2018's Themes

1. "Our Vision, Our Future: Healthy and Happy School Communities." Students can incorporate sub-themes that include: a.) A healthy and clean school environment, b.) A bully-free world, and c.) An inclusive and diverse society as related to healthy and happy school communities.

2. "Tell Them We Are Rising": The history of HBCU (historically black colleges and universities) and the purpose they serve in society today. Students can focus on an HBCU and provide artistic highlights about its history programs, extracurricular activities, sororities/fraternities, marching bands and/or any other aspects of interest. HBCUs may include Howard University, Hampton University, Morgan State University, Spelman College, Morehouse College, Fisk University and North Carolina A&T University. 

 

A PBS film entitled Tell Them We Are Rising: The Story of Black Colleges and Universities will premiere on PBS Monday, February 19, 2018 from 9 p.m. to 10 p.m. A DVD is also available for purchase via website ShopPBS.org (Promo code: RISING).

 

3. Enduring legacy of what 21st century schools look like in terms of recognizing contributions of African-American educators throughout history. Students can select their favorite educator to highlight based on their accomplishments.

 

Males can include WEB Dubois, Alain Locke, Booker T. Washington, George Washington Carver or Carter G. Woodson. 

Females can include Mary McLeod Bethune, Phillis Wheatley, Fanny Jackson Coppin, Inez Beverly Prosser, Rita Dove or Pauli Murray.

 

4. African Folk Tales: An education on the stories told by our ancestors that teach us how to overcome adversity.