Black History Month: A quiz

The Broomfield duplex, built in 1913 in Omaha, was designed in 1909 by Clarence Wigington, the first African-American architect in Omaha.

During Black History Month, it’s interesting to explore Black history in Omaha and Nebraska.

For example, you may not have known:









picture disc.

Clarence Wigington

  • In 1869, Edwin Overall, the first African-American to hold a government job and the first African-American candidate for Nebraska State Legislature, led the fight to end segregation in Omaha schools.
  • Clarence Wigington began his career as the first African-American architect in Omaha in 1902.
  • In 1958, The Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. preached at Salem Baptist Church.

In the spirit of exploring Omaha’s black history, send your answers to the following quiz to the events team by 5 p.m. CT on Feb. 15 and be entered in a drawing for prizes donated by Munroe-Meyer Institute, the UNMC Department of Human Resources, the UNMC Bookstore and the Office of Student Life Inclusivity and Diversity. Five people will be chosen at random from among those who answer all questions correctly.

1. Not only was she the first African-American judge in Nebraska, but she also was the state’s first female judge. Who is she?

2. What is the name of the colorful fabric worn by African royalty?

3. Who was the first African-American physician in Omaha?

4. Founded in 1944, what was the name of the first African-American owned bank in Nebraska?

5. She is the first African-American superintendent of Omaha Public Schools. Who is she?

6. In 1854, this individual was the first free African-American to live in the city of Omaha. Name this individual.

Answers and winners will be announced in a UNMC Today story on Feb. 17.