Being the national spelling bee champion may not be the dream of every kid growing up in South Los Angeles, but Akeelah was special. Dear Culture speaks to several people, including her rival Kyla Pratt about what Akeelah’s accomplishments and spelling bee co-win meant for the culture.
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Panama Jackson [00:00:00] You are now listening to theGrio’s Black Podcast Network Black Culture Amplified. There are all kinds of firsts in the Black community. There’s Jamal Jenkins, who was the first person to ask whether or not you had to be from Ohio to be one of the Ohio players. And then there’s Shante Maxwell from Harlem, who in 1985 was the first Black person or the first person period to execute a successful lace swap in Jordan Ones. Changing the sneaker game forever. But then we have lesser known firsts, the kind of first that, whether you know it or not, have had an impact on your life. For instance, there’s a person who executed a first who taught the world about the word pulchritude.
[00:00:46] Man, that’s a white word, if I ever heard one. It’s a trick. Stop playing.
Panama Jackson [00:00:49] Which was so important and so significant that rumor has it, Kanye West almost changed the name of his landmark album, My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy. To My Pulchritudinous Dark Twisted Fantasy. Because you see, Pulchritude is from the Latin for pulcher, which means beautiful. And we have one person to thank for that knowledge.
Keke Palmer [00:01:14] P. R. E. S. T. I. D. I. G. I. T. A. T. I. O. N. Prestidigitation.
Panama Jackson [00:01:22] This is dear culture and these are significant moments in Black history.
Damon Young [00:01:37] I mean, there are sort of things that happen in culture where, you know, you know, you know where you were when it happened because it was such an impactful event. Like, I remember where I was when the Challenger explosion happened. I remember where I was when I first learned about 9/11. I remember where I was when, you know, Uncle Phil and Will, you know, had that big hug when, you know, Will’s wolf dad, you know, bounced on him.
Will Smith [00:02:05] How come he don’t want me, man?
Damon Young [00:02:11] I was actually in that living room, like if you panned out. There’s a deleted version of that scene where if you pan out, you actually see me there because Ben Vereen is my dad too. And so I was also waiting for that sort of validation and acknowlegement.
[00:02:29] Oh.
Damon Young [00:02:29] And so when I first heard about Akeelah, I was so anxious to hear about, you know, how she did in the Bee that I just couldn’t I just couldn’t be lax. All went out and tried to shoot a little bit. And I noticed that all the people in the neighborhood, like all the people in the projects, a lot of people who were working at McDonald’s or whatever, because the next two projects and McDonalds. Everyone started running out. It was like, “Yo, did you hear about Akeelah?” And I was like, “What? What happened with Akeelah?” And they they told they told us that that she had tied.
Keke Palmer [00:03:01] Pulchritude.
[00:03:05] Congratulations, Akeelah.
Damon Young [00:03:11] I mean, she won. And I guess winning depends on your interpretation of the word winning. She did not lose. I am DamonYoung. I am a writer. Pittsburgher.
Panama Jackson [00:03:23] My name is Dr. Lamont Sanford. No relation, and I am the director of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored Spellers, a minimally funded organization that was created in 1936 after the first Black speller ever made it to the finals and was treated in a very unseemly manner by the white establishment. As you can imagine, in the thirties. So I learned of the story of Akeelah Anderson, the young spelling prodigy from South Central Los Angeles, from South Los Angeles, by reading the hip hop trade magazines. I believe it was an article in the Source on Neighborhood Tough Derek T, which must have come out right before she ventured to the actual finals. Apparently, in this story, Derek mentioned that Akeelah had promised or that he had a promised Akeelah that he would let her hear a poem that he’d written somewhere in grade school if she won. And I was like, Wait a minute, there’s a spelling prodigy coming out of South Central on her way to the to the Nationals. Wait a minute.
Damon Young [00:04:31] When I think of Akeelah, you know, I think about. I think about how impressionable white people can be. I think about how, you know, if you watched that movie again, you know, he should have lost like three times.
[00:04:53] The mother of one of the spellers needs to speak with her. Okay. But she must be back on the stage before her next turn or she’ll be disqualified.
Damon Young [00:05:01] Like there was a time in a regional bee when, you know, the one kid was cheating.
[00:05:11] I saw them. That boy’s momma helped him out.
