Capitol Report
By State Representative, Leon D. Young
Leon D. Young
In honor of Black History Month, I would like to deviate from my usual column format.
Instead, I invite you and your family to test your (individual and collective) knowledge of Black History.
1. Who was the first African American to receive the Nobel Peace Prize?
A. Charles H. Mahoney B. Martin Luther King, Jr. C. Frank E. Peterson D. Ralph Bunche
2. Who was the first African American to win an Academy Award?
A. Hattie McDaniel B. Denzel Washington C. Whoopi Goldberg D. Sidney Poitier
3. Who was the first African American woman to serve in a presidential Cabinet position?
A. Constance Baker Motley B. Shirley Chisholm C. Patricia Roberts Harris D. Carole Moseley Braun
4. Who was the first African American to travel in space?
A. Ronald McNair B. Michael Anderson C. Guion Bluford D. Frederick Gregory
5. Who was the first African American woman to win the Nobel Prize for literature?
A. Gwendolyn Brooks B. Zora Neale Hurston C. Lorraine Hansberry D. Toni Morrison
6. Who was the first African American woman to be elected to the U.S. House of Representatives?
A. Cardiss Collins B. Barbara Jordan C. Shirley Chisholm D. Maxine Waters
7. Who was the first African American to be elected mayor of New York City?
A. Thomas Bradley B. David Dinkins C. Coleman A. Young D. Harold Washington
8. In 1990, L. Douglas Wilder became the first African American elected governor. What state elected him?
A. Georgia B. Massachusetts C. North Carolina D. Virginia
9. Who was the first African American to head a major American political party?
A. Mickey Leland B. Ron Brown C. Michael Espy D. Kweisi Mfume
10. Who was the first African American to win the Heisman Trophy?
A. O.J. Simpson B. Jim Brown C. Ernie Davis D. Michael Garrett
11. Who was the first African American to elected to the U.S. Senate?
A. Edward W. Brooke B. Adam Clayton Powell, Jr. C. Hiram R. Revel D. Carole Moseley Braun
12. It was the first African American-owned company to be publicly traded on the NASDAQ exchange?
A. Famous Amos B. Parks Sausage Company C. FUBU D. BET Networks
13. W.E.B. Du Bois is a graduate of what university?
A. U of Mass-Amhurst B. Temple University C. Howard University D. Harvard University
14. Marcus Garvey founded what back to Africa movement?
A. Niagra Movement B. Free African Society C. Universal Negro Improvement Assn (UNIA) D. NAACP
15. What African American jazz legend was known to his fans simply as “Bird”?
A. Charlie Parker B. John Coltrane C. Miles Davis D. Charlie Mingus
In 1926, Carter G. Woodson initiated the observance of “Negro History Week,” to be celebrated in February as close as possible to the birthdays of both Frederick Douglas and Abraham Lincoln, during which African American leaders would be appropriately honored.
Negro History Week has grown into what is now Black History Month.
Make exploring Black History a year round endeavor.
You and your family will learn a great deal, while spending valuable family time together.
ANSWER KEY: 1. D 2. A 3. C 4. C 5. D 6. C 7. B 8. D 9. B 10. C 11. C 12. B 13. D 14. C 15. A