Sunday marked a year since the Women’s March took its boots-to-the-ground activism to Washington, D.C. The crowds, who fought back against the threats of a new Trump administration that threatened civil rights, was full of millions of women, especially Black ones.

Tamika Mallory, co-chair of last year’s historic protest and co-president of the Women’s March board, knew the chance to raise a chorus of voices against inequality was real.

“The women’s march has provided an opportunity for women to understand our collective power and to understand that the more public we are, the more we have an opportunity to bring our issues to the forefront,” Mallory recently said to USA Today.

Now, one year later, women will once again descend around the country to fight in several cities including New York City and Los Angeles on the January 20-21 weekend. But just how meaningful is this year’s event for Black women?

Here are five reasons why African-American female activists are standing up:

Political Power

Women’s March organizers will launch a national voter registration tour this year. The Power to the Polls event, taking place in Las Vegas, will call attention to Nevada as a battleground state in the 2018 election cycle, Mallory said.

The event also highlights the fact that polling places have already been a place for Black women to make a difference. Doug Jones was elected to the senate after a powerful showing of African-Americans ladies at the polls in Alabama. This voting bloc has proved its importance to swaying elections, a phenomenon that speaks to its political power.

The Power to the Polls effort will “help elect more women and progressive candidates in congressional, gubernatorial and local elections nationwide,” Mallory explained. Potentially, more Black female candidates may make it on the ballot. There have already been the historical elections of Democrat senator Kamala Harris and Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottomsthat proved that #BlackExcellence reaches the top of the political ladder.

Trump Takedown

The need to force President Trump’s impeachment has grown, especially within many activist communities. Several of Trump’s policies, including repealing The Affordable Care Act, have threatened the lives of Black women over the past year.

“I think some people may even be more outraged today than they were last year,” Mallory said. “Think about it. Last year Donald Trump had not even been the president yet. He had not been in office at that point for any amount of time that would give people the ability to really see policies coming into place. … Over the last year we’ve been able to see how some of the rhetoric is turning into actual policies and procedures that impact communities that have already been struggling.”

Sexual Harassment Fight

The battle against sexual abuse and misconduct has been front and center for women, highlighted by the #MeToo and #TimesUp movements. Many activists are expected to keep fighting at this year’s Women’s March as part of a core set of principles upheld by event organizers and groups.

“Women have the right to live full and healthy lives, free of all forms of violence against our bodies,” reads one statement from the Woman’s March website’s guiding principles list, which also mentions that women, especially Black, have are often targeted by rape, human trafficking and other types of physical and sexual violence.

Trans Community Engagement

Groups participating in the women’s march want to improve their relationship with the Transgender community, especially important considering that a devastatingly high number of Black Trans women were been tragically murdered last year.

“Last year we learned, and throughout the year we learned, that there needs to be a greater focus on our relationship with the trans community,” Mallory explained, “and this year we are being very intentional about engaging the trans community and figuring out better ways to be a stronger partner.”

With all the talk about the Time’s Up movement and the pay gap between women and men in Hollywood, many actresses are finding themselves in the news and not always in ways that they appreciate.

The latest actress to have her story highlighted in the media is Tracee Ellis Ross of ABC’s hit series Black-ish.

It has been reported that there is a significant gap in the pay she receives per episode compared to her co-star Anthony Anderson. The award-winning actress is reportedly in negotiations for a new contract and the internet is weighing in.

The Hollywood Reporter has written that the co-star’s paychecks have been discussed “at length” and that the Golden Globe winner is considering cutting back her appearances on the hit show.

“With negotiations for the fifth season ongoing, sources say Ellis Ross feels that if she isn’t brought up to Anderson’s level, she may opt to appear in fewer episodes to make up the disparity by guesting on another show,” reports The Hollywood Reporter.

They went on to write, “A network source says a new deal will significantly increase her compensation and cautioned that Anderson and Ellis Ross’ roles aren’t equal given that he has been attached to Black-ish from the start and is an executive producer.”

Tracee Ellis Ross has hit back at the media’s characterization of her actions during negotiations in a statement she posted to Twitter.

“There has been a lot of conversation and speculation the last few days regarding by Black-ish salary. I was in renegotiation like many actors find themselves in during the fourth season of a successful show. I wanted to be compensated in a way that matches my contribution to a show that I love for many reasons, including the opportunity it allows me to reshape what it is to be a fully realized black woman on TV.”

“The words and thoughts that were in the original article that started this public conversation were not mine; there were never any threats. I wish I would have been called by the reporter to confirm that. Having had my renegotiation become a public conversation was awkward, but I’m grateful for the outpouring of support. I’m truly thankful that important conversations are taking place about fighting for women’s worth and equality, and tightening the pay gap in every industry.”

No word from Anderson or Black-ish creator Kenya Burris.

Leaving office was a change Barack Obama could believe in.

In the year after he handed the most powerful job in the world to Donald Trump, Obama’s foray into post-presidential life has included globe-trotting, book-writing, speech-giving and the unmistakable perks of semiprivate life — like sleep and nights out with Michelle, his wife and former first lady.

And while he has managed to largely stay out of the chaos that has mired Washington after his exit — minus a few public policy-related pronouncements — Obama has charged ahead with building his foundation and presidential center, ending 2017 with a pair of campaign rally appearances that revealed his love for the stump.

Those who know Obama best, however, say he doesn’t miss being commander in chief, and is happy having returned to a somewhat normal life.

