The Human Relations Council of the Hemet, San Jacinto, and Menifee Regions is seeking entries for its 21st annual Black History Month Essay Contest. Open to middle, high school, and college students in the areas served by the nonprofit, essay submissions are due no later than Monday, Feb. 17 at 5 p.m. More than $2,000 in cash awards will be presented.
Writers are being asked to choose a person of color who illustrates the triumph of the human spirit over circumstances and prejudices to build a life of accomplishment. The national theme of Black History Month 2025 is “African Americans and the Arts” which encompasses the fields of visual and performing arts, literature, fashion, folklore, language, film, music, architecture, culinary and other forms of cultural expression in which the African American influence has been paramount.
All essays need to be written as historical fiction. Imagine living at the time of the chosen person and being acquainted with him/her and writing about them from this unique point of view.
Essays must include answers to the following questions about who the person is: when they lived and what they did to triumph over circumstances and prejudices to build a life of accomplishment. The length of the essay must adhere to the following word counts: grades 6-8 should be 300-500 words, high school students need to be 500-1,000 words and undergraduate college students must present 1,000-2,000 words. Six cash prizes will be awarded in each group.
The awards ceremony, which will include the presentation of the winning essays, will be held on Feb. 28 at 6 p.m. at the Center for Spiritual Living, 40450 Stetson Ave. in Hemet. The public is welcome, and anyone interested in diversity and tolerance is encouraged to attend and watch the presentations. Human Relations Council President Malcolm Lilienthal said it’s the creativity of the students that stands out to him.
“Their way of presenting the material is what’s beautiful,” he said, adding that it’s an opportunity for audience members to learn something they didn’t know before. He said students of many different cultures participate each year. “It shows a willingness to celebrate the contributions and resilience of African Americans,” he said. For any questions, contact Malcolm Lilienthal at 951-923-2405 or malcolmlilienthal@humanrelationscouncil.com.
The celebration of Black History in the United States began in 1926 when Harvard Ph.D. Carter G. Woodson initiated “Negro History Week.” Woodson, a historian, chose the second week in February because it included the birthdays of Frederick Douglass and Abraham Lincoln. In 1976, the week-long observance was extended to the entire month of February to have enough time for celebratory programs and activities.
The Human Relations Council of the Hemet, San Jacinto, and Menifee Regions is dedicated to promoting positive relationships, understanding, and respect among individuals and groups in the community. They strive to foster an environment of inclusivity, mutual understanding, and equality to ensure everyone has the same opportunity to thrive and succeed. For more information, www.humanrelationscouncil.com.
