black history month essay contest 2021

Online Black History Month Challenge inspires students through essay competition: Strong Points

• Updated: Feb. 11, 2021, 5:18 p.m. |
• Published: Feb. 11, 2021, 4:52 p.m.

An online Black History Month Challenge offers students an essay competition to inspire them to write stories about the Black experience in the United States. (Nick Moran/mlive.com)

• Shirley MacFarland, special to cleveland.com

STRONGSVILLE, Ohio -- Citizens Bank has joined with EVERFI on a virtual essay competition to inspire students through stories about the Black experience in the United States and conversations about race and equity.

Citizens is partnering with leading social impact education innovator EVERFI to present the EVERFI Black History Month Challenge, taking place throughout the month of February. The Black History Month Challenge is a first-of-its-kind national competition to help high school students across the U.S. understand the Black American experience through historical perspectives.

The month-long challenge, created by EVERFI, features four digital lessons in a 30-minute course and a capstone essay contest in which students can share a plan for maintaining conversations about Black history year-round within their community.

Three essay contest winners will receive college scholarships totaling $20,000.

The Black History Month Challenge is designed to inspire students by telling stories about the Black experience in America; empower students through the counter-storytelling of Black perspectives across generations; elevate history as a lens to understand current events; and transform students’ perception of the world around them.

Students will explore topics and events including Juneteenth, Affirmative Action and the protests and marches for civil rights and equality.

In the Black Business Titans lesson, for example, students will explore the history behind the racial wealth gap and how Black entrepreneurs and businesspeople are overcoming challenges every day.

In the lesson on Black Contributions to Medicine, students will explore the roots of systemic racism in medical care and celebrate Black medical trailblazers historically and present day.

“Far too often, Black history is reduced to a handful of memorable moments and events, positioned as disjointed from American history or revised in ways that are inaccurate,” said Jesse Bridges, EVERFI senior vice president of diversity, equity, and inclusion.

“In an effort to honor the Black experience and invite deeper exploration, the Black History Month Challenge was established to illuminate some of those ‘lesser-known’ moments and facts in Black history, and to inspire enduring conversations about race and allyship among young people today,” Bridges said.

The Black History Month Challenge is designed for high school students in grades 9-12 and will be available through Feb. 28. The scholarship essay contest is open to all students ages 13-18.

To learn more about the EVERFI Black History Month Challenge, visit https://citizens.everfi-next.net/welcome/bhm .

District award: The Strongsville City Schools Treasurers Office has been awarded the Association of School Business Officials International (ASBO) Meritorious Budget Award (MBA) for the 2020-21 fiscal year, which marks the fifth straight year the district has received this award.

The MBA is an award presented annually by ASBO and recognizes school districts’ commitment to sound fiscal management and budgetary policies.

A panel of school financial professionals reviewed Strongsville’s budget documents for required elements and certain criteria of the MBA. The panel also provided expert feedback, which can be used for future development and continued improvement of the budget documents.

“We appreciate the recognition by the Association of School Business Officials International and are honored to receive the Meritorious Budget Award for the fifth straight year,” said Strongsville Schools Treasurer George Anagnostou.

“The award reflects a dedication by our entire district to maintain fiscal responsibility and financial transparency. We are grateful for the funding that is entrusted to us by the taxpayers of our community. We continue to ensure these financial resources are utilized for the benefit of the students in our district and in the best interest of our community,” he said.

Coyote warning: It’s mating season for coyotes, and Strongsville Animal Control Officer Chuck McCleary has been getting calls about coyote sightings.

Here is some information that may be useful to assist you with any concerns you may have about coyotes:

• If you see a coyote, make loud noises and scare it off.

• Deter the coyote whenever it is spotted, and do not leave your pets out unattended and for long periods of times. If you have outdoor cats (you shouldn’t) bring them in.

• Break up the times you let your pets out, because coyotes can actually remember a schedule of your animal’s activities if they are routine.

For more factual information put out by the Ohio Division of Wildlife about coyotes and their behaviors, go to wildlife.ohiodnr.gov .

