Thank you to everyone who attended Trivia Night last night. Having a night dedicated to Black History—and the serious, inspiring, and sometimes troubling topics it brings—was a daunting task. I learned so much while preparing the questions and, to be honest, felt inadequate as the MC for the evening.
I used to think that “being colorblind” was a good thing, but the truth is, awareness matters. Understanding history, recognizing challenges, and keeping them in mind is an important part of truly seeing and appreciating people for who they are.
As Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. said, “The function of education is to teach one to think intensively and to think critically. Intelligence plus character—that is the goal of true education.”
Thank you all for being part of an evening that encouraged thought, learning, and conversation. I hope we can continue these discussions beyond trivia night.
Black History Month Trivia Night
1. Black Inventors & Innovators
2. The Harlem Renaissance & Black Literature
3. Black Culinary Traditions & Coffee Culture
4. Black Influence on Pop Culture & Music
5. Richmond’s Black History
1. Black Inventors & Innovators
1. Who invented the first automatic traffic signal system? A) Elijah McCoy B) Lewis Latimer C) Garrett Morgan D) Frederick McKinley Jones (Answer: C) Garrett Morgan Garrett Morgan patented the three-position traffic signal in 1923, introducing a “warning” phase between stop and go, which significantly improved traffic safety. He also invented a safety hood that became an early gas mask, saving lives in fires and toxic environments. As a Black man in the early 20th century, Morgan often struggled to gain recognition for his inventions. He sometimes hired white intermediaries to demonstrate his devices since racial bias often led to his work being dismissed.
2. What Black female inventor co-created the first home security system with closed-circuit television? A) Alice Parker B) Marie Van Brittan Brown C) Patricia Bath D) Bessie Blount Griffin (Answer: B) Marie Van Brittan Brown Marie Van Brittan Brown and her husband patented the first home security system in 1969, incorporating cameras, peepholes, and an intercom. Her invention laid the groundwork for modern home security technology, which is widely used today. As a Black woman in the 1960s, Brown was often overlooked in the technology field.
Despite this, her work addressed safety concerns in her own community, where law enforcement response times were slow.
3. Which Black scientist developed over 300 products from peanuts but did not invent peanut butter? A) Granville Woods B) Percy Julian C) George Washington Carver D) Charles Drew (Answer: C) George Washington Carver George Washington Carver created hundreds of peanut-based products, including dyes, plastics, and fuel, though he did not invent peanut butter. His agricultural research helped improve farming techniques for poor Southern farmers. Born into slavery, Carver overcame immense obstacles to gain an education. He faced racial barriers in academia but eventually became a celebrated scientist and advocate for sustainable agriculture.
4. Who was the first Black woman to receive a U.S. patent for her invention of a heating and ironing board improvement? A) Sarah Boone B) Madam C.J. Walker C) Marjorie Joyner D) Marie Van Brittan Brown (Answer: A) Sarah Boone Sarah Boone improved the design of the ironing board in 1892, making it narrower and curved to better iron women’s garments. This design remains the basis for modern ironing boards. As a Black woman in the late 19th century, Boone had few opportunities for formal education, yet she still secured a patent—an incredible achievement given the systemic barriers against Black inventors at the time.
5. Which Black engineer co-invented the IBM personal computer and developed color PC monitors? A) Mark Dean B) James West C) Roy Clay D) Lonnie Johnson (Answer: A) Mark Dean Mark Dean led the development of the IBM personal computer and co-invented the ISA bus, which allows multiple devices like printers and keyboards to connect to a PC. He also played a key role in creating color monitors. Despite his groundbreaking contributions, Dean faced discrimination in the tech industry. His work was sometimes overshadowed, and he had to continually prove himself in an industry that lacked diversity.
2. The Harlem Renaissance & Black Literature
1. Which poet wrote the famous poem “The Negro Speaks of Rivers” at just 17 years old? A) Zora Neale Hurston B) Langston Hughes C) Claude McKay D) James Weldon Johnson (Answer: B) Langston Hughes Langston Hughes’ poem “The Negro Speaks of Rivers” was published in 1921 and became a defining work of the Harlem Renaissance, celebrating Black heritage and resilience. As a Black writer in the early 20th century, Hughes faced racism and limited opportunities, but he persisted, becoming one of the most celebrated voices in American literature.
