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2023 Profile in Courage highlights five South Carolina senators

This year's recipients of the Profile in Courage Awards is one very special group.

The 2023 John F. Kennedy Profile in Courage Award will be presented to five South Carolina senators: Katrina Shealy, Margie Bright Matthews, Mia McLeod, Sandy Senn and Penry Gustafson. The women are known for forming a bipartisan coalition to filibuster a near-total abortion ban in their state. 

In April of this year, the five women helped block a near-total abortion ban, delivering speeches in which they highlighted the Senate's male majority and criticized it for pushing debates on abortion over other pressing issues, per the Associated Press.

The bill would have banned abortion at conception. Exceptions would be made for rape or incest through the first trimester, fatal fetal anomalies confirmed by two physicians and to save the patient’s life or health. As of Aug. 23, South Carolina upheld restrictions that would ban most abortions after around six weeks of pregnancy, per NBC News.

Since 1989, the Kennedy family and John F. Kennedy Library Foundation have presented the awards to public servants who have made impactful and life changing decisions regardless of personal or professional consequences.

This year, a special International Profile in Courage Award will honor South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida. They will be celebrated "for working to improve relations between their countries despite domestic opposition stemming from long-standing historical issues," per the press release.

Ambassador Caroline Kennedy and her children, Jack Schlossberg and Tatiana Schlossberg, who are members of the Profile in Courage Award Committee, will present the honors on Oct. 29 at the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library in Boston, Massachusetts.

“This year’s Profile in Courage Awards honor leaders who took stands of conscience and risked their careers by putting the public interest ahead of their own political standing,” said Kennedy in the press release. “The women of the South Carolina Senate set an example for those seeking justice and individual freedom at all levels of government. President Yoon and PM Kishida are doing the hard work of reconciliation in pursuit of a more peaceful world. All of the honorees demonstrate a commitment to democracy at a time when courage is required.”

Schlossberg added, “The women of the South Carolina Senate exemplify courage and cooperation in politics today. Facing intense opposition and personal attacks, Senators Shealy, Matthews, McLeod, Senn, and Gustafson worked together and across the aisle to oppose a total ban on abortion. Their impact extends beyond the state, inspiring Americans everywhere to keep fighting to protect individual rights.”

Last year, Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Republican Rep. Liz Cheney were among the five people honored at the 2022 event.

The Profile in Courage Awards are named in honor of JFK’s Pulitzer Prize-winning 1956 book “Profiles in Courage.”

Liz Calvario is a Los Angeles-based reporter and editor for TODAY.com who covers entertainment, pop culture and trending news.

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John F. Kennedy Profile in Courage Essay Contest

One thing that quickly becomes apparent to high school students preparing for college is the burden of funding a four-year degree. Fortunately for college-bound students, there are numerous ways to reduce the cost of school. One of the most notable methods is pursuing a wide range of scholarships and awards. An award that students with exceptional writing and researching skills should consider is the John F. Kennedy Profile in Courage Essay Contest.

About the John F. Kennedy Profile in Courage Essay Contest

In 1954, John F. Kennedy took a leave of absence from the Senate to recover from back surgery. Kennedy used that time to study the topic of political courage, which inspired him to later write the Pulitzer-Prize winning book Profiles in Courage —detailing the careers of eight Senators whom Kennedy believed demonstrated enormous courage when faced with pressure from their parties and constituents.  

Today, the John F. Kennedy Profile in Courage Essay Contest asks students to follow in Kennedy’s footsteps by researching and writing a creative original essay about an elected official who risked their career to take a stand on moral principles. The essay contest serves as a companion project to the Kennedy Library Foundation’s Profile in Courage Award, which honors elected officials who have demonstrated incredible political courage.

The winner of the John F. Kennedy Profile in Courage Essay Contest receives a $10,000 cash award and is invited to accept their prize at the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library in Boston, Massachusetts during the Profile in Courage Award events—with all travel and lodging expenses paid for. In addition to the award winner, the runner-up will receive a $3,000 award, the five finalists each receive $1,000 awards, and the eight semi-finalists are awarded $100 each.

In addition to the winners, ten students are selected for honorable mention and all participants receive a certificate of participation.

John F. Kennedy Profile in Courage Essay Contest Applicant Requirements

The John F. Kennedy Profile in Courage Essay Contest is available to U.S. high school students in grades nine through twelve. Students need to be enrolled in a public, private, parochial, or homeschool high school program in one of the 50 states, Washington, D.C., or a U.S. territory. The contest also accepts submissions from U.S. citizens attending school overseas.

