Harlem Renaissance Essay Contest

Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., Gamma Gamma Omega Chapter is encouraging students to explore the significance of African American arts and culture by hosting an essay-writing contest.

Students are invited to write about the following: How has the Harlem Renaissance advanced the African American culture?

The Harlem Renaissance celebrated the contributions of African American artists between the mid-1910s until the mid-1930s. Students are encouraged to be creative in their interpretation of the significance of this important era.

Essay Guidelines

Essays must be typewritten in 12-point Times New Roman font and must be submitted via email on or before Saturday, June 5, 2021 at noon to [email protected].

The essay contest is open to all currently enrolled high school students who live in Buncombe County, Henderson County, or Transylvania County. Students must adhere to the following word requirements: Minimum 500 to Maximum 1,000 words.

Each of the submissions must have a cover letter with the following information:

• The student’s first name, last name, and email address
• Grade of student
• Name of legal parent or guardian with their email address

Please include this statement with a parental or guardian’s signature:

I, _____________________, parent of _____________________, grants permission for my child’s essay to be reviewed by the members of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.’s Gamma Gamma Omega Chapter. If my child’s essay is chosen as a winning essay, I grant permission for my child to be recognized via social media and/or the local media, and I further grant permission for the essay to be published online, via social media and/or the local media.

Signature________________________________________

Name________________________________________

Date________________________________________

Judging Guidelines

Essays must be submitted via email to [email protected] on or before the due date of Saturday, June 5, 2021 at noon.

No portion of the essay may be plagiarized. All information must be original work or appropriately documented.

Essays will be reviewed and judged based upon its originality, the quality of the writing, and ability to show how the Harlem Renaissance has progressed the African American community.

Winners will receive: First place: $75.00; Second place: $50:00; Third place: $25.00.

For more information, please visit www.gammagammaomega.com.

About Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority

Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. is the oldest Greek-lettered service organization established by Black college-educated women. It was founded on January 15, 1908 on the campus of Howard University in Washington, DC.

The purpose of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority is to cultivate and encourage high scholastic and ethical standards, to promote unity and friendship among college women, to study and help alleviate problems concerning girls and women in order to improve their social stature, to maintain a progressive interest in college life, and to be of service to all mankind.