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

-Coming up, it's Southwest CTA... [cheers and applause] ...taking on Foothill.

[cheers and applause] This is the Black History Challenge finale!

[cheers and applause] ♪♪ Welcome to the 2026 annual Black History Challenge finale!

[cheers and applause] The program, by the way, is made possible thanks to the Clark County Black Caucus in partnership with Clark County School District and as well as the Black Student Union Network, also known as BSU.

My name is Krystal Allan.

I am so excited to be with you today as your host.

Now, prior to today, BSU teams competed in preliminary and semifinal rounds.

Now the two teams meet today in the finale.

They are the BSU clubs from Southwest Career Technical Academy... [cheers and applause] And now we'd like to recognize the coaches for Southwest CTA.

They are Jessica Kelly and Tracy Taylor.

[cheers and applause] ...and Foothill High School.

[cheers and applause] And now let's recognize the coaches for Foothill.

They are Arianna Keith, Marchelle Mitchell, and Denetta McDonald.

Let's hear it for them, everybody.

[cheers and applause] So this is how this will all happen.

The two will compete for a $1,000 cash prize--I'd say that's pretty good--and the honor of housing the coveted championship trophy for a year at their school.

That is definitely an honor.

We want to give a special thanks to our sponsor, the Las Vegas Raiders.

Let's hear it for the Raiders, everybody.

[cheers and applause] And the BSU clubs that competed, we thank each and every one of you and your advisors and the parents that have all made this happen.

And, of course, we thank all of you for watching and continuing to keep the legacy of Black History Month alive-- of course, a legacy we celebrate all year long.

Our competition consists of three rounds.

Each correct answer in each of the six categories will earn five points.

Now, the teams with the highest score at the end of the competition will earn the coveted title of champion.

Now, if a team buzzes in prior to me actually finishing the question before time is called, they will not be able to answer that question.

So you want to make sure everybody understands that rule.

And then it allows the other team to answer in that particular question.

In the unlikelihood that there is a tie at the end of the competition, we will have a tiebreaker question to determine the winner.

So are we ready to get this competition going, everybody?

[cheers and applause] All right.

We're really excited for our Black History Challenge finale.

So why don't we go ahead and introduce the very talented teams that will be answering the questions today.

We are going to start with Southwest CTA.

-My name is Beth, and I'm a senior.

-I'm Atronos, and I'm a junior.

-I'm Abby, and I'm a sophomore.

-I'm Hellen, and I'm a junior.

-Okay!

Everybody, one more big round of applause for Southwest CTA.

[cheers and applause] And now we're going to direct our attention to the other very talented team that's taking on Southwest CTA, and we're going to start with Amari.

-My name is Amari, and I am a senior.

-My name is Nyima, and I'm a junior.

-My name is Lauren, and I'm a senior.

-My name is Brian, and I'm a sophomore.

[cheers and applause] -All right.

Teams, are you ready?

-Yes!

-Okay.

I think they are ready to go.

Here we go.

We are going to start with Round 1 of our Black History Challenge finale.

It's going to consist of two categories.

We're going to start with the first category being Ancient Royal Africa.

Question No.

1, What country in Africa did Sundiata Keita found?

That's going to be Foothill High and Naima.

-Ghana?

-Not quite the right answer, but thank you for trying.

And so that means Southwest CTA can go ahead and try their luck at the answer.

What country in Africa did Sundiata Keita found?

Hellen.

-Menroe?

-Not quite the answer we're looking for.

Mali was the answer.

So let's move on to Question No.

2.

Known as the Nubian Queen, this ruler led an army of 30,000 and successfully captured three Roman-ruled cities, including Egypt, and never surrendered.

What is her name?

Hellen with Southwest CTA.

-Queen Amanirenas.

-It sure was Queen Amanirenas.

So we have five points on the board for Southwest CTA.

Moving on to our next question, Question No.

3.

What symbolized Ashanti sovereignty?

We go to Foothill High with Nyima.

-The Golden Stool.

