3rd Annual Literacy Reflections on Black History K-12 Competition & Reception
February 27, 2026 @ 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Greetings!
On behalf of the Purdue College of Education Department of Curriculum & Instruction (Literacy & Language) we would like to invite parents/guardians of the greater Lafayette community to assist their K-12 students in submitting work for the 3rd Annual Literacy Reflections on Black History K-12 Competition & Reception.
2026 Literacy Reflections on Black History K-12 Essay & Arts COMPETITION
Submissions due by January 23, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. via Qualtrics.
The 2026 Black History Month Theme: “A Century of Black History Commemorations.” More about the theme: 2026 marks a century of national commemorations of Black history. Dr. Carter Godwin Woodson, George Cleveland Hall, William D. Hartgrove, Jesse E. Moorland, Alexander L. Jackson, and James E. Stamps institutionalized the teaching, study, dissemination, and commemoration of Black history when they founded the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History (ASNLH) on September 9, 1915.
In 1925, when Dr. Carter G. Woodson planned the inaugural week-long observance of Black history, he could have hardly anticipated the imprint he would leave on the world. From Negro History Week to Black History Month, ASALH has carried forth the tradition and the observances have become part of the wolf and warp of American culture and increasingly the global community. For its 100th theme, the Founders of Black History Month urges us to explore the impact and meaning of Black history and life commemorations in transforming the status of Black peoples in the modern world.
Guiding prompt: Reflect on the importance and significance of African American commemorations and celebrations throughout history.
The Literacy Reflections on Black History Elementary Competition is an initiative that celebrates K-12 student engagement within Greater Lafayette through literacy and the arts as well as highlighting the impact of African American contributions in celebration of Black History Month. Select awards will be given within 4 subgroups (Primary, K-2, Intermediate, 3-5, middle 6-8, and high school 9-12) for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd places in the areas of:
- Essay (Not to exceed 200 words) Submit Word file or PDF via Qualtrics by deadline. All work will be displayed, and student winners will read their essays at the reception on the 27th.
- Art (painting, visual, digital, etc.) Submit Jpeg via Qualtrics and mail artwork by deadline. All work will be displayed at the reception on the 27th.
- Performance (skit, poem, spoken word, song, dance, etc.) Submit Mp4 video, YouTube link, or other digital format by deadline via Qualtrics. If you are selected as an awardee, you will perform it at the reception on the 27th.
The Literacy Reflections on Black History Competition is open to students in grades K-12. Students must reside in the Greater Lafayette, Indiana (Tippecanoe County) area and be enrolled in either a public, private or homeschool program. Students must also have the permission of a parent, guardian, or teacher over the age of 18 years of age in order to enter the contest.
All submissions must be uploaded via Qualtrics by January 23, 2026, at 11:59 p.m.
Each student must answer the essay question in their own words/complete the art on their own/perform individually on their own. Plagiarism is unacceptable and is cause for contest disqualification. Submissions are judged by Purdue COE staff, students, and community members. Judging is based on the student’s ability to connect to the guiding prompt/theme clearly and concisely, understanding of the topic, creativity and originality of thought pertaining to the topic, as well as grammar, spelling, and style.
All physical art samples should be mailed to:
Department of Curriculum & Instruction
Attention: Dr. Breanya Hogue BHM Contest
100 N. University Street, BRNG 4108A
West Lafayette, IN 47907
Students who submit an essay to the contest grant Purdue COE and its partners, including the news media, the right to use their names, photographs, statements, quotes and testimonials for advertising, publicity and promotional purposes without notification or further compensation. This includes, but is not limited to Purdue COE’s social media accounts, as well as print or electronic publications. Purdue COE maintains the right to reproduce, reprint, distribute, perform, display, or exhibit the project for advertising, publicity, and promotional purposes on its website, at conferences or other venues.
Literacy Reflections on Black History K-12 CELEBRATION & RECEPTION
Date: Friday, February 27, 2026
Time: 6:00-8:00 p.m.
Location: Purdue Black Cultural Center
1100 Third St.
West Lafayette, IN 47907
Join us for a reception to celebrate Black History Month as we recognize local K-12 youth that participated in this year’s Literacy Reflections on Black History K-12 Competition! ALL are welcome! There will be refreshments, performances, and students will be spotlighted and celebrated for their submissions!