2. Which novel by Zora Neale Hurston follows the journey of Janie Crawford and explores themes of love, independence, and race? A) Their Eyes Were Watching God B) Native Son C) Go Tell It on the Mountain D) Invisible Man (Answer: A) Their Eyes Were Watching God Published in 1937, Their Eyes Were Watching God was initially overlooked but later became a classic of Black literature. It tells the story of Janie Crawford’s self-discovery and empowerment. Hurston was often dismissed by male Harlem Renaissance writers and struggled for recognition, but her work was later championed by Black feminist scholars in the late 20th century.
3. Which writer’s 1925 essay “The New Negro” helped define the Harlem Renaissance? A) Alain Locke B) W.E.B. Du Bois C) Richard Wright D) Countee Cullen (Answer: A) Alain Locke Alain Locke’s The New Negro described a cultural awakening among Black artists, writers, and thinkers, encouraging them to embrace their heritage and modernity. Despite his influence, Locke had to navigate racial discrimination as well as homophobia, as he was one of the few openly gay intellectuals of the time.
4. Who became the first Black woman to win the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction? A) Toni Morrison
B) Alice Walker C) Maya Angelou D) Octavia Butler (Answer: B) Alice Walker Alice Walker won the Pulitzer Prize for The Color Purple in 1983, a novel that examines race, gender, and abuse through the life of Celie, a Black woman in the early 1900s South. Walker faced criticism both from mainstream literary critics and within the Black community for exposing harsh realities, yet her work remains a powerful exploration of resilience and healing.
5. What Black-owned magazine, founded in 1945, became an influential voice for African American culture and history? A) Ebony B) Essence C) Jet D) The Crisis (Answer: A) Ebony Founded by John H. Johnson, Ebony magazine celebrated Black success, culture, and activism, countering negative stereotypes in mainstream media. Despite the racial segregation of the time, Ebony thrived, offering a vital platform for Black voices and stories.
3. Black Culinary Traditions & Coffee Culture
1. Which West African crop became a staple in Southern U.S. cuisine due to the transatlantic slave trade? A) Sweet potatoes B) Okra C) Corn D) Tomatoes (Answer: B) Okra Okra was brought to the Americas by enslaved Africans and became a key ingredient in dishes like gumbo, an iconic dish in Southern and Creole cuisine. Black chefs and farmers often faced restrictions in owning businesses and property, yet their culinary traditions shaped American food culture.
2. Which Black chef is credited with bringing coffee culture to Paris in the 1700s? A) James Hemings B) Hercules Posey C) François Poullain D) Jean-Baptiste Colbert (Answer: C) François Poullain Poullain, a formerly enslaved man, ran one of Paris’s first coffee houses, helping to popularize coffee culture in Europe. Despite his success, Black entrepreneurs like Poullain had limited rights in Europe, often facing discrimination and economic barriers.
3. What is the name of the traditional Ethiopian coffee ceremony, an important cultural practice? A) Qahwa Ritual B) Buna Ceremony C) Jebena Tradition D) Koffi Rite (Answer: B) Buna Ceremony The Ethiopian buna ceremony is a social and spiritual event where coffee is roasted, ground, and brewed in a traditional clay pot called a jebena. Ethiopia is the birthplace of coffee, yet many Black coffee growers historically faced economic exploitation from international markets.
4. Which Black chef and television personality became the first African American to win a James Beard Award for Best Chef? A) Edna Lewis B) Marcus Samuelsson C) Leah Chase D) Mashama Bailey (Answer: D) Mashama Bailey
Mashama Bailey won the James Beard Award in 2019 for her work at The Grey, a Savannah-based restaurant reviving Southern Black food traditions. Black chefs have long influenced American cuisine but were often denied recognition in mainstream culinary spaces.
5. What was the name of the first coffeehouse in the U.S. owned by a Black entrepreneur? A) Freeman’s Café B) Thomas’s Coffee House C) Wells Coffee D) Green’s Coffee House (Answer: B) Thomas’s Coffee House Thomas’s Coffee House, founded by Thomas Jennings in the early 1800s, was one of the first Black-owned coffee establishments in America. Many Black business owners faced legal and financial barriers, but Jennings used his success to fund abolitionist causes.
4. Black Influence on Pop Culture & Music
1. Who was the first Black artist to win Album of the Year at the Grammy Awards? A) Stevie Wonder B) Michael Jackson C) Quincy Jones D) Ray Charles (Answer: D) Ray Charles Ray Charles won Album of the Year in 1961 for Genius + Soul = Jazz, making history as the first Black artist to do so. Black musicians often had to fight against segregation and music industry exploitation to gain recognition.