-It sure was the Golden Stool.

[cheers and applause] Moving on to Question No.

4.

How did Luba royalty structure authority?

Foothill again, Nyima.

-Due to sacred authority in historical memory systems-- Or sacred kingship, sorry.

-Judges?

Would you like her to repeat that answer?

(a judge) Please.

-Nyima, could you repeat your answer, please.

-Sacred kingship and historical memory systems.

-Judges accept that answer.

Point goes to Foothill High, Nyima.

Question No.

5, This army of women numbered 4,000 soldiers in the 19th century and defeated the French in several wars.

Known as fierce warriors, what African kingdom did they protect?

That's Hellen with Southwest CTA.

-The Dahomey dynasty.

-It sure was the Dahomey dynasty.

Okay.

What is one common secession system among African monarchies?

Nyima with Foothill High.

-You said one common?

-Yes, one, if you can name one.

-Rotational?

-Repeat your answer again so the judges can hear.

-Rotational.

-No.

Not quite the answer that we're looking for.

Okay.

Southwest CTA.

Hellen.

-Hereditary secession.

-Yes, hereditary secession.

That would be right.

Southwest CTA.

Next question.

How did queen mothers influence governance in Akan and Benin politics?

Hellen.

-They held advising power, vetoing power, and they selected chiefs.

-Judges?

We will accept that answer, everybody.

Southwest CTA gets the points.

Let's go on to Question No.

8.

How did pharaonic ideology express royal power?

Hellen again.

-Pharaohs were viewed as sacred rulers who maintained the relationship between God and people.

-That is the right answer.

Question No.

9.

What made Great Zimbabwe a royal center?

Hellen with Southwest CTA.

Their monumental stone architecture and their trade control.

-They were a trading center.

That's one of the answers they were looking for.

Southwest CTA on the board again.

Question No.

10.

Who made a pilgrimage in 1324 that showcased his imperial wealth, fostered diplomacy, and attracted scholars and artisans, elevating his royal prestige?

Southwest CTA, Hellen.

-Mansa Musa.

-It is Mansa Musa.

That's the answer we're looking for.

Question No.

11.

What resources did the Ghana empire kings control that made them influential?

Nyima, Foothill High.

-They had control over the gold production in the trans-Saharan trade routes.

-That is the correct answer.

Question No.

12.

Which rulers minted coins, built monumental stela, and later developed Christianity under King Ezana, integrating sacred kingship with the Red Sea trade?

Hellen with Southwest CTA.

-Was it Congo Kingship?

-Not quite the answer we're looking for.

So that means, Foothill, you have the opportunity to answer the question.

-The Aksumite?

-That is the right answer.

Foothill High.

What was the significance of Gondar's royal castles?

Hellen with Southwest CTA.

-They served as imperial seats of authority.

-Judges, I'm going to defer to you for that one.

We will take that answer.

Thank you, Southwest CTA.

All right, everybody.

We have come to the final question in this category.

What is one way Kanem-Bornu sustained dynastic rule?

Nyima, Foothill High.

-Through trade lineage, long-lasting lineage in spreading Islam?

Or Islam-- I don't know.

-Point for Foothill High.

All right, everyone.

We are moving on to Category 2 in Round 1.

Our teams have done a phenomenal job so far.

So we're going to continue the momentum in Round 1.

The category is Youth and the Civil Rights Movement.

Youth and the Civil Rights Movement, Question No.

1.

What young female student leader from the Nashville movement coordinated the second wave of Freedom Riders after the initial CORE riders were attacked in Alabama?

Amari with Foothill High.

-Diane Nash.

-It was Diane Nash.

Points on the board for Foothill High.

Going to our second question, second category.

This young white woman, who left Duke University, was a Freedom Rider and participated in many demonstrations, later becoming known as a significant white activist in the movement.

Atronos with Southwest CTA.

-Joan Trumpauer Mulholland?

-It sure was.

Points on the board for Southwest CTA.

Question No.

3.

