Black excellence

noun

variants or less commonly black excellence

1

: extreme excellence demonstrated by Black people despite racist systems, beliefs, etc. that make it harder for them to achieve success or to be recognized for their accomplishments

We celebrate Malcolm X when he's told by his teacher right in the face, you can't be a lawyer. And he's able to overcome that. We celebrate the Black excellence in the face of resistance and oppression.

—James Forman, Jr.

He was met with resistance, but the Navy had no choice but to admit him because he scored so highly on his entrance exams. By 1948, [Jesse L.] Brown had completed his training and received his Naval Aviator Badge. The media began to take notice of Brown's achievement and he went on to become a beacon of Black excellence in the US military.

—Madison McGee

Recognizing exceptional individuals who have made contributions to their respective fields, these awards celebrate black excellence and leadership on a global scale.

—FinancialWire

also : the determined pursuit of extreme excellence by Black people as a means of resisting and overcoming racist systems, beliefs, etc.

… the language of "Black excellence," or the long-held belief among African Americans that they must work twice as hard for half as much as white people receive.

—Tanisha C. Ford

It's what Black parents have been telling their children for decades: If you want to keep your place on the team, you need to overperform. Black excellence is a survival strategy …

—Donald Thompson

2

: a person who demonstrates Black excellence

… [author Charise] Marie … chose to attend after a few friends told her about the festival and that "she is Black excellence" …

—Selena Vazquez

You are black excellence, and I am proud, we are all proud to be standing on your legacy and strong shoulders as young activists, pioneers and dreamers.

—Shaquel McCoy, quoted in Redlands (California) Daily Facts

Examples of Black excellence in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Statement jewelry, vibrant colors, and braided hairstyles offered a striking contrast to the ornate 18th-century architecture — a vivid reflection of Black excellence redefining tradition. —Essence, 20 Oct. 2025

Her portraits of Michelle Obama and Breonna Taylor are two of the most important artworks created in the 21st century, testaments to Black excellence and the epidemic of police violence. —Chadd Scott, Forbes.com, 19 Sep. 2025

People Of Means by Nancy Johnson In 1959, Freda Gilroy enters Fisk University determined to honor her family’s legacy of Black excellence, but the realities of the Jim Crow South force her to choose between safety and standing up for justice. —Kait Hanson, Southern Living, 13 Aug. 2025

In 1945, Charlie Trammel arrives in Los Angeles, lured by both his cousin and the promising Black excellence of Sugar Hill. —Lizz Schumer, People.com, 2 Aug. 2025

For their first home game on Aug. 8, the team will celebrate Black excellence. —Asli Pelit, New York Times, 30 July 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1965, in the meaning defined at sense 1