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.

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.