This program brought to you in part by the Erika Lewis Endowment Fund.

(A.K.)

Welcome to the 2024 annual African American History Challenge finale sponsored by Clark County Black Caucus in partnership with the Clark County School District.

♪♪♪ (Aaron Sebastian) Right now we're preparing for the African American History Challenge.

(Olivia Paschal) It's kind of like Jeopardy, where we quiz each other these history questions, and we study over trivia and we also retain this information.

There are definitely questions that most people would not know.

(Evangelos Kyriazopoulos) It's a lot of studying.

It's just another, it's basically another class we're going into.

So as long as we have-- A-Tech teaches us good studying habits.

So you know, it's just another class.

-According to Pew Research Center, approximately what percentage of businesses are owned by black women?

-29%.

-We like to divide up the work between our group.

So one person, for example, will take two categories and study them very, very well.

And then we just really just try and practice because practice makes perfect.

-I am studying the visual arts as well as music, and I didn't know a lot about how black people have impacted opera music.

And so I believe that that was an insane fact.

And I just really enjoyed that.

African American history is, honestly, inspiring.

A lot of the stories that I've come across are, frankly, something that I've never known about before.

And I want other people to know about them as well.

-Being able to educate yourself on things of this nature is just a really powerful tool.

-As someone who personally went to a PWI, a predominantly white institution, I didn't know a lot about my history as a black person.

And so I believe that knowing these basic foundational facts about our history, it's very important for us to be able to advertise it and portray us as, as positive.

-I think no matter what your ethnic or racial background is, you have a duty to learn what's been going on for, you know, the past 300 years.

And I think, as someone who isn't necessarily part of the black community, I have a lot of friends who are, and I guess this is just a way for me to learn more about their culture.

-I want people to know how great African Americans can be in the Las Vegas community, especially African American youth.

-I just love learning about my history.

After preliminary and semi-final rounds, Arbor View High School and Advanced Technologies Academy Black Student Union teams will compete for a $1,000 cash prize and the coveted championship trophy.

A special thank you to all the BSU Network teams that competed this year and to everyone that continues to support this program each year.

My name is A.K.

I'll be your host.

Thank you for joining us today and celebrating Black History Month with us.

After all, black history is American history, right?

Let the games begin!

But first, our viewers should be aware that both teams will start with 10 bonus points each.

The bonus points were awarded to teams that participated in the prechallenge info meetings.

Additionally, each correct answer will earn 5 more points.

If teams buzz in prior to me finishing the question, they will not be able to answer, and we'll allow the other team to buzz in.

If there is a tie at the end of the competition, there will be a tiebreaker to determine the winner.

Now let's begin with the introductions of my teams!

To my left I have Advanced Technologies Academy!

[cheers and applause] Please welcome Kylee, Tylen, Sophiat, and William, better known as Will.

And to my right we have Arbor View!

[cheers and applause] Yes.

Joining me from Arbor View is Myah, Nikesha, Samiya and Cheyanne.

I'm joined by the advisors of Arbor View, Lanay Hall and Sean Bowen.

And I'm also joined by the advisor of Advanced Technologies Academy, Loree Parker.

[cheers and applause] Let the games begin.

The first category in Round 1 is medicine.

The first question is: Credited with providing the foundation to develop gene mapping, the polio vaccine, cloning COVID-19 vaccine, and so many more important medical advancements, her cells were taken in 1951 without her knowledge and have been bought and sold by the billions.

Who is this African American woman, known by scientists simply as HeLa?

From Advanced Technologies Academy, Tylen: -Henrietta Lacks -That is correct.

This medical pioneer developed the Belzer kidney perfusion machine that preserves the kidney for up to 50 hours from the time it is removed from a donor's body.

The device is standard equipment in hospitals and laboratories worldwide.

In 1961, while working at the Stanford University Medical Center, he performed the first successful kidney transplant between humans who were not identical twins.

What was this pioneer's name?

From Advanced Technologies Academy, Tylen: -Samuel L. Kountz -That is correct.

An enslaved West African is credited with bringing a traditional African practice to Boston, Massachusetts, that resulted in a smallpox inoculation process, saving hundreds of lives during a pandemic in 1721.

What was his name?

Advanced Technologies Academy, Tylen: -Onesimus -That is right, Tylen.

Tylen is on a roll.

Is he the only one study this category?

