150+ Black Trivia Questions and Answers to Celebrate Black History (2026)

Black history is more than a handful of famous names. It stretches from ancient African kingdoms to modern Grammy stages, and every stop along the way holds a story worth knowing. These black trivia questions turn that story into something fun you can share at home, school, or work.

Below you’ll find 150 black history trivia questions and answers, sorted into easy warm-ups, deep history, music and movies, science and sports, and a lighter round for game night. Grab a notepad, gather your crew, and see how many you can answer.

Easy Black History Trivia Questions and Answers

These black history trivia questions cover the names and moments most people already know a little about. They’re a great warm-up round before the harder stuff.

Q: Who refused to give up her bus seat in Montgomery, Alabama, in 1955? A: Rosa Parks. Her arrest sparked the 381-day Montgomery Bus Boycott.
Q: Who delivered the “I Have a Dream” speech in 1963? A: Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., at the March on Washington.
Q: Who was the first African American president of the United States? A: Barack Obama, elected in 2008.
Q: What holiday celebrates the end of slavery in the United States? A: Juneteenth, marking June 19, 1865, when freedom reached enslaved people in Texas.
Q: What does NAACP stand for? A: The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, founded in 1909.
Q: Who was the abolitionist known as the “conductor” of the Underground Railroad? A: Harriet Tubman, who guided roughly 70 people to freedom.
Q: Who was the first Black woman elected to the U.S. Congress? A: Shirley Chisholm, in 1968.
Q: Which African American holiday, starting December 26, celebrates family and heritage? A: Kwanzaa.
Q: Who wrote the memoir “I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings”? A: Maya Angelou.
Q: Who broke Major League Baseball’s color barrier in 1947? A: Jackie Robinson.
Q: Which historically Black university did Vice President Kamala Harris attend? A: Howard University.
Q: Who founded what became Black History Month, originally called Negro History Week? A: Historian Carter G. Woodson, in 1926.
Q: Who was the first Black justice on the U.S. Supreme Court? A: Thurgood Marshall, appointed in 1967.
Q: Who delivered the “Ain’t I a Woman?” speech in 1851? A: Sojourner Truth.
Q: What 1954 Supreme Court case ended segregation in public schools? A: Brown v. Board of Education.
Q: Who was the first Black woman to travel to space? A: Dr. Mae Jemison, aboard the Space Shuttle Endeavour in 1992.
Q: Who became the first Black U.S. Vice President? A: Kamala Harris, sworn in 2021.
Q: What New York City borough is considered the birthplace of hip-hop? A: The Bronx.
Q: Who built a hair-care empire that made her America’s first self-made female millionaire? A: Madam C.J. Walker.
Q: Which 1964 law banned discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, and national origin? A: The Civil Rights Act of 1964.

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Black Trivia Questions and Answers: Civil Rights, Historical Firsts and African Kingdoms

This round of black history trivia questions and answers digs deeper, into the civil rights movement, groundbreaking firsts, and the African kingdoms that most trivia nights skip entirely. Understanding those older empires gives real context to everything that came after, from Ghana’s gold trade to Mali’s golden age under Mansa Musa.

