Origins
This holiday was created in 1966 by Dr. Maulana Karenga to celebrate culture, family, and runs from December 26 to January 1. The holiday also serves as a way for members of the African diaspora to connect with their African roots.
What is Kwanzaa?
7th Grader Castle "Ghost" Crenshaw is a sprinter on his school's track team but has to stop running from his past
What is Ghost?
This politician served as the 44th president of the United States from 2009 to 2017. He was the first Black president of the US.
Who is Barack Obama?
Probably the most famous man to "have a dream"
Who is Martin Luther King Jr.?
This artist was the first woman to be inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. This is a song about female empowerment.
What is Respect by Aretha Franklin?
The name of a minstrelsy character played by Thomas Dartmouth Rice that became the namesake of post-Reconstruction legislation that sought to uphold white supremacy.
What is Jim Crow?
Picture book associated with short film of the same name. Features a father learning to do his daughter's hair.
What is Hair Love?
This person is the richest Black woman in America with a net worth of $2.6 billion. She is most well known for her talk show, and she is the first Black woman to run her own Hollywood studio.
Who is Oprah Winfrey?
Anti-Apartheid Revolutionary and first President of South Africa
Who is Nelson Mandela?
A song that has a title named after a genetic molecule in all living things.
What is DNA by Kendrick Lamar?
A famous dish from West Africa (popularized in Louisiana) whose name is derived from the word for okra in numerous West African languages, ki ngombo. It was originally thickened with okra but people transitioned to using powdered sassafras or filé because it was more widely available.
What is gumbo?
Starr advocates against police brutality after witnessing the murder of her childhood friend by police in this Angie Thomas novel.
What is The Hate U Give?
This person is the first Black man and second youngest person to win all four of the major American entertainment awards: an EGOT (Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and Tony).
Who is John Legend?
The __ of Mali, called the richest man ever, his wealth is estimated at $400 billion is today's money
Who is Mansa Musa?
Speaks to the struggles and pain of black women, as "birds". She wants to fly, spread her wings, and reach full potential but she can never fly because society seems to keep holding her down.
What is Blackbird by Nina Simone?
This country was purchased by the American Colonization Society in 1821 to serve as an African homeland for Black Americans. It became an independent nation in 1847.
What is Liberia?
1983 Pulitzer prize winner by Alice Walker, Adapted into a movie and musical of the same name. Teenager Celie narrates her life through series of letters.
What is The Color Purple?
This is the first Black person to win a Nobel Peace Prize. It was awarded for arranging a cease-fire between Israelis and Arabs following the creation of Israel.
Who is Ralph Bunche?
NAACP lawyer and first Black Supreme Court Justice
Who is Thurgood Marshall?
This song deals with the poverty and hopelessness people living in the ghettos of urban America often felt.
What is Inner City Blues by Marvin Gaye?
This Black nationalist organization was founded by Wali Fard Muhammad aka Wallace D. Fard in 1930 and promotes racial unity, discipline, and self-help. The organization encouraged followers to replace their “slave names” with Muslim names and adopt the last name X to represent their heritage that was lost due to the slave trade.
What is the Nation of Islam?
Sequel to Story of the Trees, set in the 1930s, this book follows 9 year old Cassie Logan through the first day of school and the following year.
What is Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry?
This person is an actor and singer-songwriter who was the first Black man to win a Tony. He later became the first Black man to win an Emmy.
Who is Harry Belafonte?
Abolitionist and Women's rights advocate, as a strong orator, her "Ain't I a Woman?" speech still makes waves
Who is Sojourner Truth?
Popular protest song that was released in 1989 that was inspired by the Isley Brothers song with the same song title
What is Fight the Power by Public Enemy?