Black History Month Poetry Contest Deadline

Allegheny West Conference Youth (AWCY) is pleased to announce the launch of the first-ever Black History Month Poetry Contest. We’d like to hear your original poems about black history, culture, experience, and/or social justice issues.

Win great prizes!

The first-place prize for each age group is $50,  the second-place prize is $30, and the third-place prize is $20.

Make a video of yourself reciting your original poem, upload it to an online site (YouTube, Google Drive, One Drive), and submit a link to the video through our online form. In February, all poems will be presented in a virtual spoken word poetry event.

Rules:

1. There will be three age groups: 6–9 years old, 10–13 years old, and 14–17 years old.
2. Poems must be sent via video link and must be original.
3. Reflections on black history, culture, experience, and/or social justice issues should be included in poems.
4. Each child is only allowed one entry that must be submitted in English.
5. Poems do not have to rhyme.
6. A typed copy of the poem must be submitted with the video.
7. The author authorizes AWCY to publish the poetry and films on our website and in our promotional materials and to be published in a book.
8. Poems are evaluated based on their originality and distinctiveness.
9. All submissions need to be the author’s original work.
10. The creator of the entry retains all ownership rights.
11. The author permits to present their entry in a virtual spoken word production on February 28, 2023.
12. Winners will be announced at the end of the contest.

Please submit the link to the video of your original poem via email to epeters@awconf.org by February 21, 2023.