Annual Knowledge Bowl celebrates ‘A Century of Commemorations’ of Black history

Published 7:27 am Sunday, February 22, 2026

Nearly four decades after it first filled an auditorium at Texas College, the annual Black History Knowledge Bowl returned Saturday, with more than a dozen teams buzzing in to test their knowledge of Black history.

“We’re just really excited about having this opportunity for not only the students, but everyone, to really focus on Black history and all of the great things that individuals have done in the Black community and the talents of our ancestors, and to have this cultural heritage to look back on,” said Rubye Kendrick, vice president of the Gamma Omicron Omega chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.

With this year’s theme, “A Century of Black History Commemorations,” the event brought 18 teams of elementary, middle, and high school students, along with churches and other community organizations, to Boulter Middle School. Organizers say the competition serves a larger purpose than trophies and medals.

“Our history isn’t really taught in schools,” Kendrick said. “So it’s really left up to families and the community to do something like this to help facilitate that knowledge and give a greater understanding of the scope of impact Black people have had across every industry.”

That mission dates back to the competition’s founding in 1988 by Connie Isabell at Texas College. The first contest, held in the school’s auditorium, featured about 20 teams and laid the foundation for what would become a decades-long community tradition. The event has since expanded to other Texas cities, including Dallas, Fort Worth, Crowley, and Conroe.

The competition was placed on a 15-year hiatus before being revived in 2018, according to HBCU Network. Now hosted by the Ivy Legacy Foundation, the charitable arm of the Gamma Omicron Omega chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., the annual competition gives teams about six weeks to study a designated theme before coming together to compete.

For Kendrick, the Knowledge Bowl reflects a tradition of community-led education that stretches back generations.

“For those of us who grew up 40 years ago, there was more of an emphasis in our churches and other organizations on making sure we were aware of our history and the contributions individuals made — from the time of slavery up until the present,” she said. “It was about understanding everything that happened during that time, and still recognizing the ability to rise, to be successful, and the sacrifices and achievements that helped build this country.”