Important Figures
He escaped slavery and became a famous abolitionist speaker.
A: Who is Frederick Douglass? He advised President Lincoln.
This 2018 Marvel film celebrated African culture and became a global hit.
What is Black Panther? It was nominated for Best Picture.
This sweet dessert pie, often enjoyed in February, has roots in African American home cooking.
What is sweet potato pie?
It’s similar to pumpkin pie but made with orange-fleshed sweet potatoes.
Boxer was known as “The Greatest.”
A: Who is Muhammad Ali? He lit the Olympic torch in 1996 despite having Parkinson’s disease.
Katherine Johnson helped this U.S. government agency calculate space missions and was featured in the movie “Hidden Figures.”
A: What is NASA?
Astronaut John Glenn specifically requested her calculations before his orbit around Earth.
James Baldwin wrote powerful books and essays that explored race and equality in this country.
What is the United States?
This talk show host became the first Black female billionaire.
A: Who is Oprah Winfrey? She started her career in local news.
This leafy green vegetable was often grown in Southern gardens and became a staple in many homes.
What are collard greens?
Fun Fact: Collard greens were historically cooked with smoked meats for flavor.
This tennis champion won 23 Grand Slam singles titles.
Who is Serena Williams? She won her first major title as a teenager.
Guion Bluford became the first Black astronaut to do this in space in 1983.
A: Fly in space. He flew on four space shuttle missions during his career.
Colin Powell became the first African American to serve in this top role in the U.S. government, helping guide military and foreign policy.
What is Secretary of State?
She sang “I Will Always Love You” in The Bodyguard.
Whitney Houston
This type of bread, made with cornmeal, is popular in Southern cooking.
What is cornbread? It was often baked in a cast-iron skillet over an open fire.
This track star won four gold medals at the 1936 Olympics in Berlin.
A: Who is Jesse Owens?
Planet is known as the “Red Planet” because of its reddish soil.
What is Mars?
Harriet Tubman escaped slavery and then risked her life to lead others to freedom using this secret network.
Answer: What is the Underground Railroad?
She was known as the “First Lady of Song” and sang “Strange Fruit.”
Who is Billie Holiday?
This dessert innovation, often seen at fairs, was popularized by many vendors in the early 20th century and is now a classic treat.
What is the ice cream cone?
Fun Fact: Ice cream cones became a hit at the 1904 World’s Fair, and Black entrepreneurs helped popularize them.
This basketball legend played for the Chicago Bulls and wore number 23.
A: Who is Michael Jordan? He won six NBA championships.
Granville Woods, sometimes called the “Black Edison,” held many patents, including improvements on these used for transport.
What is railway technology? His inventions helped modernize train communication systems.
Michelle Obama became the first African American to hold this role in the White House, where she focused on health and education.
First Lady of the United States
This actress starred in “The Color Purple” and is still a famous TV personality today.
Who is Whoopi Goldberg? She has won an Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and Tony!
Invented by Frederick McKinley Jones, this innovation used a portable system to help transport perishable foods safely.
Answer: What is refrigerated food or cold food?
His invention made it possible to ship meat, dairy, and produce long distances without spoiling!
This basketball legend played for the Los Angeles Lakers and is nicknamed “Magic.”
Who is Earvin “Magic” Johnson?
Benjamin Banneker, a self-taught astronomer, used the stars to make predictions and helped plan this important U.S. city.
What is Washington, D.C.?