How to Apply

In order to participate in the Profile of Courage Essay Contest, students need to be recommended by a teacher who will support and advise the student in the creation of their essay. Nominating teachers can be former or current teachers of the applicant, but must still be still teaching at the school the participant is enrolled in. Rarely, an exception may be made if a student is unable to be nominated by a teacher from their school. For applicants who are homeschooled, the parent or legal guardian can fill the role of a nominating teacher.

An applicant’s essay is required to describe an act of political courage by a U.S. elected official on the local, state, or national level who served between 1917 (the year of Kennedy’s birth) and the present. Essays need to be an original work of the applicant and fall between 700 and 1,000 words—citations and bibliography do not count toward the word count. Additionally, applicants should cite a minimum of five sources.

John F. Kennedy, Robert F. Kennedy, and Edward M. Kennedy, along with the senators featured in Profiles of Courage are not eligible subjects for essays. It’s also recommended to avoid writing about present or past presidents of the United States.

Past winners of the John F. Kennedy Profile in Courage Essay Contest are not eligible to participate again. Employees of John Hancock Financial Services and their family members are also ineligible for the award.

Tips on Applying For Awards

Don’t Miss Deadlines: Pay close attention to deadlines and don’t wait until the last minute to submit your essay. The Profile in Courage Essay can be submitted via email or traditional mail. If you decide to submit your materials via traditional mail, the application must be postmarked on its due date.

Follow Directions: The John F. Kennedy Profile in Courage Essay Contest has specific rules about how many words are allowed, sources needed, what information needs to be included, and how sources should be cited. It would be extremely disappointing to write a winning essay only to be disqualified because you made a mistake like forgetting to include a bibliography.

Proofread: Applicants for the Profile in Courage Essay Contest should work closely with their nominating teacher to ensure that they submit a clean essay free of grammatical, typographical, and spelling errors, along with making sure the essay flows and meets the submission requirements.

Research: In addition to researching for their essay, applicants should research past winners to get an understanding of what a winning essay looks like. The John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum maintains a list of winners and their essays on their website .  

Professional Appearance: When applying for any distinguished award, there’s a chance that your social media profiles will be looked at. Audit your Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter profiles and delete any content that could be potentially damaging. While you’re at it, make sure you have a professional-looking email address to correspond with.

Get Professional Help: CollegeVine helps students win awards. Our expert advisors can provide whatever assistance a student needs, whether it’s staying ahead of deadlines or crafting an exceptional essay.

Curious about your chances of acceptance to your dream school? Our free chancing engine takes into account your GPA, test scores, extracurriculars, and other data to predict your odds of acceptance at over 500 colleges across the U.S. We’ll also let you know how you stack up against other applicants and how you can improve your profile. Sign up for your free CollegeVine account today to get started!

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John F. Kennedy Profile in Courage Essay Contest

Ages: High School

Type: Submission

Scope: National

[email protected]

Participate

In  Profiles in Courage , John F. Kennedy recounted the stories of eight U.S. senators who risked their careers to do what was right for the nation. These leaders demonstrated political courage by taking a stand for the public good in spite of pressure by interest groups, their political party, or even their constituents. The Profile in Courage Essay Contest challenges students to write an original and creative essay that demonstrates an understanding of  political courage as described by John F. Kennedy in  Profiles in Courage .

Describe and analyze an act of political courage by a U.S. elected official who served during or after  1917 , the year John F. Kennedy was born. Include an analysis of the obstacles, risks, and consequences associated with the act. The essay may concern an issue at the local, state, national, or international level. The maximum word count is 1,000 with a minimum of 700, not including citations and bibliography. Use at least five varied sources such as government documents, letters, newspaper articles, books, and/or personal interviews. All submissions must adhere to  contest requirements .

Content (55%)

Demonstrated understanding of political courage.

• Demonstrated an understanding of political courage as described by John F. Kennedy in  Profiles in Courage
• Identified an act of political courage by a U.S. elected official who served during or after 1917.
• Proved that the elected official risked his or her career to address an issue at the local, state, national, or international level
• Explained why the official's course of action best serves or has served the larger public interest
• Outlined the obstacles, dangers, and pressures the elected official is encountering or has encountered

 Originality

• Thoughtful, original choice of a U.S. elected official
• Story is not widely known, or a well-known story is portrayed in a unique way

Supporting Evidence

• Well-researched
• Convincing arguments supported with specific examples
• Critical analysis of acts of political courage

Source Material

• Bibliography of five or more varied sources
• Includes primary source material
• Thoughtfully selected, reliable

Presentation (45%)

Quality of writing.

