Test knowledge gaps now? Many people struggle with knowing enough about Black history and culture. The missing information creates awkward moments and missed chances to appreciate important contributions to society.
Black trivia questions offer a fun solution to this common problem. These questions work as both entertainment and education, helping folks learn while they enjoy themselves.
Readers gain new facts about influential figures, historic moments, and cultural impacts often left out of standard education.
These questions have various difficulty levels, making them perfect for family gatherings, classroom activities, or friend meetups.
Anyone wanting to expand their knowledge can find suitable questions. The topics range from civil rights movements to arts, sports, and scientific breakthroughs by Black innovators throughout history.
Black History Trivia Questions on The Civil Rights Movement
1. Who gave the “I Have a Dream” speech?
Martin Luther King Jr.
2. What year was the Civil Rights Act passed?
1964
3. Who refused to give up her bus seat?
Rosa Parks
4. Who was the first Black student at Ole Miss?
James Meredith
5. What protest involved walking instead of buses?
Montgomery Bus Boycott
6. Who led the Selma to Montgomery marches?
John Lewis
7. What organization was founded by MLK Jr.?
SCLC
8. What movement protested segregated lunch counters?
Sit-ins
9. Who was murdered in Mississippi in 1963?
Medgar Evers
10. What was Malcolm X’s original last name?
Little
11. Who became famous for “By Any Means Necessary”?
Malcolm X
12. Who were the “Little Rock Nine”?
Black students integrating Central High
13. What law banned poll taxes?
24th Amendment
14. Who co-founded the NAACP?
W.E.B. Du Bois
15. What city had the Children’s Crusade?
Birmingham
16. What group organized Freedom Rides?
CORE
17. Who wrote “Letter from Birmingham Jail”?
Martin Luther King Jr.
18. Who was the first Black woman elected to Congress?
Shirley Chisholm
19. What march drew 250,000 to Washington?
March on Washington
20. What act outlawed literacy tests?
Voting Rights Act of 1965
21. Who was MLK’s wife and activist partner?
Coretta Scott King
22. What city was MLK assassinated in?
Memphis
23. Who founded the Black Panther Party?
Huey Newton & Bobby Seale
24. What year was MLK assassinated?
1968
25. What church was bombed in 1963?
16th Street Baptist Church
26. Who said “I am somebody”?
Jesse Jackson
27. Who was arrested at age 15 for bus defiance?
Claudette Colvin
28. What case declared segregation unconstitutional?
Brown v. Board of Education
29. Who led SNCC in the early 1960s?
Stokely Carmichael
30. What did the Civil Rights Act ban?
Segregation in public places
31. What phrase did Stokely Carmichael popularize?
Black Power
32. What event led to “Bloody Sunday”?
Selma March
33. Who helped organize the March on Washington?
Bayard Rustin
34. What president signed the Civil Rights Act?
Lyndon B. Johnson
35. What was the main goal of Freedom Summer?
Voter registration
36. Who was Emmett Till?
Teen lynched in Mississippi
37. What year did the Montgomery Bus Boycott start?
1955
38. What group protected protestors on buses?
Freedom Riders
39. Who was the first Black Supreme Court justice?
Thurgood Marshall
40. What was MLK’s nonviolent philosophy called?
Civil disobedience
41. Who signed the Voting Rights Act?
Lyndon B. Johnson
42. What city did MLK write from jail?
Birmingham
43. What did the Black Panthers provide?
Free community programs
44. What law ended school segregation?
Brown v. Board ruling
45. Who was Fannie Lou Hamer?
Voting rights activist
46. Who mentored Rosa Parks?
Ella Baker
47. What year was the March on Washington?
1963
48. Who led the Poor People’s Campaign?
Martin Luther King Jr.