Damon Young [00:05:14] And then the white judges were like, I don’t know what to do with this Black baby. Like, let’s just. Let’s just make her a winner, okay? I don’t know what do. So basically, if you if you are Black enough, right, you can succeed.
Kyla Pratt [00:05:30] Oh, absolutely. I was supposed to be the winner. They played me. They play me because they saw that I was cute. I mean, my hair was a little all over, but they had nothing to do. Anything. Okay. I was spelling my butt. I was enunciating each letter in each word and they played me. But it’s cool. I mean. I mean, it’s natural. But. But. But you know what? I made it. I made it. So. It’s all right. Had me spell the words. It’s like 11 letters or something. Like, who does it?
[00:05:58] P r e s t i d i g.
Panama Jackson [00:06:01] A little known fact. In the early to mid nineties, we established an initiative that was intended to see if we could get more people on board with accurate spelling by using hip hop. If you notice, there are a lot of songs back then where a lot of rappers were doing a lot of spelling. The Notorious B.I.G. Famously was the.
Biggie Smalls [00:06:23] It’s the N.O.T.O.R.I.O.U.S. You just lay down slow.
Panama Jackson [00:06:27] We were in talks with all of the labels to see if we could get people to invoke a little spelling in their in their art. I mean,.
Method Man [00:06:35] M.E.T.H.O.D. Man.
Panama Jackson [00:06:37] You know, Fabolous.
Fabolous [00:06:40] F. A.B.O.L.O.U.S.
Panama Jackson [00:06:41] Which we understand was a little bit confusing, since that’s not how we spell fabulous. But we’ve been working with Miriam Webster to see if we can get that spelling changed so that more people can be right when they misspell fabulous or fabulous. I was in the audience when Akeelah Anderson Cole won the spelling Bee in 2006. You have to understand here, this was an important this was important for us to be a part of. You see, in 1936, Magnolia Cox was the first Black person to make it to the finals, but she did not win. She made it to the top five. She didn’t win. But obviously societal pressures and all of that was was held against her. It wasn’t until 1998 that we get the next spelling bee finalist, and as it turns out, we get a winner, Jamaican speller Jodie and Maxwell. So we had to wait 62 years to get somebody not only to the finals, but to get our first Black winner and Jodie and was from Jamaica. So she won. The Jamaican spelling bee was able to compete in the Scripps National Spelling Bee. So we made it a point to make sure that we’re up on everything that’s happening now in 2006. Akeelah Anderson co-wins with Dylan. She’s the first Black person, Black American to win the National Spelling Bee. So this was a very monumental moment for us. And it will be won’t be until another 15 years when we get the next Black winner, Black American winner of the Scripps National Spelling Bee in Zilla Avant-Garde.
Zilla Avant-Garde [00:08:22] Murraya. M.U.R.R.A.Y.A.
[00:08:27] That is correct.
Damon Young [00:08:32] I think that her win or her her not losing, showed that if you have the right people around you and you have the right propaganda, you could stand a lack of losing and to win. And so, you know, again, we’ve gone forward. You know, it’s been almost 20 years that we’re still talking about Akeelah, like she was like. Like she was 92 Jordan. Right. But at the very best It was a split decision. And she got lucky. She got lucky. Old boy, you know, Felt bad. It had the tiger Dad.
[00:09:11] O.S.E.S
Damon Young [00:09:16] You know and if he didn’t feel bad it and the dude was just a regular dad then Akeelah would have been like I don’t know the Bills of the nineties. You know someone who almost got to the mountaintop. But you know Susan Lucci you know, just thinking of the people who are known for being, you know, spectacular losers. And so I, again Akeelah, the homie. She inspired, who is around the country. But we got to get a straight. She did not win. You don’t tie in a spelling bee. You win or you are a loser. You know what I mean?
Kyla Pratt [00:09:55] You know, I really took that loss from the spelling bee kind of hard, and I decided that, Hey, let’s jump into animation. And now we’re on season two of the of our rebooted show,.
Proud Family: Louder and Prouder [00:10:06] Penny Proud. Watch it. Anybody know where she is?
Kyla Pratt [00:10:17] So, you know, things that you miss out on in life when people try to cheat you, this is what comes out of it. Amazingness. Amazingness. A cartoon that talks about amazing subjects, amazing situations, amazing guest cast, amazing cast members, The Proud Family, Louder and prouder Season two is streaming now on Disney Plus.
