BALTIMORE (July 5, 2018) – This year the NAACP’s ACT-SO (Academic,
Cultural, Technical and Scientific Olympics) celebrates 40 years. Many
of today’s notable African-Americans are ACT-SO alum, including:
Black-ish star Anthony Anderson, R&B songstresses Lauryn Hill,
Jennifer Hudson and Alicia Keys; American Actress and Facebook's Red
Table Talk host, Jada Pinkett-Smith; and Emmy Nominated American Actor
Cornelius Smith Jr. just to name a few.
ACT-SO is a yearlong
achievement program designed to recruit, stimulate, and encourage high
academic and cultural achievement among African-American high school
students. With over 32 competitions in STEM, humanities, business and
performing arts, the most anticipated moment of the year centers around
the finals competition and awards ceremony happening in San Antonio at
the 109th National Convention July 12th – 15th. Over 700 of the nation’s
top students will compete for a chance to win Apple iPads and NAACP
ACT-SO scholarships during the 40th annual competition themed ACT-SO:
Discover. Believe. Manifest.
“This
is a very exciting year for ACT-SO,” said Larry Brown Jr., ACT-SO
National Director, “This year marks 40 years of celebrating black
excellence in our youth. For 40 years, ACT-SO has allowed high school
students to show the world they are talented, gifted and breaking
barriers with no hesitation. These students are discovering their gifts,
believing in themselves to walk in their talents and watching their
dreams manifest right before their eyes.”
A
major highlight of the ACT-SO program will be the ACT-SO Film Festival
taking place on Saturday, July 14th at the AMC Rivercenter. Competitors
in the film making category will be able to see their short film on the
big screen. A convention or ACT-SO badge is needed for access to this
event.
On
July 14th, the ACT-SO participants will participate in the
#BrandU Session – an opportunity for students to learn what it means
to create and cultivate a brand of their own. Natalie Cofield, CEO &
Founder of Walker’s Legacy a global platform for the professional and
entrepreneurial multicultural woman will give the keynote address.
ACT-SO
registration begins on Thursday, July 12th, and the competitions will
be held at the Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center on Friday, July
13th from 9:00a.m. to 7:00p.m. The ACT-SO Awards Ceremony will take
place on Sunday, July 15th at 12:30p.m. and will feature special
appearances by internet sensation Kalen Allen, who was recently signed
as talent by Ellen DeGeneres. This free event is open to the public and
the audience will be treated to dramatic, dance, spoken word and vocal
performances by the ACT-SO contestants themselves.
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Other
highlights will include Wednesday’s highly anticipated Freedom Fund
Banquet, plus a health pavilion, retail expo, veterans’ luncheon and a
diversity career fair. More information about the 2018 NAACP National
Convention, including a detailed schedule of events may be found by
visiting
naacpconvention.org. Media interested in covering the event should apply for credentials here.
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