The Life and Legacy of George Washington Carver
George Washington Carver was a pioneering agricultural scientist, inventor, and educator who overcame tremendous obstacles to achieve great success and leave an indelible mark on American agriculture.
Born into slavery in 1864 in Diamond, Missouri, Carver lost both his parents while still an infant. He was raised by Moses and Susan Carver, who taught him to value education and learning. As a young man, Carver left home to attend school, eventually receiving bachelor's and master's degrees from Iowa State Agricultural College.
In 1896, Carver was hired by Booker T. Washington to serve as the director of the Department of Agriculture at the Tuskegee Normal and Industrial Institute. At Tuskegee, Carver conducted important research on crop rotation, introducing alternative cash crops to cotton that would help improve soil quality. Carver's work with peanuts, sweet potatoes, and soybeans helped liberate the South from its dependence on cotton.
Carver is best known for his innovations using peanuts. At the time, farmers saw peanuts mostly as food for livestock. Carver discovered over 300 uses for peanuts, including milk, flour, ink, dyes, plastics, and gasoline. His recipes and innovations increased demand for peanuts and helped struggling Southern farmers.
Carver did not patent or profit from most of his inventions, wanting his discoveries to help as many people as possible. However, he received international recognition for his contributions to agriculture. Carver advised presidents Calvin Coolidge and Franklin D. Roosevelt on agricultural issues and was honored by the crown heads of England and India.
In addition to his laboratory research, Carver was a gifted teacher dedicated to helping the next generation of African American youth. Along with his Tuskegee colleague R.R. Taylor, Carver created a mobile classroom called the "Jesup wagon" that brought agricultural education to poor, rural farmers. Carver also developed a master's degree program for future teachers of agriculture.
After his death in 1943, Carver left his life savings to establish a research fund for agricultural projects at Tuskegee. His epitaph reads: “He could have added fortune to fame, but caring for neither, he found happiness and honor in being helpful to the world.”
Though he lived in a time of harsh racial segregation, George Washington Carver overcame barriers to leave an enduring mark on science and society. His agricultural innovations helped rescue the South’s economy, while his visionary work inspired generations to unlock the potential of the natural world. Carver’s life is a testament to the importance of education, dedication to science, and generosity toward others.
2. Multiple Choice Questions:
1) What crop was George Washington Carver influential in promoting as an alternative to cotton?
a) Corn
b) Tobacco
c) Peanuts
d) Potatoes
2) Where did George Washington Carver work as a professor for most of his career?
a) Iowa State University
b) Tuskegee Institute
c) University of Missouri
d) Cornell University
3) Which president did Carver advise on agricultural issues?
a) Woodrow Wilson
b) Calvin Coolidge
c) Herbert Hoover
d) Franklin D. Roosevelt
4) How did Carver help struggling Southern farmers?
a) By inventing new equipment and technology
b) By developing new uses for peanuts and sweet potatoes
c) By breeding stronger crops and livestock
d) By campaigning for government subsidies
3. Open Response Question:
Describe George Washington Carver’s background and early life. How did his challenging upbringing shape his later accomplishments? Use details from the passage to support your answer.
4. Multi-Select Questions:
Which of the following best describes George Washington Carver's work and legacy? (Select all that apply.)
[ ] Conducted agricultural research and promoted crop rotation
[ ] Patented over 100 inventions from peanuts, profiting greatly
[ ] First African American professor at Iowa State University
[ ] Developed new uses for peanuts, sweet potatoes, and soybeans
[ ] Traveled throughout the South in a mobile classroom bringing agricultural education
[ ] Focused his career on understanding soils and plant diseases
5. Evidence-Based Selected Response:
Which quote from the passage best shows George Washington Carver's generosity and desire to help others:
a) "Carver is best known for his innovations using peanuts."
b) "He could have added fortune to fame, but caring for neither, he found happiness and honor in being helpful to the world."
c) "His epitaph reads: 'He could have added fortune to fame, but caring for neither, he found happiness and honor in being helpful to the world.'"
d) "After his death in 1943, Carver left his life savings to establish a research fund for agricultural projects at Tuskegee."
6. Two-Part Hot Text:
Select the sentence from the passage that explains why developing new uses for peanuts helped Southern farmers. Explain your answer.
7. Editing Task:
Revise the sentence for clarity and accuracy:
George Washington Carver recieved his Doctorate degree from the University of Iowa before teaching at the Tuskegee Institute.
8. TECR Grid Select:
Part A: Which statement accurately describes an accomplishment of George Washington Carver?
- Developed hundreds of household products using peanuts, sweet potatoes, and other crops
Part B: Click on the sentence from the passage that provides the BEST evidence to support the answer in Part A.
- Carver discovered over 300 uses for peanuts, including milk, flour, ink, dyes, plastics, and gasoline.
9. PCR:
What lasting impact did George Washington Carver have on agriculture in the American South? Use evidence from the passage to support your response.
2. Lesser-Known Black Inventors and Scientists - Highlight some of the many African American inventors and scientists throughout history besides the well-known figures. Could include people like Lewis Latimer, Granville Woods, Sarah Goode, Alice Ball, and others.
Lesser-Known Pioneers: Black Inventors and Scientists Who Shaped History
The contributions of African American inventors and scientists have profoundly shaped technology, infrastructure, medicine, and everyday life in America. While famous figures like George Washington Carver, Madam C.J. Walker, and Garrett Morgan are celebrated, there are many lesser-known black inventors and scientists who overcame prejudice to make groundbreaking advances.
Born into slavery in 1848, Lewis Latimer patented an electric lamp in 1881 and an early carbon filament lightbulb in 1882. Latimer's innovations made electric lighting affordable and practical in American homes. An inventor and draftsman, he helped Alexander Graham Bell patent the telephone in 1876 and later worked with Thomas Edison.
A renowned electrical engineer and inventor, Granville Woods held more than 60 patents. In the 1880s and 1890s, Woods developed important advances in electric railway systems, including an overhead conducting system for trains that served as a precursor to modern subways. He sold many of his railway inventions to George Westinghouse.
