The Bloomington-Normal Branch of the NAACP was pleased to support the Family Community Resource Center (FCRC) as they hosted the first Black History Quiz Bowl Competition on Thursday, February 18, 2021. Over 20 students competed for cash and prizes, thanks to the donations from sponsors and vendors.
The questions covered local and national Black History facts, including questions about Civil Rights’ icon Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., George Washington Carver and Mae Jamison. The Jeopardy-style game also focused on local Black history, with questions about Robert Gaston, Caribel Washington and Judge Carla Barnes.
The high schoolers represented, as Bradley Ross Jackson (NCHS) won 1st place, while Jasmyn Jordan (NCWHS) won 2nd place, followed by Mehki Phillips (BHS) the 3rd place winner.
The middle school winners were enthusiastic and excited to respond to the questions posed. District 87’s Aerielle Johnson won 1st place, followed by Levi Donahoo and Adhrut Kulkami, who both tied for second place.
Branch President Linda Foster opined “The Black History Quiz Bowl was the brainchild of Ms. Belinda Kennedy. The event provided an awesome opportunity to celebrate Black History through a fun and engaging approach. We were very impressed with Heartland Community College’s and Hopeful In Victory’s contributions. The entire event was a huge success, as we celebrated Black people’s contributions to this country.”
All students in the Bloomington-Normal community were eligible to compete. Dr. Carla Campbell-Jackson, 1st Vice-President shared “The youth were extremely engaged as they demonstrated their knowledge of previous and current Black pioneers. The dissemination of information keeps our national and local heroes’ legacies alive.”
In addition to winning hundreds of dollars and deluxe prizes, the students were even more pleased when Willie Holton Halbert surprised them by offering an additional $20 onto their winnings. The NAACP welcomes all citizens, who are committed to racial justice.
