This week’s answer is: Dawnn Lewis
Lewis starred as Jaleesa Vinson on the show and was a co-writer of the song, but did not sing the tune for any of the seasons. Phoebe Snow sung the opening track in season 1, Aretha Franklin’s version ran from seasons 2-5, and Boyz II Men sang it for season 6. For details on what ended the show’s original run, check out this article. You can also expect a broader quiz on the show in the today’s Capital B Atlanta newsletter. (sign up if you’re not already). As for the Netflix reboot, it’s Brandy who fronts the track.
Last week’s answer: 1975
While the 19th Amendment, ratified in 1920, gave millions of women the right to vote by outlawing discrimination on the basis of sex, other kinds of discrimination and exclusion extended the fight for several decades more. Native Americans and first-generation Asian Americans were denied citizenship until 1924 and 1952, respectively. The Voting Rights Act of 1965 ended racial discrimination at polling places, and a 1975 extension of the same act outlawed discrimination against those who rely heavily on languages other than English.
To learn about the current fight to uphold these rights, check out our coverage here.