The City of Bloomington Black History Month Committee is seeking submissions from area students for the Black History Month Essay Contest. The theme for the 2024 Black History Month celebration is "Blacks in Cinema," celebrates the profound impact and enduring contributions of Black individuals in the world of film.
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Prizes
Prizes
First, second and third place prizes will be awarded in each of three categories: elementary (grades 4-6), middle (grades 7-8) and high school (grades 9-12). Homeschooled students are eligible to participate as well.
First place essay winners will receive an iPad
Second place winners will receive a $100 cash award
Third place winners will receive a $75 cash award.
Guidelines
Guidelines
Prompt Questions:
How has the subject challenged the status quo in our society?
How has the subject inspired or influenced your own life?
High School Only: What have been the most important outcomes of the subject’s impact on our society?
Length Guidelines:
Elementary/Middle School: 350-500 words
High School: 500-700 words
DO NOT:
Include your name in or on your essay
Use pictures, graphics, colored text
Due to the growing prevalence of AI technology, the Black History Month Committee has implemented an AI plagiarism check for every submitted essay before scoring. The Black History Month Essay Contest upholds a strict zero-tolerance policy against plagiarism, including the use of AI technology for paper assistance. In the event of plagiarism, both the student and their school will be notified, rendering them ineligible for participation in the current year. Multiple offenses may result in being barred from future competitions.
2024 Topics
Ava DuVernay
Diahann Carroll
Earl Graves Sr.
Gordon Parks
Hattie McDaniel
James Earl Jones
John Singleton
Jordan Peele
Kasi Lemmons
Melvin Van Peebles
Oscar Micheaux
Ruth Carter
Spike Lee
Whoopi Goldberg
The deadline for submissions is February 6, 2024 at 5PM. Once submitted, essays may not be revised or altered. Submissions without attached essays will not be considered complete and will be invalidated.
Essay Topics
Essay Topics
Ava DuVernay
Ava DuVernay
Filmmaker
Diahann Carroll
Diahann Carroll
Actress, singer, model, and activist
Earl Graves Sr.
Earl Graves Sr.
Entrepreneur, publisher, businessman, philanthropist, and advocate of African-American businesses
Gordon Parks
Gordon Parks
Photographer, composer, author, poet, and film director, who became prominent in U.S. documentary photojournalism
Hattie McDaniel
Hattie McDaniel
Actress, singer-songwriter, and comedienne
James Earl Jones
James Earl Jones
Actor
John Singleton
John Singleton
Director, screenwriter, and producer.
Jordan Peele
Jordan Peele
Actor, comedian, and filmmaker
Kasi Lemmons
Kasi Lemmons
Film director, screenwriter, and actress.
Melvin Van Peebles
Melvin Van Peebles
Actor, filmmaker, writer, and composer.
Oscar Micheaux
Oscar Micheaux
Author, film director and independent producer of more than 44 films
Ruth Carter
Ruth Carter
Costume designer for film and television
Spike Lee
Spike Lee
Film director, producer, screenwriter, and actor.
Whoopi Goldberg
Whoopi Goldberg
Actor, comedian, author, and television personality. A recipient of numerous accolades, she is one of 18 entertainers to win the EGOT
Submissions
Submissions
The deadline for submissions is February 6, 2024 at 5PM. Once submitted, essays may not be revised or altered. Submissions without attached essays will not be considered complete and will be invalidated.
Volunteer to read and score essays for the 2024 Black History Month Essay Contest.
Winners & Awards Ceremony
Winners & Awards Ceremony
Essay Contest Reception
Essay Contest Reception
Parents, teachers, siblings, friends, and community members are invited to Fairview elementary as the winners of the 2024 Black History Month essay contest are honored. Awards will be presented in the elementary, middle, and high school levels. Join the community in supporting these budding scholars. Refreshments will be served. For additional information, contact mosss@bloomington.in.gov.
Date: Feb 20, 2024
Time: 6:00PM
Location: City Hall Council Chambers, 401 N. Morton St., Bloomington, IN
Winners & Awards Ceremony
Winners & Awards Ceremony
Essay Contest Sponsors
Essay Contest Sponsors
Thanks to our sponsors, first-place winners will receive an iPad Air courtesy of IU Credit Union. Second and third place winners will receive $100 and $75 respectively, courtesy of the Order of the Eastern Star, Southern Star #50 Jurisdiction of Indiana, and The Prince Hall Mason’s Stone City Lodge #54.
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