2. Which genre of music was pioneered by Black artists and later became the foundation for rock & roll? A) Jazz B) Blues C) Gospel D) Hip-Hop (Answer: B) Blues Blues music, developed by Black musicians in the early 20th century, deeply influenced rock & roll, R&B, and soul music. Despite their influence, many early Black artists saw their music stolen or uncredited by mainstream white performers.
3. Who was the first rapper to be inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame? A) Tupac Shakur B) Jay-Z C) Grandmaster Flash and The Furious Five D) Run-D.M.C. (Answer: C) Grandmaster Flash and The Furious Five Grandmaster Flash and The Furious Five were inducted in 2007, recognized for pioneering hip-hop with hits like The Message. They helped shape modern rap music by introducing socially conscious storytelling. Hip-hop, though now globally dominant, was once dismissed as a fad and faced significant resistance from the music industry.
4. Which Black artist became the first woman to headline Coachella, later inspiring a Netflix documentary? A) Nicki Minaj B) Rihanna C) Beyoncé D) Missy Elliott (Answer: C) Beyoncé
Beyoncé made history at Coachella 2018 with a performance celebrating HBCU culture, Black excellence, and musical innovation. Her Netflix documentary Homecoming captured the behind-the-scenes work that went into the performance. As a Black woman in the entertainment industry, Beyoncé has spoken about the challenges of breaking barriers in music, especially in securing creative control.
5. What was the first hip-hop song to reach No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100? A) Rapper’s Delight – The Sugarhill Gang B) Fight the Power – Public Enemy C) Walk This Way – Run-D.M.C. & Aerosmith D) Ice Ice Baby – Vanilla Ice (Answer: D) Ice Ice Baby Although hip-hop was born in the 1970s, it wasn’t until 1990 that Ice Ice Baby by Vanilla Ice became the first rap song to top the Billboard Hot 100. However, it sparked controversy because many early Black hip-hop artists had been excluded from mainstream recognition despite pioneering the genre. The music industry often profited from Black creativity while favoring white artists in promotions and awards.
5. Richmond’s Black History
1. What is the name of Richmond’s historic Black business district? A) Harlem South B) The Bottom C) Jackson Ward D) Monroe Quarter (Answer: C) Jackson Ward Jackson Ward was known as “Black Wall Street” for its thriving Black-owned businesses and cultural institutions in the early 1900s. Despite its success, urban renewal projects in the 20th century displaced many Black residents and businesses.
2. Which Richmond-born activist co-founded the NAACP and was instrumental in fighting for civil rights? A) Oliver Hill B) Maggie L. Walker C) John Mitchell Jr. D) W.E.B. Du Bois (Answer: B) Maggie L. Walker Maggie L. Walker, a businesswoman and activist, was the first Black woman to charter and run a bank in the U.S. She also co-founded the Richmond branch of the NAACP and worked for equal rights. Despite racism and gender barriers, Walker became a symbol of Black financial independence and leadership in Richmond.
3. What is the name of the historic Black theater in Richmond that showcased African American performers during segregation? A) The Byrd Theater B) The Hippodrome C) The Grand Theater D) The Apollo South (Answer: B) The Hippodrome Located in Jackson Ward, the Hippodrome Theatre was a major venue for Black entertainers during segregation, hosting legends like Duke Ellington and Ella Fitzgerald. Due to segregation, Black artists often had limited venues to perform in, yet spaces like the Hippodrome helped foster Black cultural expression.
4. What Richmond case was central to the Supreme Court’s decision in Brown v. Board of Education? A) Davis v. County School Board of Prince Edward County B) Plessy v. Ferguson C) Morgan v. Virginia D) Loving v. Virginia
(Answer: A) Davis v. County School Board of Prince Edward County This case, initiated by Black students protesting school segregation, became one of the five cases that led to the landmark Brown v. Board of Education decision, which ended legal segregation in schools. Despite the ruling, Virginia resisted integration, using tactics like school closures to prevent desegregation.
5. Which Richmond neighborhood, once a thriving Black community, was destroyed by mid-20th century highway construction? A) Monroe Ward B) Shockoe Bottom C) Navy Hill D) Carver (Answer: C) Navy Hill Navy Hill was a bustling Black neighborhood filled with homes, businesses, and churches before it was demolished to make way for Interstate 95 in the 1950s. This was part of a broader pattern where Black communities across the U.S. were displaced for urban renewal projects, often without adequate compensation or relocation plans.