Black History Month Females
As a 6-year-old, I became the first Black child to attend an all-white school in Louisiana.
Ruby Bridges. She had to be escorted to school by federal marshals due to the number of angry crowds that protested outside the property.
This man had a dream that all people will be equal.
Martin Luther King Jr. He also used to be a Boy Scout, was a big fan of Star Trek and was so gifted in school that he skipped multiple grades, attending college at the age of 15.
Who was the first Black golfer to win the Masters Golf Tournament?
Tiger Woods. His birth name is Eldrick Tont Woods, he got the name Tiger after his father's good friend from the navy who was also nicknamed Tiger.
This is the month of Black History Month
February. This month was chosen because it is the birthdays of both Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglass who both advocated for slaves and the equal treatment and rights of African Americans.
This man is known as the "King of Pop"
Michael Jackson. His song Billie Jean was the first song by a black artist to be aired on MTV.
This woman refused to give her bus seat to a white man.
Rosa Parks. She wasn't the first Black woman to be arrested for refusing to move from her seat. Claudette Colvin was arrested on her way home from school for refusing to give up her bus seat for a white passenger at 15-years-old.
He was the first black President.
Barack Obama. He has a beer named after him in Kenya called "Senator" also known as "Obama beer" and also worked at Baskin Robins in high school and now rarely ever has ice cream.
Who was nicknamed the "Black Mamba" whose most famous quote was "Life is too short to get bogged down and be discouraged. You have to keep moving, You have to keep going. Put one foot in front of the other, smile, and just keep rolling."
Kobe Bryant. He was one of the few players that got drafted straight from high school, being chosen to play in the NBA just at 17-years-old.
What phrase did Malcolm X popularize to advocate for Black self-defense and empowerment?
"By any means necessary"
This is a form of art on walls using spray paint & contains messages of thematic concerns or positive sense of self-expression.
Graffiti Art
This African American woman helped 300 slaves escape to freedom.
Harriet Tubman. Due to this feat, she was soon nicknamed "Moses" due to her remarkable ability to lead others to freedom, similar to the biblical figure who led the Israelites out of Egypt.
The first African American to play a major sport. When this player joined the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1947, baseball was segregated.
Jackie Robinson. Baseball wasn't the only sport he played. He won NCAA championships in basketball and track and field as well.
Jackie Robinson's jersey number
42
What are the colours that represent Black History Month?
Red, green, black and yellow. These are derived from the Pan-African flag, each colour has its own symbolic meaning. Black = strength and resilience. Red = the bloodshed and sacrifices made by the ancestors. Green = the landscapes of Africa and growth. Yellow = wealth and richness of the culture.
This is the first female African American Vice President
Kamala Harris. Her first name is influenced by her Indian roots. Kamala means "lotus" in Sanskrit and is associated with Sri-Lakshmi, a goddess who is worshipped by Hindus, Buddhists, and Jains.
This African American female tennis player is known as a GOAT
Serena Williams. She has won a total of 4 Olympic gold medals and also started her own clothing line called "S by Serena" focusing on inclusivity and empowerment.
This man was the first President of South Africa to be elected in a fully representative democratic election, as well as the country's first black head of state.
Nelson Mandela. His birth name "Rolihlahla" which translates to "troublemaker" in Xhosa ended up being true. He was expelled from university, arrested multiple times, and spent 27 years of his life in prison.
This famous boxer was known for the saying "float like a butterfly, sting like a bee".
Muhammad Ali. He began boxing at the age of 12 and won his first heavyweight title at 22. His opponent Sonny Liston was 10 years older than him.
True or False: There is a theme every year for Black History month.
True. The theme for this year is "A Century of Black History Commemorations" and it marks 100 years since the establishment of Black History Week in 1926 by historian Dr. Carter G. Woodson and the Association for the study of African American Life and History (ASALH). Last years theme was "African Americans and Labour" focusing on the significant role of labour in shaping the Black experience throughout history
The most decorated US women's gymnast ever with 32 Olympic and World medals.
Simone Biles. During her first Olympic games at Rio 2016 where she was only 19-years-old, she tied the record of most gold medals won by a U.S woman, she won 4 gold medals that year.
This African American woman wrote the book "Becoming" and was a former First lady.
Michelle Obama. With her high intelligence and dedication, she is one of three first ladies with a graduate degree
This African American leader in the civil rights movement was also a minister and supporter of Black nationalism.
Malcolm X. His original surname "Little" was given to his ancestors as a "slave name" and replacing it with the letter "X" symbolized his true unknown African surname that had been lost due to the legacy of slavery.
This African American basketball player played for the Chicago Bulls and won finals MVP 6 times.
Michael Jordan. He was actually cut from his sophomore high school team, which motivated him to become better and his plan B if basketball didn't work out was to become a weatherman.
Music that fought for racial equality and communicated anger at socio-economic conditions that challenged the lives of many Black people.
Hip-hop. The first recorded song was called "Rapper's Delight" by the Sugarhill Gang released in 1979.
This iconic singer has won 29 MTV Video Music Award and has a dedicated Black Business Fund to support Black-owned businesses.
Beyonce. In 2010 she became the first female artist to win 6 Grammy Awards in one night and in 2021 was the most awarded female artist in Grammy history with 28 wins.