49. What speech ended with “Free at last”?
“I Have a Dream”
50. What was the SNCC’s focus?
Youth-led civil rights action
51. Who pushed “Freedom Schools”?
Bob Moses
52. Who was Malcolm X’s faith leader?
Elijah Muhammad
53. What was COINTELPRO?
FBI surveillance program
54. What did the 16th Street bombing target?
A Black church
55. Who was Viola Liuzzo?
White ally murdered after Selma
56. What state was known for bus boycotts?
Alabama
57. What movement followed Rosa Parks’ arrest?
Montgomery Bus Boycott
58. Who integrated the University of Alabama?
Vivian Malone
59. What did the Civil Rights Act enforce?
Equal protection under law
60. What was “Project C”?
Campaign against Birmingham segregation
61. Who escorted Black students into Little Rock High?
Federal troops
62. Who founded the National Council of Negro Women?
Mary McLeod Bethune
63. What was the nickname for Birmingham?
Bombingham
64. What city was key in Freedom Rides?
Jackson
65. Who integrated the University of Mississippi?
James Meredith
66. What was the aim of the Greensboro sit-ins?
End lunch counter segregation.
67. What civil rights leader said “Keep hope alive”?
Jesse Jackson
68. Who was assassinated in Harlem in 1965?
Malcolm X
69. What did Title VII outlaw?
Job discrimination
Black History Trivia on Science and Findings
70. Who was the first African American woman in space?
Mae Jemison
71. Who invented the three-position traffic light?
Garrett Morgan
72. Who developed a treatment for leprosy and worked on chemotherapy drugs?
Alice Augusta Ball
73. Who created the first home security system?
Marie Van Brittan Brown
74. What Black scientist helped NASA send astronauts to space with math?
Katherine Johnson
75. Who discovered how to store blood plasma for transfusion?
Charles Drew
76. Who created over 300 products from peanuts?
George Washington Carver
77. What inventor improved the light bulb filament?
Lewis Latimer
78. Who was the first African American to earn a PhD from MIT in nuclear engineering?
Dr. John Slaughter
79. Who was NASA’s first Black female engineer?
Mary Jackson
80. Who was the first Black woman to receive a medical degree in the U.S.?
Rebecca Lee Crumpler
81. Who invented an automatic lubricator for train engines?
Elijah McCoy
82. Who was the first African American male to earn a medical degree?
James McCune Smith
83. Who helped design the IBM 701 and 704 computers?
Clarence “Skip” Ellis
84. What Black chemist co-founded the National Organization for the Professional Advancement of Black Chemists and Chemical Engineers (NOBCChE)?
Dr. Joseph Francisco
85. Who was a key engineer behind the development of caller ID?
Shirley Ann Jackson
86. Who discovered a new element, berkelium, during atomic research?
James Harris
87. Who invented a surgical clamp still used in childbirth today?
Charles Richard Drew
88. Who was the first Black woman to direct a major NASA program?
Dr. Aprille Ericsson
89. Who helped design the lunar module that landed Apollo 11?
Jesse Ernest Wilkins Jr.
