Metro Atlanta students compete in eighth annual Black History Bowl

Students from across metro Atlanta take center stage this week, competing in the eighth annual Black History Bowl, an academic competition that puts their knowledge of Black history and culture to the test.

While Black history is part of standard classroom instruction, organizers say the bowl gives students a chance to engage with the material in a more public way. Teams from Cobb and Paulding counties are participating in this year’s event, including students from Awtrey Middle School.

Seventh grader Elisheba Parker, the only returning member of her school’s team, initially doubted herself when she first competed. “I was like, ‘Oh, I’m not going to know this. I’m not going to be good at this,'” Parker recalled. Now, after finishing second two years in a row, she and her teammates aim for the top spot.

Preparation includes classroom quizzes and review sessions covering a wide range of topics. Parker said music is her favorite category. Her teammate, seventh grader Kailani Kelsey, enjoys learning about Black military history. “I found a lot of the stuff kind of interesting. But I also enjoy STEM,” she said.

Students must memorize over 100 inspirational quotes from Black historical figures. Awtrey teacher Wanda Lipscomb said this focus is intentional. “With Black history, we have to be very intentional,” she said. “We try to cover so much history, but this often doesn’t get as much attention.

For some students, the competition carries personal meaning. Sixth grader Austin Monroe said, “Since my grandparents, mainly my grandmother, know a lot about Black history, I wanted to make them proud by joining the Black History Bowl team.

The championship will be held on Saturday morning at the Ben Robertson Community Center in Kennesaw.