Sarah E. Goode was one of the first African American women inventors. In 1885, she patented an early folding cabinet bed, creating more space in small apartments. Goode’s invention was one of the first designed, patented, and manufactured by an African American woman.
Born into slavery in Kentucky, Jan Matzeliger revolutionized the shoe industry with his invention of the shoe lasting machine in 1883. This machine sewed the upper part of a shoe to the sole, increasing production from 50 to over 700 pairs of shoes per day.
A pioneering chemist, Percy Julian synthesized medicinal drugs from plants. In 1935, he developed a way to extractlarge quantities of physostigmine, used to treat glaucoma. During WWII, Julian led the chemical synthesis of cortisone, facilitating mass production of corticosteroid drugs.
Marie Van Brittan Brown invented an early home security unit in 1969, receiving the first patent for a closed-circuit television security system. The device included a camera that enabled users to monitor the outside area and open doors remotely.
Alice Ball conducted research that led to an injectable oil extract treatment for leprosy, but tragically died at age 24 before formally publishing the work. Two male chemists later built on her research to produce the treatment and took credit for her breakthrough.
This handful of pioneers represent the countless unsung black inventors and scientists who overcame prejudice and stolen credit to create transformative inventions and advancements we still rely on today. Their perseverance and brilliance enriched science, industry, infrastructure, medicine, and everyday convenience, while paving the way for future generations.
2. Multiple Choice Questions:
1) Which scientist developed an early treatment for leprosy?
a) Granville Woods
b) Percy Julian
c) Alice Ball
d) Lewis Latimer
2) What was Sarah E. Goode's invention?
a) The folding bed
b) The ironing board
c) The ice cream scooper
d) The rolling pin
3) Who invented a closed-circuit security system for homes?
a) Jan Matzeliger
b) Marie Van Brittan Brown
c) Madam C.J. Walker
d) Garrett Morgan
4) What industry did Jan Matzeliger help revolutionize?
a) Electric lighting
b) Agriculture
c) Transportation
d) Shoe production
3. Open Response Question:
How did Granville Woods' inventions help advance transportation and infrastructure? Use details from the passage to support your answer.
4. Multi-Select Questions:
Which of the following describes Lewis Latimer's accomplishments? Select all that apply.
[ ] Patented a light bulb filament
[ ] Worked with Alexander Graham Bell on the telephone
[ ] Developed a new way to extract cortisone
[ ] Created an overhead conductor system for trains
[ ] Published books on drafting and engineering
5. Evidence-Based Selected Response:
Which quote from the passage suggests that black women faced additional obstacles as inventors?
a) "While famous figures like George Washington Carver, Madam C.J. Walker, and Garrett Morgan are celebrated..."
b) "Sarah E. Goode was one of the first African American women inventors."
c) "This handful of pioneers represent the countless unsung black inventors..."
d) "Two male chemists later built on her research to produce the treatment and took credit for her breakthrough."
6. Two-Part Hot Text:
Select a sentence that shows one of Percy Julian's accomplishments. Explain how his work impacted medicine and health.
7. Editing Task:
Revise this sentence for clarity and accuracy:
Lewis Latimer helped Thomas Edison patenet the first electric light bulb in the 1870s.
8. TECR Grid Select:
Part A: Which statement accurately describes Marie Van Brittan Brown's contribution?
- Invented an early home security system with remote camera monitoring
Part B: Click on the sentence from the passage that provides the BEST evidence to support the answer in Part A.
- Marie Van Brittan Brown invented an early home security unit in 1969, receiving the first patent for a closed-circuit television security system.
9. PCR:
How did advancements by lesser-known black inventors help shape and improve American society and technology? Use specific examples from the passage to support your response.
3. The Harlem Renaissance and its Influential Figures - Explore the cultural, social, and artistic explosion centered in Harlem in the 1920s. Discuss key figures like Langston Hughes, Zora Neale Hurston, Duke Ellington, and others.
The Rebirth of Harlem: The People and Ideas that Powered an Artistic Renaissance
The 1920s brought an unprecedented outpouring of African American arts and culture centered in the New York City neighborhood of Harlem. This blossoming of music, literature, art, and social thought known as the Harlem Renaissance gave voice to the experiences and creativity of Black Americans as the community emerged from the oppressive shadow of slavery and Reconstruction.
Langston Hughes stands as one of the most influential writers and thinkers of the era. Through poetry, stories, plays, and columns, Hughes captured the rhythms of Black culture and experience. Works like “The Negro Speaks of Rivers” and his essay “The Negro Artist and the Racial Mountain” expressed pride in Black history and identity and a vision for the flourishing arts.
Zora Neale Hurston overlapped with Hughes as a central figure of the Harlem Renaissance. Her acclaimed novel Their Eyes Were Watching God blended folklore and lyrical writing to capture a Black woman’s journey of self-discovery in the South. She also published noteworthy collections of folklore that preserved stories, oral traditions, and speech patterns unique to African American communities.
A prodigious intellect who contributed across many fields, Alain Locke is remembered as the “Dean” of the Harlem Renaissance. As the first African American Rhodes Scholar, Locke had unparalleled access to elite white institutions of higher learning. He helped usher in the New Negro Movement and mentored many young artists as a philosophy professor at Howard University. Locke edited the seminal anthology “The New Negro” in 1925, giving national exposure to Harlem Renaissance poets and writers.
Musicians like Duke Ellington and Louis Armstrong created the rhythmic soundtracks to the era. Ellington led his jazz orchestra at the famous Cotton Club in Harlem through the 1920s and composed over 1,000 songs in his lifetime spanning jazz, blues, gospel, and pop. Armstrong’s innovative trumpet and vocal talents make him one of the most influential jazz musicians ever.
Jacob Lawrence chronicled stories of historical figures and everyday African American life through his colorful, Cubist-inspired paintings. One of his best known series, “The Migration Series,” portrays the mass movement of Southern Blacks to the North during the early 20th century. Paintings by Aaron Douglas, Palmer Hayden, and others captured the creativity and pride surging through 1920s Harlem.
