Test Your Knowledge: Engaging Black History Trivia Questions

Jun 12, 2025 0

Black Americans have been instrumental to the development of the United States and have played a crucial role in the American labor movement, through new inventions, workplace organization and public service - including serving at the Department of Labor. Test your knowledge with our Black History Month Labor Trivia Challenge.

Did you know only 8% of Americans can name more than 10 Black history icons? Yikes-let’s fix that. Black history isn’t just a chapter in a textbook; it’s a vibrant, living story of resilience, innovation, and triumph. Ready to dive into trivia on black history month games?

Looking to host your next epic trivia night, and need a little help coming up with some questions? Well look no further! Whether it’s for your next Pub Quiz, family-fun night, teambuilding party, or whatever else the occasion, we hope you’ll enjoy these trivia questions.

Alright, let’s wrap this up! Black history is full of amazing stories, and diving into trivia is a fantastic way to learn. With over 150 questions and answers covering everything from civil rights to STEM, you’re all set to create an engaging quiz. Use a tool like TriviaMaker.com to bring it to life and get ready for fun. You’ll be celebrating iconic moments and contributions in no time.

Here are some questions to get you started:

Civil Rights Movement Trivia

Explore trivia black history with engaging trivia questions on black history focusing on Civil Rights Movement icons. Perfect for Black History Month trivia questions, this set highlights key figures and events, offering insightful answers to deepen your knowledge.

Q: Who organized the 1963 March on Washington and delivered the iconic “I Have a Dream” speech?
A: Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
Q: Which lawyer and NAACP litigator successfully argued Brown v. Board of Education before the Supreme Court?
A: Thurgood Marshall.
Q: Which activist and journalist co-founded the Black Panther Party in 1966?
A: Huey P. Newton.
Q: What civil rights leader founded the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC)?
A: Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

Black History Firsts

Test your knowledge with Black History Trivia! From trailblazers to groundbreaking milestones, these questions and answers celebrate historical firsts. Ready to dive in?

Q: Which African American astronaut became the first Black woman to travel to space in 1992 aboard the Space Shuttle Endeavour?
A: Dr. Mae Jemison.
Q: Who secured the first U.S. patent by an African American in 1821 for a dry-cleaning process?
A: Thomas L. Jennings.
Q: Who was the first Black woman elected to Congress?
A: Shirley Anita Chisholm was the first Black woman elected to Congress. She was sworn in on Jan. 3, 1969, after winning her election with the slogan “Unbought and Unbossed.” She went on to serve six terms in the House of Representatives before declining to run for reelection in 1982. Yvonne Brathwaite Burke and Barbara Jordan were also among the first Black women elected to Congress, both sworn into office in 1973.
Q: Who was the first Black Secretary of Labor?
A: Alexis Herman was the first Black secretary of labor, serving under President Bill Clinton from 1997 to 2001. Lisa P. Jackson was the first Black administrator for the Environmental Protection Agency and Patricia Roberts Harris was the first Black secretary of health and human services.

The Department of Labor is committed to improving the well-being of all underserved, marginalized and excluded communities. This work includes investing over $215 million in equitable workforce training in 2022. By advancing the causes of workers that have been historically marginalized, the department will improve working conditions and economic opportunities for all workers.

African Kingdoms and Empires Trivia

Dive into the rich history of African Kingdoms and Empires with these trivia questions! From Mansa Musa’s golden pilgrimage to the Swahili Coast’s bustling trade, uncover the legacies of legendary rulers and civilizations.

Q: Which West African empire (c. 1235-1670) was renowned for its wealth in gold and its legendary ruler, Mansa Musa?
A: The Mali Empire.

Black Inventors and Innovators Trivia

Discover the brilliance of Black inventors and innovators through these trivia questions! From Garrett Morgan’s gas mask to Dr. Patricia Bath’s Laserphaco Probe, their groundbreaking contributions changed the world.

