THE TIMUEL D. BLACK ESSAY CONTEST

The Timuel D. Black Essay Contest was established in 2022 to help local Chicago high school students connect with and reflect upon the life and legacy of the longtime educator, activist and historian Timuel Black. The idea for the contest was born out of conversation at a board meeting of the Black Metropolis Research Consortium about how the BMRC might honor Tim Black after his passing on October 13, 2021. BMRC board member Tony Dunbar, a professor at Dominican University in the School of Information Studies, raised the idea of an essay contest for high school students. From there, the Timuel Black Essay Committee was formed with representatives from the BMRC, the Civic Knowledge Project at the University of Chicago, Chicago Public Schools Social Sciences Department and Zenobia Johnson Black, widow of Timuel Black.

The contest is open to students, grades 9-12, currently enrolled and attending a high school in Chicago.

RULES AND ELIGIBILITY

The Timuel D. Black Essay Contest is open to students, grades 9-12, currently enrolled and attending a high school in Chicago.
Essays must be submitted by the deadline on Monday, March 13, 2023 by 11:59pm. Essays submitted after this deadline will not be considered for the contest.
Students should consult the Timuel D. Black Essay Contest Resources page for assistance in writing their essays.
Students may submit more than one essay for the contest, but are only eligible to win one prize.
Essay must be your own, original composition.

PRIZE STRUCTURE

All student submissions to the Timuel Black Essay Contest will be reviewed. The top student submissions will receive the following prizes:

1st Place
$1,250 cash prize
A certificate of recognition
A copy of Sacred Ground by Timuel Black
Essay published on the BMRC’s Timuel Black Essay Contest webpage

2nd Place
$1,000 cash prize
A certificate of recognition
A copy of Sacred Ground by Timuel Black
Essay published on the BMRC’s Timuel Black Essay Contest webpage

3rd Place
$750 cash prize
A certificate of recognition
A copy of Sacred Ground by Timuel Black
Essay published on the BMRC’s Timuel Black Essay Contest webpage

Open to DREAMers: Yes
Renewable:
Contact Information: