Arts & Culture
This trailblazer was an activist and playwright best known for her groundbreaking play “A Raisin in the Sun,” who also became the first Black playwright and youngest American to win a New York Critics’ Circle Award.
Who is Lorraine Hansberry (1930-1965)?
This person was a civil rights leader and attorney and became the first African American elected to the Texas Senate in 1966, and the first woman and first African American elected to Congress from Texas in 1972. She was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by Bill Clinton in 1994 for her work as a political trailblazer.
Who is Barbara Jordan (1936-1996)?
This woman created specialized hair products for African American hair care and was one of the first American women to become a self-made millionaire. She invented the products after suffering from a scalp ailment that resulted in her own hair loss. She promoted her products by traveling around the country, giving lecture demonstrations, and eventually got into manufacturing cosmetics and training sales beauticians.
Who is Madame CJ Walker (1867 – 1919)?
This tennis great has accumulated a fortune both on and off the court. She has racked up $94 million in career prize money, as reported by Forbes. She also has a venture capital firm, a clothing line, and owns stakes in the Miami Dolphins and UFC.
Who is Serena Williams (Born in 1981)?
This six-year-old made history as the first African American student to attend William Frantz Elementary School in Louisiana after the Brown v. Board of Education Supreme Court case required schools to desegregate — though many schools in the south continued to resist integration.
Who is Ruby Bridges (Born in 1954)?
This person was a choreographer who founded a dance theatre, one of the most prominent dance companies globally, in 1958. His signature work, including “Cry” and “Revelations,” continues to be performed all over the world. In 2014, this person was posthumously awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom for his influential work in bringing dance to underserved communities.
Who is Alvin Ailey (1931-1989)?
This person was an outspoken transgender rights activist and is reported to be one of the central figures of the historic Stonewall uprising of 1969. Along with fellow trans activist Sylvia Rivera, this person helped form Street Transgender Action Revolutionaries (STAR).
Who is Marsha P. Johnson (1945-1992)?
There would be no Madame CJ Walker without this woman. Walker got her start by working under this woman. Many believe Walker was the first Black woman millionaire, but she wasn't. A chemist and entrepreneur, this woman became a millionaire by successfully developing and marketing hair products for Black women in St. Louis. Her products focused on scalp hygiene versus styling. Despite being denied access to regular distribution channels, the business grew steadily, and eventually, her products went national. Her businesses lasted through the Great Depression and a costly divorce.
Who is Annie Turnbo Malone (1877-1957)?
In 1958, this person became the NHL’s first Black player. Though he only played 45 games, he still remains invested in hockey and in growing diversity in the sport.
Willie O’Ree (Born in 1935)
In 2001, this person became the first African-American woman in U.S. history to be appointed National Security Advisor. She made history again when she was appointed Secretary of State in 2005.
Who is Condoleezza Rice (Born in 1954)?
This person was a dancer, choreographer, and the "Grandfather of Vogue," the dance style that he helped propel to the national stage. Vogueing, characterized by angular body movements and exaggerated runway poses, was introduced to the public in the award-winning 1990 documentary "Paris Is Burning," in which this person appeared, and was popularized by Madonna's 1990 hit song "Vogue."
Who is Willi Ninja (1961-2006)?
When this person was elected mayor of Palm Springs, California in 2003, he made history by becoming the first openly gay African American man elected mayor of an American city. Following his historic election 17 years ago, the Palm Spring City Council made history once again: In December 2017, it became America's first all-LGBTQ city council.
Who is Ron Oden (Born in 1950)?
This woman founded The Honey Pot Company, a natural feminine care product line. The products range from natural washes, wipes, feminine products, sprays, and other herbal products. The multimillion-dollar company is sold online and at Walmart, Target, Urban Outfitters, Bed, Bath and Beyond, Walgreens, and Whole Foods.
Who is Beatrice Dixon (Born in 1982)?
Few athletes matched this man's pop culture appeal during the 1990s, as he starred in movies and released platinum rap albums. Throughout his life, he has spoken openly about the struggles children face when a biological parent leaves the household. As a Hall of Fame center, he has won four NBA titles and was a three-time Finals MVP.
Shaquille O'Neal (Born in 1972)
This woman twirled into ballet history when she became the first Black principal dancer in the history of the American Ballet Theater.
Who is Misty Copeland (Born in 1982)?
In March 2018, this person won the Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay for "Get Out", making him the first African American to receive the award. He used his acceptance speech as an opportunity to highlight the need for more black directors in entertainment both to create more diverse art and to serve as role models.
Who is Jordan Peele (Born in 1979)?
This person made history in November 2017 by becoming the first openly transgender Black woman elected to public office in the U.S., according to LGBTQ advocacy groups and researchers. She was one of two openly trans people to win a seat on the Minneapolis City Council in 2017. In addition, she made history again in January 2022, when she was elected as the first transgender official in the U.S. to lead a city council.
Who is Andrea Jenkins (Born 1961)?
Most of this woman's fortune comes from her business ventures rather than her music, as reported by Forbes. Her biggest moneymaker is her makeup line, Fenty Beauty, which she co-owns with luxury goods group LVMH. She also is the co-owner of the Savage X Fenty lingerie line.
Who is Rihanna (Born Robyn Rihanna Fenty in 1988)?
This person is one of gymnastics’ most decorated athletes. Her seven Olympic medals tied with Shannon Miller for the most Olympic medals won by an American gymnast.
Who is Simone Biles (Born in 1997)?
This person was the first Black woman elected to Congress in 1968 and the first Black woman to run for president in 1972.
Who is Shirley Chisolm (1924-2005)?
This person was the first ever black photographer to shoot the cover of Vogue - featuring Beyoncé on the September cover. He is also one of the youngest photographers to have received the honor. He’s tied with David Bailey, who was also 23 when he shot for Vogue's cover in the 1960s.
Who is Tyler Mitchell (Born 1995)
A former prosecutor with no experience in elected office, this person swept all 50 of Chicago’s wards in the 2019 mayoral runoff election after promising to end the city’s famed backroom dealing. She is the city’s first-ever Black female mayor and its first openly LGBTQ mayor.
Who is Lori Lightfoot (Born 1962)?
The first four clues in this category have this in common.
What is "they're all women"?
This basketball player (currently playing for the LA Lakers) has multiple NBA championships and is a hybrid of power, finesse, vision, and athleticism rarely seen on a court. Along with being perhaps the most recognizable athlete in the world, he uses his spotlight to increase education initiatives and causes outside of sports.
Who is Lebron James (Born in 1984)?
Born Gloria Jean Watkins in Hopkinsville, Kentucky in 1952, this noted cultural scholar, award-winning author, and black feminist goes by the namesake of her great-grandmother. In 2015, an institute was created at Berea College in this person's name. The institute allows for a comprehensive study of their works and theories.
Who is bell hooks (1952-2021)?