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