Black History Month is an annual celebration of achievements by African Americans and a time for recognizing the central role of blacks in U.S. history. Also known as African American History Month, the event grew out of “Negro History Week,” the brainchild of noted historian Carter G. Woodson and other prominent African Americans. Since 1976, every U.S. president has officially designated the month of February as Black History Month. Other countries around the world, including Canada and the United Kingdom, also devote a month to celebrating black history.
This year's theme is "Celebrating the Achievements of African Americans in the Arts". African American art is infused with African, Caribbean, and the Black American lived experiences. In the fields of visual and performing arts, literature, fashion, folklore, language, film, music, architecture, culinary and other forms of cultural expression the African American influence has been paramount. African American artists have used art to preserve history and community memory as well as for empowerment. Artistic and cultural movements such as the New Negro, Black Arts, Black Renaissance, hip-hop, and Afrofuturism, have been led by people of African descent and set the standard for popular trends around the world. In 2024, we examine the varied history and life of African American arts and artisans.
This year the Houston Berean SDA Church Black History Essay Contest Committee invites you to choose one of the following prompts, and submit a 300-400 word essay that seeks to celebrate .
WRITING PROMPTS:
Who: Any High School Student who attends Jack Yates High School, the Young Women’s College Preparatory Academy,
The Mickey Leland College Prep Academy for Young Men,
The Houston Academy for International Studies, and
The Houston Adventist Academy are encouraged to participate.
Any High School student attending a local Southwest Regional or Texas Conference church is eligible to submit an essay.
When: January 20th through February 20th. Our Grand Prize and Honorable Mention honorees will be announced February 22nd.
Where: The winners of the contest will read their essay and receive their prize on
Saturday, February 24th at 11 am at
Berean Seventh Day Adventist Church
2119 St. Emmanuel Houston, TX 77003
How: Essay may be single or double spaced and at least 300-400 words.
Grand Prize Winner will receive a 2 in 1 Laptop.
4 Honorable mention submissions will receive $50 Amazon Gift cards
Email all submissions to james.kelley@bereansdahouston.org
Subject line should include Student Name, Grade Level, School
All entries must be submitted by 5 pm on Tuesday, February 20th, 2024.
Scoring Rubric
