Black Thanksgiving Traditions
Many Black families celebrate Thanksgiving with this soulful style of cooking passed down through generations.
What is soul food?
This civil rights leader famously preached messages of love and gratitude despite injustice.
Who is Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.?
This dish—fried, baked, or smothered—is a Thanksgiving favorite and a beloved Sunday dinner classic in Black culture.
What is fried chicken?
This hip-hop artist references family, gratitude, and celebration in songs like “Family Business.”
Who is Kanye West?
Which U.S President made Thanksgiving a national holiday?
Who is Abraham Lincoln?
This dessert—often preferred over pumpkin pie—is a staple on many Black Thanksgiving tables.
What is sweet potato pie?
This abolitionist and Underground Railroad conductor stayed thankful despite hardship, guiding enslaved people to freedom.
Who is Harriet Tubman?
This sweet side dish is a Thanksgiving favorite with African American culinary roots.
What are candied yams?
This iconic Black musical genre is often played during Thanksgiving clean-up and family time, featuring artists like Al Green and Anita Baker.
What is R&B?
Which tradition brings good luck at Thanksgiving?
What is breaking a wishbone?
This popular side dish is often baked rather than boxed in many Black households.
What is mac and cheese?
This poet wrote works filled with gratitude, survival, and resilience, including Still I Rise.
Who is Maya Angelou?
This sweet holiday side, often homemade in Black households, are known for being fluffy, buttery, and served warm.
What are rolls?
This long-running sitcom featured famous Thanksgiving episodes, including one focused on fighting over who makes the best mac & cheese.
What is The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air?
This mathematical term describes a number that can only be evenly divided by 1 and itself.
What is a prime number?
This popular Thanksgiving staple is often cooked “low and slow” in Black households, sometimes using smoked turkey instead of ham for added flavor.
What are collard greens?
This famous abolitionist and speaker held Thanksgiving-style gatherings where she shared stories of resilience and faith with Black communities.
Who is Sojourner Truth?
This seasoning blend—garlic, onion, paprika, and more—is widely used in soul food cooking.
What is Creole or Cajun seasoning?
This famous comedian created the classic "Thanksgiving Soul Train Line" sketches.
Who is Steve Harvey?
This scientific term refers to water turning to gas.
What is evaporation?
Many Black families begin Thanksgiving with this
What is prayer?
Often heard in Black homes during Thanksgiving prep, this legendary musician is known as the “Godfather of Soul.”
Who is James Brown?
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This Black-owned food brand, founded by a gospel singer, is known for products that often appear in holiday meals.
What is Patti LaBelle’s pies (Patti’s Good Life brand)?
Thanksgiving gatherings often include this popular game that originated in Africa and is still played in some Black families.
What is Mancala?
This metallic element is liquid at room temperature and has the symbol Hg.
What is mercury?