Senior safety program: Senior citizens who live on their own will be the focus of a new safety program Strongsville is launching soon. The “R U OK?” program is designed to check in with seniors daily to make sure they’re doing all right -- and send help if there’s a problem.

Seniors who sign up for the program will receive an automated call every morning. If they answer the phone, the system will log that they are fine. If there’s no answer, though, the system will call again in a few minutes -- maybe the resident didn’t hear the phone or just couldn’t answer in time.

But if there’s still no answer, the system will call or text the resident’s emergency contact, who will then either check on the resident personally or ask the police department to do so. Safety forces would enter the home through a lockbox installed on the door.

Sign-ups are expected to start this month or in March. Contact the City of Strongsville at [email protected] or 440-580-3100 for more information.

Let the Strongsville community know what is going on with your organization, church, school, business or family. Email me at [email protected] .

Read more from the Sun Star Courier .

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Florida black history month essay contest (deadline 2.7.24).

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Black History Month 2021: The only way forward is through, together

Black americans stand at the crossroads of racism and the systems of oppression that perpetuate it. we go forward from here with faith, bold strategy..

It’s an understatement to say that 2020 got on Black folks’ collective last nerve. 

We began the year with a COVID-19 pandemic that hit us harder than any other group of Americans and exposed the systemic inequities still at the root of the nation’s institutions despite the gains of the civil rights movement.

Black people were among essential workers risking their lives to serve others, but also among the first to lose their jobs after stay-at-home orders shuttered businesses in every state. Many of us lost friends and relatives and were unable, due to social distancing, to mourn them properly. 

Police-involved killings of Breonna Taylor and George Floyd sent us into the streets with our masks on to protest a law enforcement system that doesn’t protect us. To salt the wounds, racist rhetoric supported in the nation’s highest places pitted white Americans against Black Americans at a time when we all needed so badly to work together.

Then 2021 arrived with an attack on the U.S. Capitol six days in by “patriots” bent on murder and destruction largely because the November election – of President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris, the first Black person and first woman to hold that office – didn’t go their way.

But as House Majority Whip Jim Clyburn notes in an exclusive essay for USA TODAY, this historical moment of chaos and confusion is not unfamiliar terrain. Last year was not without some victories, and 2021 is not without hope.

More: Rep. Jim Clyburn: Our country is at a crossroads. We must urgently reclaim King's vision of America

More: Martin Luther King Jr.'s words of unity and truth transcend how they are often twisted

In 1967, the beloved community Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. sought to build, seemingly buoyed by civil rights legislation, seemed further away than ever. Police brutality in Watts in Los Angeles exploded into rebellion just after the Voting Rights Act of 1965 and white backlash to integration seemed to threaten democracy itself. Young Black activists were at odds with their elders over who should lead the movement. 

So King put the question to the people in the title of his last book, "Where Do We Go From Here? Chaos or Community?" This is the same question before us more than 50 years later.

Black people I’ve talked to on nearly a year’s worth of Zoom calls have all said the same thing: Black folks have had hard times before, we know how to get through them. With faith, we will come forth stronger and better, but we all have to do it together. 

We need to first examine how we got here. How do we dismantle ideas and systems that keep racism alive?  We also need to hold our leaders as accountable for progress as we do ourselves.

More: 'Where Do We Go from Here?' King's question amid the chaos of the '60s still resonates today

There is the promise of vaccines for COVID-19. There is excitement in the election of Biden and Harris. Presidents of historically Black colleges and universities are hoping for Biden’s support. Black women like Donna Brazile, political strategist for several Democratic presidents, and Black girls like Rep. Ilhan Omar’s daughter can’t wait for the inspiration Harris will bring.

As King said in 1967 and Clyburn says today, we are at a crossroads. But as much as we want things to right themselves, we can’t rush the process. We can’t heal as a people, as a country, until we’ve taken time to examine everything that has so clearly gone wrong and allowed all voices to be heard.  

Where do we go from here? The short answer: Forward. Through still-difficult times to the other, better side. There’s no going back to a “normal” that never worked that well for Black people anyway.  