Panama Jackson [00:10:39] And I’d like to personally give a shout out to Dr. Joshua Larabee, who was a Akeelah’s spelling mentor. You know, he provided her with lots of insight. He provided her with lots of words that she could use and she could learn to spell. You know, everybody needs a mentor.
[00:10:57] These people used words to change the world, and they didn’t acquire their vocabulary by rote memorization. Okay.
Panama Jackson [00:11:08] I can’t say necessarily that Akeelah inspired any changes in my life, but what I will say is that Akeelah made me believe, right? Akeelah made me believe that. That we are doing the right thing at the NAACS. That we are actively out here supporting and finding material support, financial support, mental support. Any way that we can support our spellers, you know, seeing her get up there and and get through those final words. You know, it let me know that when we print thousands and thousands of words deep into the night and send them out to to to rap coaches, mentors like Dr. Larabee, that we’re doing it for a reason. And by we, I mean me. Our office is very small.
Kyla Pratt [00:12:00] Impact was cool. I mean, I feel like it motivated like hell kids out there. But if the real winner would have won, I feel like it would have been global instead of just like like in the neighborhood. You know what I’m saying? Like, if the real winner would have won, who was supposed to walk away with the trophy for spelling long stuff. Like, you know what I mean? It would have been something different. Because what’s crazy is that the young lady who officially won, she officially won the spelling bee. You know, she on the Proud Family with us now.
Proud Family: Louder and Prouder [00:12:31] Thanks for standing up for us, Penny. You didn’t have to do that. I didn’t do it by myself, Maya. Thanks to all y’all. I really appreciate it.
Kyla Pratt [00:12:39] We was enemies during the spelling bee. She put out of diss record. I put out a diss record. But, you know, ultimately, we had to let bygones be bygones and come together and be a part of the Proud Family: Louder and Prouder season two. You know what I’m saying? It’s all love. It’s all love.
Damon Young [00:12:55] If you have all those things in place, then you too could be a not loser in a national spelling bee, you know? And also, you need some rhythm which which, you know, I think, you know, unfortunately, I guess, disqualifies little white girls from doing this because, you know, Akeelah was able to do jump rope and that was her way of remembering. And, you know, I apologize. You know what? That I shouldn’t be racist. I shouldn’t, you know, travel with stereotypes. There are a lot of white girls who also have rhythm. Shout out to Gwen Stefani, like, if you try to be half Black or like a quarter Black or like three quarters Black, that’s not going to be it. But Akeelah, I mean, her name was Akeelah. How many Akeelah’s you know, that are spelled like that.
[00:13:41] Akeelah. A.K.E.E.L.A.H.
Damon Young [00:13:47] Right. That’s the only I think that’s the only known spelling of Akeelah that way. With the two Es an L and an A and a H. You know, she had the dope boy brother, the single chain smoking mom, mother, you know, she had Furious Styles as her mentor.
Keke Palmer [00:14:05] I hate to say it. I hope I don’t sound ridiculous. I don’t know who this man is. I mean, he could be walking down the street. I wouldn’t. I wouldn’t know a thing. Sorry to this man.
Damon Young [00:14:14] I mean, this was one of the Blackest young girls who’s ever existed. And she was able to succeed because she entered that space uncompromisingly Black and brought her whole hood with her. And so that, I feel like is the take away from this story is like if you want to succeed in this role as a Black African American, you have to bring the hood with you.
Panama Jackson [00:14:41] What I would like to say to all those future Akeelahs out there is that if you want to be spelling bee champion, you’ve got to be out there spelling. If you want to be the math bee champion, mean you better be out there mathing. You spend your time focusing on what’s most important. Spelling words. Okay. Spell words. There might be a teacher who wants you to do a math problem, but you need to let that teacher know that you are spelling. You’re a speller.
[00:15:07] P. R. E. S. T. I. D. I. G. I.
Panama Jackson [00:15:10] You’re not a master. And that’s okay. Maybe you’re not a science or you’re a speller and you’re going to get all the way to that championship. So dear future Akeelahs out there. You make sure that you spell to your heart’s content all day, every day. You never let anybody take spelling away from you. You don’t stop spelling. You spell. You spell. You spell and spell some more. That’s what I would like to say to all the future spellers out there. You make sure you spell.