The Harlem Renaissance fostered a flowering of literature, music, and arts celebrating Black culture and identity. The movement connected artists, writers, and thinkers who gave bold voice to the creativity and humanity of African Americans at a pivotal point in history. The Harlem Renaissance proved the truth of Alain Locke’s statement that “the Negro is fundamentally [...] an artist at heart and gifted with rare artistic perception.” The legacy of this vibrant era continues to resonate today.
2. Multiple Choice Questions:
1) Which writer explored themes of cultural identity and Black folklore?
a) Langston Hughes
b) Duke Ellington
c) Zora Neale Hurston
d) Louis Armstrong
2) What was the name of Langston Hughes' essay discussing Black art and identity?
a) "The New Negro"
b) "Their Eyes Were Watching God"
c) "The Negro Speaks of Rivers"
d) "The Negro Artist and the Racial Mountain"
3) Which political movement is associated with the Great Migration depicted in Jacob Lawrence's paintings?
a)Civil Rights Movement
b) Black Power Movement
c) Harlem Renaissance
d) Great Migration
4) What was one of the major hubs of artistic and social activity during the Harlem Renaissance?
a) Apollo Theater
b) Savoy Ballroom
c) Cotton Club
d) Carnegie Hall
3. Open Response Question:
How did literature and art from the Harlem Renaissance explore the experiences of Black Americans in the early 1900s? Use examples from the passage to support your response.
4. Multi-Select Questions:
Which of the following figures were associated with the Harlem Renaissance? Select all that apply.
[ ] Louis Armstrong
[ ] Jacob Lawrence
[ ] Madam C.J. Walker
[ ] Duke Ellington
[ ] Langston Hughes
[ ] Rosa Parks
5. Evidence-Based Selected Response:
Which quote from the passage suggests the Harlem Renaissance fostered greater appreciation for African American culture?
a) "Zora Neale Hurston overlapped with Hughes as a central figure of the Harlem Renaissance."
b) "As the first African American Rhodes Scholar, Locke had unparalleled access to elite white institutions..."
c) "The Harlem Renaissance proved the truth of Alain Locke’s statement..."
d) "Paintings by Aaron Douglas, Palmer Hayden, and others captured the creativity and pride surging through 1920s Harlem."
6. Two-Part Hot Text:
Select a sentence describing one of Louis Armstrong's contributions. Explain what his innovations demonstrated about African American music and culture.
7. Editing Task:
Revise the sentence for clarity and accuracy:
Langston Hughes was inspired by the unique speech of average Black Americans and incorporated it into much of his writting.
8. TECR Grid Select:
Part A: What was one effect of the Great Migration depicted in Jacob Lawrence's artwork?
- Captured the movement of Southern Blacks relocating to the North
Part B: Click on the sentence in the passage that provides the BEST evidence to support the answer in Part A.
- One of his best known series, “The Migration Series,” portrays the mass movement of Southern Blacks to the North during the early 20th century.
9. PCR:
How did the Harlem Renaissance influence American culture and identity in the 1920s and beyond? Use specific examples from music, literature, and art to support your discussion.
4. The Greensboro Four and the Sit-In Movement - Tell the story of the four college students whose sit-in at a Woolworth's lunch counter sparked a nonviolent protest movement against segregation. Discuss the impact and legacy of their brave act.
The Greensboro Four: Sparking Peaceful Resistance Against Injustice
On February 1, 1960, four young Black college students sat down at the segregated lunch counter inside a Woolworth’s store in Greensboro, North Carolina and ordered coffee and donuts. While their request was refused, their simple act of peaceful resistance ignited a movement against racial inequality across the South.
Ezell Blair Jr., David Richmond, Franklin McCain, and Joseph McNeil were all students at North Carolina A&T State University. Though nervous, the group had trained in nonviolent protest methods to prepare. When they were denied service and asked to leave, the four students remained politely seated in silent protest, launching a "sit-in."
As word spread, more students joined the sit-in each day. Within a week, over 300 students were participating, gaining national attention. The “Greensboro Four” and their fellow protesters endured insults and threats with calm discipline, inspiring youth across the South.
The Greensboro sit-in sparked a wave of nonviolent student activism. Sit-ins spread to 55 cities in 13 states within two months. In April 1960, the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC) formed to train student activists in nonviolent resistance. The committee played a vital role organizing sit-ins, Freedom Rides, and voter registration drives.
Though they faced arrests and violence, the dedicated student protesters pressed on. Their peaceful defiance put pressure on companies like Woolworth’s and political leaders to end unfair policies excluding African Americans from public spaces and civic life.
The sit-in movement achieved major victories by the end of 1960. Greensboro and other cities desegregated their lunch counters. Inspired by the students, President John F. Kennedy supported a Civil Rights Act banning segregation in all interstate travel facilities. The activism of the Greensboro Four and thousands of student protesters demonstrated the power of nonviolent resistance to ignite social change.
In 2010, the four men were collectively awarded the North Carolina Award, the state’s highest civilian honor. And in 2018, interactive bronze statues memorializing the Greensboro Four were unveiled at the February One monument on the A&T campus. Their courage continues to inspire youth activism and peaceful protest against injustice today. As Franklin McCain reflected, “What we did will forever be etched in the annals of history. And it all started because four guys decided to sit at a lunch counter.”
2. Multiple Choice Questions:
1) Where did the Greensboro Four stage their historic sit-in?
a) Restaurant
b) Department store lunch counter
c) Library
d) Bus station
2) What form of protest did the Greensboro Four exemplify?
a) Boycott
b) March
c) Nonviolent sit-in
d) Petition
3) Which student organization did the sit-ins help inspire?
a) National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP)
b) Congress of Racial Equality (CORE)
c) Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC)
d) Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC)
4) How did the sit-in movement influence national policy?
a) Voting Rights Act passed
b) Civil Rights Act passed
c) Schools desegregated
d) Bus boycott ended
3. Open Response Question:
How did the Greensboro Four protests demonstrate courage and inspire other youth activists? Use details from the passage in your response.