Q: Which civil rights leader founded the Southern Christian Leadership Conference? A: Martin Luther King Jr.
Q: Who co-founded the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee and later served in Congress for over 30 years? A: John Lewis.
Q: Which activist popularized the phrase “by any means necessary”? A: Malcolm X.
Q: Whose murder in Mississippi in 1955 helped ignite the civil rights movement? A: Emmett Till, a 14-year-old boy.
Q: Who was one of the first Black students to integrate Little Rock Central High School in 1957? A: Elizabeth Eckford, part of the group known as the Little Rock Nine.
Q: What organization did Huey Newton and Bobby Seale found in 1966? A: The Black Panther Party.
Q: Who became the first Black astronaut to travel to space, in 1983? A: Guion Bluford.
Q: Which West African king’s 1324 pilgrimage to Mecca was so lavish it disrupted Egypt’s gold economy? A: Mansa Musa, ruler of the Mali Empire, often called history’s richest person.
Q: What ancient West African empire controlled trans-Saharan trade and earned the nickname “Land of Gold”? A: The Ghana Empire.
Q: Which empire turned Timbuktu into a center of learning during the 15th and 16th centuries? A: The Songhai Empire.
Q: What present-day country was home to the ancient Kingdom of Aksum? A: Ethiopia.
Q: The Great Zimbabwe ruins, famous for their stone architecture, were the capital of which kingdom? A: The Kingdom of Zimbabwe.
Q: Which 16th-century warrior queen ruled the Hausa city-state of Zazzau? A: Queen Amina.
Q: What pre-colonial kingdom in modern-day Nigeria is famous for the intricate Benin Bronzes? A: The Kingdom of Benin.
Q: What nickname was given to Greenwood, Tulsa’s thriving Black business district in the early 1900s? A: Black Wall Street.
Q: What tragic event destroyed Tulsa’s Greenwood district in 1921? A: The Tulsa Race Massacre.
Q: Who is often credited as the founder of Greenwood, Tulsa’s Black business hub? A: O.W. Gurley.
Q: Who wrote, “If there is no struggle, there is no progress”? A: Frederick Douglass, in an 1857 speech on abolition.
Q: What 1963 letter did Martin Luther King Jr. write from jail, defending nonviolent protest? A: “Letter from Birmingham Jail.”
Q: What name was given to the violent 1965 march from Selma to Montgomery? A: Bloody Sunday.
Q: Which 1831 uprising in Virginia was led by an enslaved preacher? A: Nat Turner’s Rebellion.
Q: What 1791 uprising led to Haiti becoming the first Black republic in 1804? A: The Haitian Revolution.
Q: What movement, sparked by the death of George Floyd in 2020, renewed national calls for police reform? A: Black Lives Matter.
Q: Who coined the term “womanism” in her 1983 essay collection? A: Author Alice Walker.
Q: Which scholar’s 1990 book pioneered the study of Black feminist thought? A: Patricia Hill Collins.
Q: Who created the phrase “Me Too” in 2006 to support survivors of sexual violence? A: Tarana Burke.
Q: Which poet and essayist wrote “The Master’s Tools Will Never Dismantle the Master’s House”? A: Audre Lorde.
Q: Who was the first African American woman to earn a commercial pilot’s license, in 1921? A: Bessie Coleman, who trained in France after U.S. schools turned her away.
Q: What group of Black pilots trained during World War II became legendary for their skill in combat? A: The Tuskegee Airmen.
Q: Who became the first African American to reach the rank of general in the U.S. Army, in 1940? A: Benjamin O. Davis Sr.
Q: What all-Black cavalry unit, formed in 1866, earned the nickname “Buffalo Soldiers”? A: The 10th Cavalry Regiment.
Q: Who became the first Black woman to command a U.S. Navy ship, in 1999? A: Commander Michelle J. Howard.
Q: What amendment to the U.S. Constitution formally abolished slavery? A: The 13th Amendment, ratified in 1865.
Q: Who founded the Tuskegee Institute in Alabama in 1881? A: Booker T. Washington.
Q: Which activist collective’s 1977 statement helped introduce the idea of intersectional liberation? A: The Combahee River Collective.

Black Trivia Questions and Answers: Music, Movies and Pop Culture

Black artists have shaped nearly every corner of American entertainment. These black trivia questions and answers cover the music legends, film pioneers, and pop-culture firsts that changed the industry for good.