90. Who developed laser eye surgery techniques?
Dr. Patricia Bath
91. Who co-invented the Super Soaker?
Lonnie Johnson
92. Who led the Human Genome Project’s ethics program?
Dr. Georgia Dunston
93. Who invented an early type of gas mask?
Garrett Morgan
94. Who was a leading expert in solid rocket motors?
Dr. George Carruthers
95. Who designed a space camera used on Apollo missions?
George Carruthers
96. Who developed software for the Hubble telescope?
Valerie Thomas
97. Who founded the STEM NOLA education program?
Dr. Calvin Mackie
98. Who helped build the first atomic bomb as a physicist?
J. Ernest Wilkins Jr.
99. Who created a device to detect glaucoma?
Dr. Patricia Bath
100. Who was the first Black NASA astronaut candidate?
Ed Dwight
101. Who created an early version of the pacemaker?
Otis Boykin
102. Who co-developed the COVID-19 vaccine for Moderna?
Dr. Kizzmekia Corbett
103. Who developed a sanitary belt for women?
Mary Beatrice Davidson Kenner
104. Who was the first Black female neurosurgeon in the U.S.?
Dr. Alexa Canady
105. Who was the first Black chemist at the National Bureau of Standards?
St. Elmo Brady
106. Who invented the pencil sharpener?
John Lee Love
107. Who created improvements to air conditioning systems?
Frederick McKinley Jones
108. Who invented a programmable remote control?
Joseph N. Jackson
109. Who developed advancements in voice over IP?
Dr. Marian Croak
Black History Trivia on Sports Icons & Achievements
110. Who was the first Black heavyweight boxing champ?
Jack Johnson
111. Who won four golds at the 1936 Olympics?
Jesse Owens
112. Who was the first Black woman to win Wimbledon?
Althea Gibson
113. Who holds the NBA all-time scoring record?
LeBron James
114. Who won six NBA titles with the Bulls?
Michael Jordan
115. Who became the first Black NFL quarterback in the Hall of Fame?
Warren Moon
116. Who was the first Black woman to win Olympic gold in gymnastics?
Gabby Douglas
117. Who won 23 Grand Slam tennis titles?
Serena Williams
118. Who was the first Black NASCAR Cup winner?
Wendell Scott
119. Who won Olympic gold and later lit the 1996 torch?
Muhammad Ali
120. Who was the first Black NHL player?
Willie O’Ree
121. Who was the first Black woman in the LPGA?
Althea Gibson
122. Who coached Georgetown to a 1984 NCAA title?
John Thompson
123. Who was the first Black female Olympic swimmer for the U.S.?
Maritza Correia
124. Who was the first Black woman to win an Olympic speed skating medal?
Erin Jackson
125. Who won five Olympic medals in track by age 18?
Wilma Rudolph
126. Who was the first Black gymnast to win a world title?
Simone Biles
127. Who was the NFL’s first Black head coach?
Fritz Pollard
128. Who won the Heisman and an MLB World Series?
Bo Jackson
129. Who was the first Black NBA head coach?
Bill Russell
130. Who won gold in boxing at the 1960 Olympics?
Cassius Clay (Muhammad Ali)
