MLK VOICE 4 YOUTH

REGISTRATION OPENS International Peace Day: Tuesday, September 21, 2021

PEACE WEEK: Saturday, October 2, 2021 – Sunday, October 10, 2021

WRITING & PERFORMANCE WORKSHOPS TO BE ANNOUNCED
Note: workshops are free for MLK contestants.

REGISTRATION CLOSES: Friday, December 17, 2021

SEMI-FINALS DOVER: Friday, January 7, 2022 (Location & Time To Be Announced)
SEMI-FINALS WILMINGTON: Saturday, January 8, 2022 at The Episcopal Church of Saints Andrew & Matthew  (719 N. Shipley St., Wilmington, DE)

FINALS: Sunday, January 16, 2022 at 2 PM at the baby grand (818 N. Market St., Wilmington, DE)

JUDGES TO BE ANNOUNCED

Presented by the YWCA Delaware and Christ Church Christiana Hundred, MLK VOICE 4 YOUTH is a statewide, spoken word contest for high school students, grades 9 – 12. The contest challenges students to reflect on Dr. King’s work in the 1960’s and creatively share how his legacy guides their response to today’s challenges.

MISSON: To empower, inform, engage, and value youth voices to promote a just, inclusive, and equitable society.

VISION: Provide youth opportunities and a safe platform that develops and promotes leadership and 21st-century skills that will serve them personally, academically, and professionally in their future pursuits.

VALUES: Youth, guided by Dr. King’s legacy and principles, when given a safe space to express their views in their vernacular on issues important to them, are inspired to act for social change. When youth are heard, they are empowered and discover their voices can make a difference. Amplifying youth voices through respect, understanding, and compassion benefits them, their peers, communities, and our future.

• Your voice will be heard!
• 1st Place: $2,000 | 2nd Place: $1,000 | 3rd Place: $500
• Creative freedom to tap into your favorite means of expression poetry, rap, or speech to deliver your message
• Winners may receive additional speaking opportunities & scholarships!
• Cultivate 21st-century skills
• Connect with community leaders, educators, and government officials
• Record your presentation and share your creative work for college applications

This year more than 24 high schools and organizations were represented. Seven finalists performed their powerful and inspirational messages virtually, which was livestreamed to multiple platforms on Sunday, January 17, 2021.

Congratulations to Neha Das, Adith Thyagarajan, and Rishima Mall, all from the Charter School of Wilmington, who were awarded 1st ($2,000), 2nd ($1,000), and 3rd ($500) Places respectively in the 2021 MLK Voice 4 Youth.

WATCH NOW

Sponsors

Christ Church Christiana Hundred • YWCA Delaware • Quintin E. Primo Jr. Fund for Racial Justice • The Grand Opera House • WSFS Bank • The Rotary Club of Wilmington • Gamma Theta Lambda Education Foundation • Barbra Frank Andrisani • Betsy and Tom Scott • The Osbun Family • Aztec Printing • Christ Church Dover • The Episcopal Church of Sts. Andrew & Matthew