Black History Month Words in Action graphic

Black History Month "Words in Action" Contest

(l-r) 2026 Words in Action Contest winners **Aanya Mehta**, **Itisha Budamagunta**, **Ryan Altawil** and **Asa Shannon**. Also pictured: HRDC student members **Ikra Ibrahim** and **Anjolaoluwa Raimi**, Mayor **Ron Case** and HRDC members **Susan Weaver**, **Babar Khan** and **Greg Leeper**

Black American civil rights leaders, such as Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., delivered powerful speeches and wrote compelling essays.

Their words continue to be quoted decades later as guideposts for racial equality and social justice.

Select a quote from a Black American civil rights leader and express what it means to you through writing, art, video or audio. Your work should include reflection on the importance of their words and include ideas for how you can carry their legacies forward in our community.

The 2026 contest is closed.

2026 Important Dates

Prizes

Contest Guidelines

Submissions are considered in two categories:

Grades K-8
Grades 9-12

Only one submission per individual. Participants may submit one of the following for consideration: writing, artwork or audio/video work. This includes, but is not limited to, an essay, poem, painting, drawing, sculpture, collage, video art, sound art, etc.
Participants must reside or attend school in Eden Prairie
If you are unable to submit the work electronically or to request a reasonable accommodation, please contact Paja Xiong at 952-949-8394
Written submissions should be uploaded as PDFs. Artwork as high-quality .jpg files not to exceed 5 MB each. Video files must be .mov files, audio files must be .mp3 files and no longer than 5 minutes in length.

Suggested Quotes

"Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere. We are caught in an inescapable network of mutuality, tied by a single garment of destiny. What affects one directly, affects all indirectly."
Martin Luther King Jr.
April 16, 1963; letter from Birmingham City Jail
“The time is always right to do what is right.”
Martin Luther King Jr.
October 22, 1964; Oberlin College speech
“The Humanity of all Americans is diminished when any group is denied rights granted to others.”
Julian Bond
“There is a source of power in each of us that we don’t realize until we take responsibility.”
Diane Nash
“Freedom, by definition, is people realizing that they are their own leaders.”
Diane Nash
“Success is to be measured not so much by the position that one has reached in life as by the obstacles which he has overcome while trying to succeed."
Booker T. Washington
“Where you see wrong or inequality or injustice, speak out, because this is your country. This is your democracy. Make it. Protect it. Pass it on.”
Thurgood Marshall
1978 University of Virginia commencement speech

Past Words in Action Contest Award Recipients