4. Multi-Select Questions:
Which of the following were effects of the sit-in movement? Select all that apply.
[ ] Desegregation of Southern lunch counters
[ ] Formation of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee
[ ] A Supreme Court ruling banning segregation
[ ] Inspired national Civil Rights legislation
[ ] Increased restrictions on peaceful protest
5. Evidence-Based Selected Response:
Which quote from the passage suggests the Greensboro Four had lasting impact beyond their lifetimes?
a) "As word spread, more students joined the sit-in each day."
b) "The sit-in movement achieved major victories by the end of 1960."
c) "In 2010, the four men were collectively awarded the North Carolina Award..."
d) "Their courage continues to inspire youth activism and peaceful protest against injustice today."
6. Two-Part Hot Text:
Select a sentence describing an effect of the Greensboro sit-in. Explain how it demonstrated the power of nonviolent resistance.
7. Editing Task:
Revise the sentence for clarity and accuracy:
The sit-in started by the Greensboro Four helped establish the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Commission in 1963.
8. TECR Grid Select:
Part A: What motivated the Greensboro Four protest?
- An act of nonviolent resistance against lunch counter segregation
Part B: Click on the sentence in the passage that provides the BEST evidence to support the answer in Part A:
- On February 1, 1960, four young Black college students sat down at the segregated lunch counter inside a Woolworth’s store in Greensboro, North Carolina and ordered coffee and donuts.
9. PCR:
How did the Greensboro Four lunch counter sit-in help advance the civil rights movement? Use specific details from the passage to support your response.
5. Early African American Abolitionists - Highlight some of the lesser-known figures in the abolitionist movement prior to the Civil War, such as James Forten, Sojourner Truth, Harriet Tubman, and Frederick Douglass.
Crusaders Against Bondage: Early African American Abolitionists
Long before slavery was ended in the United States, courageous African Americans risked their lives to resist and end the brutal institution. Formerly enslaved abolitionists like Sojourner Truth and Frederick Douglass told their stories and advocated for emancipation. Others assisted slaves escaping to freedom via the Underground Railroad network. These lesser-known freedom fighters paved the way for the abolitionist movement.
Born into slavery in 1766, James Forten gained his freedom after serving in the Revolutionary War. An inventor and businessman, Forten became a wealthy sailmaker in Philadelphia and dedicated his life to securing rights for African Americans. He funded one of the first abolitionist newspapers, The Liberator, and organized boycotts against products made from slave labor.
An electrifying speaker, Sojourner Truth escaped slavery in 1826 and began campaigning for abolition. Though illiterate, Truth drew crowds with her wit and passion. Her famous improvised speech “Ain’t I a Woman” challenged stereotypes and demanded equal rights for Black women as well as men. Truth helped recruit Black soldiers for the Union Army during the Civil War.
Harriet Tubman is best known as a conductor on the Underground Railroad, making 19 trips and helping over 300 enslaved people reach freedom. During the Civil War, she worked as a spy for the Union Army, recruited former slaves as soldiers, and served as a nurse. Escaping slavery herself in 1849, Tubman devoted her life to helping others toward freedom.
After escaping slavery in 1838, Frederick Douglass became an internationally renowned author, speaker, and diplomat. His eloquent autobiographies and speeches described the horrors of slavery and galvanized the abolitionist cause. In Rochester, NY, Douglass published The North Star, an influential anti-slavery newspaper. He later recruited African American troops during the Civil War.
Lesser-known activists like David Ruggles pioneered the Underground Railroad in New York City beginning in the 1820s. Louisa Jacobs helped slaves in Edenton, NC escape and kept records of slave births and deaths to dispute slaveholder records. Thomy Lafon funded a school for Blacks in New Orleans and secretly provided financial aid to escaping slaves.
These early abolitionists helped awaken the nation’s conscience and push for emancipation decades before the Civil War. They demonstrated incredible courage in the face of great injustice and violence. Though coming from very different backgrounds, their grassroots activism and public advocacy were united in resisting slavery and advocating for the God-given rights of all.
2. Multiple Choice Questions:
1) What was one of Frederick Douglass' major contributions to the abolitionist movement?
a) Publishing an anti-slavery newspaper
b) Escorting slaves to freedom on the Underground Railroad
c) Recruiting Black soldiers during the Civil War
d) Giving public speeches about his life in slavery
2) Which female activist gave a famous improvised speech on women's rights?
a) Louisa Jacobs
b) Sojourner Truth
c) Harriet Tubman
d) Rosa Parks
3) How did James Forten contribute to the abolitionist cause?
a) Published abolitionist newspapers
b) Organized boycotts of slave-made goods
c) Broke unjust laws intentionally
d) Led armed slave revolts
4) Which activist began assisting escaping slaves in New York City in the 1820s?
a) Frederick Douglass
b) David Ruggles
c) Thomy Lafon
d) James Forten
3. Open Response Question:
How did Frederick Douglass use his own experience with slavery to advance the abolitionist movement? Use details from the passage in your response.
4. Multi-Select Questions:
Which of the following describes Sojourner Truth's life and activism? Select all that apply.
[ ] Escaped slavery in the 1850s in the South
[ ] Illiterate former slave who gave powerful public speeches
[ ] Helped recruit Black soldiers during the Civil War
[ ] Published an abolitionist newspaper in New York
[ ] Advocated for both slave emancipation and women's rights
5. Evidence-Based Selected Response:
Which quote from the passage suggests that early abolitionists made great personal sacrifices?
a) "These early abolitionists helped awaken the nation’s conscience..."
b) "They demonstrated incredible courage in the face of great injustice and violence."
c) "Long before slavery was ended in the United States, courageous African Americans risked their lives to resist and end the brutal institution."
d) "After escaping slavery in 1838, Frederick Douglass became an internationally renowned author, speaker, and diplomat."
