April 15, 2022
The Center for Black Literature (CBL) at Medgar Evers College, in partnership with the National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE) and University of Pittsburgh School of Education, invites high school and college students of all ages to participate in the writing contest “Celebrating Black Writers: Voices Calling for Activism and Social Justice.”
Submissions in the genres of fiction, prose, and essay are welcome. Writings should represent various themes raised by Black writers—poets, novelists, literary activists, public intellectuals, civil rights leaders, and historians—who have advocated for social justice. Submissions of students’ original writings must be between 750 and 4,000 words.
The writing contest celebrates CBL’s 20th Anniversary Jubilee: Honoring Our Legacy and Celebrating the Black Literary Arts, and NCTE’s annual National Day of Writing. An panel of expert judges will review all submissions. Winners at the high school level (which includes juniors and seniors) will receive $3,000 for first place and $1,500 for second place. College students (which includes community, comprehensive, and senior colleges) will be awarded $4,000 for first place, and $2,000 for second place.
Deadline: All entries should be submitted by no later than 11:59 p.m. (ET) on May 23, 2022.