Black Heritage Facts 2023

Who collaborated with Nike and designed the official nail art for the Pear Nova Black Panther Collection?

• Tacarra "Spifster" Sutton

• Tyler Clark

• Janelle Monae

• Oprah Winfrey

Answer explanation

This Chicago artist graduated from King College Prep High School in 2006. She gained notoriety from her detailed nail art and branched into graphic design, clothing design, and painting. She has collaborated with companies such as Nike, done nail art for celebrities such as Janelle Monae, and designed the official nail art for the Pear Nova Black Panther Collection in 2022.

Who published a children’s book centered on Black History in 1933?

• Dr. Suess

• Gil Scott-Heron

• Charles C. Dawson

• Shani Crowe

Answer explanation

Born in Georgia, this WWI Veteran studied at the Art Institute Chicago where he began a career as a painter, printmaker, and graphic designer. His notable work includes publishing a children’s book centered on Black History in 1933 The ABC’s of Great Negros. His artwork can be found in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, The Art Institute Chicago, and the DuSable Museum.

What Chicago-born dance style involves swivels, kicks and scissoring steps?

• Footwork

• Bob

• Cha Cha Slide

• Getting Sturdy

Answer explanation

The Chicago-born dance form is famous for its speed. Dancers meet the challenge with an onslaught of swivels, kicks and scissoring steps even more bewilderingly quick and intricate than the music.

Who sought to paint African Americans outside of the context of laboring and slavery?

• Muddy Waters

• Margaret Taylor-Burrough

• William Eduard Scott

• Hebru Brantley

Answer explanation

This pioneer of the New Negro Movement sought change the narrative by painting African Americans outside of the context of laboring and slavery. He was the first Black muralist of the 20th century and he studied at the Art Institute in Chicago and in Paris. He has painted 25 murals in Chicago at locations such as Lane Tech High School, Schoop Elementary School, and the Pilgrim Baptist Church.

Who is known for his paintings of Black figures was also listed as one of the most influential people in the world by TIME Magazine?

• Thurgood Marshall

• John Kerry

• Kerry James-Marshall

• Kerry Washington

Answer explanation

This Chicago painter’s work has been featured in the Chicago Convention Center, Art Institute of Chicago, and the Museum of Contemporary Art. He is most known for his paintings of Black figures that are contrasted to the background. In addition to painting, he also taught at the University of Illinois Chicago and was listed in the TIME Magazine’s 100 list of the most influential people in the world in 2017.

Who is known as the “Godfather of Hip Hop and is jazz-poet, musician, and author?”

• Lupe Fiasco

• Quincy Jones

• Gil Scott-Heron

• Sam Cooke

Answer explanation

Born in Chicago, this multidisciplinary artist and scholar was a jazz-poet, musician, and author. Despite never completing his Bachelor’s degree, his artistry was so prolific that he was accepted to the prestigious John Hopkins University for his Master’s Degree and became a college professor. As heard in the critically acclaimed song The Revolution Will Not Be Televised, his distinctive style of spoken word over jazz music earned him the title as “Godfather of Hip Hop.”

What group of musicians fuses different genres of music and was founded in 1969

• The Staple Singers

• Earth, Wind, and Fire

• Casper Slide

• Rufus & Chaka Khan

Answer explanation

This band was founded in Chicago in 1969 by Maurice White. Described as, “The band who changed the sound of Black pop [music],” by the Rolling Stone, their music infuses styles from multiple genres including Funk, Soul, R&B, Disco, Pop, and Latin. Since they began playing, they have released 22 studio albums, received many accolades including 6 Grammys, the Soul Train Image Awards, and have been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Many musicians have covered their music including the O.S.A. Class of 2022 who covered their popular song September.

Who is known as the Father of Modern Blues and has a famous band named after one of his songs?

• Muddy Waters

• Quincy Jones

• Virgil Abloh

• Ray Charles

Answer explanation

After being recorded for the Library of Congress in his hometown of Mississippi, this harmonica and guitar player moved to Chicago to pursue a full time career as a musician. Nicknamed the “Father of Modern Chicago Blues,” his influence on American music is so widespread that a popular British rock band named themselves after his song Rollin’ Stone.

Which Hip Hop artist grew to fame with the release of the song Kick, Push and uses storytelling and metaphors in his lyrics to address social issues?

• The Staple Singers

• Tony Jackson

• Muddy Waters

• Lupe Fiasco

Answer explanation

This Chicago Hip Hop artist and poet grew to fame with the release of the song Kick, Push and is considered to be a pioneer of the conscious Hip Hop movement. Rejecting lyrics that paint African Americans in a negative light, Lupe uses storytelling and metaphorical devices to craft lyrics that address social issues and intellectualism. He will begin teaching a course at M.I.T. on Rap Theory & Practice

What family band created protest music for the Civil Rights Movement?

• Pops Staples

• The Staple Sisters

• The Staple Singers

• Mavis Staples

Answer explanation

This family band signed their first recording contract in 1952 and released the gospel-folk song Uncloudy Day. Advocates for Civil Rights, this band created protest music in support of the Civil Rights Movement. Featuring the powerful vocals of Mavis Staples, they topped the Billboard charts with the song I’ll Take You There in 1972.