6. Two-Part Hot Text:
Select a sentence describing one of Harriet Tubman's accomplishments. Explain how it demonstrates her lifelong commitment to resisting slavery.
7. Editing Task:
Revise the sentence for clarity and accuracy:
Frederick Douglass recruited former slaves to serve as soldiers on the Confederate side during the Civil War.
8. TECR Grid Select:
Part A: Why was James Forten significant in the early abolitionist movement?
- Wealthy former slave who funded abolitionist causes and organized boycotts
Part B: Click on the sentence in the passage that provides the BEST evidence to support the answer in Part A:
- An inventor and businessman, Forten became a wealthy sailmaker in Philadelphia and dedicated his life to securing rights for African Americans.
9. PCR:
How did early African American abolitionists like Sojourner Truth and Frederick Douglass help fuel the growing antislavery movement in the United States prior to the Civil War? Use specific details from the passage to support your response.
6. The Rise and Impact of Black Sororities and Fraternities - Explore the history of African American Greek letter organizations like Alpha Kappa Alpha, Delta Sigma Theta, Kappa Alpha Psi, and Omega Psi Phi. Discuss their community impact.
The Enduring Legacy of Black Greek Lettered Organizations
At the turn of the 20th century, predominantly white college campuses excluded and marginalized African American students. Seeking community, eight visionary students came together at Cornell University in 1906 to create Alpha Phi Alpha, the first intercollegiate black fraternity. This brotherhood sparked a movement of black Greek lettered organizations that continues to provide service, leadership, and lifelong bonds today.
Alpha Kappa Alpha, the first black sorority, formed at Howard University in 1908. Its founders envisioned an organization that would “elevate the social and moral standards of Black women” and promote unity and friendship. Delta Sigma Theta and Zeta Phi Beta sororities followed in 1913.
Black fraternities Kappa Alpha Psi and Omega Psi Phi took root at Indiana University and Howard University in 1911 and 1912, respectively. These organizations connected black students across campuses, providing academic and moral support lacking at predominantly white institutions.
In the early 20th century, black Greek organizations grew rapidly, giving members a sense of heritage and identity. National networks provided scholarships, mentoring, career development, and advocacy to lift up the black community.
Members have led major civil rights organizations like the NAACP, the National Urban League, and the Southern Christian Leadership Conference. Sorority members played a key role organizing the 1963 March on Washington. Martin Luther King Jr., Thurgood Marshall, Andrew Young and many leaders across disciplines have belonged to black Greek organizations.
These groups provide hands-on community service focused on education, health, economic empowerment and social justice. Alpha Phi Alpha members have coordinated hundreds of March of Dimes walks. Delta Sigma Theta sponsors public forums on critical issues like AIDS awareness, domestic violence prevention and African American voting rights. Zeta Phi Beta initiated Project Zeta, concentrated volunteer efforts in urban neighborhoods.
Black fraternities and sororities forge powerful alumni networks that offer academic scholarships, career opportunities, and leadership development for new generations. Thoughmembership remains small, the community impact resonates widely. By building pride, providing mentorship and opening doors, these enduring organizations uplift youth and strengthen communities against ongoing injustice. Their long history of academic achievement, service and activism continues to profoundly shape African American life today.
2. Multiple Choice Questions:
1) Which was the first intercollegiate black fraternity created?
a) Kappa Alpha Psi
b) Omega Psi Phi
c) Phi Beta Sigma
d) Alpha Phi Alpha
2) At what university did Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority begin?
a) Howard University
b) Spelman College
c) Morehouse College
d) Florida A&M University
3) Which civil rights leader was a member of Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity?
a) Stokely Carmichael
b) Martin Luther King, Jr.
c) Malcolm X
d) Huey P. Newton
4) What is a major focus of Zeta Phi Beta's community service?
a) Voter registration drives
b) Health screenings
c) Tutoring programs
d) Neighborhood revitalization
3. Open Response Question:
How did black Greek letter organizations provide support and community for African American college students in the early 1900s? Use details from the passage in your response.
4. Multi-Select Questions:
Which impacts of black fraternities and sororities are described in the passage? Choose all that apply.
[ ] Providing academic scholarships
[ ] Coordinating AIDS awareness events
[ ] Excluding members based on skin color
[ ] Supplying networking and career opportunities
[ ] Organizing March on Washington
5. Evidence-Based Selected Response:
Which quote from the passage suggests that black sororities sought to empower African American women?
a) "Its founders envisioned an organization that would 'elevate the social and moral standards of Black women'..."
b) "Members have led major civil rights organizations like the NAACP, the National Urban League, and the Southern Christian Leadership Conference."
c) "National networks provided scholarships, mentoring, career development, and advocacy to lift up the black community."
d) "Delta Sigma Theta and Zeta Phi Beta sororities followed in 1913."
6. Two-Part Hot Text:
Select a sentence explaining the original purpose of black Greek letter organizations. Explain how this mission remained relevant over time.
7. Editing Task:
Revise the sentence for clarity and accuracy:
Black fraternaties and sororities emerged in the 1950s in response to segregation at southern universities in the United States.
8. TECR Grid Select:
Part A: What was one effect of black Greek letter organizations in the early 1900s?
- Provided support and community for African American students at predominantly white colleges
Part B: Click on the sentence in the passage that provides the BEST evidence to support the answer in Part A:
- Black fraternities and sororities forge powerful alumni networks that offer academic scholarships, career opportunities, and leadership development for new generations.
9. PCR:
How did black fraternities and sororities impact broader African American life and culture beyond college campuses? Use specific details from the passage to support your response.
7. African American Women Pioneers - Highlight trailblazing Black women like Madam C.J. Walker, Shirley Chisholm, Mary McLeod Bethune, Ida B. Wells, and others who broke down barriers.
Groundbreakers: Black Women Who Shattered Barriers
Throughout American history, African American women have broken through countless barriers and obstacles to bring meaningful change in society. Their trailblazing accomplishments in business, politics, education, journalism, and activism opened doors for future generations.