Q: Known as the “Queen of Soul,” who recorded the 1967 hit “Respect”? A: Aretha Franklin.
Q: Which record label, founded by Berry Gordy in Detroit in 1959, launched Motown’s signature sound? A: Motown Records.
Q: Who is widely credited with throwing the 1973 Bronx party that helped birth hip-hop? A: DJ Kool Herc.
Q: Which guitarist earned the nickname “King of the Blues”? A: B.B. King.
Q: Who became the first hip-hop artist to win the Pulitzer Prize for Music, in 2018? A: Kendrick Lamar, for his album DAMN.
Q: Known as the “Godfather of Soul,” which performer helped popularize funk music? A: James Brown.
Q: Whose 1971 album “What’s Going On” addressed police brutality and the environment? A: Marvin Gaye.
Q: Who holds the record for the most Grammy Awards won by any artist? A: Beyoncé.
Q: Which bandleader made jazz standards famous while performing at Harlem’s Cotton Club? A: Duke Ellington.
Q: Who became the first Black woman to headline the Coachella music festival, in 2018? A: Beyoncé.
Q: Who was the first African American to win the Academy Award for Best Actor? A: Sidney Poitier, for “Lilies of the Field” in 1964.
Q: Who was the first Black performer to win any Academy Award, back in 1940? A: Hattie McDaniel.
Q: Which actress became the first Black woman to win the Oscar for Best Actress? A: Halle Berry, for “Monster’s Ball.”
Q: Who directed the 2018 film “Black Panther”? A: Ryan Coogler.
Q: What rare, fictional metal powers the nation of Wakanda in “Black Panther”? A: Vibranium.
Q: Which comedian played Prince Akeem in “Coming to America”? A: Eddie Murphy.
Q: What 1990s sitcom starred Will Smith as a fictionalized version of himself? A: “The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air.”
Q: Who played Uncle Phil on “The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air”? A: James Avery.
Q: Who directed the 1989 film “Do the Right Thing,” which explored race and police brutality? A: Spike Lee.
Q: Which filmmaker became the first Black woman to direct a film that earned over $100 million at the box office? A: Ava DuVernay, for “A Wrinkle in Time.”
Q: Who won an Emmy for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series for “How to Get Away with Murder”? A: Viola Davis.
Q: Which magazine, founded in 1945, became a cornerstone of Black culture and entertainment coverage? A: Ebony.
Q: Who co-founded Black Entertainment Television (BET) in 1980? A: Robert L. Johnson.
Q: Which filmmaker built a major production company and is known for playing the character Madea? A: Tyler Perry.
Q: Who became the first Black woman to host a nationally syndicated daytime talk show? A: Oprah Winfrey.
Q: Which poet became the youngest inaugural poet in U.S. history at President Biden’s 2021 inauguration? A: Amanda Gorman.
Q: Which designer became the first Black artistic director of Louis Vuitton’s menswear line? A: Virgil Abloh.
Q: Which Toni Morrison novel, inspired by a true story, won the Pulitzer Prize in 1988? A: “Beloved.”
Q: Who became the first Black author to win the Nobel Prize in Literature, in 1993? A: Toni Morrison.
Q: What Disney film introduced Disney’s first Black princess? A: “The Princess and the Frog.”

Black Trivia Questions and Answers: Inventors, Scientists and Sports Legends

Innovation and athletics are packed with Black trivia questions most people never learn in school. This round covers the inventors who changed daily life and the athletes who broke barriers on the field, court, and track.