[00:15:41] P. U. L. C. H. R. I. T. U. D. E. Pulchritude. Congratulations, Akeelah.
Panama Jackson [00:15:55] Next week on Dear Culture’s Tru’ish Black Stories.
Shamira Ibrahim [00:15:58] No, it’s crazy that you mention this. So as a New Yorker, right? Everyone knows where they were on 9/11. Right. You know, couple of years later. Right. It’s 2003. Everyone hears about this crazy moment in a boxing ring because that’s where dancers duke it out. Right. In boxing rings.
Dr, Christina Greer [00:16:31] I’m political scientist, author and professor Dr. Christina Greer, and I’m host of The Blackest Question on theGrio’s Black Podcast Network. This person invented ranch dressing around 1950. Who are they?
Marc Lamont Hill [00:16:44] I have no idea.
Dr, Christina Greer [00:16:46] This all began as an exclusive Black history trivia party at my home in Harlem with family and friends. And they got so popular it seemed only right to share the fun with our Grio listeners. Each week we invite a familiar face on the podcast to play. What was the name of the person who was an enslaved chief cook for George Washington and later ran away to freedom. In 1868, this university was the first in the country to open a medical school that welcomed medical students of all races, genders and social classes. What university was.
Roy Wood Jr. [00:17:20] This is why I like doing stuff with you, because I leave educated. I was not taught this in Alabama Public Schools.
Dr, Christina Greer [00:17:25] Question three. You ready?
Eboni K. Williams [00:17:27] Yes. I want to redeem myself.
Amanda Seales [00:17:29] How do we go from Kwanzaa to like these obscure.
Dr, Christina Greer [00:17:32] Diaspora darling.
Amanda Seales [00:17:35] This is like the New York Times crossword from a monday to a Saturday.
Dr, Christina Greer [00:17:39] Right or wrong, because all we care about is the journey and having some fun while we do it.
[00:17:44] I’m excited and also a little nervous.
Dr, Christina Greer [00:17:46] Oh, listen. No need to be nervous. And as I tell all of my guests, this is an opportunity for us to educate ourselves because Black history is American history. So we’re just gonna have some fun. Listen, some people get their alibis. Somebody can get five out of five. It doesn’t matter. We’re just going to be on a little intellectual journey together.
Eboni K. Williams [00:18:02] Latoya Cantrell.
Dr, Christina Greer [00:18:04] That’s right. Mayor Latoya Cantrell.
Michael W. Twitty [00:18:07] Hercules Posey.
Dr, Christina Greer [00:18:08] Hmm. Born in 1754, and he was a member of the Mount Vernon slave community. Widely admired for his culinary skills.
[00:18:15] I’m going to guess AfroPunk.
Dr, Christina Greer [00:18:18] Close to Afro Nation. So last year, according to my research, it’s Samuel Wilson, a.k.a. Falcon.
Jason Johnson [00:18:27] Wrong. Wrong, I am, I am disputing this.
Latosha Brown [00:18:31] Very, very, very rare 99.99. And I’m sure that it is Representative John Lewis, who is also from the state of Alabama. Then that you know, Christina, we got some goodness come out of Alabama.
Dr, Christina Greer [00:18:43] There’s something in the water in Alabama. And you are absolutely correct.
Diallo Riddle [00:18:46] The Harder They Come.
Dr, Christina Greer [00:18:46] Close.
Diallo Riddle [00:18:49] Oh, wait. The Harder They Fall?
Dr, Christina Greer [00:18:50] They fall. That’s right. I’m one of those people that just changes one word.
Roy Wood Jr. [00:18:55] I just don’t know nothing today. I’m going to pour myself a little water while you tell me the answer.
Dr, Christina Greer [00:19:00] The answer is Seneca Village, which began in 1825 with the purchase of land by a trustee of the A.M.E. Zion Church.
Roy Wood Jr. [00:19:07] You know why games like this make me nervous? I don’t know if I know enough Black. Do I know? How Black am I? Oh, my Lord. They they don’t. We don’t find out in public.
Dr, Christina Greer [00:19:15] So give us a follow. Subscribe and join us on the Black as questions.