If there’s one thing we can always say about Monique it’s the fact that she has never been afraid to advocate for herself…much to the chagrin of her colleagues in the industry. Today, Monique got on Instagram with a call to action. She requested that “we,” the Black community, women, etc. boycott Netflix.

What an ask!

In a video she recently posted on her Instagram page, she explained why.

#BOYCOTT#NETFLIX FOR #COLORBIAS AND #GENDERBIAS. PLEASE STAND WITH ME. I LOVE US.
A post shared by Mo’nique (@therealmoworldwide) on Jan 19, 2018 at 5:54am PST
For those who can’t watch the video right now, she says:

“Hey my loves, I am asking that you stand with me and boycott Netflix for gender bias and color bias. I was offered a $500,000 deal last week to do a comedy special. However, Amy Schumer was offered $11 million, Chris Rock and Dave Chappelle, $20 million. Then Amy Schumer went back and renegotiated 2 more million dollars because she said, ‘I shouldn’t get what the men are getting, they’re legends. However I should get more’ and Netflix agreed.

When we asked Netflix to explain the difference, why the money was so different, they said, ‘Well, we believe that’s what Monique will bring.’ We said, ‘What about my resume?’ They said ‘We don’t go off of resumes.’ Then we asked them, ‘What was it about Amy Schumer?’ and they said, ‘Well, she sold out Madison Square Garden twice and she had a big movie over the summer.’ Is that not Amy Schumer’s resume? And then Netflix said, ‘By the way, we believe Monique is a legend too.’ Why shouldn’t I get what the legends are getting? Please stand with me in this boycott of Neftlix. I love us for real.”

Umph.

I have to admit Monique makes some valid points. It’s incredibly interesting that as the only Black woman in this scenario that she’s being lowballed in this way. I don’t think it would have been a stretch for Netflix to come up off at least $1-2 million for a comedy special. When the news of Schumer’s negotiations with the company was all over the news, $500,000 is insulting. Monique has been putting in work for decades. The woman is an Academy Award winner for God’s sake. People can say a lot about her, but at the end of the day, she’s a performer. And a multifaceted one at that. At a time when it’s clear that women–and especially Black women–aren’t being paid what they’re worth, across all industries, it’s an honorable fight. I know there are people who will bristle at her negotiating, going back and forth with the streaming juggernaut; but based on Schumer’s story, not only is it standard practice, it’s just good business. Not to mention corporate companies and really society at large has a centuries-long history of undervaluing and underappreciating Black women and our contributions.

Still, I can understand why Netflix might be apprehensive about giving Monique $13 million like they did for Schumer. If you ask me, on her worst day, Monique is funnier than Amy Schumer; still, she’s not selling out arenas or writing and starring in blockbuster films. White folks love Amy Schumer right now, it’s her time. Netflix was right, it’s not about her resume (because Monique’s would definitely be longer and more impressive, artistically speaking), it’s about the money, baby. Netflix didn’t mention that she sold out Madison Square Garden because it’s such a prestigious venue, they’re talking about the money Schumer’s tour made. When they say she had a big movie, they’re not talking about the quality of the film or her performance in it, they’re speaking about ticket sales, box office numbers. Mun-eee.

And with the combination of forces like lack of opportunities for Black women in Hollywood, Monique’s reputation and the treatment of Black, female comedians in general, Monique has yet to achieve that type of success, despite her undeniable talent. So from a business standpoint, I can understand why Netflix might offer her less than a Schumer. There’s a good chance that she won’t deliver $13 million dollars worth of streams for her comedy special.

Still, there’s no doubt in my mind that she deserves more than $500,000. That ain’t right…when you know they’ve got it. And she’s good for it. Monique is known for saying wild sh*t on stage. And in today’s political, cultural climate, I’m sure she would have a lot to say. I know she could garner more than $500,000 in streams. I know I’d watch.

As for this boycott though, my only reaction is:

It pains me to go against another Black woman in favor of a corporation. But it’s winter. I’m in the house and Netflix’s content is pretty good. Not to mention, I’ll be supporting other Black women creatives with my streams. That being said, hat tip to Monique. This is a righteous fight…even if I can’t join in.

Alabama’s newly elected Sen. Doug Jones was one of five Democrats who joined with Republicans to vote in favor of a short-term funding bill to prevent a government shutdown, Fox News reported. His vote drew criticism from many Black Democrats who helped to elect Jones in the deeply conservative state.

“Those of us who have dedicated our work and lives to engaging and empowering Black and marginalized communities know that once we allow White candidates to shift right, history shows that they never (or almost never) prioritize the policies and issues most deeply affecting Black voters’ communities,” LaTosha Brown, an Alabama native and a founder of the Black Voters Matter Fund, wrote Saturday in Rewire.

Alabama’s Black voters, particularly African-American women, swept Jones into office. But after getting elected, Jones warned that he may side with Republicans on some issues. The GOP needed several Democrats to vote with them on Friday night to avert the shutdown. Jones said in a statement that he backed the Republicans “because of CHIP [Children’s Health Insurance Program] and the many families in Alabama and around the country that would be put in jeopardy by a government shutdown.” The GOP, however, has already allowed funding to expire for CHIP, which provided low-cost health insurance to approximately 9 million children. The reality is that Republicans are using CHIP as political leverage in the shutdown standoff.

Brown believes Jones has other motives for voting with the Republicans on this issue. He’s using “the distancing-from-Black-voters tool to build White political cache in the South,” she said.

No one expected Jones to be a strong liberal voice in the Senate. However, those who supported Jones “expect him to demonstrate some sense of accountability to those who elected him,” she added.