ACT-SO (Academic, Cultural, Technological and Scientific "Olympics of the Mind") is a major youth initiative of the NAACP.  Founded in 1978, by renowned author and journalist, Vernon Jarrett, ACT-SO provides a forum through with African American youth demonstrate academic, artistic, and scientific prowess and expertise, thereby gaining the same recognition often only reserved for professional entertainers and athletes.

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.

2022 ACT-SO MEETING & PROGRAM SCHEDULE

If you are a High School student interested in competing in this years program. Please register for one of our orientation meetings below. 

Student Registration will close on March 25, 2022

MARCH STUDENT SCHEDULE

Sunday, March 13, 2022 | 3:00 PM EDT. via ZOOM - CLICK HERE TO REGISTER
Student Enrichment and Orientation

Sunday, March 20, 2022 | 3:00 PM EDT. via ZOOM - CLICK HERE TO REGISTER
Student Enrichment and Orientation
Sunday, March 27, 2022 | 3:00 PM EDT. via ZOOM - CLICK LINK TO REGISTER
Student Enrichment and Orientation


APRIL STUDENT SCHEDULE

schedule forthcoming

For questions or more information please feel free to email
[email protected]

 

2022 CLEVELAND COMPETITION CATEGORIES

PERFORMING ARTS VISUAL ARTS STEM HUMANITIES BUSINESS
Music: Instrumental—Classical
Music: Instrumental—Contemporary
Music: Vocal—Classical
Music: Vocal—Contemporary
Oratory
Poetry—Performance
Dance: Ballet
Dance: Contemporary
Dance: Modern
Dance: Traditional
Dramatics
Drawing
Filmmaking
Painting
Photography
Sculpture
Architecture
Biology/Microbiology
Chemistry/Biochemistry
Computer Science
Earth and Space Sciences
Engineering
Mathematics
Medicine and Health
Physics
Music Composition
Original Essay
Playwriting
Poetry—Written
Short Story
Entrepreneurship
Students have the ability to compete in up to 3 categories