Historical Figures
This Civil Rights icon has a birthday on January 15th, even though we celebrate them on the third Monday in January.
Who is: Martin Luther King Jr.
These NBA players starred in movies involving Looney Tunes cartoon characters.
Who are: Michael Jordan and Lebron James
This artist was the first black woman to reach the number-one spot on the country music charts.
Who is: Beyonce
"It was time to marry the game, and I said ‘Yeah, I do!’"
What is: If you want it you gotta see it with a clear-eyed view, Got a shorty, she tryna bless me like I said achoo
- Dreams and Nightmares; Meek Mill
This professional athlete played basketball for the Chicago Bulls and wore the number 23.
Who is: Michael Jordan
This civil rights leader was known as the Nation of Islam's most effective minister until he broke from the group in 1964 and formed his own group, the Organization of Afro-American Unity.
Who is: Malcolm X
This character from this movie originally said this quote, “I loves Harpo, but I’ll kill him dead fo’ I let him beat me!”
What is: Sophia; The Color Purple
In 1947, this athlete broke the Major League Baseball color barrier by becoming the first African American to play in MLB in the modern era, playing for the Brooklyn Dodgers.
Who is: Jackie Robinson
"I pull up at the club, V.I.P"
What is: Gas tank on E, but all dranks on me (wipe me down)
- Wipe me Down; Boosie
This olympic gymnast was the first black american to win the all-around title in gymnastics.
Who is: Gabby Douglas
This person was the first African American to have his likeness portrayed on a U.S. postage stamp.
Who is: Booker T. Washington
In "Why Did I Get Married", Sheila goes up a mountain during a snow storm for this reason.
What is: To save her marriage
This influential jazz musician, known as the "Father of Jazz," revolutionized music with his improvisational style and iconic trumpet playing, influencing generations of musicians worldwide.
Who is: Louis Armstrong
"Say my name, say my name, If no one is around you, Say baby I love you If you ain't runnin' game"
What is: Say my name, Say my name, You acting kinda Shady, Aint callin’ me baby. Why the sudden change?
- Say My Name; Destiny's Child
This person was the First African American to cover GQ, and Sports Illustrated, as well as be featured in Victoria's Secret Lingerie catalog.
Who is: Tyra Banks
This person was the first African American justice in the U.S. Supreme Court.
Who is: Thurgood Marshall
This show showcased the talents of two brothers who were already well-known from the sketch comedy show In Living Color along with the comedic talents of John Witherspoon which was aired from 1990 to 1994.
Who are: The Wayans Bros.
In 1983, this engineer became the first African American to travel into space, aboard the Challenger STS-8 mission.
Who is: Dr. Guion “Guy” Bluford
"Let’s get drunk and forget what we did, Imma buy you a drank"
What is: And then, Imma take you home with me
- Buy U a Drank; T-pain
Nicknamed "the Greatest", he is regarded as one of the most significant sports figures of the 20th century and is often regarded as the greatest heavyweight boxer of all time.
Who is: Muhammad Ali
Which historical figures' birthdays are the reason Black History Month is in February.
Who are: Abraham Lincoln and Fredrick Douglass
From the TV show Martin, this was the name of the main character's neighbor's business.
What is: Shenehneh’s Sho’ Nuff Hair Salon
This groundbreaking dancer and choreographer, often called the "Mother of Modern Dance," founded the dance school at the Harlem Arts Center.
Who is: Katherine Dunham
"I used to think that I wasn’t fine enough"
What is: And I used to think that I wasn’t wild enough, but I won’t waste my time tryna figure out
- Love; Keyshia Cole
At 88, this individual became the oldest person to win a Tony Award for their performance in The Trip to Bountiful in 2013.
Who is: Cicely Tyson