The month of February is known for Valentine’s Day to most of my Guatemalan brethren, but this year we taught my host family what it means to Black people in the U.S. It’s our month to celebrate our people, and the accomplishments and achievements throughout all parts of history. Making up less than 10% of all volunteers in this country, we decided to have a Black History Month Reunion to celebrate us.
The first two to arrive were “Pa Pa” and “T-T”. My host family thought they were my real family. I had to explain to them that they were other volunteers like me. I guess they thought I was the only one. We hung out with my host family for awhile. We jumped rope, even double-dutch. It was a blast! Pa Pa and I went to get some more items to make our meal for the evening. When we returned, T-T had all three kids peeling potatoes to make potato salad. I just smiled. They were really interested in how we cook and what we cook. What I found very satisfying was Rigo (my host brother who’s about 7 or 8) intensely watching Pa Pa cook. Gender roles here are so formal at times. I assume, he has never seen a guy cook before. I know, in his house, his mom cooks all of the meals. Pa Pa really can cook. He even surprised me.
Later on in the day, several more volunteers arrived (Ya Ya, AJ, Serg, D-Man, JB, Sid). Now we were having a party. Just for clarification, it wasn’t just black people at the party as you can tell from the photos. Ya Ya is Mexican, AJ is Jewish, and I’m British West Indian, Black and White. We didn’t discriminate. We discussed our culture and how things have changed, we danced and showed AJ how to “Rock Her Hips”, and we ate homemade mac & cheese, BBQ fried chicken, potato salad, and (of course) watermelon. I think we ate 4 or 5 watermelons in total. They are really good here.
The next day, we just all hung out. We sat and talked some more. Pa Pa combed out my hair so I could have an afro. We listened to Gospel music while we cooked breakfast (beans, tortillas, eggs with cheese and turkey). It was a great day. My host family came over and asked if we danced a lot in the States. Of course, we told them yes. We watched the Book of Eli, which meant so much to some us in more ways than I can count. We baked chicken and rice with corn, and we played Black musicians & artists’ trivia.
I’ve included the questions asked. See if you can answer them:
1 Born Curtis Jackson in Queens, NY, who am I?
2 These guys, Mike McCary, Nate Morris, Wayna Morris, and Shawn Stockman, made up what group?
3 What duo group started out competing against each other in an East Point, GA high school?
4 Born Freda Josephine McDonald, I was the most famous black entertainer of Europe in the 1920's thanks to my skimpy costumes. Who am I?
5 Nick named Satchmo and born in New Orleans, he was one of the greatest jazz musicians in history.
6 I am known as the "Queen of Hip Hop and R&B" thanks to my good friend Puffy.
7 Born in South Carolina, I influenced the "King of Pop" thanks to my gospel-tinged, rhythm and blues songs.
8 This raspy-voiced Brooklyn rapper started his career in the 90's as a member of the group "Leaders of the New School".
9 Blinded at age seven, he was banded from his own state for several years before he was asked back and honored with one of his songs used as the state anthem.
10 Born in Kannapolis, North carolina, this musician pioneered the funk style of rock in the 70's with his band "Parliament-Funkadelic".
11 This famous jazz pianist was internationally known for his smooth, velvety voice singing "Unforgettable".
12 The most famous jazz saxophone born in Hamlet, NC who played with Miles Davis.
13 Artis Ivey Jr received a grammy for his song in Dangerous Minds
14 Popular singer and stage & film actor who started touring with his family's troupe, the Will Mastin Trio, at age three.
15 Earl Simmons, a hard core rapper, revived the strength of Def Jam Records.
16 Cordozar Broadus became famous after appearing on 1992's The Chronic album.
17 Grammy Award-winning songwriter, producer, and singer who is considered one of the most powerful behind-the-scenes players in the music industry, and is known for writing silky, romantic ballads like Boyz II Men's "End of the Road".
18 Virginia born, one-woman hip-hop media machine whom can't stand the rain.
19 Born in memphis, Tennessee, she is known as the "Queen of Soul".
20 Hip-hop group that cleverly combines rap, R&B and reggae sounds.
21 Grammy Award-winning singer, songwriter and instrumentalist who was one of Motown's most successful recording artists and is remembered for his sensual delivery and collaborations with Tammi Terrell.
22 This former boxer and U.S. Army soldier opened his own record store and produced recodings of his own songs in Detroit during the 50's.
23 Rock musician and guitarist best known for his masterful maneuvering of the electric rock guitar.
24 This hip-hop artist appeared on "As The World Turns", "King of the Hill", "Sister Act 2", and "Restaurant".
25 This Brooklyn-born singer, dancer, and actress performed at Harlem's Cotton Club singning "Stormy Weather".
26 Known as Lady Day, Eleanora Fagan, performed with numerous bands in the 30's and 40's with jazz musicians like Count Basie and Artie Shaw. One of her most famous songs was "It Had to Be You".