• Style, clarity, flow, vocabulary

Organization

• Structure, paragraphing, introduction and conclusion

Conventions

• Syntax, grammar, spelling, and punctuation

Website: https://www.jfklibrary.org/Education/Profile-in-Courage-Essay-Contest/

Managing Organization: John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum

Contact: [email protected]

Eligibility: The contest is open to United States high school students in grades nine through twelve attending public, private, parochial, or home schools; U.S. students under the age of twenty enrolled in a high school correspondence/GED program in any of the fifty states, the District of Columbia, or the U.S. territories; and U.S. citizens attending schools overseas. Past winners and finalists are not eligible to participate. Employees of John Hancock Financial Services and members of their families are not eligible to participate. All students must list the name of their nominating teacher on the registration form. The role of a nominating teacher is to provide students with support and advice during the writing of their essay.

Registration Opens: September 1, 2019

Registration Closes: January 18, 2020

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Albuquerque Academy

May 24, 2024

Sophomore Selected as Finalist in Profile in Courage Essay Contest

The John F. Kennedy Library Foundation announced that Aarush Tutiki ’26 was named a finalist in the national John F. Kennedy Profile in Courage Essay Contest for High School Students. In his essay, Aarush profiled Leonidas Dyer, former U.S. Representative of Missouri.

For this year’s contest, 2,313 essays were submitted from students in 50 states and Washington, D.C., and from U.S. citizens in Canada, Ecuador, Germany, Indonesia, Japan, South Korea, Malaysia, Mexico, Namibia, Nigeria, Turkey, United Kingdom, Uruguay, and Vietnam. The foundation selected one winner, a runner-up, five finalists, ten semifinalists, and eight honorable mentions.

The annual Profile in Courage Essay Contest invites high school students from across the nation to write an essay on an act of political courage by a U.S. elected official. The contest is a companion program of the John F. Kennedy Profile in Courage Award™, named for Kennedy’s Pulitzer Prize-winning book Profiles in Courage , which recounts the stories of eight U.S. senators who risked their careers by embracing unpopular decisions for the greater good.

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Profile in Courage Essay Contest

John F. Kennedy Profile in Courage Essay Contest

Contest topic, describe and analyze an act of political courage by a us elected official who served during or after 1917. , to learn more about political courage, visit  contest information  and  faqs ., all submissions must adhere to   contest requirements ., contest deadline, the profile in courage essay contest opens for submissions on september 1, 2023. the contest deadline is january 12, 2024 ., recognition and awards, first-place: $10,000          second-place: $3,000          five finalists: $1,000 each   eight semi-finalists: $100 each, visit the website here for full details, eligibility, the contest is open to united states high school students in grades nine through twelve attending public, private, parochial, or home schools; u.s. students under the age of twenty enrolled in a high school correspondence/ged program in any of the fifty states, the district of columbia, or the u.s. territories; and u.s. citizens attending schools overseas. past winners and finalists are not eligible to participate. employees of john hancock financial services and members of their families are not eligible to participate., requirements, the contest deadline is january 12, 2024 at 11:59 pm (est) ., essays can be no more than 1,000 words but must be a minimum of 700 words. citations and bibliography are not included in the word count., essays must be the original work of the student., essays must have a minimum of five sources..

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Winning the Profile in Courage Essay Contest - 10 Tips to Help You Win

Are you interested in politics? Do you like learning about heroes of the past? Do you enjoy writing or are you looking to strengthen your writing skills? Are you competitive or interested in winning $10,000 and a trip to Boston? Are you seeking an effective and creative way to strengthen your resume and college application?

Then take a look at the John F. Kennedy Profile in Courage Essay Contest.

Essay contests can be a solid way to boost your academic profile while simultaneously improving your writing skills and learning more about a topic of interest. Having seen notable winners such as Pete Buttigieg, this recognized writing contest provides a great way for you to showcase your writing skills and initiative. In this blog post, we introduce the John F. Kennedy Profile in Courage Essay Contest, the benefits of participating in writing contests, the logistics of the contest, and some tips to help you win!

Why should you participate in writing contests as a high school student?

Before we introduce the specifics of the John F. Kennedy Profile in Courage Essay Contest, it is important to review the benefits of participating in writing competitions as a potential college applicant.

As is with the John F. Kennedy Profile in Courage Essay Contest, writing competitions usually involve a topic related to real-world issues. The opportunity to write about these topics provides you a way to demonstrate to colleges and universities that you are socially aware and engaged with relevant topics.

Outside of the topic itself, participating in a writing competition is a unique addition to your application. It expresses to college admissions that you have an array of interests and talents and take initiative on your own time to pursue them.

Critical thinking and research skills are important assets to have in the college environment . Conducting in-depth research for the writing competition will allow you to refine these skills as well as convey to college admissions that you know how to conduct independent research.

Although participating in the competition is already a nice addition to your resume, winning or placing in a notable essay competition is a remarkable achievement that will further distinguish you from other applicants.

What is the John F. Kennedy Profile in Courage Essay Contest?

In 1957, John F. Kennedy wrote the Pulitzer Prize-winning book, “Profiles in Courage.” “Profiles in Courage” details the stories of eight United States senators who displayed courage by taking a moral stance on issues. The John F. Kennedy Profile in Courage Essay Contest, following the theme of “Profiles in Courage”, asks students to explore the topic of political courage and write an essay on an elected official who served during or after 1917, the year John F. Kennedy was born, and displayed these traits.

Is it Prestigious?

With notable former winners and almost $30,000 in cash prizes, this essay contest is sure to make an impressive mark on your resume. Additionally, the winner is invited to the 2024 Profile in Courage Award event at the John F. Kennedy Library Foundation where they will be able to share space with important figures. Past winners of the Profile in Courage Award include former U.S. presidents such as Barack Obama and George H.W. Bush.

Important Dates and Deadlines

Opens Sep 1, 2023, 12:00 AM (EDT)

Deadline for registration form submission AND essay - January 12, 2024, at 11:59 PM (EST)

Results release date - April 20th, 2024

Winners will be notified by telephone and email

All participants will receive a letter containing the list of winners as well as a Certificate of Participation by the end of May

Who is Eligible to Participate?

The contest is open to United States high school students in grades nine through twelve attending public, private, parochial, or home schools

U.S. students under the age of twenty enrolled in a high school correspondence/GED program in any of the fifty states, the District of Columbia, or the U.S. territories are eligible.

U.S. citizens attending schools overseas can also participate

Past winners and finalists are not eligible to participate

What do Winners Receive?

The contest awards its winners with hefty cash prizes up to $10,000, as well as a fully-funded trip to Boston with their family and teacher at the Profile in Courage Award ceremony. Every participant, regardless of the outcome, will receive a Certificate of Participation. Additionally, there are no other costs associated with the contest that you will have to bear as a participant.

How do I Nominate a Teacher?

The contest requires you to have a nominating teacher. The role of the nominating teacher is to provide you with guidance and support while you are writing your essay. Additionally, they must review your essay to make sure it is free of errors and matches all conventions

The winner and their nominating teacher will receive awards at the annual Profile in Courage Award ceremony held each May at the Kennedy Presidential Library in Boston (in case you need to incentivize your teacher). Your nominating teacher can be a former or current teacher but must still teach at your current school ( If you are home-schooled, your instructor can be your nominating teacher)

What are the judging criteria?

For a full breakdown of judging criteria, please make sure to visit the official website . Here is a brief overview of how the essays are judged.

55% of your final score is based on the content of your essay

Demonstrated understanding of political courage

Originality

Supporting Evidence

Source Material

45% of your final score is based on presentation

Quality of writing

Organization (structure, paragraphing, introduction, and conclusion)

Conventions (syntax, grammar, spelling, and punctuation)

What are Some Details About the Essay that I Should Keep in Mind?

The essay should review an act of political courage performed by a U.S. elected official who served after 1917

In the spirit of “Profiles in Courage”, acts of political courage are characterized as times when elected officials went against the grain and risked their careers to take a moral stance.

Essay Requirements

Length - between 700 - 1,000 words (excluding citations and bibliography)

Number of sources - a minimum of five sources

Sources can be government documents, letters, newspaper articles, books, and even personal interviews

Essays must include a bibliography

Accepted formats include APA, MLA, or Turabian

Please make sure to review their official guidelines

10 Tips to Help You Win

Originality (Avoid writing about very common officials) A large part of their judging criteria is originality. The judges are looking for essays that stand out and offer fresh perspectives. Specifically, they are looking for essays that have an original choice of a U.S. elected official whose story is not widely known. If you choose a well-known official, it is important to provide a unique, fresh perspective on their story. Ideally, they recommend choosing a local official such as a city councilor or school board official. They have even provided a list of officials to avoid writing about. To get an idea of what kind of stories previously won, visit this page .

