Public Servants
Music
Sports
Chicago
TV Shows
100
He was born and raised in Chicago. He was a lawyer and politician. He was elected as the first African American mayor of Chicago, in 1983.
Who is Harold Washington?
100
Born on the south side of Chicago. He was a record, film and television producer and band leader. He earned 28 Grammy Awards over a seven-decade career. He produced Off the Wall, Thriller, and Bad. He composed films such as The Color Purple and The wiz.
Who is Quincy Jones?
100
Overcoming childhood polio, she was the first African American athlete to win three gold medals in track and field at the Summer Olympics in 1960 competing in the women’s 100-meter dash.
Who is Wilma Rudolph?
100
A politician and health care advocate. He served as a Cook County Commissioner from 1970-1994. In 1994 he was elected as the first African American President of the Cook County Board. A position he held until 2006. After years of service, a hospital was named in his honor.
Who is John Stroger Jr.?
100
I know my parents loved me
Stand behind me come what may, mmm
I know now that I'm ready, yeah
For I finally heard them say
What is A Different World
200
A politician and attorney. She served as the first female, first African American and first Asian American vice president and the highest-ranking female official in U.S. history.
Who is Kamala Harris?
200
Both raised on the south side of Chicago. They are a musical pair, currently dating. He is a rapper. She is a singer. Both actors, both won a Grammy, Oscar and both worked for the campaign of President Barack Obama.
Who is Jennifer Hudson and Common?
200
Known by the nickname "Zeke" growing up on West side of Chicago. He played with Detroit Pistons, winning 2 NBA championships. He coached the Indiana Pacers (2000-2003) and New York Knicks (2006-2008). He has worked as a TV analysist on NBC and NBA TV.
Who is Isiah Thomas?
200
A civil rights activist, politician, minister and protege of Martin Luther King, Jr. He led a movement in Chicago to empower marginalized communities. Founded the Rainbow Push Coalition. He ran for U.S. President in 1984 and 1988.
Who is Rev. Jesse L. Jackson?
200
If you could gaze into the future
You might think life would be a breeze
Seeing trouble from a distance, yeah
But it's not that easy
I try to save the situation
Then I end up misbehaving
Hey now, whatcha say, now?
'Bout to put it down
Yeah, come on and ride with Rae now
What is That's So Raven
300
She is a former high school history teacher and served 19 years as an Alderwoman in the Chicago before becoming the first Black woman elected as the Cook County Board President.
Who is Toni Preckwinkle?
300
A Chicago blues pioneer, singer, songwriter and guitarist. He influenced generations of guitarist including Jimi Hendrix, Eric Clapton and John Mayer. He played with Muddy Waters as a guitarist.
Who is Buddy Guy?
300
The singer Brandy Norwood was his prom date in 1996. He entered the NBA directly from high school and retired in 2016 after scoring 60 points in a Lakers win. He played his entire 20-year NBA career for the Los Angeles Lakers.
Who is Kobe Bryant?
300
She attended Morgan Park High School. She was an engineer, physician and astronaut. She was the first African American female to travel into space when she served as a mission specialist aboard the Space Shuttle Endeavour in 1992.
Who is Mae Jemison?
300
Fish don't fry in the kitchen; Beans don't burn on the grill. Took a whole lotta tryin...Just to get up that hill. Now we're up in the big leagues. Gettin' our turn at bat. As long as we live, it's you and me baby. There ain't nothin wrong with that.
What is The Jeffersons
400
He was an American writer, civil rights activist, lawyer and was chosen as the first secretary of the NAACP in 1920. He wrote the lyrics for "Lift Every Voice and Sing," which later became known as the Black National Anthem.
Who is James Weldon Johnson?
400
He was called the "Iceman." He was the lead singer in the R&B group the Impressions. He was a legendary soul singer, song writer, producer and politician. He retired from serving as a Cook County Commissioner.
Who is Jerry Butler?
400
He was the first African American to play for a Major League Baseball team in Chicago, playing his 16-year career with the Chicago Cubs. He is in Baseball Hall of Fame. A statue of him stands in front of Wrigley Field.
Who is Ernie Banks?
400
Raised on North Side of Chicago, he played minor league baseball. He founded a world-renowned youth sports program. He is a former schoolteacher, State Representative, Cook County Recorder Deeds, and he was the first African American to serve as Illinois Secretary of the State.
Who is Jesse White?
400
What is The Fresh Prince of Bel Air
500
He became the first African American to serve as a Justice on the Illinois Appellate Court. Known as a mentor to young lawyers, including Barack Obama. The Cook County criminal courthouse was named in recognition of his service and career, in 2012.
Who is the Honorable George N. Leighton?
500
He is the only artist to win a Pulitzer Prize for music, outside of the classical or jazz genres, for his album titled “Damn.” He is considered one of the most prolific, influential and outspoken voices in Black America, using his music to address complex themes facing Black America.
Who is Kendrick Lamar?
500
Known by the nickname "Sweetness." He played 13 seasons in NFL for the Chicago Bears, winning the Super Bowl XX. Inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1993.
Who is Walter Payton?
500
This poet, author and teacher was a lifelong resident of Chicago. She became the first African American to win a Pulitzer Prize for poetry in 1950. One of her most celebrated poems is "We Real Cool."
Who is Gwendolyn Brooks?
500
It's a rare condition, this day and age
To read any good news on the newspaper page
Love and tradition of the grand design
Some people say it's even harder to find
Well then there must be some magic clue inside these gentle walls
Cause all I see is a tower of dreams
Real love burstin' out of every seam
What is Family Matters
600
He began his legal career as the first Black law clerk for a Cook County Appellate Justice. The current Chief Justice of the Illinois Supreme Court, only the second Black Chief Justice in Illinois history following the late Justice Charles E. Freeman.
Who is Justice P. Scott Neville, Jr.?
600
He was a singer, dancer and self-taught musician. He played all 27 instruments on his 1978 debut album entitled, “For You." He was the first singer to simultaneously have a number one album and single in the U.S., with Purple Rain, its soundtrack, and "When Doves Cry" being the biggest hit single of the year.
Who is Prince?
600
A Naperville native, regarded as one of the greatest Women Basketball Players of all time. She played with the Los Angeles Sparks, Chicago Sky and Las Vegas Aces. She is a 3-time WNBA champion. She became only the second player in WNBA history to have her jersey retired by two different franchises, the Chicago Sky followed by the Los Angeles Sparks.
Who is Candace Parker?
600
He was a Chicago based surgeon. In 1893, he performed one of the first successful open-heart surgeries. In 1891, he founded Provident Hospital, which was the first non-segregated hospital in the United States.
Who is Dr. Daniel Hale Williams?
600
What is Insecure