Q: Who invented the modern gas mask and an improved traffic signal in the early 1900s? A: Garrett Morgan.
Q: Which agricultural scientist developed hundreds of products from peanuts to help Southern farmers? A: George Washington Carver.
Q: Who patented the Laserphaco Probe, changing cataract surgery forever? A: Dr. Patricia Bath.
Q: Which inventor co-created the first home security system in 1966? A: Marie Van Brittan Brown.
Q: Who invented the Super Soaker water gun while working as a NASA engineer? A: Lonnie G. Johnson.
Q: Which inventor developed portable refrigeration technology for trucks in 1940? A: Frederick McKinley Jones.
Q: Who developed a method for processing and storing blood plasma, a breakthrough that shaped modern blood banks? A: Dr. Charles Drew.
Q: Whose calculations for NASA helped ensure the success of the 1969 Apollo 11 moon landing? A: Katherine Johnson.
Q: Which mathematician’s work supporting GPS technology went largely unrecognized for years? A: Gladys West.
Q: Who led the scientific team that developed the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine? A: Dr. Kizzmekia Corbett.
Q: Who was the first Black woman to earn a Ph.D. in mathematics, in 1949? A: Dr. Evelyn Boyd Granville.
Q: Which inventor improved the electric lightbulb by creating a longer-lasting carbon filament? A: Lewis Latimer.
Q: Who broke Major League Baseball’s color barrier with the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1947? A: Jackie Robinson.
Q: What jersey number, worn by Jackie Robinson, is retired across all of Major League Baseball? A: Number 42.
Q: Who won four gold medals at the 1936 Berlin Olympics, directly challenging Nazi ideas of racial supremacy? A: Jesse Owens.
Q: Which boxer changed his name after joining the Nation of Islam in 1964? A: Muhammad Ali, born Cassius Clay.
Q: What was Muhammad Ali’s famous nickname? A: “The Greatest.”
Q: Who broke the color barrier in tennis at the U.S. National Championships in 1950? A: Althea Gibson.
Q: How many Grand Slam singles titles has Serena Williams won? A: 23 — the most of any player in the Open Era.
Q: Who became the first Black player in the National Hockey League, in 1958? A: Willie O’Ree.
Q: Who was the first Black quarterback to win a Super Bowl, earning MVP honors in 1988? A: Doug Williams.
Q: Which gymnast is the most decorated American gymnast in history? A: Simone Biles.
Q: Who currently holds the 100-meter world record of 9.58 seconds? A: Usain Bolt.
Q: Which sprinter earned the nickname “Flo-Jo” after setting world records at the 1988 Olympics? A: Florence Griffith Joyner.
Q: Who was the first Black woman to win an Olympic gold medal, in the 1948 high jump? A: Alice Coachman.
Q: Which boxer became the first Black heavyweight champion of the world, in 1908? A: Jack Johnson.
Q: Who co-founded the Negro National League in 1920, giving Black players opportunities during segregation? A: Rube Foster.
Q: Which basketball star has played for the Cavaliers, Lakers, and Heat over his career? A: LeBron James.
Q: Which professional wrestler, known simply as “Booker T,” is considered one of the greatest in his sport? A: Booker T.
Q: Which athlete became a five-time NBA champion with the Los Angeles Lakers? A: Kobe Bryant.

Fun Black Trivia Questions and Answers (Plus the Best Black Trivia Games)

Not every round needs to be serious. This final set of black trivia questions and answers leans into pop culture and comedy, the kind of questions perfect for a lively game night. We’ve also included a quick look at the best Black trivia games to play once the questions run out.

