Black History Month Trivia

Arthur Ashe was the first African American to win the men's singles title at Wimbledon, the US Open, and the Australian Open. Ashe's achievements in tennis and his advocacy for civil rights made him an influential figure both on and off the court.

Garrett Morgan is responsible for the invention of the traffic light and the gas mask. These inventions have had significant impacts on public safety and have become essential tools in modern society.

Charles Drew is responsible for blood banks. He developed techniques for collecting, processing and storing blood plasma, saving countless lives and laying the foundation for modern blood donation practices today.

Jackie Robinson was the first African American to play major league baseball. He broke the color barrier in professional baseball when he made his debut with the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1947.

Marcus Garvey started the "Back to Africa Movement" which aimed to encourage African Americans to return to their ancestral homeland in Africa. This movement was based on the belief that African Americans would never be fully accepted or treated fairly in the United States. Garvey's efforts to promote black pride, self-reliance, and unity among African Americans made him a prominent figure in the early 20th century civil rights movement. However, his controversial ideas and activities led to his deportation back to his homeland in Jamaica.

Phyllis Wheatley is the correct answer because she was indeed the first African American to publish her writings. She was a poet and her book, "Poems on Various Subjects, Religious and Moral," was published in 1773. This achievement was significant as it challenged the prevailing notion that African Americans were intellectually inferior and incapable of producing literature. Wheatley's work paved the way for other African American writers and contributed to the growing abolitionist movement in the United States.

Lena Horne was an American singer, actress, and civil rights leader who began her career singing at the Cotton Club in New York City at the age of 16. She gained recognition for her powerful voice and captivating performances, becoming a prominent figure in the entertainment industry. Horne's contributions to civil rights activism further solidified her legacy, making her an influential figure in American history.

Jennifer Hudson is the correct answer because she won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress in 2006 for her role in the film "Dreamgirls." This was a significant moment in Oscar history as Hudson became the first black actress to win in this category since Hattie McDaniel in 1939. Whoopi Goldberg is also a black actress who has won an Academy Award, but she won for Best Supporting Actress in 1990, not in 2006.

Debbie Thomas was the Ladies World Figure Skating Champion in 1986.

Wilt Chamberlain holds the record of scoring 100 points in a single NBA game. This achievement occurred on March 2, 1962, when Chamberlain played for the Philadelphia Warriors against the New York Knicks. Chamberlain's remarkable performance is considered one of the greatest individual achievements in basketball history.

The correct answer is Tuskegee Airmen. The Tuskegee Airmen were a group of African American pilots who served in the U.S. Army Air Corps during World War II. They were known for their exceptional skills and bravery, and they escorted Allied Bombers through European airspace on 1,578 missions. The nickname "Tuskegee Airmen" refers to the fact that they were trained at the Tuskegee Institute in Alabama.

Madame C.J. Walker provided beauty products. She was a successful entrepreneur who developed and sold a line of hair care products specifically designed for African American women. Her products catered to the unique hair care needs of her target market, and she became known as the first African American female millionaire due to the success of her beauty products business.

Satchel Paige is the correct answer because he was a pitcher in the Negro Baseball league who developed the bat-badger and jump ball techniques. He was also elected into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1971, which further supports his significance and contributions to the sport. Jackie Robinson and Larry Doby, while notable figures in their own right, do not match the description provided in the question.

Harriet Tubman escaped slavery in 1849. This is a well-known fact in history as Tubman was born into slavery and later became a prominent abolitionist and political activist. She escaped from her slave owner in Maryland and made her way to Philadelphia, where she found freedom. Tubman's escape marked the beginning of her remarkable journey as a conductor on the Underground Railroad, helping many other enslaved individuals escape to freedom.

Thurgood Marshall was the first African American Chief Justice of the Supreme Court. He was appointed to the position in 1967 and served until his retirement in 1991. Marshall was a prominent civil rights lawyer and played a key role in the landmark case Brown v. Board of Education, which led to the desegregation of public schools in the United States. His appointment as Chief Justice was a significant milestone in the fight for racial equality and representation in the highest court of the land.

BET Black Entertainment Television is the correct answer because it was the first Black owned company to be traded on the New York Stock Exchange. This network was founded by Robert L. Johnson in 1980 and became a significant platform for African American culture and entertainment. Its successful growth and impact on the media industry led to its listing on the NYSE, marking a significant milestone for Black-owned businesses.

Gwendolyn Brooks was the first African American poet to win a Pulitzer Prize. She received this prestigious award in 1950 for her collection of poems titled "Annie Allen." Brooks was known for her powerful and insightful poetry that explored themes of racial and social injustice, as well as the experiences of African Americans in America. Her groundbreaking achievement paved the way for future African American poets and writers to be recognized and celebrated for their contributions to literature.

Charles Richard Patterson was the first African American car manufacturer in 1916. He founded the C.R. Patterson and Sons Company in Ohio, which produced horse-drawn carriages before transitioning to automobile manufacturing. Patterson's company specialized in producing high-quality, custom-built automobiles for African American customers at a time when racial discrimination was prevalent in the industry. Despite facing numerous challenges, Patterson's company thrived for several decades and made significant contributions to the automotive industry.

Althea Gibson earned her place in the Black Hall of Fame in 1974 because she was a tennis champion and golfer. She was the first African American to win a Grand Slam title in tennis and broke barriers in the sport, paving the way for future generations of black athletes. Her achievements and contributions to the world of sports made her a trailblazer and deserving of recognition in the Black Hall of Fame.

Maya Angelou is the correct answer because she is the author who wrote the book "I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings".

In February 2023, Beyoncé broke the record for the most-awarded Grammy artist of all time with 32 wins.