In what year did the Supreme Court issue the landmark ruling in Brown versus Board of Education, declaring-- [buzzer sound] Oh, I have to finish the question there, Amari.

I appreciate you being ready to go, but we got to complete the question.

So that means that Southwest CTA, you're going to be jumping in on this one.

In what year did the Supreme Court issue the landmark ruling in Brown versus Board of Education, declaring state-sponsored segregation in public schools unconstitutional?

-1953?

-So close.

The correct answer, 1954.

That's what we were looking for.

What was the key goal of the Freedom Summer project, organized by SNCC and CORE in Mississippi?

Amari with Foothill High.

-To register African Americans to vote.

-It certainly was.

Points on the board for Foothill High.

The violent attack on marchers during the first Selma to Montgomery voting rights march in March of 1965 is known by what grim name?

Atronos.

-Bloody Sunday.

-It is Bloody Sunday.

All right.

Our next question.

The successful integration of the lunch counter at Katz Drug Store in Oklahoma City in 1958 was a result of an early sit-in staged by what youth organization?

Atronos.

-NAACP Youth Council.

-It sure was the NAACP Youth Council.

How many times was the anti-lynching bill debated and appeared before Congress before finally passing in 2022?

Amari with Foothill High.

-200 attempts.

-200 attempts, that's it.

Okay, everybody.

That wraps up the end of Round 1.

Please make some noise.

Put your hands together for our teams.

[cheers and applause] Now it's time to check the scoreboard to see how each team is shaping up in the competition.

♪♪ So far, after Round 1, we have Southwest CTA with 55 points, and Foothill High with 40 points.

So let the competition keep rolling on.

We are going on to Round No.

2.

The category is the Harlem Renaissance.

But before we get to that, we want to introduce you to a couple of new faces that have joined each team.

So we're going to go to Southwest CTA first.

Of course, Beth is joining us again.

But with our new players on the team, we need you to tell us your name and also what grade you're in.

-Hi.

My name is Teyobesta, and I'm a sophomore.

-Hi.

My name is Westley, and I'm a junior.

-My name is John, and I'm a junior.

-That's right, let's hear it for Southwest CTA, everybody.

[cheers and applause] Okay.

And we go to Foothills.

We have a couple of new faces here.

Let's start with Zy'Aire.

-Hi.

My name is Zy'Aire, and I'm a junior.

-Hi.

My name is Savannah, and I'm a freshman.

-And we still have Amari, senior; Nyima, a junior, right?

I got it right.

Okay, everybody, Foothill High School still with us.

Let's hear it for the team.

[cheers and applause] We're going on to the Harlem Renaissance, Category Number-- or I should say Round 2.

Who wrote "The Negro in American Literature"?

That would be Amari, Foothill High.

-William Stanley Braithwaite?

-It sure was.

Points on the board for Foothill High.

Question No.

2.

Which Harlem Renaissance intellectual wrote "The Negro in Art"?

Amari again.

-Alain Locke.

-Alain Locke.

Again, good answer.

Foothill High on the board.

Okay.

Question No.

3.

What New York university became a hub for the Harlem Renaissance intellectuals?

-Columbia.

Columbia University.

-Columbia University.

Southwest CTA.

All right.

Question No.

4.

Gwendolyn Brooks was the first African American to win what coveted award?

Amari.

-The Pulitzer Prize.

-The Pulitzer Prize is correct, with Foothill High.

Question No.

5.

Who is known as the "Empress of the Blues"?

Beth.

-Bessie Smith.

-Points on the board for Southwest CTA.

That is the right answer.

Question No.

6.

Which Harlem Renaissance writer explored themes of black womanhood in color?

Amari, Foothill High.

-Zora Neale Hurston.

-Zora Neale Hurston is the correct answer.

Next question.

Who wrote the poem "Harlem"?

Amari.

-Langston Hughes.

-It is Langston Hughes.

Next question.

Who founded the Negro National League in baseball during the Harlem Renaissance era?

Zy'Aire of Foothill High.

-Andrew "Rube" Foster.

