nd Attorney General of the United States in 2009, becoming the first Black American to serve as the nation's chief law enforcement officer. During his six-year tenure he pursued voting rights enforcement, criminal justice reform, and oversight of police departments, and called America 'a nation of cowards' on race — sparking both outrage and praise.

FUBU founder Daymond John joined ABC's Shark Tank as a regular investor when it premiered in August 2009, becoming the most visible Black venture investor in American popular culture. Over more than a decade, John made Black entrepreneurship and investment accessible to a mass audience, using his platform to champion minority-owned businesses and fundamentally shifting perceptions of Black business leadership.

Becomes the first Black woman to lead a Fortune 500 company.