Born to former slaves in 1867, Madam C.J. Walker overcame profound adversity to become America’s first self-made female millionaire. After developing an innovative hair care line for Black women, she built a beauty empire that employed over 3,000 people. Walker generously supported Black institutions and donated widely to civil rights causes.
Shirley Chisholm made history in 1968 as the first African American woman elected to Congress. In 1972 she became the first major party Black candidate for president and the first woman to seek the Democratic Party’s nomination. Her bold leadership and advocacy advanced women’s rights, minority education, and anti-poverty programs.
An influential educator and civil rights activist, Mary McLeod Bethune founded a private school for Black students in Florida that became Bethune-Cookman University in 1929. She served as an advisor to President Franklin Roosevelt on minority affairs and founded the National Council of Negro Women to unite Black women’s organizations.
Crusading journalist Ida B. Wells risked her life exposing the horrors of lynching in the late 19th century. Her investigative reporting and activism helped lead campaigns against the racist practice. Wells later co-founded the NAACP and championed women's suffrage alongside the fight for racial justice.
These pioneering women laid the foundation for leaders like Rosa Parks, Maya Angelou, Oprah Winfrey, and Kamala Harris who continued breaking barriers in subsequent generations. Their courage and example shattered deeply-rooted misconceptions in society and opened pathways of advancement for Black women despite continuing injustice and double standards. As journalist Gwen Ifill said, “When you’re standing on the shoulders of those who came before you, you’re able to reach higher and see farther.”
2. Multiple Choice Questions:
1) What educational institution did Mary McLeod Bethune found in Florida?
a) Spelman College
b) Howard University
c) Bethune-Cookman University
d) Fisk University
2) Which woman was the first African American U.S. Congresswoman?
a) Shirley Chisholm
b) bell hooks
c) Madam C.J. Walker
d) Ida B. Wells
3) What profession did Ida B. Wells and Madam C.J. Walker share?
a) Teaching
b) Business
c) Journalism
d) Activism
4) Which civil rights organization was Ida B. Wells involved in creating?
a) National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP)
b) National Council of Negro Women
c) Congress of Racial Equality (CORE)
d) Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC)
3. Open Response Question:
How did Madam C.J. Walker overcome obstacles to achieve success in business? Use details from the passage in your response.
4. Multi-Select Questions:
Which of the following describes Shirley Chisholm’s accomplishments? Select all that apply.
[ ] First African American woman elected to Congress
[ ] Published groundbreaking investigative reporting
[ ] Sought the Democratic presidential nomination in 1972
[ ] Founded a college that became Bethune-Cookman University
[ ] Developed an innovative hair care line for Black women
5. Evidence-Based Selected Response:
Which quote from the passage suggests these women inspired future generations?
a) "Born to former slaves in 1867, Madam C.J. Walker overcame profound adversity..."
b) "An influential educator and civil rights activist, Mary McLeod Bethune founded a private school for Black students in Florida..."
c) "Their courage and example shattered deeply-rooted misconceptions in society..."
d) "These pioneering women laid the foundation for leaders like Rosa Parks, Maya Angelou, Oprah Winfrey, and Kamala Harris..."
6. Two-Part Hot Text:
Select a sentence describing one of Mary McLeod Bethune's major accomplishments. Explain how this demonstrates her leadership and advocacy.
7. Editing Task:
Revise the sentence for clarity and accuracy:
After becoming a millionaire with her successful business, Madam C.J. Walker gave generously to support civil rights causes.
8. TECR Grid Select:
Part A: Why was Shirley Chisholm a pioneering political figure?
- First African American woman elected to U.S. Congress and first woman to seek Democratic presidential nomination
Part B: Click on the sentence in the passage that provides the BEST evidence to support the answer in Part A:
- Shirley Chisholm made history in 1968 as the first African American woman elected to Congress.
9. PCR:
How did pioneering women like Madam C.J. Walker, Shirley Chisholm, and Ida B. Wells help pave the way for future generations of African American women leaders? Use specific details from the passage to support your response.
8. Notable Firsts for Black Americans - Compile a list of influential African Americans who were the first to accomplish various achievements in fields like science, politics, arts, sports, and more.
Trailblazers: Notable First Achievements for Black Americans
Throughout the course of American history, courageous African Americans have broken through barriers to achieve groundbreaking firsts in diverse fields. Though facing immense discrimination, their perseverance and talents pioneered advancement for Black Americans in new realms of possibility.
In 1921, Bessie Coleman became the first African American woman pilot and the first American of any gender or race to hold an international pilot license. Jazz legend Louis Armstrong gained renown as the first African American jazz musician featured in a Hollywood movie in 1930's Ex-Flame.
When the pioneering Tuskegee Airmen took flight in 1941 as the first Black military aviators, they would compile an outstanding combat record and help desegregate the armed forces. Claudette Colvin refused to give up her bus seat to a white passenger months before Rosa Parks, becoming the first to be arrested for resisting bus segregation laws in 1955 at age 15.
Gymnast Simone Biles etched her name in history by winning 19 World Championship and Olympic medals, making her the most decorated American gymnast ever. The Harlem Globetrotters signed their first female team member, Olympic gold medalist Lynette Woodard, in 1985.
In 1958, Althea Gibson was the first African American tennis player to win a Grand Slam title at the French Open. The next year, she won at Wimbledon and the U.S. Open tournaments. Alice Coachman became the first Black woman to earn an Olympic gold medal, winning the high jump at the 1948 London Games.
When astronaut Mae Jemison journeyed into space aboard the space shuttle Endeavour in 1992, she became the first Black woman to travel to space. A pioneer in children's television, LeVar Burton was cast as Geordi La Forge on Star Trek: The Next Generation in 1987, becoming one of the first Black actors in a leading television role.
In 1908, William H. Lewis became the first African American college football player named to the All-American team while attending Harvard University. Oscar Micheaux pioneered Black filmmaking as the first African American to make a feature-length film, The Homesteader, in 1919.
