Before the days of social media, there was such a time where we actually had to wait for media headlines to circulate timely news like awards show results if we missed the initial viewing. Thanks to platforms like Twitter, Black users have created a new ritual for watching awards shows that allows us to both view and commentate in real-time with other fellow users online. Black Twitter — defined by The Guardian as “a particular collective of black identities and voices on Twitter taking part in culturally-specific jokes and dialogues that affect the community” — innovated this practice which is sometimes referred to as “family reunions.” This reunion aspect comes into affect largely when major TV and film events air, seemingly creating virtual viewing parties before they became a popular trend amid the pandemic. Black Twitter’s presence online grew to prominence during the 2010s as an influential cultural force that has called attention to many historic moments such as...

Even in times of civil unrest, Black people still find creative ways to honor our culture. Last week, in an effort to reimagine the magazine covers of Vogue, Black social media users started a trend — coined as the #VogueChallenge — to recreate said covers with Black models and photographers further showcasing the beauty in Blackness. According to The Cut , the #VogueChallenge was created in response to Anna Wintour’s published letter last week — obtained by Page Six — that admitted: “ Vogue has not found enough ways to elevate and give space to Black editors, writers, photographers, designers and other creators.” The idea behind the challenge calls for change in the entertainment and fashion industries to ensure more diversity and opportunities for Black people and POC. The social media trend took off so much that people then pivoted to recreating covers of esteemed Black magazines with the #ESSENCEChallenge, #JetChallenge, #EbonyChallenge, and more to pay homage to publications...