Text and photos by Albert J. Fernando
Children, some as young as seven-years old, displayed their memory skills when they participated at the 2018 AfroQuiz held at the Citadel on Saturday, February 24, 2018. The event was organized by the Council of Canadians of African and Caribbean Heritage (CCACH), Edmonton.
Among the special guests who attended were Edmonton’s Mayor Don Iveson and MLA David Shepherd.
2018 marks the twenty sixth time this annual contest was organized. This year’s theme was “Immigration and Integration” that explored the migration experiences of communities of African heritage in Canada, and across the world.
History of AfroQuiz
Speaking to me after the contest, Jeannette Austin-Odina, one of the founder members of the CCACH traced the history of this popular quiz: “The University of Alberta Black Students Association started a competition as part of their usual monthly activities. Malcolm Azania was the organizer and I had children in that group. I thought as a teacher that I should bring this to the wider Black community. So, I started AfroQuiz.”
Explaining further, Mrs. Austin-Odina said, “It was my intention that all Black children should be able to raise her/his hand in class and say, ‘Did you know that a Black man invented blood refridgeration or the use of Cord Blood, for example.’”
Jeannette Austin-Odina has received several awards for her contribution to the Black community and community at large.
The Quiz
The much-awaited AfroQuiz commenced after greetings from Mayor Iveson and MLA Shepherd.
Emcee
Karlus Andrews then took over the proceedings explaining first the rules of the contest. Children selected to participate had been given resource materials to prepare for the event. There were 4 categories of contestants according to the following age-groups: 9 years and under, 10-12 years, 13-14 years and 15-17 years.
Questions were quite revealing both to the contestants and the audience. Following are sample questions:
· “People who hid enslaved Africans in their homes, churches or barns
went by this name?”
· “This Edmonton oilers defenceman’s father is from Trinidad and
Tobago?”
· “This song was sung by many artists including Beyonce?”
· “This book features 40 trail-blazing Black women in the world’s
history; it educates and inspires as it relates true stories of women broke
boundaries and exceeded all expectations?”
· “A group of 556 people arrived from this West Indian island after
an unsuccessful British attempt to enslave the people.”
The Winners
Following are the winners in each age-group:
9 years and under
1. Elijah 2. Emani 3. Tipa
10-12 Years
1. Tanatswa
2. Emmanuel
3. Hudson
13-14 years
1. Naomi 2. Neesa-Chae 3. Faustina
15-17 Years
1. Debra 2. Ebony 3. Naomi
The contestants won an iPad and gift certificates which will help them continue to learn and grow. All contestants received age-appropriate book written by or about the Black experience.
AfroQuiz Chair Melody Cesar and CCACH Board President Siyani Nsaliwa thanked the contestants, sponsors and the volunteers.
A fundraiser held on January 27, 2018 brought in $9, 250 which was utilized towards the AfroQuiz-2018 event.
