To further honor Black History Month, Tommy Wilson and members of Phi Beta Sigma, hosted a black history quiz bowl combined with a Taste Fair that included a variety of soul foods on Monday, Feb. 7. The event helped gather young people in order to raise awareness of past African Americans and the persona they held.

“It really means a lot because a lot of people really don’t know the contributions that African Americans have made in society,” said Southeastern Alumus Michael Kyles, speaking of the quiz bowl.

After receiving their green raffle ticket, participating students and attendants met in Room 223 at 7 p.m. Kyles then announced the winning tickets of those who further joined trivia competitors. The contest included three rounds, enlisting five players and lastly a championship round, with the winner receiving a prize.

The questions from round one stretched from “Who founded the SCLC (Southern Christian Leadership Conference),” which was Ralph David Abernathy in 1957 to “Who was the first superstar rap/hip hop group,” being Run D.M.C, of Queens, NY, in the 1980s. After some trouble of obtaining a winner out of round one, Frank Newton Jr., a freshman and active member of Project PULL, would earn his spot in the final round.

Winfred “Pj” Hills would win in the second round, also taking a spot in the final.

“I actually learned a lot—some interesting things about black history I didn’t even know,” said Hills after the contest.

Round three consisted of all women and ironically the first question was “Who was the first black woman to be chosen to a U.S. president’s cabinet.” One contestant got the answer correct. The crowd went wild, jumping and holding in excitement, when Kyles asked who “Who was the first black astronaut to walk in space.” Most knew the answer was Bernard Harris Jr., who earned his Bachelor degree in biology at University of Houston, and became the first African American to “spacewalk” on Feb. 9, 1995. Lorrianne “Lorri” Lucas, senior and president of the Black Culture Club, majoring in political science, would take the third round, moving to the final.

Lucas seemed confident in the championship round, correctly answering questions from political science all the way to basketball but Newton would be deemed the winner.

“I feel good about being the winner for the simple fact that it is Black History Month and obviously I’m African American so it shows that I’m on top of it,” said Newton, speaking of his knowledge and interest within black history. Newton won a t-shirt and two gift cards provided by Phi Beta Sigma fraternity.  

The quiz bowl ended in prayer as students and competitors circled hand in hand, while Kyles recapped the importance of this month and past African American advocates.

Everyone soon met in the Pelican Room, Room 229, of the Student Union, to share food within the Taste Fair. The Taste Fair offered dishes such as cornbread, vanilla cake, green bean and sweet potato casserole, mashed potatoes, macaroni, steamed cabbage, chicken and red beans and rice.

Speaking of the event and its entirety, Hills said, “It gave people an avenue to come together and socialize and still gain some knowledge.”