These men and women opened doors that seemed permanently closed through incredible skill, courage, and determination. Their groundbreaking firsts built pathways for future generations to access new horizons. As Mae Jemison said of her pioneering space flight, “I felt that I represented many people...For whatever the first can accomplish, it symbolizes to others that whatever their heart's desire, they can aspire to do.”
2. Multiple Choice Questions:
1) Who was the first African American woman pilot?
a) Bessie Coleman
b) Amelia Earhart
c) Mae Jemison
d) Katherine Johnson
2) What sporting feat did Althea Gibson achieve in the 1950s?
a) Winning an Olympic skiing medal
b) Winning a Grand Slam tennis title
c) Making the Harlem Globetrotters basketball team
d) Qualifying for the ladies professional golf tour
3) Who was the first African American college football All-American?
a) Jesse Owens
b) Fritz Pollard
c) Ernie Davis
d) William H. Lewis
4) Which award has gymnast Simone Biles won the most of ever?
a) World Championship medals
b) Olympic medals
c) ESPY Awards
d) NCAA Championships
3. Open Response Question:
How did the Tuskegee Airmen help advance opportunities for African Americans in the military? Use details from the passage in your response.
4. Multi-Select Questions:
Which achievements are described in the passage? Select all that apply.
[ ] First African American astronaut
[ ] First African American Supreme Court justice
[ ] First African American U.S. President
[ ] First African American Olympic gold medalist
[ ] First African American female pilot
5. Evidence-Based Selected Response:
Which quote from the passage suggests these pioneers inspired others?
a) "In 1921, Bessie Coleman became the first African American woman pilot..."
b) "For whatever the first can accomplish, it symbolizes to others that whatever their heart's desire, they can aspire to do.”
c) "Though facing immense discrimination, their perseverance and talents pioneered advancement for Black Americans in new realms of possibility."
d) "When astronaut Mae Jemison journeyed into space aboard the space shuttle Endeavour in 1992, she became the first Black woman to travel to space."
6. Two-Part Hot Text:
Select a sentence explaining the historical significance of one pioneer's accomplishment. Explain how they helped open opportunities for future generations.
7. Editing Task:
Revise the sentence for clarity and accuracy:
William H. Lewis was the first African American named to the All-American collage basketball team while at Harvard University.
8. TECR Grid Select:
Part A: What feat did Louis Armstrong accomplish in the 1930s?
- First African American jazz musician featured in a Hollywood movie
Part B: Click on the sentence in the passage that provides the BEST evidence to support the answer in Part A:
- Jazz legend Louis Armstrong gained renown as the first African American jazz musician featured in a Hollywood movie in 1930's Ex-Flame.
9. PCR:
How did African American pioneers in diverse fields help break down racial barriers and make achievements possible for future generations? Use specific examples from the passage to support your response.
9. Black Americans in Times of War - Examine the roles and contributions of African Americans in the major U.S. military conflicts throughout history.
Service on the Front Lines: Black Americans Fighting for Freedom
From the nation's earliest wars to present day, African Americans have answered the call to serve their country, fighting for freedom and equality while confronting racism and discrimination. Their courage under fire and distinguished service advanced the causes of justice and civil rights for all.
Crispus Attucks was the first American killed in the Boston Massacre, the first to die in the Revolutionary War in 1770. Between 5,000-8,000 Black soldiers fought bravely in integrated units alongside white soldiers during the Revolutionary War, gaining freedom in exchange for their service.
During the Civil War, nearly 180,000 African Americans served in the Union Army and Navy. Their contributions were pivotal in the North’s victory and the end of slavery. Sixteen Black soldiers won the Medal of Honor for valor in action.
The 369th Infantry Regiment of the 93rd Division, known as the “Harlem Hellfighters,” fought the Germans during World War I as one of the most decorated American units. Despite discrimination, they spent more time in combat than any other U.S. regiment.
Though initially excluded from flying positions, a group of trained African American pilots known as the Tuskegee Airmen flew with distinction during World War II as the first Black military aviators. They flew over 1,500 missions and destroyed 260 enemy aircraft, leading the way to desegregation of the military.
Over 2.5 million African Americans served across all major branches during the Korean, Vietnam, Gulf, Iraq, and Afghanistan Wars, including General Colin Powell as the first Black chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.
From the American Revolution through today, African Americans have fought and died for the nation, upholding its highest ideals of freedom and opportunity even when denied those same liberties and rights at home until recent decades. Their selfless service and struggle compels us to continue working towards justice, unity, and equal opportunity for all. In war and in peace, their sacrifices advanced the fight for civil rights.
2. Multiple Choice Questions:
1) Who was the first African American killed in the Revolutionary War?
a) Crispus Attucks
b) James Armistead
c) Peter Salem
d) Salem Poor
2) What was the 369th Infantry Regiment known as in World War 1?
a) The Harlem Hellfighters
b) The Flying Tigers
c) The Tuskegee Airmen
d) The Buffalo Soldiers
3) Who was the first African American chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff?
a) Benjamin O. Davis, Jr.
b) Daniel “Chappie” James Jr.
c) Colin Powell
d) Roscoe Robinson Jr.
4) During which war did nearly 180,000 African Americans serve in the Union army and navy?
a) Revolutionary War
b) War of 1812
c) Civil War
d) World War I
3. Open Response Question:
How did the distinguished service and achievements of the Tuskegee Airmen during World War II advance civil rights? Use details from the passage in your response.
4. Multi-Select Questions:
Which actions did African American military members take despite discrimination? Choose all that apply.
