RACIAL JUSTICE ESSAY CONTEST

EDUCATE

Meaningful scholarship opportunity for 9th-12th grade students in Auburn, Opelika, and Lee County public high schools. 

Plans are underway for the 2022 Racial Justice Essay Contest. All 9th-12th grade students of Auburn, Opelika, and Lee County public high schools are eligible to submit an essay. In the essay, students are asked to examine the history of a specific racial injustice topic as well as its legacy today. Examples of topics include the creation of Lee County, racial terror lynchings in Lee County, the desegregation of Lee County City Schools, and more.

More details about our 2022 contest are coming soon! Sign up below to stay updated on all the latest information!

2021 AWARD WINNERS

Our inaugural racial justice essay contest drew many inspiring submissions! We are grateful for every student who invested their time to research and more fully understand vitally important issues of racial justice. 8 essays were chosen as our 2021 award winners:

1st Place

Mary Ellen Lancaster

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2nd Place

Caderria Thomas

 

3rd Place

Braxton Harris

 

4th Place

Jireh Ray

 

5th Place

Jahunna Neston

 

Honorable Mentions

Clara Ragan

Dayzjah Walton

Miles Hunt

2021 Essay Winners.jpg

RECORDED PRESENTATIONS & RESOURCES

2021 Informational Meeting

Dr. Ashley Brown, LCRP Co-director

Check out our 2021 informational meeting to learn all about our racial justice essay contest! Please note that some dates and details may be different for our 2022 contest.

 

To review or share the slides covered, click here

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Local History Panel Discussion

Ms. Selena Daniels, Mr. Wilbert Payne, Jr., Ms. Jean Madden and Mr. John Harris​

To assist students research and understanding of local Lee County (and American) history, four Lee County residents shared their stories and experiences while growing up during integration in Lee County and advice they have for students today.

 

Click here to view highlights from this video.

Alabama Department of Archives and History

Reference Coordinator, Courtney Pinkard​

Learn how to: 

  • Search the ADAH online catalogs to identify digitized documents, photographs and records for your topic area

  • Explore the ADAH Youtube channels to learn more about your research theme and topic

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Links:

Research to Preserve African American Stories and Traditions 

Coordinator, Dr. Rob Bubb​

Learn about: 

  • rPAAST's mission, research and research process 

  • How to search for digitized newspaper articles on newspapers.com and explore geneology sites like ancestry and family tree

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Links: