Heritage & Roots
The study of tracing family lineages, history, and kinship
Genealogy
Founded in 1909, this civil rights organization is the oldest and largest in America, with a mission to ensure equality for all
NAACP
In 2008 this candidates' campaign slogan was “Yes We Can”
Barack Obama
Whose autobiography is entitled “I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings”
Maya Angelou
Cash Money Records taking over ...
for the 99 and the 2000
This civil rights holiday became a federal holiday in 2021 after decades of organizing
Juneteenth
The National Pan-Hellenic Council is a collaborative umbrella council composed of historically African-American fraternities and sororities commonly called this name
Divine Nine (or D9)
This 381-day protest in Alabama became one of the Civil Rights Movement's first major victories through collective action
Montgomery Bus Boycott
This cookie brand was founded by Wally Amos
Famous Amos Cookies
The blacker the berry...
the sweeter the juice
This holiday, created by Maulana Karenga in 1966, is an annual celebration of African-American culture from December 26 to January 1
Kwanzaa
Martin Luther King is a member of this divine nine organization
Alpha Phi Alpha
These institutions were established primarily to educate African Americans after the Civil War
HBCU’s
This 2018 Marvel film, directed by Ryan Coogler, celebrated African culture and became a global hit
Black Panther
I brought you in this world...
I’ll take you out
This traditional, flavorful cuisine of African Americans that originated from the resourceful cooking of enslaved people
Soul Food
This civil rights leader founded the Rainbow PUSH Coalition and ran for U.S President in 1984 and 1988
Jesse Jackson
With the slogan 'A mind is a terrible thing to waste,' this organization has provided over $5 billion in scholarships specifically for HBCU students
United Negro College Fund (UNCF)
This filmmaker directed “Do the Right Thing”, a film addressing racial tensions
Spike Lee
Say it loud...
I’m Black and I’m proud
This traditional African pull-over garment, often brightly patterned, is widely worn across West Africa and the diaspora
Dashiki
The first black woman to serve as the Vice President of the United States is a member of this divine nine organization
Alpha Kappa Alpha
This NAACP Legal Defense Fund attorney later became the first Black woman Supreme Court Justice
Ketanji Brown Jackson
This dance style originating in African American communities, is the core element of hip-hop culture
Breakdancing (breaking)
I got in one little fight and my mom got scared and said...
you’re moving with your auntie and uncle to Bel-Air
This Caribbean nation became the first Black republic in 1804 after a successful slave revolt
Haiti
This massive 1963 demonstration in Washington brought together labor unions, religious groups, and civil rights organizations for jobs and freedom
March on Washington
These nine courageous students integrated Central High School in Little Rock, Arkansas in 1957
Little Rock Nine
This actor became the first African American to win an Academy Award for Best Actor
Sidney Poitier
Don’t start none...
won’t be none
This global philosophy and identity movement, associated with Marcus Garvey, emphasized Black pride and a return to African roots
Pan-Africanism
This divine nine organization was founded on the campus of Indiana University
Kappa Alpha Psi
This Chicago-based publication, founded by John H. Johnson in 1945, became the leading magazine celebrating Black achievement, culture, and success stories
Ebony Magazine
This famous poet wrote “the Negro Speaks of Rivers”
Langston Hughes
Fish don’t fry in the kitchen...
beans don’t burn on the grill
The term “diaspora” comes from the Greek word meaning this act of people from a homeland
Scattering
This member of Delta Sigma Theta became the first African American woman in Congress
Shirley Chisholm
This PBS show, hosted by LeVar Burton from 1983-2006, encouraged children to explore books and reading, promoting literacy and a love of learning across generations
Reading Rainbow
” Fences”, a play about African American life was written by this playwright
August Wilson
Get rich or
die trying
This pioneering artist and photographer was the first to advocate the “Black is beautiful” movement in the 1960’s
Kwame Brathwaite
This activist co-founded the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC) and later became a congressman
John Lewis
This institution is the largest HBCU that TIAA serves and is known for producing more Black engineers than any other university in the nation
North Carolina A&T State University
What cultural movement of the 1920s celebrated Black art, literature, and music in New York City?
The Harlem Renaissance
Me and you, your Mama and
your cousin too
This ancient West African empire, known for its wealth and scholarship, flourished under Mansa Musa in the 14th century
Mali Empire
In 1987, this visionary leader made history as the first African-American Chairman and CEO of TIAA, becoming the first Black CEO of a Fortune 500 company
Clifton Wharton, Jr.
This African American woman co-founded Black Girls CODE, an organization that promotes STEM education for young Black girls
Kimberly Bryant
This artist holds the record for the most Grammy wins of all time with 35
Beyonce
We didn’t land on Plymouth Rock...
Plymouth Rock landed on us