Q: In the movie “Friday,” what dismissive phrase does Ice Cube’s character say to a neighbor? A: “Bye, Felicia.”
Q: What was Steve Urkel’s catchphrase on the sitcom “Family Matters”? A: “Did I do that?”
Q: The Carlton Dance from “The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air” is performed to which song? A: Tom Jones’s “It’s Not Unusual.”
Q: According to the theme song, where was the Fresh Prince “born and raised”? A: West Philadelphia.
Q: In “Coming to America,” what fictional African kingdom does Prince Akeem come from? A: Zamunda.
Q: What is the name of the fast-food restaurant Akeem works at in “Coming to America”? A: McDowell’s.
Q: Which comedian mistakenly announced the wrong winner at the 2015 Miss Universe pageant? A: Steve Harvey.
Q: Which Lil Nas X song spent a record 19 weeks at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100? A: “Old Town Road.”
Q: Which rapper co-hosted a popular cooking show alongside Martha Stewart? A: Snoop Dogg.
Q: In “Coming to America,” what does McDowell’s owner claim makes his burger different from the Big Mac? A: He calls his version the “Big Mick,” insisting the recipe is entirely his own.
Q: Which sitcom character made the phrase “What’chu talkin’ ’bout, Willis?” famous? A: Arnold Jackson, from “Diff’rent Strokes.”
Q: What classic party game challenges players to give clues without saying certain “forbidden” words? A: Taboo.
Q: What is the “Black Taboo” game? A: It’s a culturally themed spin on the classic Taboo party game, swapping the standard word list for terms tied to Black music, slang, food, and history — making it a favorite for Black trivia game nights.
Q: Which classic card game, sometimes called “the thinking man’s card game” and a staple at Black family gatherings, is played in teams of four? A: Spades.
Q: What tile-based game, popular at cookouts and family reunions, is often played loudly and competitively? A: Dominoes.
Q: What trivia card game tests players on Black culture, history, and slang, and is sometimes used to settle playful “culture” debates? A: Black Card Revoked, a party trivia game built around Black pop culture.
Q: What simple, fast-paced card game is a common pick for mixed-age family game nights? A: Uno.
Q: What iconic dance formation became a cultural phenomenon after airing weekly on “Soul Train”? A: The Soul Train Line.
Q: Who created and hosted the music and dance show “Soul Train”? A: Don Cornelius.
Q: What was the name of Michael Jackson’s debut solo album? A: “Off the Wall.”
Q: Which artist’s first solo album was titled “Dangerously in Love”? A: Beyoncé.
Q: Which 1990s rapper’s double album “All Eyez on Me” became one of hip-hop’s best-selling records? A: Tupac Shakur.
Q: Which hip-hop group did Ice Cube help found before going solo? A: N.W.A.
Q: Which jazz vocalist, nicknamed “Lady Day,” is remembered for her haunting protest song “Strange Fruit”? A: Billie Holiday.
Q: Which artist headlined the Super Bowl LVII halftime show in 2023? A: Rihanna.
Q: What online community, known for its humor and cultural commentary, is often credited with shaping modern internet slang? A: Black Twitter.
Q: What baked dish is a beloved staple at most Black family cookouts and holiday tables? A: Macaroni and cheese.
Q: What weekly tradition in many Black households follows church with a big home-cooked meal? A: Sunday dinner.
Q: Which R&B trio, formed in Houston, became one of the best-selling girl groups with hits like “Say My Name”? A: Destiny’s Child.
Q: Which HBO stand-up series, launched in 1992, helped launch the careers of many Black comedians? A: Def Comedy Jam.
Q: Who was the original host of “Def Comedy Jam”? A: Martin Lawrence.
Q: What matching-style party game challenges players to guess pop culture terms tied to Black culture? A: Culture Tags, a popular pick for Black trivia game nights.
Q: What game-night format, styled after a TV game show, works well for Black History Month trivia at schools and offices? A: A Jeopardy-style trivia round, where categories replace straight lists of questions.
Q: What leafy green vegetable, often simmered with smoked meat, is a Southern soul food staple? A: Collard greens.
Q: What annual celebration, centered on family, community, and culture, was created by Maulana Karenga in 1966? A: Kwanzaa.

FAQs

What are some black history trivia questions?

Black history trivia questions usually cover major figures and moments, people like Rosa Parks, Martin Luther King Jr., and Harriet Tubman, along with milestones like the Civil Rights Act and Juneteenth. Good sets also reach beyond the most familiar names, mixing in African kingdoms, inventors, and modern firsts so every player learns something new.

What are 10 good trivia questions?

A strong 10-question round mixes difficulty and topic. Try questions 1, 3, 10, 15, 28, 60, 88, 100, 128, and 150 from this list, they cover history, science, sports, and pop culture in one short round.

What are 20 trivia questions?

For a full 20-question round, use the entire “Easy Black History Trivia Questions and Answers” section above. It’s built to warm up any group before moving into harder topics.

What are some good Black trivia games?

Popular choices include Spades, Dominoes, Uno, Black Card Revoked, and Culture Tags. Each works well for a mixed group, and most can be picked up in a few minutes.

What is the Black Taboo game?

It’s a themed version of the classic Taboo party game. Instead of the standard word list, players describe terms tied to Black culture, music, and history, while avoiding a set of “forbidden” clue words. It’s a favorite at Black History Month parties and family game nights.

Conclusion

Black history covers ancient kingdoms, civil rights battles, chart-topping music, and quiet acts of everyday courage, often all at once. These 150 black trivia questions and answers only scratch the surface, but they’re a solid starting point for any classroom, family gathering, or office celebration. Keep the questions coming, and keep the conversation going long after Black History Month ends.

William Vicky

William Vicky is the lead writer and trivia curator at Trivia Questioners, with a passion for uncovering fascinating facts across history, science, pop culture, and general knowledge. He loves crafting questions that challenge and delight readers of all ages.