Read also: The Story Behind Cachapas

Q: What NASA engineer invented the Super Soaker water gun, one of the top-selling toys of all time?
A: Lonnie G. Johnson.
Q: Who became the first Black female doctor to patent a medical device in 1986, revolutionizing cataract surgery with her Laserphaco Probe?
A: Dr. Patricia Bath.
Q: Which medical pioneer developed a method to process and store blood plasma, leading to the first large-scale blood banks during WWII?
A: Dr. Charles Drew.
Q: For which of the following products is inventor-businessman Garrett A. Morgan known?
A: The gas mask and three-position traffic signal. Garrett A. Morgan invented an early form of a gas mask in the early twentieth century to protect individuals from smoke inhalation. Army for use in World War I. He also patented the first three-position traffic signal in 1923, using stop, slow and go indicators, before selling the rights to General Electric.

Meet Garrett Morgan the Inventor of 🚦+🤿 | #history #inventions

Harlem Renaissance Trivia

Dive into the vibrant world of the Harlem Renaissance with these trivia questions! From jazz legends like Louis Armstrong to literary giants like Zora Neale Hurston, uncover the brilliance of this cultural explosion.

Q: Which Harlem Renaissance writer penned the iconic poem The Negro Speaks of Rivers and co-founded the Fire!! magazine?
A: Langston Hughes.
Q: Which Harlem Renaissance figure co-founded The Crisis magazine with W.E.B. Du Bois?
A: James Weldon Johnson.

Black History Through Literature

Q: James Baldwin’s essay collection Notes of a Native Son critiques race relations in America.

Black History Through Music

Dive into Black history through music! From Aretha Franklin’s Respect to Kendrick Lamar’s Pulitzer win, these trivia questions celebrate iconic musicians who shaped culture and broke barriers. Let’s groove through history!

Q: What legendary guitarist, known as the “King of the Blues,” influenced rock icons like Jimi Hendrix and Eric Clapton?
A: B.B. King.

Black History Trivia: STEM Trailblazers

Black History Trivia: STEM Trailblazers” highlights groundbreaking Black innovators who shaped science and tech. From Katherine Johnson’s moon math to Dr. Kizzmekia Corbett’s COVID-19 vaccine, their genius changed the world. Who inspires you?

Read also: Techniques of African Jewellery

Q: This mathematician’s calculations for NASA were critical to the success of the 1969 Apollo 11 moon landing. Who is she?
A: Katherine Johnson.
Q: Who developed the first effective treatment for glaucoma in the 1980s and holds patents for laser cataract surgery tools?
A: Dr. Mae Jemison.
Q: Which astrophysicist popularized science through TV shows like Cosmos and became the first Black woman to earn a Ph.D. in astrophysics from Yale?
A: Dr. Mae Jemison.
Q: What inventor and engineer co-founded the National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE) in 1975 to support underrepresented students?
A: Dr. John W. Herrington.
Q: This computer scientist created the first system for encrypting digital communications, laying the groundwork for modern cybersecurity. Who is she?
A: Dr. Gladys West.
Q: Who was the first Black woman to earn a Ph.D. in mathematics (1949) and later helped develop the computer software for NASA’s Apollo missions?
A: Dr. Katherine Johnson.
Q: Which neurosurgeon became the first Black woman to enroll in Yale’s neurosurgery program and later pioneered pediatric brain surgery techniques?
A: Dr. Alexa Canady.
Q: This chemist invented a portable X-ray machine and improved blood storage techniques, saving lives during World War I. Who was he?
A: Dr. Charles Drew.
Q: Who co-discovered the structure of DNA in 1953 but was largely unrecognized until decades later due to racial and gender bias?
A: Dr. Rosalind Franklin.
Q: Which immunologist led the team that developed the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine and advocated for equitable vaccine distribution?
A: Dr. Kizzmekia Corbett.

Black Athletes Trivia

Test your sports knowledge with these Black History trivia questions! From Jesse Owens’ Olympic triumphs to Simone Biles’ gravity-defying feats, celebrate the pioneers who broke barriers and made history. Ready?

Q: This gymnast became the most decorated American gymnast in history, with 32 Olympic and World Championship medals. Who is she?
A: Simone Biles.

