Stacey Plaskett's 2017 Congressional Black Caucus Foundation Essay Contest

Open to 10th and 11th Graders

Essay Submission Deadline: Sunday, May 7, 2017  

 
 
 
 
 

 

Congresswoman Plaskett Announces

2017 Congressional Black Caucus 

Foundation Essay Contest

 

Dear Friend: Jonathan and I are pleased to present sophomore and junior students in the Virgin Islands with an opportunity to participate in one of the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation, Incorporated's (CBCF) premiere education activities. Each year the Spouses of the Congressional Black Caucus Members partner with CBCF to volunteer and dedicate their time and talents to creating educational opportunities to prepare our future leaders. We invite qualified African-American students from the territory to participate in this year's Essay Contest and Issue Forum. Students are presented with a topic that embodies some of our communities' most pressing issues and are asked to write an essay to defend their research, analyses and opinion. Submissions are judged by a special committee of CBC Spouses. Winners and their families will be invited to Washington, DC in September to accept their awards and attend a panel discussion on the topic during the CBCF 47th Annual Legislative Conference (ALC). Last year, essay contestants wrote passionately about the issue of civic engagement among youth. High-school students from all over the country shared how they can get involved in both political and nonpolitical processes to move their communities forward. At a Youth Issue Forum during ALC '16, students engaged in a very lively and emotional dialogue with informed panelists. This year, the topic will focus specifically on entrepreneurship.

2017 Essay Contest Question

THE LEGACY OF ENTREPRENEURSHIP IN

AFRICAN-AMERICAN COMMUNITIES

In the early 1900s, a thriving black community emerged in Greenwood, Oklahoma. Known as Black Wall Street, the community became one of the wealthiest and most successful neighborhoods in the country. There were black-owned hospitals, grocery stores, bus systems, banks, restaurants, privately-owned planes, hotels, law offices, and much more. The community flourished until 1921, when it was burned down. Today, it is important to continue to recognize the impact of Black Wall Street and encourage the spirit of business ownership among Black communities. Discuss the importance of business ownership within the African-American community. What factors in today's society contribute to the lack of black business ownership and entrepreneurial growth in our communities? If you could start your own business to address a social, cultural, environmental, or economic issue in your community, what would it be and why? Your business could revolve around a product, service, or both. All written essay submissions are due by Sunday, May 7, 2017. Winners will be selected on or before Monday, June 19, 2017. The first place winner will receive $1,500; second place will receive $1,000 and third place will receive $750. All three finalists will receive airfare and hotel accommodations to and from Washington, D.C. to attend a congratulatory luncheon and youth issue forum that is held during ALC '17 in September. We need your assistance to make this year's essay contest a success. Please share this information, along with the Essay Contest Rules and Guidelines and Submission Sheet, with students and parents who might be interested. Click here to download the Rules, Guidelines and Submission Sheet Sincerely,

Stacey & Jonathan

 

 

 

 

 
 

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