by Ginger Williams

C. Arthur Blair, is the creator of what he believes is the first (if not the only) inter-active CD ROM on African American history.

It is a "game format," called "Black Quest, The Griot," and was created to "circumvent the historical process of America keeping African American history out of the possession of the masses."

Blair, a resident of Hyattsville, is employed by the State of Maryland as a coordinator of special programs in a local mental health facility.

He was impressed with the amount of African American history that is left out of history books, and decided to create the game, which is the end result of 20 years of research and interest.

"It wasn't easy," he said. "I Wasn't a reader, so a lot of research went into the creation. The more I read, the more I had, to read to become familiar with the number of African American authors, who contributed to African American."

One of the biggest hurdles, he remembers, involved making this history palatable, enjoyable. As many current (and former students) can attest, history is not the most interesting of subjects.

Enter the CD era. With no knowledge of marketing and very little about computers, Blair was determined to make this work. "I wanted to make his interesting story and available to as many people as possible.

But I didn't know just how to go about both, "he continues. " But, 20 years of work just couldn't be written off."

Through trial and error, his challenge came to fruition about one-and-a-half years ago. The brainchild was born, "Black Quest, The Griot" was ready for the general public.

Called an "Educational and Heritage Game on Black America," the CD holds over 1,100 entries to introduce one or more players to the experiences, achievements an contributions, of African Americans informative and insightful journey.

It is available from Rediscovery Learning Works, Inc. C/o C. Arthur Blair, PO Box 443, Bladensburg, MD, 20710-0443 for $29.99 + S/H and MD tax. For more information Mr. Blair can be reached at (301) 731-0114.