131. Who was the first Black woman to coach Division I men’s basketball?
Edniesha Curry
132. Who was the first African American to win the Heisman Trophy?
Ernie Davis
133. Who was the first African American female to win a world boxing title?
Laila Ali
134. Who was the first Black quarterback to start a Super Bowl?
Doug Williams
135. Who set a world record in the 100m dash in 1988?
Florence Griffith Joyner
136. Who was the first Black cyclist to win a major race?
Major Taylor
137. Who won gold in long jump in 1968?
Bob Beamon
138. Who was the first Black female gymnast on Team USA?
Dominique Dawes
139. Who ran the fastest 200m in 1996?
Michael Johnson
140. Who was the first Black driver to win Daytona 500?
No Black driver has won yet
141. Who won gold in triple jump in 1984?
Al Joyner
142. Who was NBA’s first Black MVP?
Wilt Chamberlain
143. Who was the first Black F1 driver?
Lewis Hamilton
144. Who holds the women’s world 100m record?
Florence Griffith Joyner
145. Who hit 755 career home runs?
Hank Aaron
146. Who won gold in 400m hurdles in 2021?
Sydney McLaughlin
147. Who was the first Black man to win a tennis Grand Slam?
Arthur Ashe
148. Who won the NBA MVP award in 2001?
Allen Iverson
149. Who won gold in women’s boxing in 2012?
Claressa Shields
150. Who won gold in 100m at 1984 Olympics?
Carl Lewis
151. Who was the first Black NHL team captain?
Jarome Iginla
152. Who became the youngest NBA MVP ever?
Derrick Rose
153. Who coached the Steelers to two Super Bowl wins?
Mike Tomlin
154. Who was the first Black man to coach a Major League Baseball team?
Frank Robinson
155. Who was the youngest Olympic boxing gold medalist?
Floyd Patterson
155. Who was the first Black woman to win NCAA wrestling?
Tamyra Mensah-Stock
156. Who was the first Black man to win a PGA Tour event?
Charlie Sifford
157. Who holds the NFL record for career rushing yards?
Emmitt Smith
158. Who won WNBA MVP three times?
Lisa Leslie
159. Who won the 2000 Olympic 400m gold?
Michael Johnson
160. Who was the first Black woman to race full-time in NASCAR?
Tia Norfleet
161. Who was the first African American U.S. Open golf champ?
No Black golfer has won the U.S. Open yet
162. Who scored 100 points in a single NBA game?
Wilt Chamberlain
163. Who was the first Black woman to win Olympic all-around gymnastics gold?
Gabby Douglas
164. Who won Olympic gold in 200m for Team USA in 2020?
Gabrielle Thomas (Bronze in 200m; gold in relay)
165. Who was the first Black woman in pro wrestling Hall of Fame?
Jacqueline Moore
166. Who was the first Black Olympic decathlon medalist?
Rafer Johnson
167. Who was the first Black woman to win NCAA basketball title as coach?
Dawn Staley
168. Who was the first Black athlete to win an Olympic gold medal?
John Baxter Taylor Jr.
169. Who set the NBA record for most points in a rookie season?
Wilt Chamberlain
170. Who was the youngest Olympic boxing gold medalist?
Floyd Patterson
Black History Trivia Questions on Pop Culture
171. Who is known as the Queen of Soul?
Aretha Franklin
172. Who was the first Black artist on MTV?
Michael Jackson
173. Who founded Motown Records?
Berry Gordy
174. Who sang “What’s Going On”?
Marvin Gaye
175. Which jazz musician played the trumpet and had a gravelly voice?
Louis Armstrong
176. Who popularized the moonwalk dance?
Michael Jackson
177. Who sang “Respect” in 1967?
Aretha Franklin
178. Which rapper’s real name is Shawn Carter?
Jay-Z
179. Who was the first female rapper to go platinum?
Da Brat
180. Who is famous for “Purple Rain”?
Prince
181. Which singer is known for “Crazy in Love”?
Beyoncé
182. Who was a key figure in disco with “I Will Survive”?
Gloria Gaynor
183. Who released the hit “Superstition”?
Stevie Wonder
184. Who created the hip-hop group N.W.A?
Eazy-E
185. Which female singer starred in “The Bodyguard”?
Whitney Houston
186. Who made “Alright” an anthem for justice?
Kendrick Lamar
187. Who founded the label Bad Boy Records?
Sean “Diddy” Combs
188. Who performed “Say It Loud – I’m Black and I’m Proud”?
James Brown
189. Who was known as the Empress of the Blues?
Bessie Smith
190. Who sang “Hotline Bling”?
Drake
191. Who recorded the album “Lemonade”?
Beyoncé
192. Who had a hit with “Drop It Like It’s Hot”?
Snoop Dogg
193. Who is known for blending rap and gospel in “Jesus Walks”?
Kanye West
194. Who was the lead singer of The Fugees?
Lauryn Hill
195. Who brought crunk music mainstream?
Lil Jon
196. Who was behind the hit “Happy”?
Pharrell Williams
197. Who made “Truth Hurts” a famous anthem?
Lizzo
198. Who had a posthumous hit with “Juicy”?
The Notorious B.I.G.
