Black Excellence
Who was the first African American Senator and what state did they represent?
Hiram Revels, representing Mississippi, was the first African American U.S. Senator (1870).
Who was the first African American woman to earn licensure as a practicing veterinarian?
Dr. Jane Hinton – one of the first two African American women licensed as veterinarians (1949).
(Note: Dr. Alfreda Johnson Webb was the other, also in 1949.)
Who was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2013 and worked with Dr.Martin Luther King Jr. on civil rights and also focused on LGBTQ+ rights?
Bayard Rustin – awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2013.
Who was the first African American woman to headline Coachella?
Beyoncé – first African American woman to headline Coachella (2018).
Gabby Douglas became the first Black _______ to win the __________________ in the __________________
Gabby Douglas became the first Black woman to win the Olympic individual all-around in gymnastics (2012).
Who was the first Black woman in the United States to earn a medical degree?
Dr. Rebecca Lee Crumpler – first Black woman in the U.S. to earn a medical degree (1864).
Who is Sarah Boone?
Sarah Boone – inventor who improved the modern ironing board (patented 1892).
Madame CJ Walker was the first African American female ____________
Madame C.J. Walker was the first African American female self-made millionaire.
What was the first widely distributed label to be owned, operated, and marketed to African Americans?
Black Swan Records – first widely distributed Black-owned record label.
Who wrote “Lift Every Voice & Sing” aka the Negro National Anthem?
James Weldon Johnson wrote “Lift Every Voice and Sing.”
The oldest living Buffalo Soldier, Sergeant Mark Matthews, died at the age of _____ in the year of ______
Sergeant Mark Matthews died at age 111 in 2005.
Who was the first African American woman to go to space?
Dr. Mae Jemison – first African American woman in space (1992).
Who is credited with creating Black History Month?
Dr. Carter G. Woodson – founder of what became Black History Month.
The Apollo Theater was opened in what city?
The Apollo Theater opened in New York City (Harlem).
Which Winter Olympic sport did Shani Davis compete in when he became the first African American to win a gold medal?
Shani Davis competed in speed skating — first African American Winter Olympic gold medalist (2006).
What was the first HBCU in the U.S. to officially issue degrees to African-Americans?
Lincoln University (Pennsylvania) – founded 1854, first degree-granting HBCU.
Who invented the three-way traffic light?
Garrett Morgan invented the three-way traffic light.
Who was the first person to not give up their seat to a white person?
Claudette Colvin – refused to give up her seat in March 1955 (before Rosa Parks).
Who made history with the first rap song to win Grammy Awards for Song and Record of the Year in 2019?
Childish Gambino (Donald Glover) for “This Is America” — first rap song to win Song and Record of the Year (2019).
What was Black History Month Previously known as?
Black History Month was originally Negro History Week.
Who was awarded the Spingarn Medal from the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People for his work on blood plasma?
Dr. Charles Drew – awarded the Spingarn Medal for his pioneering work with blood plasma and blood banks.
Alexa Irene Canady was the first ______________ in 1981.
Alexa Irene Canady was the first African American woman neurosurgeon (1981).
What city was the predominantly Black neighborhood known as "Black Wall Street" located in (which was tragically destroyed during a racially motivated massacre in 1921)?
“Black Wall Street” was located in Tulsa, Oklahoma (Greenwood District).
What African American founded Dance Company is well-known for the piece "Revelations"
Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater – famous for “Revelations.”
Who is the former NFL Quarterback who reignited nationwide discourse about systemic racism, police brutality and other state sanctioned violence by kneeling?
Colin Kaepernick – former NFL quarterback known for kneeling to protest racial injustice.