Have an Understanding of Political Courage Ensure you thoroughly comprehend the concept of political courage, as defined in "Profiles in Courage." Your essay should highlight situations where elected officials took a moral stand, even if it risked their careers. This understanding is important in demonstrating the elected official's bravery. One way to gain a deep understanding of political courage would be to read “Profiles in Courage” or the chapter summaries .

Conduct Extensive Research and Diversify Your Sources The guidelines require at least 5 sources, but when selecting sources, do not strive to just satisfy the minimum requirement. Find sources that help drive your story and emphasize the specific act of political courage. Choosing a diverse set of sources from different mediums can help keep your story interesting and really bring it to life. Additionally, make sure to properly cite your sources.

Write Clearly and in an Engaging Manner The bare minimum is to make sure you are using proper syntax and conventions. Not satisfying this will make it hard for the judges to read. Additionally, make sure you make it natural for the judges to read. It should be fluid and concise to allow them to really be drawn into your story. To check your writing, try methods like reading it out loud to avoid long sentences.

Work Closely with your Nominating Teacher Your nominating teacher can be a great resource to help with every step of the process. Make sure you pick a teacher that you have a good relationship with and is knowledgeable on the subject. This way they will be able to help you with everything from finding sources to making sure the essay is well-written and engaging. Additionally, make sure to thank your teacher (they are taking the time to help you)!

Stay Focused on the Act of Political Courage This contest is about highlighting specific acts of political courage by elected officials. You only have 700 - 1,000 words to tell your story. You should make sure you are dedicating this space to highlighting this elected official's act of political courage rather than turning your essay into a comprehensive biography of the official. Background information is good, but you should concentrate on the relevant background information and the key moment where they displayed political courage and explore the context, consequences, and significance of that act.

Seek Feedback and Revise Throughout the Process Before submitting your essay, make sure to constantly proofread and revise (do not just wait to do this for the final draft). Ask your nominating teacher, friends, and family for feedback consistently throughout the process. This way you will be able to get a diverse range of perspectives and identify areas of improvement throughout the process.

Interview The Elected Official or Their Peers/Family As previously mentioned, since the judges are looking for originality, it is a good idea to consider writing about a local elected official. Having sufficient sources is necessary, but interviewing the local elected official, their family, or their peers can be an effective way to add a unique element to your story. This extra dimension will make your essay more engaging and show the judges and college admissions board you are dedicated to your work.

Craft a Captivating (and Natural) Introduction The judges will be reading many essays, so it is important to make sure you grab their attention from the beginning. Your introduction should make the reader want to continue reading as well as set the stage for the rest of your essay. You can employ classic introduction techniques such as using an intriguing anecdote, a thought-provoking quote, or a compelling question related to political courage. It is important to make it sound natural as well. Sometimes when using one of these techniques to “grab the reader’s attention”, the introduction can sound somewhat contrived. Make sure you strike a balance between engaging the reader and staying true to your tone and topic.

Conclude with an Impact Finally, it is important to conclude with something that will round off your essay well, drive your story home, and give the judges something to think about. Again, they will be reading many essays, so an impactful conclusion is an effective way to leave a lasting impression on the judges. Make sure to summarize the significance of the elected official's act of political courage and the impact it had. You can also connect it to broader themes or contemporary issues.

One more option - Lumiere Research Scholar Program

If you’re looking for the opportunity to do in-depth research on various topics in literature or linguistics, you could also consider applying to one of the Lumiere Research Scholar Programs , selective online high school programs for students I founded with researchers at Harvard and Oxford. Last year, we had over 4000 students apply for 500 spots in the program! You can find the application form here.

Stephen is one of the founders of Lumiere and a Harvard College graduate. He founded Lumiere as a PhD student at Harvard Business School. Lumiere is a selective research program where students work 1-1 with a research mentor to develop an independent research paper.

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JFK Profiles in Courage Essay Contest

Hey, did anyone receive any updates regarding the status of their essay? Or for any former finalists/winners/etc does the organization wait till the very end to notify finalists? Because apparently they were supposed to notify all finalists/winners by April 30th and I’m paranoid because many old posts say that finalists/winners were notified before the proclaimed date…

April 30th today, which is when the winners/finalists are supposed to be notified. Has anyone heard anything back on the JFK Profiles in Courage essay contest?

I recieved an email telling me I was top 25/2200ish a few weeks ago

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Looking for scholarships? This subreddit lists opportunities for **U.S. students** who are seeking free money for college. Come back often, as we frequently add new scholarships to our growing list of available awards.

Has anyone heard back from the JFK Profiles in Courage Essay Contest?