What popular over-the-counter drug has its roots from the bark of a willow tree used by the ancient Egyptians for pain relief, sold for the first time in 1915 by Bayer Drug Company?

Arbor View, Cheyanne: -Aspirin -That is correct.

Ancient Kemet, commonly referred to as Egypt, can be thanked for the introduction of a structured medical and pharmacological system that continues to the present day.

Who is regarded as the "Father of Medicine"?

Advanced Technologies Academy, Tylen: -Imhotep -That is correct.

I have an extra question.

Do you all want it?

I don't think you want it.

I'm gonna give it to you anyway.

Known as the "Father of Blood Banking," this medical pioneer developed blood preservation techniques that led to thousands of lifesaving blood plasma donations still used today.

His research established best practices for banking blood and blood transfusions, and its insights helped him establish the first large-scale blood banks and mobile blood, known as bloodmobiles.

Who is this person?

Arbor View, Cheyanne: -Charles Richard Drew -That is correct.

Good job, you all!

Good job, you all.

You can clap for yourselves.

You know that that's okay.

[applause] The next category still in Round 1 is cuisine.

What is the name of Patti LaBelle's first cookbook?

From Advanced Technologies Academy, Tylen: -LaBelle Cuisine: Recipes to Sing About -That is correct.

What year was Roscoe's Chicken and Waffles founded?

Arbor View, Cheyanne: -1975 -That is right.

Number 3: Zephyr Wright was the personal chef of which former US President?

From Arbor View, Myah: -Lyndon B. Johnson -Say it again, Myah.

-Lyndon B. Johnson -That is correct.

Great job.

What is the name of former US President George Washington's chef?

From Advanced Technologies Academy, William: -Hercules Posey -That is correct, Will.

Who introduced macaroni and cheese to the United-- You have to let me finish my question, Cheyanne.

We're going to move right over and we're going to give Advanced Technologies Academy a chance to answer the question, which I'll ask again.

Who introduced macaroni and cheese to the United States?

Tylen: -James Hemings -That is correct, Tylen, from Advanced Technologies Academy.

Good job.

So that concludes all the questions I have for Round 1, but I do have some questions for you all.

Is it okay if I ask?

-[in unison] Yes.

-All right.

Good.

So I'm gonna start over here at Arbor View.

Cheyanne, what grade are you in?

-I'm in the 10th grade.

I'm a sophomore.

-You have any plans after high school?

-I want to go to an HBCU and then maybe travel out of the country.

-That sounds like a whole lot of fun.

Samiya, what about you?

What grade are you in?

-I'm an 11th grader, and I want to go to Howard University and then become a media tech for the NFL.

-Oh, they say like, HU?

-Yeah.

-You know.

Cheyanne is the one that's gonna go to Howard.

And you're, unfortunately, not going to go, baby.

You're gonna go somewhere great, I'm sure.

I hope all of your dreams come true when it comes to that.

This is your second time participating in this competition?

-Yes.

-Welcome back.

We're happy to have you.

Nikesha, welcome back again.

We're happy to have you.

You want to tell us what grade you're in?

-I'm in 11th grade.

And, yeah.

Okay.

My plans after high school are to go to college and become a real estate agent.

-Oh, I might need you to sell me some property.

Sounds good.

Myah, how about you?

What grade?

-I'm in the 11th grade.

And My plans after high school is going to college and going into the medical field.

-Oh, we need more of you.

Sounds good.

Moving over to Advanced Technologies Academy.

We're gonna start with Kylee.

Kylee, what grade are you in, and what are your plans after high school?

-I'm a 12th grader, I'm a senior.

And my plans after high school is becoming a real estate agent and having my own business.

-Oh, you gonna sell the houses before Myah graduates from high school.

That sounds fair.

Tylen, what about you?

-I'm a 12th grader, and I'm not sure what college I want to go to.

I know I want to major in Biochemical Engineering.

-Oh, my goodness!

Tylen, I'm going to friend you on all the social media platforms right now.

Next time anything happens, I'm calling you.

Sophiat, how about you?

-I'm also a 12th grader, and I'm planning on majoring in Biomedical Engineering.

-I'm really excited.

Do you all have any of the same classes?

-Yeah.

-Sounds good.

I should be following you too.

You all are laughing.

I'm going to be safe because I'm going to have a Tylen and Sophiat in my life.