The only way forward is through. 

For more stories on how we move forward together, see this year's Black History Month special edition, on newsstands and in USA TODAY's online store .

Two Alachua County students win state Black History Month contest, recognize local workers

When many people think of Black History Month heroes, they picture Martin Luther King Jr., Muhammad Ali, Maya Angelou or Michael Jordan.

Two Alachua County Public Schools students went a different route this past February.

For the annual 2021 Florida Black History Month Student and Teacher contest, High Springs Community School fourth-grader Brynley Ashraf wrote an essay about her school resource officer, Adam Joy, and W.A. Metcalfe Elementary School second-grader Immanuel Howard painted a picture of his school's head custodian, James Henderson.

Their entries were selected as two of just five winners from the entire state, announced First Lady Casey DeSantis in a press release Monday.

More education news:

• Should underused schools be closed or rezoned for more students?
• Ready or not, new Alachua County schools superintendent says rezoning must come
• UF law college hosts open discussion of Chauvin verdict

How the contest works

On Feb. 4, Gov. Ron DeSantis announced the 2021 theme: “Community Champions – Celebrating the Contributions of African Americans in Florida’s Communities." Participants then had until 5 p.m. on Feb. 26 to create and submit their entries.

All Florida students in kindergarten through third grade could make their own two-dimensional work of art, from which two winners would be selected.

Older students from fourth grade through 12th grade could write an essay up to 500 words long, from which three winners would be selected — one each for elementary, middle and high school. Those three would also receive a four-year Florida College Plan scholarship from the Florida Prepaid College Foundation.

High Springs Community student Brynley and school resource officer Joy

Brynley, 9, said she decided to enter the contest when her gifted teacher announced it to class one day after a science lesson.

The young writer, who said English is her favorite subject and that she loves to make up stories in her free time with her sister or cousin, decided to write about her SRO, Joy, because of all his volunteer work outside of school.

Aside from being in his first year as a school resource officer for High Springs Community School and an officer with the High Springs Police Department, Joy works with service programs in their community like Meals on Wheels and No Son Left Behind.

He also organizes charity drives, Brynley said, like two she helped out in recently: a Christmas gift collection for underprivileged families and a stuffed animal donation so police officers could have comforting toys if there is ever a child in their back seat.

"Well, I just thought he needed to be recognized for doing so many things at once," she said.

Joy said inspiring kids like Brynley is the main reason he works so tirelessly around the school and community. The 33-year-old hadn't even noticed he was doing ''so many things'' until he read her essay and saw himself through someone else's eyes.

"I was very surprised, humbled and honored, to be honest," Joy said. "That's what it's all about: inspiring them, being there for them, lifting them up, making sure they have hope for the future."

W.A. Metcalfe Elementary student Immanuel and head custodian Henderson

Immanuel, 8, said he chose to paint Henderson because the custodian is always friendly and works hard cleaning every day to keeps him and his classmates safe.

"He's our hero," the boy said, "because he keeps our school clean."

The young artist said he first tried to paint Henderson outdoors with a blue sky, but it got too hard. Instead, he added some splatters on the blue to make it look like a wall and then drew the custodian on top, as if you were seeing him standing at their school.

OPINION: Thank teachers for successes of the school year

It took Immanuel about three days spread out over two weeks to finish the piece, he said. Art is his favorite subject, and even outside of class, he sometimes makes digital drawings on the school computers for fun.

Henderson, 62, has worked at Metcalfe for 14 years. He said it was an honor to be painted by Immanuel, and he knew in his heart the second-grader's work would win.

"If you could have seen the expression on my face when I saw it — My eyes bugged out. I said, 'wow, that's awesome,' " he said. "I'm glad to be a part of it, really. I have just been Mr. Henderson, head custodian at Metcalfe, but they really brought me out, and I appreciate that so much."

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Black History Month Contests

Throughout the month of February, Okaloosa County School District’s K-12 students are participating in the 2021 Black History Month art and essay contests. This year’s theme is “Celebrating Inspirational Individuals” to recognize and pay tribute to African American individuals who have played inspirational roles in the lives of others.

