Black History Month Trivia — Play Free
Free Black History Month trivia questions for classrooms, offices and family gatherings — plus a real, playable game when the list isn't enough.
Bigger than a handout
Most BHM trivia online is a printable PDF. This is a playable party game — teams, a 20-second timer, and a fun fact after every reveal — built from a hundred classic Black films and the history behind them. It works on a classroom smartboard, an office TV or a phone.
Black History Month Trivia Questions for Adults
Black History Month began as what, and who founded it?
Answer: Negro History Week, founded by Carter G. Woodson in 1926
Woodson, the son of formerly enslaved parents, earned a Harvard PhD in history.
Why was February chosen?
Answer: It holds the birthdays of Frederick Douglass and Abraham Lincoln
Communities were already celebrating both birthdays — Woodson built on that tradition.
Who was the first Black performer to win an Academy Award?
Answer: Hattie McDaniel, in 1940
For Gone with the Wind — she was seated at a segregated table at her own ceremony.
Who was the first Black man to win Best Actor?
Answer: Sidney Poitier, for Lilies of the Field (1964)
It took 38 more years for the second: Denzel Washington in 2002.
Who remains the only Black woman to win Best Actress?
Answer: Halle Berry, for Monster's Ball (2002)
In her speech she called the moment 'for every nameless, faceless woman of color.'
Who directed Selma — and who played Dr. King?
Answer: Ava DuVernay directed; David Oyelowo played Dr. King
DuVernay was the first Black woman to direct a Best Picture nominee.
Hidden Figures tells the story of Black women mathematicians at which agency?
Answer: NASA
Katherine Johnson calculated the trajectory for John Glenn's orbit — he asked for 'the girl' to check the numbers.
In 42, Chadwick Boseman plays which barrier-breaking athlete?
Answer: Jackie Robinson
Boseman also played James Brown, Thurgood Marshall and T'Challa in a five-year span.
Who directed Malcolm X (1992), and who starred?
Answer: Spike Lee directed; Denzel Washington starred
When the budget ran out, Oprah, Magic, Prince and Bill Cosby helped fund the finish.
Judas and the Black Messiah dramatizes the life of which activist?
Answer: Fred Hampton, chairman of the Illinois Black Panther Party
Daniel Kaluuya won the Oscar for playing him.
Who was the first Black director of a major Hollywood studio film?
Answer: Gordon Parks, with The Learning Tree (1969)
He followed it with Shaft — and he was a legendary LIFE photographer first.
Ruby Bridges made history in 1960 by doing what?
Answer: Integrating an all-white New Orleans elementary school, at age six
Norman Rockwell painted the moment in 'The Problem We All Live With.'
Dr. King delivered 'I Have a Dream' at which 1963 event?
Answer: The March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom
Mahalia Jackson called out 'Tell them about the dream, Martin!' — and he departed from the script.
Black Panther broke what Oscar barrier in 2019?
Answer: First superhero film ever nominated for Best Picture
It won three Oscars — costume design, production design and score.
Sidney Poitier starred in which 1967 film about an interracial engagement?
Answer: Guess Who's Coming to Dinner
One of three landmark Poitier films released that single year.
Ava DuVernay made history in 2018 as the first Black woman to direct what kind of Hollywood film?
Answer: A film with a production budget over $100 million — A Wrinkle in Time
The film's $103 M budget made DuVernay the first Black woman to helm a nine-figure studio production.
Which landmark 1971 film is credited with launching the Blaxploitation era?
Answer: Sweet Sweetback's Baadasssss Song, directed by Melvin Van Peebles
Van Peebles financed it himself, used a porn-film crew to avoid union rules, and it out-grossed most studio films that year.
What was the first rap album ever nominated for a Grammy Album of the Year?
Answer: DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince's 'He's the DJ, I'm the Rapper' (1989)
The duo boycotted the ceremony after rap was excluded from the televised broadcast.
Which Black-owned record label did Berry Gordy found in 1959?
Answer: Motown Records
Gordy started it with an $800 loan from his family's savings club and called it Tamla before settling on Motown.
Who was the first African American to serve as U.S. Secretary of State?
Answer: Colin Powell, confirmed in January 2001
Condoleezza Rice followed in 2005, becoming the first Black woman to hold the office.
Which Tuskegee Airman became the first Black general of the U.S. Air Force?
Answer: General Daniel 'Chappie' James Jr., in 1975
He was also the first Black four-star general in any branch of the U.S. military.
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