-That is the right answer.

Foothill High, Zy'Aire.

Good job there.

Next question.

What term describes the movement of African Americans from the South to the North?

Beth with Southwest CTA.

-The Great Migration.

-It was the Great Migration.

And that is actually the last question of this first category.

We're moving on to our second category in Round 2.

Second category, Round 2, first question.

What was the first known slave rebellion of 1526 called?

Westley, Southwest CTA.

-The San Miguel de Guadalupe slave rebellion.

-That's the answer we're looking for.

Good job there.

Next question.

What was the largest slave uprising in the United States that happened in present day Louisiana, a year before the territory became a state in 1811?

Teyobesta.

-The great-- The German Coast Uprising?

-That is the right answer.

Southwest CTA gets the points.

A former enslaved escapee worked on the railroad and created the Dawn Institute in 1842 in Ontario, Canada, to help escapees learn work skills.

What is his name?

Savannah.

-Josiah Henson.

-It is Josiah Henson.

Points on the board for Foothill High.

Next question.

What act passed by Congress in 1862 declared freedom for Confederate-owned slaves who reached Union lines?

Westley.

-The Second Confiscation Act.

-That is the right answer.

Southwest CTA gets the points.

Why is August 22, 1791, called the "Night of Fire?"

Westley again.

-Was it the first night of Nat Turner's Rebellion?

-Judges?

That is the correct answer.

Moving on.

Our next question.

Who were the leaders of the Demerara Rebellion?

Okay, that's time.

We're looking for Jack Gladstone, along with his father, Quamina.

That was the right answer.

Next question.

Who led the Haitian Revolution?

Westley with Southwest CTA.

-Toussaint L'Ouverture.

-That's the answer we're looking for.

And that wraps up Round 2, everybody.

Southwest CTA, Foothill High.

[cheers and applause] Let's keep this thing going.

We're gonna go ahead and check on the scoreboard right now to see how we are doing when it comes to our competition and where we stand.

Southwest CTA, 95 points.

Foothill sits at 75 points.

So we're going to go ahead and move on to our next round.

It happens to be our last and final round, Round 3.

We're going to start with African-American Fashion and Culture.

But before we get to that, we want to recognize a couple of new faces on each team.

So we're going to start with Southwest CTA.

And, Merana, if you can tell us your name, of course, and what year you are in school.

-I'm Merana, and I'm a senior.

-Excellent.

And we also have...?

-Abby, and I'm a sophomore.

-Who's making her way back to the team.

Westley and John were in our last round.

We're so glad to have you still with us.

We're gonna move on to Foothill High.

We have a couple of new faces here, starting with Kai'lyn.

-Hi.

My name is Kai'lyn, and I'm a freshman.

-Hi.

My name is Kaden.

I'm a senior.

-My name is-- -I'm sorry, Brian.

Go right ahead.

You get your chance to introduce yourself.

-My name is Brian, and I'm a sophomore.

-Excellent.

And Lauren is staying with us.

So Southwest CTA, Foothill, good to see you guys.

Smile and thumbs up.

Ready to Roll?

All right.

We're ready.

We're going on to Round 3, African-American Influence on Culture, Fashion & Dandyism.

Question No.

1.

"Superfine: Tailoring Black Style" was what year's Met Gala theme?

[buzzer sound] Oh, Kaden, appreciate the enthusiasm, but I got to get through the question first.

Okay.

So that means Southwest CTA, it's on you to answer this.

"Superfine: Tailoring Black Style" was what year's Met Gala theme?

Westley.

-2025.

-2025 is the answer.

Southwest CTA on the board.

Okay.

Next question.

Which New York neighborhood was known as the "Black Mecca" for having the cultural and intellectual Renaissance of African-American music, dance, fashion, art, and politics?

John.

-Harlem.

-It's Harlem.

Southwest CTA.

What black-owned brand named after its founder is known for their signature shopping bag?

Westley.

-Telfar?

-That is the right answer from Southwest CTA.

Moving on to our next question.

