2025 Theme: Identity
Black History Month Teen Writing Competition (2025)
Theme: Hidden Figures – The Untold Stories of Black Women & Men in History
Black History Month is a time to honour the legacy, achievements, and resilience of Black individuals and communities across the globe. While many influential figures have rightfully been celebrated, countless others - the hidden figures - remain underrepresented in mainstream narratives. These unsung heroes shaped history through activism, science, art, education, innovation, and resistance, often without recognition.
This writing competition is designed to empower teenagers to uncover and share the stories of Black women and men whose contributions have been overlooked, thereby expanding our collective understanding of Black excellence.
Theme & Objectives
Theme: Hidden Figures: The Untold Stories of Black Women & Men in History.
The competition aims to engage teenagers in historical research, critical thinking, and storytelling by encouraging them to spotlight lesser-known Black individuals who made impactful contributions to their communities, countries, or the world.
It will run during Africa Awareness Week and Black History Month.
Participants are invited to:
- Research: Discover Black figures whose stories are not widely known or taught in schools.
- Write: Create a compelling, factual piece—essay, narrative, or biography—that brings their story to life.
- Reflect: Explain why your chosen figure matters today and how their legacy inspires future generations.
Submission Guidelines
- Audience: Teenagers aged 10–16 (schools, community centres, youth organisations)
- Format: Essay, biographical sketch, or creative non-fiction
- Length: 500–800 words
- Originality: Must be original and based on factual research
- Sources: At least one cited source (book, article, documentary, interview, etc.)
- File Type: Upload as MS Word (.doc/.docx) or PDF
- Include: Name, age, school/community, title, and a 50-word author bio
Timeline
6th Oct
Competition Launch
31st Oct
Submission Deadline
1–30 Nov
Public Voting (Voting Process)
1–5 Dec
Head Judge Review
10th Dec
Winners Announced
How It Works
1
Choose a Hidden Figure
Find a lesser-known Black woman or man
Research their life and contributions using reliable sources (books, journals, documentaries, interviews). Capture what makes their story remarkable.
2
Write & Cite
500–800 words | Essay, Biography, or Creative Non-fiction
Tell the story clearly and creatively. Include at least one cited source. Reflect on why this figure matters today.
3
Submit & Share
Upload DOC/DOCX/PDF by 31 Oct
Entries are published for public reading and voting. Top 20 by votes are shortlisted for the Head Judge’s final decision.
Evaluation Criteria
- Relevance to the theme
- Depth of research & originality
- Clarity, structure, and writing style
- Creativity & storytelling
- Reflection on historical/cultural impact
Judging Process
Stage 1 – Public Voting (1–30 Nov): All entries are published online for public reading and voting. The top 20 essays with the highest valid votes are shortlisted.
Stage 2 – Head Judge’s Review (1–5 Dec): The Head Judge evaluates the shortlisted entries using the criteria above and selects the Top 3 Winners. The decision of the Head Judge is final.
Read more: Judging Criteria (PDF)
PRIZES & RECOGNITION
For Participants
1st, 2nd & 3rd Place Winners
- Certificates & Gift vouchers
- Featured publication online
- Honourable Mentions will be recognised online and in community announcements
Top 20 Shortlist
- All shortlisted writers receive Certificates of Participation
- Showcased online during the voting phase
Terms & Conditions
- All submissions must be the original work of the participant. Plagiarism will result in disqualification.
- Entries must be between 500–800 words.
- File formats accepted: MS Word (.doc/.docx) or PDF.
- Include: Name, age, school/community, title of piece, and a short author bio (50 words).
- Each entry must include at least one cited source to support factual accuracy.
- Participants must be aged 10–16 at the time of submission.
- By submitting, you grant permission to publish entries online for reading, voting, and promotional purposes.
- Only one entry per participant is allowed.
- Public voting should be based on quality, not popularity. Evidence of manipulation may lead to disqualification.
- Votes should consider relevance, originality, research accuracy, impact, and clarity.
- The Head Judge’s decision for the Top 3 winners is final.
Read more: Voting Process (PDF)
Submit Your Entries
- Open to teens aged 10–16 (schools, community centres, youth organisations, & homeschooling).
- Original work only; include at least one cited source.
- Length: 500–800 words; File: DOC/DOCX/PDF only.
- Include title and 50-word author bio.
- Submission deadline: 31st Oct.
- Entries will be published online for public reading and voting.
For enquiries