Black History Trivia: Wall Street & Economic Empowerment

Black History Trivia: Wall Street & Economic Empowerment” dives into the legacy of Black Wall Street in Tulsa, Oklahoma. From O.W. Gurley’s vision to the 1921 massacre, it highlights resilience, loss, and the fight for justice.

Q: Who was the wealthy Black entrepreneur and landowner often credited as the “founder” of Greenwood?
A: O.W. Gurley.

Black Feminists and Womanists Trivia

Dive into Black History Trivia with a spotlight on Black feminists and womanists! From Alice Walker’s “Womanism” to Tarana Burke’s “Me Too,” these trailblazers reshaped feminism with intersectional brilliance.

Q: Which Black feminist’s essay Ain’t I a Woman?
A: Sojourner Truth.
Q: Which scholar’s book Black Feminist Thought (1990) pioneered the study of Black women’s intellectual traditions and “matrix of domination”?
A: Dr. Patricia Hill Collins.
Q: What scholar’s book Ain’t I a Woman?
A: bell hooks.

Iconic Speeches and Quotes Trivia

Dive into Black history with these trivia questions and answers spotlighting iconic speeches and quotes.

Q: Who delivered the iconic I Have a Dream speech during the 1963 March on Washington, calling for racial equality and justice?
A: Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
Q: What civil rights leader’s 1965 speech How Long, Not Long reassured marchers in Selma, Alabama, that justice would prevail?
A: Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
Q: Which activist’s 1971 speech Ain’t I a Woman?
A: Sojourner Truth.
Q: What leader’s 1963 Letter from Birmingham Jail defended nonviolent resistance and criticized white moderates for delaying justice?
A: Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

Black History: Culture, Media, and Entertainment

Dive into Black history with these trivia gems! From Ebony to Motown Records, Oprah to Viola Davis, celebrate the icons and trailblazers who shaped culture, media, and entertainment.

Q: What magazine, founded in 1945 by John H. Johnson, became a leading source of news, culture, and entertainment for the African American community?
A: Ebony.
Q: What Black-owned newspaper, founded in 1905 by Robert S. Abbott, became one of the most influential voices in the Black community?
A: The Chicago Defender.
Q: Who co-founded Black Entertainment Television (BET) in 1980, creating the first cable network targeting Black audiences?
A: Robert L. Johnson.

Black History Trivia: Military Heroes

Black History Trivia: Military Heroes” highlights trailblazers like Sergeant William Harvey Carney, the Tuskegee Airmen, and Commander Michelle J. Howard. Dive into their inspiring stories of courage, breaking barriers, and making history.

Q: Which Black woman served in the U.S. Army during World War I, serving as a nurse and interpreter?
A: Cpl. Bessie Coleman.
Q: Who was the first African American to become a brigadier general in the U.S. Army (1940)?
A: Brigadier General Benjamin O. Davis Sr.
Q: Which Black soldier, during the Korean War, single-handedly held off an enemy assault, earning the Medal of Honor posthumously?
A: Corporal Cornelius H. Charlton.
Q: Who was the first African American woman to command a U.S. Navy ship (1999)?
A: Commander Michelle J. Howard.
Q: Which Black aviator was the first African American to graduate from the U.S. Naval Academy (1949) and later became a NASA astronaut?
A: Captain Wesley A. Brown.
Q: Which Black soldier, during World War II, was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross for his heroism at the Battle of Anzio?
A: Private First Class John R. Fox.

Black History Month Trivia Questions For Work

This article features 40+ Black History Trivia questions on topics like iconic black figures, including historical figures, ATHLETES, actors, artists, and more!

February is Black History Month, an opportunity to celebrate, honor, and appreciate Black history, culture, and impact in American society. We encourage you to celebrate Black History Month in a way that makes sense for you and your team, in a respectful, tactful, and inclusive way.

