This week we’re celebrating the achievements of African Americans–in both politics and entertainment. Just one day after Martin Luther King Day, we witnessed Barack Obama’s swearing in as President of the United States.

And who better to introduce him than world renowned singer Aretha Franklin? As one of the most famous voices of both the black community and the entertainment world, she was a perfect choice! Check out her moving performance below:

We love you, Aretha! Keep on singing, girl!

By Alisha, InstantCast assistant editor

Here at InstantCast we are all so excited and proud of the great strides our country has taken. This historic moment will be in our memories for the rest of our lives. President Barack Obama is a truly inspirational figure, and we hope that his incredible achievements inspire you to follow your deepest dreams and desires.

By Alisha, InstantCast assistant editor

POLITICAL CINEMA - Film which portrays current or historical events or social conditions in a partisan way in order to inform or to agitate the audience. Political cinema exists in different forms such as documentaries, feature films, or even animated and experimental films. The difference from other films is not that they are political but how they portray a particular political viewpoint, whether positively or negatively.

By Alisha, InstantCast assistant editor

We know you InstantCasters are inspired by celebrities as you aspire to reach celebrity status yourselves. So, did celebrities effect your vote?

Campaigns run by stars like Christina Aguilera, Sean “Diddy” Combs, and Beyonce Knowles have been extremely effective in recruiting the youth vote.

“Celebrity endorsed campaigns successfully lowered complacency and helped young people believe in their own impact on the political system,” reads a Washington State University study.

There is no doubt that celebrities’ increased exposure in this election has helped raise the number of voter turnout.

So, all you 18+ don’t forget to vote today!

Want to get in the voting spirit? Click here to rock the vote on InstantCast!

By: Isabelle Dungan, InstantCast Editor