See here for more information: https://www.jfklibrary.org/learn/education/profile-in-courage-essay-contest/contest-topic-and-information

They said they would contact the winners before the end of the month. Curious if anyone who entered has been contacted yet.

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New Jersey Martin Luther King, Jr. Commemorative Commission

NJ Martin Luther King, Jr. Commemorative Commission

Notice of funding opportunity 1964: summer of decision mini grant.

The New Jersey Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Commission is offering mini grants in honor of the 60th anniversary of the tumultuous events of 1964 and the persistence and courage of both heroes and ordinary citizens that forever changed our country.

This year’s grant commemorates 1964: Summer of Decision, from the church-led Freedom Summer that drew students to Mississippi to set up Freedom Schools and assist with voter registration; to the transcendent speech of Mrs. Fannie Lou Hamer at the Democratic Convention in Atlantic City; and culminating in the passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 , which outlawed segregation in schools, voting, and public accommodations.

The Commission will award 10 mini-grants of up to $5,000, to community organizations and programs to highlight and commemorate the civil rights activists & activities of 1964 and its relevance to our times.

We are seeking applications of up to 3 pages, including a budget, that will propose events or programs that might include: Community Service or Clean-up; Presentation: Fannie Lou Hamer’s DNC 1964 Speech : Arts event; Civil Rights Discussion/Roundtable’ Interview vets of the Civil Rights Movement; Sports Event; etc.

**APPLICATION DEADLINE: 11:59PM on July 10, 2024**

APPLICATION: The three-page application should address the following

NARRATIVE: (2 page maximum)

• Description of the program or event
• Date of the program (all events must be completed by 10/31/24)*
• Community location or venue
• Lead organization (only 501 (c)(3) organizations are eligible)
• Point of contact information
• Expected audience or competitors
• Anticipated number of participants
• Anticipated outcome(s)
• List of Partners: community- or faith-based organizations; schools/pre-schools/colleges; businesses; municipal or county organizations; AmeriCorps programs; service or volunteer programs.

BUDGET: (1 page):

• MLK24 Budget Form XLS
• MLK24 Budget Form PDF

NOTE: No direct gifts or gift cards can be purchased with this grant.

Grantees must be registered in NJStart to receive funding.

WHO IS ELIGIBLE: Eligible agencies include public or private non-profit organizations, community and faith-based organizations; American Indian Tribal communities: local education agencies, charter schools and institutions of higher education; local, county or state government; labor organizations; and partnerships or consortia consisting of the aforementioned.

ABOUT APPLYING:

• Complete online registration: https://forms.office.com/g/cyMQYiAPjg
• Use the subject line: MLK24 1964 Your Organization name and email Narrative (1 – 2pgs) and Budget to [email protected]
• Application deadline July 10, 2024 at 11:59P
• Only materials submitted by registered organizations will be reviewed.

ABOUT THE AWARD:

• Awards will be announced by July 20.
• Funds will be made available by July 31 pending grantee compliance with terms.
• Funds must be spent by 11:59P on October 31, 2024.
• The 1964 Democratic National Convention and the Mississippi Freedom Democratic Party – the DLG B (usg.edu)
• Freedom Summer - Wikipedia
• Freedom Summer | The Martin Luther King, Jr. Research and Education Institute (stanford.edu)
• Murders of Chaney, Goodman, and Schwerner - Wikipedia
• Mississippi Burning — FBI
• The Freedom Summer Killings | PBS NewsHour
• Mississippi Freedom Democratic Party (MFDP) - SNCC Digital Gateway (Archives of SNCC = Student Non-Violent Coordinating Committee)
• Civil Rights Movement History: Mississippi Freedom Summer Events TIMELINE
• LBJ Champions the Civil Rights Act of 1964 | National Archives
• The Civil Rights Act of 1964 - The Civil Rights Act of 1964: A Long Struggle for Freedom | Exhibitions - Library of Congress (loc.gov)

The New Jersey Martin Luther King, Jr. Commission will provide commemorative items for the events.

Questions? Please email the Commission at [email protected]

Meet the 2024 New Jersey Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Commission Announces 2024 Scholars.