Where did Martin Luther King Jr. deliver his famous ‘I Have A Dream’ speech?
Washington, D.C
Who was the first African American and Native American woman to hold a pilot license?
Bessie Coleman
Which of the following is Maya Angelou's first body of work?
I Know Why The Caged Birds Sing
What is the name of Michelle Obama’s debut memoir?
Becoming
Madam C.J Walker is known as the first Black self-made millionaire. What product led to her success?
Hair grower
What state was Barack Obama senator of before his presidency?
Illinois
Soul Train was created and hosted by which TV presenter?
Don Cornelius
Who was the first African American model to be featured on the cover of GQ magazine?
Tyra Banks
Virgil Abloh was best known for being the artistic director of which brand?
Louis Vuitton

Sports Trivia

How many times did Kobre Bryant win the NBA Championship?
5
What was Muhammad Ali’s nickname?
The Greatest
Jesse Owens is considered one of the greatest athletes of his time in which sport?
Track and Field
LeBron James has played for the Cleveland Cavaliers, L. A Lakers and _______.
Miami Heat
Simone Biles is the most decorated sportsperson in which sport?
Gymnastics
What is Tiger Woods’ given name?
Eldrick
In which team did Shaquille O’Neill finish his basketball career?
Boston Celtics
Booker T is regarded as one of the greatest of all times in which sport?
Professional Wrestling

Actors Trivia

Which of the following actresses is an EGOT recipient (Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, Tony)?
Whoopi Goldberg
Who played Uncle Phil in The Fresh Prince Of Bel Air?
James Avery
Who starred as Annalise Keating in How To Get Away With Murder?
Viola Davis
Which sports movie did Michael B. Jordan star in?
Creed
Which of the following is one of Morgan Freeman’s most iconic roles?
The Shawshank Redemption
Which Disney Channel show did Zendaya make her acting debut in?
Shake It Up
Which teen movie did Gabrielle Union get her breakthrough role in?
Bring It On
Who played Coach Carter in the 2005 film?
Samuel L. Jackson
Who played T’Challa in Black Panther?
Chadwick Boseman

Music Trivia

What was Whitney Houston’s greatest-selling hit?
I Will Always Love You
What was Beyoncé’s first solo album called?
Dangerously In Love
Which singer is remembered as the ‘queen of jazz’?
Ella Fitzgerald
Ice Cube was one of the founding members of which hip-hop group?
N.W.A
All Eyez On Me is an album by which notorious rapper?
Tupac Shakur
Truth Hurts was the first major single by which of the following artists?
Lizzo
What is the name of Michael Jackson’s debut solo album?
Off The Wall
Which artist performed Let’s Get It On (1973)?
Marvin Gaye
Which Motown group was Diana Ross a member of?
The Supremes
Which singer headlined the Super Bowl LVII (2023) halftime show?
Rihanna

Additional Trivia Questions

Here are some additional questions to test your knowledge:

Who was the first president to recognize Black History Month?
A: President Gerald Ford in 1976. At the time, President Ford urged Americans to “seize the opportunity to honor the too-often neglected accomplishments of Black Americans in every area of endeavor throughout our history.” This recognition came after years of advocacy by Black activists, most prominently Carter G. Woodson, who first recognized “Negro History Week” in February 1926, choosing the first week to coincide with the birthdays of Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglass. Woodson’s efforts eventually led to the creation of Black History Month.
The 1870 Census was the first to include Black Americans by name and occupation, along with the rest of the population. The Library of Congress notes that in the late nineteenth and early twentieth century, Black Americans had limited work opportunities. Some held skilled positions, and many were employed in agriculture, domestic and service industries.
In 1881, thousands of Black laundry workers organized the “Atlanta Washerwomen Strike.” Which of the following were they not striking for?
A: According to the AFL-CIO, the Atlanta Washerwomen were striking “for higher wages, respect for their work and control over how their work was organized.” Over the course of three weeks, the strike expanded from 20 women to more than 3,000. At a time when women did not even have the right to vote, this union of predominantly Black women was able to achieve meaningful change, and inspire others in Atlanta to do so too.
Black workers constitute about 13% of the labor force.