Name the African-American track and field athlete considered the fastest of all time and known for competing with vibrant clothing and long acrylic nails.

Kaden.

-Florence Griffith Joyner.

-Florence Griffith Joyner, or Flo Jo as she was called.

Foothill High, point goes to you.

Which famous NBA basketball player started a shoe line in 1985, kickstarting a cultural sneaker craze?

Westley with Southwest CTA.

-Michael Jordan.

-It is Michael Jordan.

Okay.

That is the last and final question for Category 1, which is African-American Culture, Fashion & Dandyism.

So we're going to move on to Category No.

2 and our final round, Unsung Heroes.

Both teams ready?

Okay.

Here we go.

Question No.

1.

This American author, film director produced more than 44 films in the 1920s and 1930s.

He created the Lincoln Motion Film Company, which was the first movie company owned and controlled by black filmmakers.

Who is he?

Abby.

-Oscar Micheaux.

-That's exactly who it is.

Southwest CTA gets the points.

This woman's cancer cells are the source of the HeLa cell line and used in developing many lifesaving vaccines, such as the polio vaccine and one of the most important cell lines in medical research.

What is her name?

Abby.

-Henrietta Lacks.

-It is Henrietta Lacks.

Southwest CTA gets the points.

Next question.

This Pan-Africanist and proponent of black nationalism who died in 1885 worked alongside Frederick Douglass and was one of the first three black men admitted to Harvard Medical School.

Who is he?

Merana.

-Martin Delaney?

-It is Martin Delaney.

Southwest CTA gets the points.

Next question.

She was arrested at the age of 15 in Montgomery, Alabama, in 1955 for refusing to give up her seat to a white woman on a crowded, segregated bus.

It occurred nine months before the Rosa Parks incident.

Who was she?

Lauren.

-Claudette Colvin?

-It was Claudette Colvin, with Foothill High getting that answer right.

Next question.

She was a mathematician known for her contributions to mathematical modeling of the shape of the Earth and her work on the development of satellite models, which were later incorporated into the Global Positioning System, known as GPS.

Who is she?

Merana.

-Dr.

Gladys West?

-That is the right answer.

Point for Southwest CTA.

Inducted into the African-- Pardon me.

Inducted into the American Nurses Hall of Fame in 1976, she was the first African American in 1879 to graduate from an American school of nursing and the first to work as a professionally trained nurse in the United States.

Lauren.

-Mary Eliza Mahoney?

-That is the right answer, going to Foothill High.

Okay, everybody.

That wraps up our last and final round, Round 3.

Let's give it up for the teams.

And teams, give yourselves a round of applause.

[applause] It has been an exciting three rounds, and we're so excited to finally come to the finale.

So we're going to go ahead and check the scoreboard.

♪♪ And our final score for the Black History Challenge finale: Southwest CTA, 135.

Foothill, 90.

Congratulations to both teams!

[cheers and applause] And now we have a very special presentation, of course, our trophy, and then also our check.

And for that, we're going to send it over to our Las Vegas Raiders.

-Absolutely.

On behalf of the Las Vegas Raiders, we want to give a kudos to Foothill High School for their valiant effort.

And then we also want to say congratulations to Southwest CTA.

And on behalf of the Las Vegas Raiders, we want to present this $1,000 check to Southwest CTA for their Black Student Union program, which is a part of our larger Raiders and BSU Network partnership.

-Let's hear it for Las Vegas Raiders, everybody.

And how amazing they have been as supporters and partners of BSU Network.

So let's go ahead and present the check and also the trophy, which will be housed at Southwest CTA for one year.

So congratulations to you, CTA.

And Foothills High, congratulations to you as well, because it was your first time competing in the Challenge.

You made it all the way to the finale.

So awesome.

[applause] We want to give a special thanks to everyone who's played such an important role in making this happen.

We made it to another successful year, 2026, of our Black History Challenge finale.

We're gonna see you guys again next year.

Everybody, let's hear it!

[cheers and applause] ♪♪♪