199. Who co-wrote and sang “Lift Every Voice and Sing”?
James Weldon Johnson
200. Who created the album “To Pimp a Butterfly”?
Kendrick Lamar
201. Who starred in and produced “Black Is King”?
Beyoncé
202. Who performed “Try a Little Tenderness”?
Otis Redding
203. Who is known for the song “Say My Name”?
Destiny’s Child
204. Who released the jazz album “Black Radio”?
Robert Glasper
205. Who pioneered funk with “Flash Light”?
George Clinton
206. Who became famous with “Old Town Road”?
Lil Nas X
207. Who was a pioneer of neo-soul with “On & On”?
Erykah Badu
208. Who had hits with “Ignition (Remix)”?
R. Kelly
209. Who made “All of Me” a wedding classic?
John Legend
210. Who produced “Formation”?
Mike Will Made-It
211. Who sang “Adorn” in 2012?
Miguel
212. Who’s known for the hit “Blinding Lights”?
The Weeknd
213. Who created the album “Ctrl”?
SZA
214. Who released “This Is America”?
Childish Gambino
215. Who produced for Tupac and Snoop Dogg?
Dr. Dre
216. Who’s famous for “Umbrella”?
Rihanna
217. Who made waves with the mixtape “Coloring Book”?
Chance the Rapper
218. Who won a Grammy for “I Am Not My Hair”?
India.Arie
219. Who’s known for “Classic Man”?
Jidenna
220. Who performed “Ascension (Don’t Ever Wonder)”?
Maxwell
221. Who co-founded Roc-A-Fella Records?
Jay-Z
222. Who performed the hit “Get Ur Freak On”?
Missy Elliott
223. Who had success with “Redbone”?
Childish Gambino
224. Who released “A Seat at the Table”?
Solange
225. Who’s famous for “1, 2 Step”?
Ciara
226. Who created “Thrift Shop”?
Macklemore & Ryan Lewis featuring Wanz
227. Who’s known for the song “Location”?
Khalid
228. Who made “Best Part” with H.E.R.?
Daniel Caesar
229. Who’s the voice behind “I Like That”?
Janelle Monáe
230. Who created the jazz group The Soulquarians?
Questlove
231. Who sang “If I Ain’t Got You”?
Alicia Keys
232. Who’s behind the hit “Savage Remix”?
Megan Thee Stallion
233. Who rapped “HUMBLE.”?
Kendrick Lamar
234. Who’s known for “Boo’d Up”?
Ella Mai
235. Who had success with “Glory” alongside Common?
John Legend
236. Who’s an icon for “Let’s Stay Together”?
Al Green
237. Who performed “No Diggity”?
Blackstreet
238. Who sang “Before I Let Go”?
Frankie Beverly & Maze
239. Who’s known for “Can We Talk”?
Tevin Campbell
240. Who released “Brown Skin Girl”?
Beyoncé featuring Blue Ivy & Wizkid
241. Who had a hit with “Differences”?
Ginuwine
242. Who’s the lead singer of H.E.R.?
Gabriella Wilson
243. Who created the anthem “Freedom”?
Beyoncé featuring Kendrick Lamar
244. Who produced “Sicko Mode”?
Travis Scott
245. Who made “The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill”?
Lauryn Hill
246. Who’s the powerhouse behind “Fallin’”?
Alicia Keys
247. Who’s famous for “Doo Wop (That Thing)”?
Lauryn Hill
248. Who’s the Icon behind “Sexual Healing”?
Marvin Gaye
249. Who sang “Rock With You” in 1979?
Michael Jackson
250. Who made history with the album “Good Kid, M.A.A.D City”?
Kendrick Lamar
251. Who sang the emotional hit “Ex-Factor”?
Lauryn Hill
Where to Use These Trivia Questions
Black trivia questions are a fun and educational way to spark conversations, celebrate culture, and immerse people of all ages. Here are several impactful ways to use them:
- For Educators –Enhance classroom immersion during Black History Month or cultural studies. Create team quizzes or competitions to make learning interactive and fun.
- For Families – Spark meaningful discussions around the dinner table. Use trivia cards during family game nights to educate and entertain. Pass cultural knowledge to younger generations in a fun format.
- For Events – Host virtual trivia nights that highlight Black history and culture. Incorporate questions into community celebrations or school assemblies. Use as icebreakers at cultural events or social gatherings.
- For Social Media – Post “Did You Know?” facts to raise awareness and immersion. Run trivia contests to educate and grow your audience.
- For Libraries & Book Clubs – Pair trivia questions with featured books by Black authors. Host trivia-based discussions to connect literature with historical and cultural context.
Key Takeaways
When friends, families, or classrooms immerse themselves in Black trivia questions, they’re actively participating in preserving and honoring important legacies.
The knowledge gained extends beyond facts; it builds bridges between communities and fosters respect for diverse experiences.
Black trivia questions remind us that learning about history doesn’t need to feel like a chore. They changed education into an engaging social activity where everyone wins through increased awareness.
This approach to learning makes complex historical narratives accessible and memorable for people of all ages and backgrounds.
The value lies not just in knowing the answers, but in the conversations and connections that emerge from the questions themselves.
