The First Twenty Questions

Who wrote The President’s Daughter, the first published novel by a Black American in 1833?

She was best known as Prissy in “Gone With the Wind” and delivering this tearful pronouncement, “I don’t know nothin’

Gustavus Vassa was a slave writing the first autobiography. How many volumes did he write?

Ernest J. Gaines is a short story writer who wrote a 1971 historical novel turned television movie whose main character

What writer created the character Jesse B. Semple, the quintessential middle-aged man in Harlem?       

What Harlem theatre is a showcase for Black talent?    

For what talent did Elizabeth Taylor-Greenfield receive worldwide acclaim?

Who has held the position of director of jazz at Lincoln Center in New York City?

This novelist and anthropologist is best known for writing "Their Eyes Were Watching God"?

Along the Gulf Coast of Louisiana, what type of music is played with the accordion?

Cartoonist Morrie Turner created what world famous syndicated comic strip?

What is the name of the Harlem club where many famous Black American entertainers began their careers?

Arts Formerly the Virginia Theatre, what became the first Broadway theater to bear the name of an African American i

She became the first black to be honored with the Nobel Prize for Literature for six novels. and motion picture, Jazz.

Currently the pastor of a large congregation in Raleigh, NC, this well-known female singer worked with the gospel group

What profession were Langston Hughes, Zora Neale Hurston, and Countee Cullen, major contributors to the Harlem Rena?

In 1927, he hosted a radio talk show that covered African-American topics. The Courier Hour, was the first radio program

Gustavus Vassa was a slave who wrote the first autobiography. His African name was Olaudah Equiano. How many volumes?

What Broadway show became the longest running one-person show in the history of Broadway?

What famous Black American writer encouraged Ralph Ellison’s efforts to become a writer?

What instrument does Scott Joplin play?

Sallie Martin was the “mother of gospel music.” She and Thomas A. Dorsey founded what group in 1933?

What one-time Negro League professional baseball player, turned-artist created collages on the lifestyles of blacks

Porgy was a black musical play that had its debut in 1927. Name to actors/actresses in this play.

In 1926 the Soul Stirrers were the first gospel quartet to add a second lead to solo over the usual four-part harmony.

This leader of the Harlem Renaissance was a poet, author & playwright; and recipient of the 1960 NAACP Spingarn award.

Growing up with a white Jewish mother and an African- American father, who wrote Devil in a Blue Dress.

Born in Cotton Plant AR, in 1938 she was the first gospel singer to record for a major record label, Decca Records?

He left Texarkana hoping to be a concert pianist and classical composer.  Then late in life had a nervous breakdown.

This journalist born in Washington AR, graduated from Shover State Teacher Training College in Hope AR.

In addition to her outstanding career as a singer, what was Marian Anderson appointed to by POTUS Dwight Eisenhower?

What is the nickname for Texarkana?

How old was Langston Hughes when his poetry was first published?

Gloria Naylor's novel consisted of seven black women who wound up on a dead end street. It was made into a movie.

Trumpeter Wynton Marsalis is the spokesperson for what group, representing a younger generation of jazz musicians?

Georgia Douglas Johnson was a poet during the Harlem Renaissance era. She often held writers’ workshops at her home in..

Published in 1982, Alice Walker’s novel The Color Purple became a monumental bestseller and won what coveted awards?

Who published The Escape, the first play written by a Black American?

George Shirley was a tenor and member of what opera company?

Who was the first Black American painter to win national recognition?

What was the name of the first novel published by Charles W. Chestnut?

Bahamian American actor and film director First to receive the Academy Award for Best Actor.

How many mayors do we have in our city?

His music broke color barriers, inspired future composers and musicians, and influenced the growth of jazz. 

The operas A Guest of Honor and Treemonisha were written by whom in the early 1900s?

Who was born in Florence, Alabama in 1873 and is called “Father of the Blues”?

Raised in Jonesboro AR did NOT win the title Miss Arkansas (twice 1^st runner up). She was the 3rd Black Ms. America.

What is the most famous landmark in your city?

He toured , performed in Boston Symphony Orchestra, the first Black recording artist with Columbia records.

What is the name of the Grammy award winning gospel a cappella sextet whose hits include Spread Love and David & Goliath

What musical genre emerged from three heavily populated black isolated areas: the Mississippi Delta, the Piedmont?

Who wrote the song Maple Leaf Rag?

What is the given name of blues great W.C. Handy?

What artist’s painting is entitled After Church?

Specializing in portraits of black leaders, Harlem Renaissance arts educator Augusta Savage was what type of artist?  

Popularized by the 1923 musical Runnin' Wild, what 1920s dance is believed to have started in a coastal city?

This pioneering poet, playwright and novelist also an early civil rights activist. He used Art to promote Black Pride.

Known for his social and political views, who published The Souls of Black Folks in 1903?

What is the name of your city?

Eric Walrond was born in Georgetown, British Guiana and penned what book that consists of a consists of ten stories.

What author promoted her first novel, Mama , by contacting colleges and universities?

Langston Hughes was responsible for publishing what Black American magazine?

working with a low-budget and unknown actors or Hollywood heavyweights, his films continue to be controversial

What Black American took jazz vocals to a new level and was called “The Divine One” because of her range and effortles

Go Down, Moses” and “Nobody Knows the Trouble I’ve Seen” are known as what type of songs?

What famous Texarkana African American who played football for the Green Bay Packers and Cleveland Browns?

Which one of composer/pianist Anthony Davis' operas premiered in Philadelphia in 1985 and was performed by the New York

Influenced by Alice Walker's The Color Purple, what award-winning author created the enduring character Easy Rowlins?

What was the name of Charles W. Chestnut’s final novel?

How many operas did the composer Scott Joplin write?

What slogan is written on the water tower in Texarkana?

Who was the first Black American woman chosen as Miss America?

Music historians refer to what type of music as the first Black American music?

Nat Love wrote what kind of stories?

What New York library houses rare collections of Black culture?

Who is the author of the critically acclaimed novel Waiting to Exhale ?