After reviewing submissions from almost 200 New Jersey high school seniors, the New Jersey Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Commemorative Commission is pleased to introduce the 10 winners of the 2024 NJ MLK Jr Scholarship Essay Contest ‘Looking Back at Dr. King’s 1964 Nobel Peace Prize speech’ :

MLK24 Scholar: 1 Rchin Bari Brown University Essex County Newark Tech

MLK24 Scholar: 2 Brooke Bokser Cornell University Northern Valley Regional High School at Demarest

MLK24 Scholar: 3 Alondra Calva Villanova University John E Dwyer Technology Academy

MLK24 Scholar: 4 Taylor Douglas American University Freehold Township High School

MLK24 Scholar: 5 Ella Ehrlich Cornell University Bergen County Academies

2024 SCHOLARS

MLK24 Scholar: 6 Bernard Liang Duke University Manalapan High School

MLK24 Scholar: 7 Reese Passuth University of Hartford Union County Vocational Technical High School

MLK24 Scholar: 8 Savannah Rodriguez Hampton University Rahway High School

MLK24 Scholar: 9 Makenna Thomas Alvernia University Vernon Township High School

MLK24 Scholar: 10 Rochelle Vil TBD William L. Dickinson High School

“The 2024 essay contest winners shared insightful comments about the significance of the awarding of the Nobel Peace Prize to Dr. King as reflected in his remarkable speech,” said New Jersey Lieutenant Governor Tahesha Way, who oversees the MLK Jr. Commission in her capacity as Secretary of State. “I applaud these young people for their commitment to community service and furthering the legacy of Dr. King through both their words and their actions.”

A virtual awards ceremony was held in the evening of May 29 to announce the 2024 MLK Scholars who come from across the state. Hosted by NJ MLK JR Commission Chairman George Guy and members of the Commission, the ten scholars were in attendance to accept their awards.

“On behalf of the New Jersey Martin Luther King, Jr. Commemorative Commission, we extend our congratulations to our ten MLK Scholars who will be moving onto post-secondary education in the fall,” said Commission Chairman George Guy. “Their essays about Dr. King’s famous Nobel Prize speech and how his work continues to inspire both their academic work and community service, gives us all abundant hope for the future.”

The 2024 MLK Scholars will be awarded $5,000 scholarship for the university or college of their choice in the fall of 2024.

THE NEW JERSEY DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. COMMISSION SALUTES JAMES L. BALLENTINE, KENYON C. BURKE and SARAH M. DUNDAS

It is with heavy heart that the New Jersey Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Commission announces the deaths of former Commission members James Lawrence Ballantine in Morristown, NJ Kenyon Clinton Burke in Ashburn, VA Sarah Murray Dundas in Morris Township, NJ

Commission Chair George V. Guy, Jr. said “Our mission to educate our fellow New Jerseyans on Dr. King and the Civil Rights movement was enriched and fortified by the presence of veterans civil rights and social justice advocates James Ballentine, Kenyon Burke and Sarah Dundas. We will miss them but stand stronger for their contributions.”

The Commission extends sincere condolences to the families and friends of James Ballantine, Kenyon Burke and Sarah Dundas who served on the citizens of New Jersey and the Commission with distinction.

James Lawrence Ballantine (1/19/70 – 5/3/22) Obituary

Kenyon Clinton Burke (9/30/30 – 2/23/23) Obituary

Sarah Murray Dundas (6/4/46 – 1/4/22) Obituary

MEET THE 2023 NJ DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. COMMISSION SCHOLARS!

After reviewing submissions for almost 200 New Jersey high school seniors, the New Jersey Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Commemorative Commission announces the 10 winners of ‘Injustice Anywhere is a Threat to Justice Everywhere’ 2023 Scholarship Essay Contest:

MLK23 Scholar: 1 SEKNA BAZZI Barnard College of Columbia University Science Park High School

MLK23 Scholar: 2 ALBERT CAESAR Princeton University Ridge High School

MLK23 Scholar: 3 SPENCER JAHNG TBA The Pingry School

MLK23 Scholar: 4 MIRIKA JAMBUDI Harvard University The Pingry School

MLK23 Scholar: 5 MATTHEW LEE Columbia University East Brunswick High School

2023 SCHOLARS

MLK23 Scholar: 6 JADA SAMPSON TBA Academy for Performing Arts

MLK23 Scholar: 7 KASAI SANCHEZ William Paterson University Teaneck High School

MLK23 Scholar: 8 AMANDA THOMAS TBA Union County Magnet High School

MLK23 Scholar: 9 DEVIN TORRES University of Southern California Lenape High School

MLK23 Scholar: 10 JEFFREY XU Princeton University Livingston High School

“Our 2023 essay contest winners demonstrated a thoughtful understanding of how Dr. King’s fight against injustice was inspired by Mahatma Gandhi’s non-violent resistance movement that successfully ended almost a century of British colonial rule in India. I am thrilled to congratulate these young leaders and extend our wishes for their future success,” said NJ Secretary of State Tahesha Way.

