Test your knowledge of Black history, pop culture and
ESSENCE trivia
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ACROSS
1. PoliticsNation host who proudly maintains, "I'm an advocate, not a journalist"
5. God son whose birthday is celebrated in December
8. Without question, it's a Phyllis favorite from 1978: "The _____ Is You"
9. Middle name of Kelly Price’s sorority
10. High times: Easy, breezy, beautiful Janelle Monáe was walking on air when the First Lady
revealed that this song is on her playlist
12. Norse god of thunder who gained modern fame in Marvel comic books
14. "Sound" companion (or keeper of personal treasures)
15. Matriarchal figure
17. Regular ESSENCE.com piece like the one by Janelle Harris aka The Write or Die Chick
19. Big talent: Born Dwight Myers, he and the Boyz first took the rap world by storm with the
In Living Color theme song (2 wds)
22. Down-home dessert cooked with cookies: _____ pudding
23. It's one of the smells of the season, for tree-trimmers who keep it real
2
24. Caught up: Title role of the lovestruck "date doctor" (He's the husband of ESSENCE
September 2012 cover star)
25. Song title shared by Mary J. and Chris Brown releases (or how one might describe 7 Down,
thanks): "Just ____"
26. Frank-ly speaking: Singer who discussed his sexuality just as his "Channel Orange" soared
to the top of the charts (or body that floats your boat)
27. It's a way out
28. Faithful in love (or, in fact, verifiable)
DOWN
1. Cool slang: Sexy, confidence some brothers exude (or swanky gifts in an Oscar guest’s bag)
2. Candidate who ultimately proved to be no threat: ___-ran
3. Sweet end to a Christmas meal
4. How low can you go? What January 2010's ESSENCE advised that you do to reduce your
credit card interest rates
5. One that just lies on the bed day and night (or a friend who offers warmth in your time of
need)
6. Pulp Fiction actor whose first name is short for "Irving"
7. Strong, silent type: Mononymous model who went on to star in Michael Bay’s
Transformers film franchise
10. Randall Robinson's org that keeps an eye on the Continent
11. What the Academy gave Corinne Bailey Rae in response to her musical question: "Is This
Love?"
13. Music fans took notice of "Look at ____," a tune originally released by One Chance and
remixed by rapper Trey Songz
16. Handsome Brit who, unsurprisingly, played a god in 12 Across, which hit the box office last
year
18. A few words of thanks before the feast (or sister's sense of spirituality and elegance)
20. Profiled on ESSENCE.com, _____ Rubin-Vega plays opposite Blair Underwood, in A
Streetcar Named Desire
21. Vocalist Legend's other instrument
22. Très chic: Jazz man Jarreau's jaunty trademark topper
25. In control of one's curves (or what her jeans do when she is)