Jeanne Sparrow

Jeanne Sparrow

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Black People Magic: Spelling Bee Champ is also a Basketball Phenom!

It’s Akeelah and the Bee come to real life… plus basketball! After 93 editions of the Scripps National Spelling Bee, the first black American girl has won the contest!

Her name is Zaila Avant-Garde and she’s from New Orleans Louisiana… she’s 14 years old and said that it felt really good to win after working on her spelling skills for 2 years.

The word she won with was “murraya” which is a type of tree, but she associated it with actor, comedian and Chicago native Bill Murray. There's another Chicago connections… Chicago actress and host KeKe Palmer, star of "Akeelah & The Bee" also shouted Zaila out as the real-life Akeelah when she won.

But spelling isn't Zaila’s only talent... musician Flea of the Red Hot Chili Peppers posted a video (watch it below) of her amazing ball-handling skills. I know we haven't seen the last of what young Miss Avant-Garde can do... she's living up to her last name already!

& Remember to always celebrate your magic! xo


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