100 Black Men 18th African American
History Challenge Bowl:
Onward to Atlanta
History Challenge Bowl:
Onward to Atlanta
By Jonathan Gramling
For a myriad of reasons, African American and all students in the Madison
public schools learn snatches of African American history in a course
here and there even though African American history is central to
understanding American history. In an effort to help bridge the gap, 100
Black Men has hosted the annual African American History Bowl for the
past 18 years
On April 14, students from nine Madison middle schools and their
supporters gathered at the Doyle Administration Building to compete for
the honor of representing Madison at the 100 Black Men of America
national convention in Atlanta, Georgia in an all-expenses paid trip. The
For a myriad of reasons, African American and all students in the Madison
public schools learn snatches of African American history in a course
here and there even though African American history is central to
understanding American history. In an effort to help bridge the gap, 100
Black Men has hosted the annual African American History Bowl for the
past 18 years
On April 14, students from nine Madison middle schools and their
supporters gathered at the Doyle Administration Building to compete for
the honor of representing Madison at the 100 Black Men of America
national convention in Atlanta, Georgia in an all-expenses paid trip. The
teams reflected the diversity of the Madison public schools with all of the students
intent on bringing home the gold — and the trip.
Panels of two students from each school took turns competing against each other
in a timed round in which questions on African American history, both distant and
recent, were fielded to the teams by moderator J.R. Sims. Students would hit their
buzzer if they knew the answer to the question. If they failed to give the correct
answer — with a panel of judges composed of Everett Mitchell, Dr. Sandra Adell
and Wayne Canty providing the definitive rulings on the students’ answers — the
other team was given the opportunity to give the correct answer.
After the smoke had cleared from the quarter final, semi-final and final rounds,
Hamilton Middle School grabbed first place and the trip to Atlanta. But clearly the
winners were all of the students who learned about the many contributions to
America and the resilience of African Americans. It was also a nice refresher
course for many of the adults in the audience. Hamilton hopes to join two other
Madison teams that won the national competition in 1996 and 2008. Onward to
Atlanta!
intent on bringing home the gold — and the trip.
Panels of two students from each school took turns competing against each other
in a timed round in which questions on African American history, both distant and
recent, were fielded to the teams by moderator J.R. Sims. Students would hit their
buzzer if they knew the answer to the question. If they failed to give the correct
answer — with a panel of judges composed of Everett Mitchell, Dr. Sandra Adell
and Wayne Canty providing the definitive rulings on the students’ answers — the
other team was given the opportunity to give the correct answer.
After the smoke had cleared from the quarter final, semi-final and final rounds,
Hamilton Middle School grabbed first place and the trip to Atlanta. But clearly the
winners were all of the students who learned about the many contributions to
America and the resilience of African Americans. It was also a nice refresher
course for many of the adults in the audience. Hamilton hopes to join two other
Madison teams that won the national competition in 1996 and 2008. Onward to
Atlanta!