Kids show their custom shirts made for the 2025 Black History Brain Bowl. Z NEWS PHOTO/TATYANA PURIFOY

Hillsborough County students compete in Black History Month quiz 

Hillsborough County public schools are hosting their ninth annual Black History Brain Bowl this month.  

The event brings kids from elementary, middle and high school together to answer quiz-style format questions about Black History Month.  

This helps students celebrate the achievements and contributions of African Americans throughout history.  

Andrea Beverly, the main organizer of the event, said she wants students to know that they can also become a part of history. 

“We wanted to make sure that students were not only learning American history but that they were learning the Black portion of American history, local history and African history.” 

There were only 10 schools in the competition in 2016. This year, the event has brought together 93 schools.  

Kids competing in the 2025 Black History Brain Bowl. Z NEWS PHOTO/ TATYANA PURIFOY

From historical leaders such as Martin Luther King Jr. and Harriet Tubman to local changemakers, the Brain Bowl covers a broad spectrum of topics.  

Beverly said the competition encourages students to go beyond the textbooks and connect with history in a meaningful way. 

“I feel that the message is coming across that Black history is American history and should be valued,” she said. 

By engaging in the event, students are not only testing their knowledge but also building a deeper understanding of the contributions, struggles and triumphs of Black Americans.  

Credits:

Anchors: Sam Poulin & Carter Timmons
Reporters: Gracie Campbell & Tatyana Purifoy
Web Editor: Clara Rokita Garcia
Audio: Ricardo Cuomo
Tech Director: Tatyana Purifoy
Producer: Debora Gruenberg
Assistant Producer: Gracie Campbell
Social Media: Karli Kibbee
Teleprompter: Abigail Saxe
Camera: Luana Martins
Editor: Paula Sanchez Ruiz
Graduate Assistant: Grace Ficara
Faculty Advisor: Dr. Stephanie Anderson