The BET 100 Entertainers & Innovators of the Year | Politics

See who superseded our expectations.

BET 100 | Politics - There has been no election more important than the one our country has just endured. So much was at stake. With a global pandemic continuing to ravage our country, and an unprecedented level of civil unrest stoked by police violence, 2020 has forced many of the most politically apathetic among us to care and become involved in the political process. The historic Biden-Harris victory revealed just how fed up the country was with President Donald Trump. The election cycle also begets several other exciting – and important – historical firsts for our community. We celebrate them here. —Written by Dustin SeibertPlus, don't forget to check back each day this week to find out who else we've added to the BET 100 list...we're just getting started. (BET Digital Design/Getty)
Jaime Harrison - Despite losing to Lindsey Graham in the South Carolina U.S. Senate race, Jaime Harrison is credited with expanding the Democratic base in an historically Republican state. Twice, his campaign broke fundraising records, bringing in more than $27 million in the first half of the year. Fortunately, Harrison is on a short list to head up the Democratic National Committee after President-elect Biden takes office in 2021. (Photo by Cameron Pollack/Getty Images)
Rep. Lauren Underwood - In 2019, at age 32, Lauren Underwood became the youngest Black woman elected to Congress, representing Illinois’ 14th congressional district in the House of Representatives. On Nov. 18 of this year, she won her bid for a second term when she defeated Jim Oberweis. (At press time, the Associated Press declared Underwood the winner, although Oberweis promised to explore all legal options to dispute the win.) Underwood has co-sponsored 324 pieces of legislation, three of which have been signed into law. She is a tireless fighter against family separation and should be offered up as an example by her fellow Millennials every time a Boomer challenges their work ethic. (Photo by Michael Brochstein/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images)NY Attorney General Letitia James - As the attorney general of New York state, Letitia James (or “Tish,” as she’s known) has made it her mission to pursue President Donald Trump on a number of alleged legal transgressions. James’ office is currently working up a long list of Trump initiatives for Joe Biden’s incoming administration to undo. “No one, not even the president of the United States,” James has said, “can use the law to advance his or her own politicalagenda. It’s that simple. If individuals want to critique me, that’s fine. It’s about the rule of law and standing up for what’s right.” (Photo by Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images)

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BET 100 | Politics - There has been no election more important than the one our country has just endured. So much was at stake. With a global pandemic continuing to ravage our country, and an unprecedented level of civil unrest stoked by police violence, 2020 has forced many of the most politically apathetic among us to care and become involved in the political process. The historic Biden-Harris victory revealed just how fed up the country was with President Donald Trump. The election cycle also begets several other exciting – and important – historical firsts for our community. We celebrate them here. —Written by Dustin SeibertPlus, don't forget to check back each day this week to find out who else we've added to the BET 100 list...we're just getting started. (BET Digital Design/Getty)

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