
The NAACP’s Afro-Academic, Cultural, Technological and Scientific Olympics (ACT-SO) is a yearlong achievement program designed to recruit, stimulate, and encourage high academic and cultural achievement among African-American high school students.
ACT-SO includes 32 competitions in STEM, humanities, business, and performing, visual and culinary arts. Almost 300,000 young people have participated from the program since its inception.
For over forty years the mission of ACT-SO has been to prepare, recognize and reward youth of African descent who exemplify scholastic and artistic excellence.
Eligibility: Be a high school student enrolled in grades 9 through 12. Emphasis: African-American students, but all races are welcomed.
To become a participant, email your bio/resume to mnaacp@gmail.com.
Additional Information: https://www.naacp.org/act-so/
ACT-SO Categories
STEM
Architecture, Biology/Microbiology, Chemistry/Biochemistry, Computer Science, Earth and Space Sciences, Engineering, Mathematics, Medicine and Health, Physics
Performing Arts
Dance – Ballet, Dance – Contemporary Dance – Modern, Dance – Traditional, Dramatics, Music, Instrumental – Classical, Music Instrumental – Contemporary, Music, Vocal – Classical, Music Vocal – Contemporary, Oratory, Poetry – performance
Humanities
Music Composition, Original Essay, Playwriting, Poetry – written, Short Story
Visual Art
Drawing, Filmmaking, Painting, Photography, Sculpture
Business
Entrepreneurship
Culinary
Culinary Arts
ACT-SO Alumni:
Anthony Anderson
Michael Beach
Adam Davenport
Tananarive Due
Edwina Findley-Dickerson
Nicole Heaston
Jennifer Hudson
Mae Jemison
Jada Pinkett-Smith
Justin Simien
John Singleton
Cornelius Smith Jr.
Kanye West
Michelle Williams
Amber Stroud
Roy Hargrove
Michael Phillips
Ronald Demon
Ericka Dunlap
Marlon Daniel
Tommy Ford
Davian Freeman
Edwina Findley Dickerson
Anthony Burrell
Dr. Ben Carson
Damon Gillespie
Christina Sajous
Otto Ehling
Hope Olaide Wilson
Lauryn Hill
Alicia Keys