ACT-SO

What is ACT-SO?

ACT-SO (Afro-Academic, Cultural, Technological, and Scientific Olympics) is a life-changing youth enrichment program designed to recognize and reward academic and artistic excellence among African American high school students.

Each year, students compete in local competitions for the opportunity to advance to the national level and win scholarships and prizes totaling over $300,000.

ACT-SO encourages:

• Positive self-esteem
• Engagement with professional mentors
• Academic and artistic excellence
• Cultural and intellectual achievement

Get Involved

Are you a high school student (grade 9-12) with a passion for the arts, sciences, or entrepreneurship?

WE WANT YOU TO BE PART OF ACT-SO!

https://form.jotform.com/251737615066157

The NAACP’s ACT-SO is a yearlong achievement program designed to recruit, stimulate, and encourage high academic and cultural achievement among African-American high school students.  The ACT-SO program is propelled by the dedication and commitment of community volunteers and business leaders who serve as mentors and coaches to promote academic and artistic excellence among African American students.  There are 25 categories of competition in the sciences, humanities, business, and performing and visual arts. More than 260,000 young people have participated in the program since its inception.

The program begins with mentoring, coaching, and teaching of participants.   Local competitions take place between March and May.  Contestants who win gold medals on the local level qualify to attend the National ACT-SO competition that takes place in early July at the Annual NAACP Convention.  Winners receive scholarships and other awards provided by national.

Eligible participants are high school students of African-American descent who are citizens of the United States enrolled in grades 9 – 12 as amateurs in the categories of the competition.  For additional information call the NAACP office at 216.231.6260.

Watch Our Story

https://player.vimeo.com/video/284939877?h=17a006113b

Get a glimpse into the ACT-SO experience and the impact it has on young lives.

2025–2026 Season Launch

The new ACT-SO season kicks off August 2025 with exciting informational sessions and a program launch event! We’re thrilled to welcome new students, families, and volunteers as we prepare for another impactful year.

The Competition 

The Cleveland local competition showcases a year’s worth of preparation, creativity, and dedication—and opens the door to national recognition. Students that get Gold medal in the local competition advance to the national competition.

Explore the Categories

Students may compete in up to three of the 33 competition categories across the following areas