In this segment from Black Is America, host Dominic Lawson brings us to the starting line of three iconic races—three Black women in three different eras, each running not just against the clock but against the world's expectations.

Wilma Rudolph, who as a child was told she'd never walk again, shatters barriers at the 1960 Rome Olympics, becoming the fastest woman on the planet. Florence "Flo Jo" Griffith-Joyner stuns everyone with an unthinkable 10.49 seconds at the 1988 Olympic trials, setting a world record still untouched today. And in a race for redemption, Sha'Carri Richardson storms back at the 2023 World Championships in Budapest, silencing every doubt.

Together, their stories weave a single, undeniable truth: Black women have always run toward greatness—even when the world told them to slow down.

On January 31st, 1988, under the bright lights of San Diego's Jack Murphy Stadium, Doug "Uncle Dougie" Williams made history as the first Black quarterback to start in a Super Bowl. Across from him stood NFL golden boy John Elway—and a chorus of doubts that had shadowed Black quarterbacks for decades.

The game couldn't have started worse: a 56-yard touchdown on Denver's first play, a 10–0 deficit by the end of the first quarter, and a painful knee injury that sent Williams to the sideline. But what followed wasn't just a comeback—it was a seismic statement.

In this episode, we relive:

• The relentless pressure of carrying history into the Super Bowl spotlight.

• The personal battles Williams overcame before even stepping onto the field.

• How one quarter of football—four touchdowns, a Super Bowl record—shattered stereotypes about Black quarterbacks.

• The enduring message his performance sent to the game, the league, and the culture.

Doug Williams didn't just play in Super Bowl XXII—he owned it. And in doing so, he answered every doubt with the kind of dominance you can't ignore.