Students who choose to participate in the Art and/or Essay contests are being asked to describe in 500 words or less, how an African-American has been an inspiration in their life and discuss the contributions of how this individual has served to inspire and motivate them.

About the OCSD Student Contests

Art Contest for Grades K-12 – The Black History Month art contest is open to all students in grades K-12. Each student will submit original, two-dimensional artwork based on this year’s theme. One elementary student grades K-3, one elementary student grades 4-5, one middle school student, and one high school winner will be selected.

• Prizes: Elementary - K-3 (Trophy & $25 prize) & 4-5 (Trophy & $25 prize), Middle School (Trophy & $50 prize) & High School (Trophy & $100 prize)
• Art Contest Submission Guidelines - Each OCSD student will submit a picture of their artwork and your student application by Friday, March 5, 2021 by 5:00pm to [email protected]

Essay Contest for Grades K-12 – The Black History Month essay contest is open to all students in grades K-12. One elementary student grades K-3, one elementary student grades 4-5, one middle school student, and one high school winner will be selected.

• Essay Contest Submission Guidelines - Each OCSD student will submit their essay and your student application by Friday, March 5, 2021 by 5:00pm to [email protected]

Door Decorating Contest: Showcasing positive images of black history and black culture.

• Prizes: prizes will be given to 1 High School, 1 Middle School, and 1 Elementary School. The winning faculty/staff member will receive a gift card and their class will receive a special prize.
• Door Decorating Contest Submission Guidelines - Submit entry no later than Friday, March 5, 2021 by 5:00pm to [email protected]

Read more about Black History Month and the OCSD contests here!

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Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr./Black History Month essay contest winners announced

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BROOKINGS – The Brookings Human Rights Commission has announced the winners of its 2021 Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr./Black History Month Essay Contest.   Dr. King was a supporter of human rights and freedoms for all citizens.

The contest is designed for students to reflect on Dr. King’s ideas and the effect on our community through their contest entry.  

This year’s theme was from one of Dr. King’s quotes, “There comes a time when one must take a position that is neither safe, nor politic, nor popular, but he must take it because conscience tells him it is right,” or any topic relating to Black history.

The contest winners received their award recognition from Mayor Keith Corbett at the Brookings City Council meeting on March 9.  

The award ceremony can be viewed and essays can be read by visiting www.cityofbrookings-sd.gov/392/Dr-Martin-Luther-King-Jr-Day-Contest.

Essay – Middle School

• Kendis Sackreiter

First place –   $100

Mickelson Middle School

•  Shae Lefers

Second place   – $75

•  Alex Kidangathazhe

Third place – $50

Essay – High School

•  Zoey Henderson

Brookings High School

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City Hosts Student Essay Contest for Black History Month

Jan 27, 2021 | Local News

Editor’s note: The following is a press release from the City of Bloomington. Bloom has republished it here with minor edits for style and clarity.

The City of Bloomington Black History Month Committee is seeking submissions from area students for the 2021 Black History Month Essay Contest. Students from the elementary grades through high school are encouraged to submit original essays on the theme “The Show Goes On” as it pertains to Black history. 

The City of Bloomington and the Indiana University Neal-Marshall Black Culture Center are commemorating National Black History Month 2021 with the theme “The Show Goes On.” The month’s events will speak to the role of the arts in the resilience of the Black community; highlighting the way Black stories of the journey to freedom, civil rights, and equity have been represented in music from gospel to blues to rap, as well as other art forms from dance to literature to the visual arts. 

Essays must be submitted by midnight on Monday, February 8, via the Black History Month website at bloomington.in.gov/bhm , where additional information about essay questions, subjects and prompt questions, and a list of last year’s essay contest winners are posted.

First, second, and third place essay prizes will be awarded in each of three categories: elementary (grades 4-6), middle (grades 7-8) and high school (grades 9-12). Home-schooled students are eligible to participate as well. First place essay winners will receive iPads, second place winners will each receive a $100 cash award, and third place winners will receive a $75 cash award.  

Winners will be honored via video presentation on February 18as part of the City’s Black History Month celebration. 