Will, he's William, but he prefers Will.

If you hear me going back and forth, know that that's the reason.

Will, what's going on with you?

-I'm a 12th grader as a senior, and I plan on going into the real estate field.

-Oh, so a lot of property.

Well, this is the thing.

You and I live in one of the most progressive cities when it comes to real estate.

So I wish you so much luck.

Now we are going to go into Round 2 when we come back.

So you all hang out right there.

[cheers and applause] ♪♪♪ Welcome back.

At the end of Round 1, it's A-Tech with 45 and Arbor View with 30.

♪♪♪ In the next round, I'll be testing the student's knowledge in the categories of military and music.

This round is timed at seven minutes and starts when I ask the first question.

But before I do that, we have some new players who have joined us.

From Advanced Technologies Academy, we have Olivia who has joined us.

Hi, Olivia.

-Hi.

-Welcome back.

-Hi.

It's good to be back.

-We're happy to have you.

And then we also have Evangelos who has joined us.

-Hello, hello, hello.

-Thank you.

We're happy to have you as well.

Moving over to Arbor View, we've now been joined with Carter... -Hello.

-Hi, Carter.

...as well as Jamya.

-Hi, everyone.

-...and Brianna.

-Hi.

-I'm going to get in your business a little bit later and find out what grade and what goals you all have.

But let's go ahead and let's start this next round.

Are you all ready?

-Yes.

-All right.

So going into Round 2, we're going to start off with the category of military.

Question 1: Who was an African American Army captain during the Civil War and one of the first black officers of any North American military unit?

Tylen from Advanced Technologies Academy: -Andre Cailloux -That is correct.

Good job.

What African American became a soldier in 1775 and rose to fame as a war hero during the American Revolutionary War in the Battle of Bunker Hill?

Advanced Technologies Academy, Tylen: -Salem Poor -That is correct.

Good job.

Who was the first man to die in the Revolutionary War?

From Arbor View, Jamya: -Crispus Attacks -Say that again, please.

-Crispus Attack.

-Nice.

Good way to come in.

Next question.

Who became the first African American Marine Corps aviator and the first African American three-star Marine Corps General?

From Advanced Technologies Academy, Tylen again: -Frank Petersen -That is correct.

Actually, one moment.

Judges, do you accept that answer?

Can you repeat your answer, Tylen.

-Frank Petersen [confers with judges] -The judges will accept that.

The holdup was Frank Emmanuel Peterson, Jr., was the actual answer.

But good job, Tylen.

It's clear that you were doing your homework.

Next question.

Daniel James received the honor of being the first African American in America's Armed Forces to attain what rank?

From Advanced Technologies Academy, Evangelos: -four-star general -That is correct.

I have an extra question.

Do you all want it?

-Yes.

-Yes, ma'am.

-I think I believe you.

During the Civil War, African American soldiers were paid $10 per month in which $3 was deducted for clothing compared to other recruits who received how much per month and no clothing allowance?

Arbor View, Cheyanne: -$13 -$13.

Cheyanne, for $13, I could put something down on your application fee to your HBCU.

I'm just saying.

But now that have Brianna joining us from Arbor View, I would like to know what grade she's in and what she plans on doing after high school.

-I'm a junior, and I plan on attending UNR and going into the anesthesiologist field.

-Yes, please.

I have more teeth I need removed, so please come on.

[laughter] -Jamya, please tell us what grade you're in.

Welcome back.

It's good to see you.

We'd, of course, like to know what you're going to do after high school.

-I'm a senior, and I want to go to Howard University.

And I want to be a general surgeon.

-A general surgeon?

My goodness.

I'm gonna find all of your socials.

I never want to lose you.

Carter, my good friend, welcome back.

It's good to see you.

-Thank you.

-So what grade are you in now?

-I'm in Junior.

-A junior.

And then what are your plans after high school, still the same?

-I don't remember what I said last year, but this year I want to be a physical therapist.

-I don't remember either.

We'll have to go back and check the YouTube.

I was trying to play a little bit there.

But good.

I look forward to that happening for you.

Moving over to Advanced Technologies Academy and speaking with our new players who have joined us, we're going to start off with Olivia, if you don't mind.

Olivia, what grade are you in, and what are your plans after high school?

-Well, right now I'm a junior, and my plans after high school is to study abroad for fashion design.