[ ] Served with distinction as "Harlem Hellfighters" in World War 1
[ ] Participated in military units segregated by race
[ ] Integrated the armed forces as Tuskegee Airmen in World War 2
[ ] Fought for American independence in the Revolutionary War
[ ] Served in high level roles like Joint Chiefs chairman
5. Evidence-Based Selected Response:
Which quote from the passage suggests that African Americans helped shaped American history through military service?
a) "During the Civil War, nearly 180,000 African Americans served in the Union Army and Navy."
b) "From the nation's earliest wars to present day, African Americans have answered the call to serve their country..."
c) "Over 2.5 million African Americans served across all major branches during the Korean, Vietnam, Gulf, Iraq, and Afghanistan Wars..."
d) "Their courage under fire and distinguished service advanced the causes of justice and civil rights for all."
6. Two-Part Hot Text:
Select a sentence explaining a key contribution of African Americans during one war. Explain how they helped shape history despite facing discrimination.
7. Editing Task:
Revise the sentence for clarity and accuracy:
Crispus Attucks was the first Amercan patriot murdered in the American Revolution at the Boston Tea Party protests in 1773.
8. TECR Grid Select:
Part A: What was significant about the Tuskegee Airmen during World War 2?
- Flew with distinction as the first African American military aviators, helping to desegregate the armed forces
Part B: Click on the sentence in the passage that provides the BEST evidence to support the answer in Part A.
- Though initially excluded from flying positions, a group of trained African American pilots known as the Tuskegee Airmen flew with distinction during World War II as the first Black military aviators.
9. PCR:
How did African Americans play important roles in the U.S. military despite facing discrimination, especially prior to the modern civil rights movement? Use specific examples from different wars to support your response.
10. The Fight for Civil Rights - Provide an overview of key events, figures, and groups during the civil rights movement from the 1950s onwards. Could focus on a specific event like Brown v. Board or March on Washington.
The Long March to Freedom: An Epic Fight for Civil Rights
In the 1950s and 1960s, African Americans intensified the fight against Jim Crow laws enforcing racial segregation in the Southern United States. Through nonviolent protest, civil disobedience, litigation, and legislation, they awakened the nation's conscience and achieved landmark victories for civil liberties and equal rights.
Galvanized by Rosa Parks and Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., the 1955-56 Montgomery Bus Boycott peacefully resisted bus segregation laws in Alabama. After over a year of carpools and walking rather than ride segregated buses, the Supreme Court ruled bus segregation unconstitutional.
The Little Rock Nine bravely integrated Little Rock Central High School in 1957 with federal troops protecting them, after the Brown v. Board of Education verdict declared "separate but equal" schools unconstitutional.
Sit-ins began in 1960 when four Black college students sat at a segregated Woolworth's lunch counter in Greensboro, NC and refused to leave, sparking a youth-led movement. Freedom Riders protested segregation by riding interstate buses into the segregated South in 1961. They endured arrests and brutal violence, drawing national attention.
From Birmingham to Selma, Dr. King led nonviolent marches for voting rights across the South, advancing civil rights through peaceful activism and eloquent appeals to conscience. Images of officers brutally attacking peaceful protesters finally prompted President Lyndon Johnson to sign the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and Voting Rights Act of 1965 into law.
Malcolm X inspired many to fight racism “by any means necessary,” pursuing Black self-determination and pride. Groups like the Black Panthers armed themselves to monitor police brutality in Black communities.
This hard-fought chapter in African American history transformed the nation at the grassroots level. Though progress remains uneven, these visionary activists advanced equality under the law, ended legal segregation, and awakened Americans to the necessity of civil rights protections. Their courageous activism continues to inspire the ongoing work of fighting racial injustice. As Dr. King memorably said, “The arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends toward justice.”
2. Multiple Choice Questions:
1) What sparked the Montgomery Bus Boycott in 1955?
a) Brown v. Board decision
b) Rosa Parks' arrest for refusing to give up her bus seat
c) Murder of Emmett Till
d) March on Washington
2) Who led the march from Selma to Montgomery in 1965?
a) Stokely Carmichael
b) Malcolm X
c) Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
d) Rosa Parks
3) What civil rights law did the Little Rock Nine's actions help bring about?
a) Civil Rights Act of 1964
b) Voting Rights Act of 1965
c) Brown v. Board of Education verdict
d) Montgomery Bus Boycott victory
4) Which civil rights group used armed self-defense to monitor police brutality?
a) NAACP
b) Black Panther Party
c) Southern Christian Leadership Conference
d) Congress of Racial Equality
3. Open Response Question:
How did the Freedom Riders help bring attention to unjust segregation laws in the early 1960s? Use details from the passage in your response.
4. Multi-Select Questions:
Which civil rights events or figures are mentioned in the passage? Select all that apply.
[ ] Montgomery Bus Boycott
[ ] Sit-ins at segregated lunch counters
[ ] March on Washington
[ ] Little Rock Nine
[ ] Rosa Parks
[ ] Malcolm X
5. Evidence-Based Selected Response:
Which quote from the passage suggests nonviolent protest was a powerful tool for change?
a) "They endured arrests and brutal violence, drawing national attention."
b) "From Birmingham to Selma, Dr. King led nonviolent marches for voting rights across the South..."
c) "Malcolm X inspired many to fight racism 'by any means necessary'..."
d) "This hard-fought chapter in African American history transformed the nation at the grassroots level."
6. Two-Part Hot Text:
Select a sentence describing one accomplishment of the civil rights movement. Explain how it helped advance equality under the law.
7. Editing Task:
Revise the sentence for clarity and accuracy:
Rosa Parks' refusal to move to the back of the bus inspired a boycott of the Montgomery public bus system that lasted over a year.
8. TECR Grid Select:
Part A: What was one effect of the Little Rock Nine integrating their Arkansas high school?
- Helped lead to the Supreme Court ruling school segregation unconstitutional
Part B: Click on the sentence in the passage that provides the BEST evidence to support the answer in Part A.
-The Little Rock Nine bravely integrated Little Rock Central High School in 1957 with federal troops protecting them, after the Brown v. Board of Education verdict declared "separate but equal" schools unconstitutional.
9. PCR:
How did the methods or approaches of civil rights leaders like Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X differ? How did they each help advance the broader civil rights movement? Use specific details from the passage to support your response.
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