39 Great Trivia Questions and Answers for Black History Month in 2024 (2024)

Celebrating Black History Month is more than just a DEI box to check; it’s an opportunity for growth, understanding, and unity–with a morale boost for your Black employees as well! Teaching Black History in your virtual diversity training programs provides a platform for dialogue, education, and reflection, allowing team members to engage in meaningful discussions, challenge unconscious biases, and deepen their appreciation for their teammates. It’s a commitment to continuous learning and an affirmation of the vital role that Black history and culture play in shaping the modern business landscape.

Throughout the tumultuous 1950s and 60s, courageous Black leaders demanded equality, justice, and an end to racial segregation. Their efforts defined a period in U.S. history that forever altered the country’s social fabric. Carrying on their legacytoday remains more vital than ever- so let’s get into it with some civil rights trivia!

1. Which U.S. Supreme Court decision in 1954 declared that racial segregation in public schools was unconstitutional?

– A. Plessy v. Ferguson

– B. Marbury v. Madison

– C. Brown v. Board of Education

– D. Dred Scott v. Sandford

2. What historic event did Rosa Parks’ refusal to give up her bus seat in Montgomery, Alabama, lead to?

– A. March on Washington

– B. Montgomery Bus Boycott

– C. Birmingham Campaign

– D. Voting Rights Act of 1965

3. Who delivered the iconic “I Have a Dream” speech during the March on Washington in 1963?

– A. Malcolm X

– B. Marcus Garvey

– C. James Baldwin

– D. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

4. What was the purpose of the Freedom Rides in 1961?

– A. Voting rights

– B. To challenge segregation on interstate buses

– C. Economic justice

– D. School desegregation

5. Who was the first African-American child to desegregate an all-white elementary school in the South?

– A. Rosa Parks

– B. Coretta Scott King

– C. Ruby Bridges

– D. Daisy Bates

6. Which Civil Rights activist was famously assassinated in 1965 and was known for his phrase, “By any means necessary”?

– A. Martin Luther King Jr.

– B. Malcolm X

– C. Medgar Evers

– D. Stokely Carmichael

7. Which historical site in Alabama became a pivotal battle ground during the Civil Rights Movement and was the starting point for three marches in 1965?

– A. Selma

– B. Montgomery

– C. Birmingham

– D. Mobile

From the soulful melodies of the ’60s to the groundbreaking hip-hop of today, Black musicians have continuously paved the way for innovation in the music industry. These artists, with their distinct voices and unmatched talents, have not only dominated the charts but have also made indelible marks on culture worldwide. To make this section extra fun, have songs ready to play when you deliver the correct answer!

1. Question: Who is the “Queen of Soul” known for hits like “Respect” and “(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman”?

– A. Diana Ross

– B. Patti LaBelle

– C. Aretha Franklin

– D. Tina Turner

4. Who is known as the “Queen of Jazz” and was celebrated for songs like “Summertime” and “Dream a Little Dream of Me”?

– A. Ella Fitzgerald

– B. Billie Holiday

– C. Diana Ross

– D. Aretha Franklin

3. Question: Which musician won the Pulitzer Prize for Music in 2018 for his album “DAMN.”?

– A. Nas

– B. J. Cole

– C. Kendrick Lamar

– D. Travis Scott

4. Question: Who is known as the “Godfather of Soul”?

– A. James Brown

– B. Stevie Wonder

– C. Ray Charles

– D. Marvin Gaye

5. Question: Which iconic artist released the album “Purple Rain” in 1984?

– A. Michael Jackson

– B. Lionel Richie

– C. Prince

– D. George Clinton

The storytelling prowess of Black filmmakers has enriched the world of cinema with its unique narratives. often challenging societal norms and highlighting the Black experience. Their films range from heart-wrenching dramas to thought-provoking commentaries, leaving audiences both entertained and enlightened.You’ve probably had your world changed by some of the spectacular Black moviemakers below. Ready for Black Cinema Trivia? Let’s go!

1. Which film director is known for works like “Do the Right Thing” and “Malcolm X”?

– A. Jordan Peele

– B. Spike Lee

– C. John Singleton

– D. Ava DuVernay

2. Question: Which director is known for his collaborations with actor Daniel Kaluuya in films like “Get Out” and “Us”?

– A. Steve McQueen

– B. Jordan Peele

– C. Ryan Coogler

– D. Ava DuVernay

3. Question: Who directed the powerful biographical film “Selma,” centered on the 1965 Selma to Montgomery voting rights marches?

– A. Shaka King

– B. Ava DuVernay

– C. Regina King

– D. Barry Jenkins

4. Question: Which filmmaker helmed the groundbreaking superhero film “Black Panther”?

– A. Antoine Fuqua

– B. Ryan Coogler

– C. F. Gary Gray

– D. Boots Riley

The stage and screen have been graced by Black actors and actresses whose performances resonate deeply with audiences. Through a diverse array of roles, these talented individuals have showcased their versatility, breaking barriers and earning their places among the most revered names in entertainment. Let’s look at some Black Hollywood Trivia!