-Oh, nice.

Dress me.

Evangelos, how about you?

-I'm a senior, and I've been accepted to University of Oregon.

And I plan on studying kinesiology as well as playing soccer at the university.

-You know, I truly believe that you all could build your own city.

I believe that.

With all of these minds here, you could totally build your own city and be self-sustainable.

I'm so very proud of you all for all of that.

That sounds great.

I couldn't even imagine, as most adults my age probably couldn't.

So go babies, go!

Now let's go into, sorry, Round 2, the next, the next category of classical music, opera, and contemporary music.

The first question from this category: Which hip-hop artist presented social and political analysis into their songs in the 1990s?

Advanced Technologies Academy, Olivia: -Tupac Shakur -That is incorrect.

For a chance to steal, Arbor View?

Cheyanne from Arbor View: -Ice Cube -That is also incorrect.

The answer is Public Enemy.

"Fight the Power."

The next question, let's redeem ourselves.

Who was the first African American operatic tenor to perform in a leading role at the Metropolitan Opera?

Arbor View's Jamya: -William Grant Still -That is incorrect.

Advanced Technologies Academy, would you like to steal?

Olivia: -George Shirley -That is correct.

Good job.

The next question.

Which music genre and musical form was originated in the deep south of the United States around the 1860s by African Americans from roots in African musical traditions?

Advanced Technologies Academy, Olivia: -Negro spirituals -That is incorrect.

Arbor View for the steal?

Brianna: -the Blues -That is correct.

Next question.

What city is considered the birthplace of R&B?

Cheyanne of Arbor View: -St. Louis, Missouri -That's also the birthplace of me!

-Ooh, word.

-Next question.

What two African American R&B/Pop groups were inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1970-- What two-- Can you all please clear A-Tech.

What two African American R&B/Pop groups were inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1997?

Arbor View, Cheyanne: -the Jackson Five and Parliament Funkadelic -That is correct.

I sent it back to them because I didn't finish the question the first time.

I do have an extra question here.

Which HBCU band is largely known as the "Human Jukebox"?

Arbor View, Cheyanne: -Southern University and A&M College -You better get it right.

Good job.

Good job, you all.

That concludes this round.

I'm very excited.

You all feel like you did a great job?

You should be proud of yourselves.

On the other side of this, we're going to come back with the new scores and the next rounds and possibly some new players.

One may never know.

You all stay tight.

♪♪♪ [cheers & applause] At the end of Round 2, it's A-Tech with 70 and Arbor View with 60.

In this next round, I'll be testing students' knowledge in the categories of Visual Arts and Business.

This round is timed at seven minutes and starts when I asked the first question, but I do want you all to know I've got more friends that have changed out.

Kylee, welcome back on Advanced Technology Academy's side.

-Hi.

-And Tylen, you're still hanging out and just chilling there?

-Yeah.

-William, thank you for coming back.

Evangelos is still hanging tough.

Arbor View, moving on to you.

Myah, welcome back.

Nikesha.

-Hi.

-Thank you.

Samiya, you ready, I know.

And Brianna is just there comfortable.

She's just here for a good time.

Are you all ready to have a good time?

-[in unison] Yeah.

-Oh, man, I believe it that time for sure.

I'm ready to go into Round 3.

I'm really excited.

So good luck, both teams.

Visual Arts and Architecture is the first category going into Round 3.

The first question is: Name the famous photographer, composer, and filmmaker whose focus included race relations, poverty, civil rights, and urban life.

Advanced Technologies Academy, Evangelos: -Gordon Parks -What's that?

-Gordon Parks -That is correct.

Who is the African American Las Vegas resident painter known for her celebrity portraits and realistic paintings for the 50 years of hip-hop's anniversary?

Advanced Technologies Academy, Tylen: -Stephanie Amon -That is correct.

What female currently serves as the president of the National Organization of Minority Architects?

Advanced Technologies Academy, Evangelos: -Pascal Sablan -That is correct.

Next question.

Who produced the first working wooden clock in America?

Advanced Technologies Academy, Evangelos: -Benjamin Banneker -Correct.

What artist played professional football in the mid-1960s?

Advanced Technologies Academy, Tylen: -Ernie Barnes -That is correct.

I have an extra question.

You want it?

-[in unison] Yes.

-Sounds good.