“I encourage all of our students to use this opportunity to reflect on Black history and the place of Black culture in our collective experience,” says Mayor John Hamilton.  “As we come together to celebrate the perseverance of Black people, we reiterate our commitment to greater equity and justice in Bloomington and beyond.” 

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Black History Month Essay Contest; 6-12 Graders

by Shelby Boatman | Jan 20, 2022

The contest is open to all middle and high school aged students (6-12 grade) in Clinton County. Students are encouraged to submit a typed essay between 250-500 words describing an African American in your life, community, or throughout history, who is or has made a positive impact and how they have inspired you personally.

All entries are due by February 18, 2022 to the student’s school guidance office and up to eight winners (1 Middle School and 1 High School student per school district) will be identified by February 25, 2022. Winner’s essays will be shared in the Wilmington News Journal and will receive a $50 free checking account sponsored by Wilmington Savings Bank.

For more information please visit www.ClintonCountyHistory.org or call 937-382-4684. Students are encouraged to reach out to their school’s guidance office too.

John A. Ferguson Senior High School

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  The Eleventh Judicial Circuit and the Wilkie D. Ferguson, Jr. Bar Association Black History Month Essay Contest.        

·         The Eleventh Judicial Circuit in collaboration with the Wilkie D. Ferguson, Jr. Bar Association takes this time to celebrate the many achievements and contributions of Black Americans, who, throughout history, have done so much to make America the culturally diverse and prosperous nation we are today. During Black History Month, Miami-Dade County Public Schools students can gain insight into the experiences of Black Americans and the vital role this community has played throughout our shared history.   The 11th Judicial Circuit Essay Contest is Open to   Senior High School Students ONLY .     There will be three (3) educational prizes donated for the winning essays as follows:        

o     FIRST   place winner will receive $2,500.00.       

o     SECOND   place will receive $1,500.00.       

o     THIRD   place winner will receive $1000.00.    

·          Submit yours to Mr. Warren or your Social Studies teacher. 

·         See the attachment titled-   SHS ONLY- 11th Judicial Circuit and Bar Association Contest guidelines   for additional details.      

  M-DCPS/Department of Social Sciences K-12 Black History Month Essay Contest     

·         Submit yours to Mr. Warren or your Social Studies teacher by Friday , January 14 at 12:00 p.m. (noon). 

·         See the attachment titled-   2021 Black History Essay Contest Guidelines   for guidelines, essay prompts, and logistics.   

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Congratulations to our 2020 Black History Month Essay Contest Winners!

We would like to give a big congratulations to our Black History Month scholarship essay contest winners. In celebration of Black History Month, we are proud to announce three exceptional students that recently were awarded a 4-Year Florida College Plan Scholarship!

Each student was tasked with writing an essay that highlights the theme, “Celebrating Untold Stories and Contributions of African Americans in Florida.” The winners were honored at a ceremony hosted by Governor Ron DeSantis and First Lady Casey DeSantis at the Governor’s Mansion on February 26, 2020.

We are thrilled to be a part of celebrating Black History Month, alongside Volunteer Florida and the Governor and First Lady DeSantis. The Florida Prepaid College Foundation has been a sponsor of the student contest for the past 18 years.

Essay Contest Winners:

Elementary School Winner: Aidan Patel, Cypress Woods Elementary School, Pinellas County

Aidan wrote about Mary McLeod Bethune, an American education, stateswomen and civil rights activist who founded Bethune-Cookman University. In his essay, he mentions how Mary Bethune was an “important unsung hero” for her help in gaining equality for African Americans.

Jaylen McCall, Liberty Middle School, Hillsborough County

Jaylen wrote about John Horse, a man who rose out of slavery and became the Chief of the Black Seminoles during the Second Seminole War.

Amarachi Ujagbor, Pembroke Pines Charter High School, Broward County

Amarachi wrote about Dr. Charles Drew, an African American physician and surgeon who pioneered methods of storing blood plasma and organized the first blood bank for the U.S. military.

To hear more from First Lady DeSantis click here .

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