1. Question: Who is the first Black actress to win the Academy Award for Best Actress for her role in “Monster’s Ball”?

– A. Viola Davis

– B. Halle Berry

– C. Angela Bassett

– D. Octavia Spencer

2. Question: Which actor starred as the titular character in the film “Malcolm X”?

– A. Morgan Freeman

– B. Denzel Washington

– C. Will Smith

– D. Laurence Fishburne

3. Question: Who played the role of T’Challa, the Black Panther, in the Marvel Cinematic Universe?

– A. Michael B. Jordan

– B. Chadwick Boseman

– C. Idris Elba

– D. Anthony Mackie

4. Who became the first African-American to win the Academy Award for Best Actor in 1964?

– A. Denzel Washington

– B. Sidney Poitier

– C. James Earl Jones

– D. Morgan Freeman

Literature has always been a powerful medium for advocacy, representation, and change. Throughout history, Black authors have wielded their pens to narrate stories of struggle, triumph, identity, and resilience. Their books, spanning genres and eras, offer profound insights into the Black experience in America and beyond. There’s nothing trivial about it, but let’s do some Black Books and Authors Trivia anyway!

1. Who wrote the seminal work “Their Eyes Were Watching God”?

– A. Alice Walker

– B. Toni Morrison

– C. Zora Neale Hurston

– D. Maya Angelou

2. Who is the acclaimed poet behind “The Weary Blues” and was a leading figure of the Harlem Renaissance?

– A. Maya Angelou

– B. Langston Hughes

– C. Gwendolyn Brooks

– D. Nikki Giovanni

3. Who became the first African-American to win the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1993?

– A. Toni Morrison

– B. Alice Walker

– C. James Baldwin

– D. Ralph Ellison

4. “The Color Purple”, a novel which won the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction, was written by?

– A. Alice Walker

– B. Toni Morrison

– C. Zora Neale Hurston

– D. Maya Angelou

5. Who authored “Go Tell It on the Mountain”, a semi-autobiographical novel about a teenager’s struggles with his stepfather and the church in Harlem?

– A. August Wilson

– B. James Baldwin

– C. Richard Wright

– D. Ralph Ellison

6. Who is known for her autobiographical work “I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings”, which describes her life up to the age of 17?

– A. Zora Neale Hurston

– B. Lorraine Hansberry

– C. Maya Angelou

– D. Toni Morrison

7. The novel “Invisible Man”, which addresses issues of individuality, freedom, and identity, was penned by?

– A. James Baldwin

– B. Langston Hughes

– C. Richard Wright

– D. Ralph Ellison

From Jackie Robinson’s pivotal first game in Major League Baseball to the iconic raised fists of Tommie Smith and John Carlos at the 1968 Olympics, Black athletes have continuously shattered barriers in the sports world. Their athletic prowess has left an indelible mark on the history of sports.

1. Who was the first African-American to play Major League Baseball, breaking the color barrier in 1947?

– A. Jackie Robinson

– B. Satchel Paige

– C. Larry Doby

– D. Hank Aaron

2. Which African-American tennis player won three Grand Slam titles and later became a prominent advocate for civil rights and social justice?

– A. Arthur Ashe

– B. Serena Williams

– C. Althea Gibson

– D. Venus Williams

3. Which boxer, known as “The Greatest”, became famous not only for his sporting prowess but also his activism and philanthropy?

– A. Joe Frazier

– B. Sonny Liston

– C. George Foreman

– D. Muhammad Ali

4. Which African-American athlete won four gold medals in the 1936 Berlin Olympics, challenging Hitler’s Aryan supremacy beliefs?

– A. Jesse Owens

– B. Carl Lewis

– C. Bob Beamon

– D. Ralph Metcalfe

5. Who was the first African-American NBA player?

– A. Michael Jordan

– B. Earl Lloyd

– C. Wilt Chamberlain

– D. Bill Russell

6. Which NFL player took a knee during the national anthem to protest racial inequality and police violence, sparking a national conversation?

– A. Colin Kaepernick

– B. Russell Wilson

– C. Marshawn Lynch

– D. Malcolm Jenkins

7. Which African-American female gymnast won four gold medals at the 2016 Rio Olympics?

– A. Aly Raisman

– B. Simone Biles

– C. Gabby Douglas

– D. Laurie Hernandez

Words can inspire, incite, and initiate change. Throughout history, Black leaders, thinkers, and activists have used their oratory skills to challenge the status quo, advocate for rights, and paint visions of a more equitable future. Their speeches and quotes remain timeless, reverberating through the ages as beacons of hope and perseverance.

1. Who famously said, “I have learned over the years that when one’s mind is made up, this diminishes fear”?

– A. Nelson Mandela

– B. Rosa Parks

– C. Maya Angelou

– D. James Baldwin

2. Which leader delivered the iconic “I Have a Dream” speech during the March on Washington in 1963?

– A. Malcolm X

– B. Martin Luther King Jr.

– C. W.E.B. Du Bois

– D. Frederick Douglass

3. Whose words are these? “The cost of liberty is less than the price of repression.”

– A. Harriet Tubman

– B. Sojourner Truth

– C. W.E.B. Du Bois

– D. Booker T. Washington

4. The “Ain’t I a Woman?” speech was delivered by which prominent abolitionist and women’s rights activist?

– A. Harriet Tubman

– B. Sojourner Truth

– C. Fannie Lou Hamer

– D. Ida B. Wells

5. From whom is this quote? “I am not free while any woman is unfree, even when her shackles are very different from my own.”

– A. Michelle Obama

– B. Assata Shakur

– C. Audre Lorde

– D. bell hooks

We hope you’re able to make good use of these trivia questions during your remote team’s virtual Black History Month celebrations! If you want to go the extra mile, diversifying your organization’s vendors shows that you are extending your DEI efforts beyond the workplace and out into the real world.

One great way to make your virtual meetings more fun is by catering them! withAda.co has a vast selection of virtual cooking and catering experiences that will bring your Black History Month (and your virtual team building activities throughout the year) to life.