When 11-year-old Solei Lockett stepped up to the microphone, she took a deep breath. Then she confidently recited the poem “Hey Black Child,” by Eugene Perkins.
Solei was one of many students who stood on the auditorium stage at the annual Black History Bee in San Bernardino.
In a format similar to a spelling bee, they fielded questions about the worlds of entertainment, politics, science and more — all reflecting the contributions and accomplishments of the Black community. Some contestants were asked to recite poems.
“It’s a chance to highlight the students, a chance for them to shine and a chance for them to show us who they are,” Allynn Scott, an executive secretary for the San Bernardino City Unified School District, said.
For 42 years, the Delta Rho Chapter of the National Sorority of Phi Delta Kappa, Inc. has hosted the bee in the district, where Black students make up 9.7% of the population.
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It’s one of the few Black History Bees in the state. The competition draws contestants — elementary and middle school students — from various ethnic backgrounds. This year’s event, held Saturday, Feb. 22, saw the largest turnout ever.
Before the districtwide bee, each school chooses eight students and divides them into teams of two. Questions, based on study packets handed out months in advance, cover Black historical figures, events and leaders. Topics ranged from Black scientists and musicians to the nation’s first Black president, Barack Obama. Winners receive a certificate and trophy, but don’t advance to another competition. Ruth Duckett Gibbs founded the event in Brooklyn, New York.
What do organizers hope students take away from the event?
“Empowerment, self-awareness, resilience and recognition of our contributions to history,” said Keishia Handy, a member of the Delta Rho Chapter of the Chicago-based Black sorority “When we know our history, we can see a brighter future ahead.”
Handy added that her 24-year-old daughter — who went to San Bernardino schools — remembers competing in the bee in third grade.
“It’s important to know where they come from, their roots,” Handy said.
Katherine Wilson, president of the Delta Rho Chapter, Handy and other chapter members oversaw multiple rounds of competition at Indian Springs High School that Saturday. A new format featured a spinning wheel that displayed the questions with music and a timer.
“I feel like it’s more effective and fun to have it this way, with the music and everything,” Scott said.
Solei, last year’s winner, returned this year with enthusiasm to keep her streak going.
“It’s fun learning about Black history,” said Solei, who attends Jones Elementary School. “I like to learn a bunch of stuff about my culture.”
The competition began with the Pledge of Allegiance, followed by choir students singing “Lift Every Voice and Sing,” which is known as the Black national anthem.
Among the singers were elementary school choir members 10-year-old Aniylah Long, from Norton Elementary School, and 11-year-old Chloe Reyes, from Bob Holcomb Elementary School, who said they felt proud to be part of the event.
“At school I learned about the Gold Rush and how slavery began, so it’s special for me to be here today to continue learning about Black history,” Aniylah said.
Chloe said: “Today shows the continued faith to end racism, it’s not something that should be going on in the first place.”
The bee, part of the district’s cultural programs, was created with all students in mind, district spokesperson Maria Garcia said.
“The culture aspect of it is very strong, and we love to see students of multiple ethnicities participating who are just as proud and compete just as hard,” Garcia said.
Juliana Jimenez, a 12-year-old student at Marshall Elementary School, was eager for redemption after last year’s competition, which she described as “very difficult.”
“Me and my sister have both studied a lot, reciting poems and facts,” she said. “I feel like it’s important to know about the people who make up our past.”
Garcia applauded contestants’ dedication.
“When you see how many rounds it takes to get a winner, you realize these kids have studied for weeks and weeks with their parents and friends,” she said.
The district also hosts a Latino History Bee in April, which is smaller in scale. Similar to the Black History Bee, students from across the district answer questions about Latino history and culture.
The district-created event has been running for 10 years and was started by teachers and parents working with the District English Learner Advisory Committee. Committee member Teresa Alba advocated for its creation, the district’s website states.
“It’s part of our district’s mission to offer events that are culturally appropriate for students and also academically based,” Garcia said.
SAMPLE QUESTIONS
Here are sample questions from San Bernardino schools’ 42nd Black History Bee.
- Who wrote “Lift Every Voice and Sing,” known as the Black national anthem?
- Who was the famous African American playwright best known for her play, “A Raisin in the Sun?”
- Who won the Pulitzer Prize for writing “The Color Purple” in 1983?
- In 1980, what became a legal state holiday in Texas, recognized as Freedom Day or Emancipation Day, and marking the emancipation of the last remaining slaves in the United States?
- Released Nov. 30, 1982, “Thriller” by this artist is the world’s best-selling album, according to Guinness World Records.
Answers:
- James Weldon Johnson
- Loraine Hansberry
- Alice Walker
- Juneteenth
- Michael Jackson
WINNERS
First-place winners in San Bernardino schools’ 42nd Black History Bee are:
Third- and fourth-grade division:
- Ciara Bell, Kayci Jefferson
- Nadiri Ingram, Jaelon Garrett
- Xavier Buffong, Marcel Kirk
- Jace Blount, Aaron Solomon
All attend Savant Preparatory Academy of Business.
Fifth- and sixth-grade division:
- Kenia Sandoval and Solei Lockett, Jones Elementary School
- Juliana Jimenez and Jovana Jimenez, Marshall Elementary School
Middle school division:
- Azariah Perkins and Cardell Woods, Del Vallejo Leadership and STEAM Academy
- Alejandro Aguilar Ortiz and Alexander Ruiz, Arrowview Middle School