27 Grammy Award-winning pop singer and actress known for her remarkable vocal range and powerful, gospel-inspired ballads. Her performance of the national anthem at the Super Bowl is one of the most rememarable performances.
28 Born O'Shea Jackson, this rapper went from being an innovative and controversial rapper to being a famous movie star, and has made his own films.
29 Born Tracy Marrow, this former L.A. gang member and U.S. Army Ranger went from gangster rapper to actor with a recurring role on Law & Order: SVU.
30 This Gary, Indiana Grammy Award-winning pop-funk singer whose soft, sexy singing often takes a back-seat to her athletic, energetic dancing and artistic videos.
31 This New Orleans born gospel singer was known for her deep, smooth gospel songs and her close work association with Dr. martin Luther king, Jr.
32 This superb dancer and pop singer often conveyed an andogynous image and an ambiguous sexuality while his appearance has changed drastically through the years.
33 Jeffrey Atkins launched his solo debut album, Venni, Vetti, Vecci, in 1999 with "Holla Holla".
34 Shawn Carter's Reasonable Doubt started his career in 1996.
35 This Chicago born music executive became famous for composing the score for "The Wiz", producing Michael Jackson's chartbuster albums, establishing Vibe magazine, and forming Qwest Broadcasting.
36 Born Riley B. King in Mississippi, this Beale Street Blues Boy was a famous blues guitarist who introduced the blues to pop audiences in the late 60's and early 70's.
37 Born Dana Owens, All Hail the Queen was her first album, but now she is known for her acting skills like in "Hairspray".
38 Kimberly Denise Jones born in Brooklyn, NY had "No Time" when she was felt up by Diana Ross at the 1999 MTV Video Awards.
39 Born in Champaign, Illinois, Christopher Bridges' "Southern Hospitality" started out as a DJ in Atlanta.
40 "The ghetto is Trying to Kill Me" moved this "No Limit" soldier, Percy Miller, to the top of the charts in 1991.
41 Dante Terrell Smith hit the music scene in the late 1990s, first gaining attention for the underground hit "Universal Magnetic" and joining Talib Kweli to form the group Black Star
42 Born Nasir Jones as the son of jazz trumpeter Olu Dara, he first came to the attention of hip-hop fans when former 3rd Bass member MC Serch used his "Half Time" on the soundtrack of the movie Zebrahead.
43 Cornell Haynes Jr. 's "Pimp Juice" came after his band-aid cheek kept him in media news. Now he's a minority owner of the NBA's Charlotte Bobcats
44 Under Bad Boy Records, this "Big" producer produced the hit "What's the 411?" before he was "Ready to Die".
45 This influential musician whose music combines elements of rock, pop and funk was born in Minneapolis, Minnesota. His music has an erotic grind and sexually orientated lyrics that makes this just under 5 feet artist the only male artist to wear heals and rock them harder than females.
46 This "Porgy and Bess" Broadway songstress made her operatic debut in Tosca in 1955. In 1961, she made her Metropolitan Opera debut as Leonora in Verdi's II Trovatore. She is known as one of the greatest soprano opera singers in history.
47 Born William Robinson, this Grammy Award-winning singer and song-writer known for his falsetto voice and as a premier song-writer with more than 4,000 songs to his credit including some from his band "The Miracles".
48 Starting out as a dancer in Digital Underground, he started his solo career in 1992 and starred opposite Janet Jackson in Poetic Justice.
49 Eunice Kathleen Waymoa was a sultry chanteuse whose difficult-to-classify music combined jazz, clasical, folk and gospel music. One of her most famous songs was "I Put a Spell on You".
50 The first rapper to receive a Grammy, he put aside his music career for a very successful acting career.
51 Born Anthony Terrell Smith, this 1980s rap pioneer was the second rap act ever to reach #1 on Billboard's album charts. His hits include "Wild Thing" and "Funky Cold Medina".
52 Annie Mae Bullock appeared in Mel Gibson's movie "Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome" after her album "Private Dancer" was released.
53 This NYC R&B singer first found his niche in the music business by singing backup vocals for stars such as David Bowie, Ringo Starr, Barbra Streisand, and Donna Summer. He topped the charts with songs like "Never Too Much" and "Power of Love".
54 This Atlanta born rapper and producer was raised in Chicago and almost lost his life to a severe car accident before making it big with his solo career in 2004.
***Answers are on the "Photo" page in the sidebar.
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