A Lesson in Black History

Leadership and learning go hand in hand. Part of your own leadership development is learning new things about those you serve and work with. There are so many differences on campus --- cultural, gender, faith-based, geographical, to name a few. Take some time to explore areas that you are not familiar with. You will grow as a leader and as an individual.

In celebration of Black History Month, learn a little about the history of the African American culture by answering these questions, or asking others in an effort to raise awareness in your organization.

Questions:
1. Why was February chosen for Black History Month?

2. In what year did Black History Month begin (after being Black History Week)?

3.Which civil rights leader became the first African-American to make a serious bid for the U.S. presidency when he ran for the Democratic presidential nomination in 1983?

4.Dr. Maulana Karenga, a professor of Black Studies at Cal. State University, created _______ as a way to unite the African-American community after the Watts riots in L.A.

5.Who was known as the “Moses of her people,” helping more than 300 slaves escape via the Underground Railroad?

6.Which black track-and-field athlete won four gold medals in the 1936 Berlin Olympics, thus derailing Adolf Hitler’s intent to use the Olympic Games as a display of Arian supremacy?

7.Which black broadcaster and author hosts his own radio and TV show?

8.Which state east of the Mississippi was the first to give African American women
the right to vote, in 1913?

Answers:
1. Because it contained the birthdays of both Frederick Douglass and Abraham Lincoln, two men who made a significant impact on black history.

2. In 1976, the celebration was expanded to the entire month of February.

3. The Rev. Jesse Jackson.

4. He created the well-known holiday of Kwanzaa, which is celebrated from Dec. 26 to Jan. 1, in 1966.

5. Harriet Tubman.

6. Jesse Owens.

7. Tavis Smiley.

8. Illinois

Want to explore more on black history…check out these websites!

History.com
Biography.com

This was brought to you by PaperClip Communications.