“On behalf of the New Jersey Martin Luther King, Jr. Commemorative Commission, we extend our congratulations to our ten MLK Scholars who will be entering college in the fall,” Commission Chairman George Guy said. “Their essays about Dr. King’s legacy and his inspiration for their academic work and community service, has given all of us great hope for the future.”

The 2023 MLK Scholars will be awarded $5,000 scholarship for the university or college of their choice.

2023 New Jersey Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Commission I HAVE A DREAM mini grant

The New Jersey Martin Luther King, Jr. Commission is offering mini-grants in honor of the 60th anniversary of Dr. King’s I HAVE A DREAM speech, which he delivered at the March on Washington on August 28, 1963.

The Commission will award 10 mini-grants of $5,000 each, to community organizations and programs to highlight and commemorate Dr. King’s historic speech and its relevance to our times. We are seeking applications of up to 3 pages, including a budget, that will propose events or programs that might include:

Community Service or Clean-up; Presentation of MLK I Have a Dream Speech: Arts event; Civil Rights Discussion or Roundtable; Interviews of veterans of the Civil Rights Movement; Sports Event; Your own idea!!

George Guy Jr. Impacts Children, Community in Cherry Hill and On MLK Commission

By Clyde Hughes | AC JosepH Media

CHERRY HILL – George Guy Jr. entered Prairie View A&M University near Houston after attending high school in Willingboro to become a veterinarian.

Call to Action

We, the Commissioners of the New Jersey Martin Luther King Commemorative Commission, denounce the senseless murders of George Floyd; Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery, Tony McDade, and countless other African Americans who for too long have been the victims of institutionalized racial injustice in this country. In his book Why We Can’t Wait , Dr. King wrote “Three hundred years of humiliation, abuse and deprivation cannot be expected to find voice in a whisper.” We decry the effects of systemic racial discrimination, not with a whisper, but with a thunderous outcry that we will match with renewed vigilance and purposeful and powerful actions.

Each year, the Commission, the first such State Commission in the Nation, recalls historical events in the life of Dr. King and the Civil Rights Movement, while focusing on issues of current import. We have commemorated the Montgomery Bus Boycott, Jackie Robinson breaking the color line in baseball, and “Women Who Led” in the struggle for civil rights. This year, we have chosen the theme: “Youth, We Hear You,” recognizing the emerging voices of a new generation. We will host a Youth Town Hall in the Fall, and our annual Commemorative on January 17, 2021, which will be followed by a statewide virtual Youth Conference and Day of Service on January 18, 2021.

In the face of the recent historically deplorable events, and the extraordinary moment that they offer, the Commission plans to develop an agenda focused on key issues that provide both challenges and opportunities for progress. We believe that New Jersey can be a role model to finally recognize the fullest manifestation of democracy in this country. This vision calls for policies that guarantee equal protection under the law; that promise that race and poverty will no longer be death sentences; and an end to mass incarceration. We call for eliminating deadly force police protocols, de-militarized policing, developing a comprehensive plan to end school desegregation, and exploring ideas that are being studied related to reparative justice. We also call for appropriate funding for counseling services for students to address bullying and racial discrimination. We will make our agenda known throughout the state and will invite groups and individuals, of all ages and backgrounds, to join us in achieving these objectives. We will also highlight the ongoing work of organizations throughout New Jersey and provide a platform for them to share our mutual commitment and goals.

As we recognize Dr. King’s call to action in the “fierce urgency of now,” we call upon everyone to become involved, to join us in partnership, and to go from strength to strength together. Please join us!

Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Annual Program

Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Program Monday, January 20, 2020 Gethsemane Baptist Church 6019 Madison Street West New York, Nj 07093 Time: 11:30 AM

WNY, NJ – Gethsemane Baptist Church, 6019 Madison Street, West New York, NJ, will host their annual Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. program on Monday, January 20, 2020 at 11:30 AM. This year’s program will present the history of the MLK, Jr. holiday, famous Dr. King quotes, information about the NJ Martin Luther King, Jr. Commission, praise dancers, and singers.

The program is free and open to the public. Light refreshments will be served after the event.

For Further Information Contact: Evangelist Geraldine Clark – 973-626-4014

Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Annual Program Flyer

Resources on the History of Slavery in New Jersey

It has been 400 years since the first arrival in English-occupied North America of enslaved people from Africa. To mark this anniversary, the Commission is highlighting resources related to the history of slavery in New Jersey.

Altanta History Center

History Channel

New Jerseyans Reflect on the Life and Legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. in commemoration of his 90th Birthday

NJ Quotes on MLK