Who is the black illustrator and author who is best known for his paintings often featured on the covers of the New York Magazine and album covers for Michael Jackson and-- Evangelos, no.

Arbor View, did you get the question, or do you need me to continue it?

Because he stopped me before I finished it.

-Continue it, please.

-Who was the black illustrator and author who is best known for his paintings often featured on the covers of the New York Magazine and album covers for Michael Jackson and Drake?

Arbor View, Brianna: -Kadir Nelson -That is correct.

Going into our final category.

It's gametime, you all.

This whole thing has been a game, but let's really do it, okay?

Business is the final category for Round 3.

First question: Charles Clinton Spaulding established this life insurance company in 1808 because of discrimination against blacks who need insurance.

The company is still open today.

What is the name of the-- Will.

Arbor View for the steal because Will didn't let me finish the question.

Samiya from Arbor View: -North Carolina Mutual Life Insurance Company -That is correct.

Good job.

Lily Adeleye-- Lily Adeleye made history in 2021 as the youngest black business owner putting her hair accessory products on the shelves of Walmart at what age?

Arbor View, Samiya: -6 years old -That is correct.

3) Who was the first African American to become a billionaire?

Advanced Technologies Academy, Tylen: Robert Robinson-- wait, no.

Robert Johnson.

-That is correct.

Also known as Bob Johnson.

Got you kind of tongue-tied there.

Approximately how much annual revenue do US black businesses generate?

Advanced Technologies Academy, William: -$206 billion -That's millions with a B. I heard that.

The next question is: Out of the top 10 states for black entrepreneurs in 2023, what is Nevada's ranking?

Advanced Technologies Academy, William: -It is 3rd place.

-It is 3rd place.

Big stuff.

This final question, this final extra point that I have, do you all want it?

-[in unison] Yes, ma'am!

-I believe you.

I'm gonna give it to you too.

What is the most popular category of black-owned businesses?

Arbor View's Nikesha: -healthcare -That is correct.

And that's also the last question.

I think you all did an amazing job.

[cheers and applause] I think you all did amazing.

So as we get ready to close, I do want to ask while the judges are tallying up the scores, what do you all think about Nevada being Number 3 in that final question?

What does that make you think?

Evangelos, you seem like you have an opinion.

-I'm real surprised.

When I first heard it when we were studying or whatever, I was surprised.

-You were surprised?

Did it make you feel empowered?

-Yeah.

It was pretty cool.

-Yeah.

William, you seem like you had something to add.

-I think it's great, because it shows that we're trying.

And we're gonna get there.

But yeah, the effort is there.

-Absolutely.

I agree.

Anybody else from Advanced Tech want to say anything on that?

Over to Arbor View.

What did you all think?

That's a really cool statistic, Number 3.

-I just thought it made a lot of sense because I do see a lot of black people in Nevada doing a lot of work to uplift us.

-Absolutely.

I agree with that.

And then healthcare being such a, such a big deal.

Like, did we know that?

Did we realize that healthcare was up there for black entrepreneurs?

-I thought it was pretty surprising, yeah.

-That was surprising for you?

Not so surprising for me only because I have the privilege of knowing a lot of different black professionals in the medical and healthcare fields.

So I'm glad that you all were able to get some exposure throughout this packet.

And I'm also excited to announce the winners.

Are you all ready to find out who won?

[cheers and applause] -Final score: A-Tech, 110.

Arbor View: 80.

Congratulations to A-Tech!

[applause] Again to this year's winning team and the African American History Challenge Committee for another successful event.

Our sponsors, Clark County Black Caucus and Clark County School District.

If you're interested in joining your school's BSU club, please contact your school office.

Or for more information about the BSU Network, please contact 702-596-2559.

Thank you, Vegas PBS, for all that you do.

Hope to see you back with us in 2025.

You can also view this broadcast on the PBS YouTube channel or ccblackcaucus.com's website.

I am joined by this year's 2024 African American History Challenge winners, Advanced Technologies Academy!

[cheers and applause] You all fought a very hard fight.

An 80 to 110 isn't that far off.

So huge shout-out to Arbor View and all of your hard work.

[cheers and applause] We're very proud of you all, and I'm curious to know since you all just won $1,000, can I hold something?

[laughter] -We hope to see you all here next year.

To support or for more information, go to ccblackcaucus.com.

♪♪♪