

JUNETEENTH EDUCATION RESOURCES
The Juneteenth Education Sub-Committee, a division of the Lansing Juneteenth Committee, is excited to present the Annual Juneteenth Essay Competition and Scholarship Program.
Our purpose is to provide a positive learning experience through educating local youth on the historical significance of Juneteenth, through research, developing essay writing skills, building self-confidence to acquire scholastic awards and grants to pursue higher educational opportunities.
2023 MR. CORDELL HENDERSON
LANSING JUNETEENTH ESSAY COMPETITION & SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM
Each year the Juneteenth Education Committee recognizes a local educator that has had an impact on the Lansing Community. This year we salute Mr. Cordell Henderson.

Cordell Henderson was born in Detroit, Michigan. After graduating from Aracoma High School, his academic studies included a Science Degree from West Virginia State College and Master's Degree in Counseling and Guidance with a minor in Geology from Marshall University. Cordell taught Biology and Science for eight years in West Virginia prior to coming to Lansing as a Counselor at Sexton High School in 1968. His career as an educator covered a span of 45 years, 37 of them in the Lansing School District. He has been a counselor, high school assistant principal, junior high school principal, high school principal, and a director of Adult Education. While completing sixty term hours in education and 18 term hours in Labor and Industrial relations at Michigan State University, Cordell was an Education Policy Fellow at George Washington University's Institute for educational leadership. Cordell has been actively involved in numerous community and professional organizations. He was a founding member of Black Men, Incorporated of Greater Lansing; a charter member of the Lansing Alumni Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity and is a 30 year member of Sigma Pi Phi Fraternity. In 2007, he received the Whitney Young Scouting Award. Cordell is a board member of the Southside Community Coalition Board of Directors and is a Life Member of the NAACP. Before retiring from the Lansing School District in 2007 he was a member of the Tri-County Career Education Planning District Council #31, The Michigan Association of Secondary Principals, the National Association of School Administrators, the North Central Accreditation Committee, and the Capital Area Michigan Works Committee. Cordell has been married to Janette Core Henderson for forty-five years. They are members of Union Missionary Baptist Church. Together they have two sons and six grandchildren.
ESSAY COMPETITION & SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM RESOURCE LINKS
2023 APPLICATION PERIOD: FEBRUARY 26 - APRIL 15
CATEGORY I
Grades 6th
Essay Competition
CATEGORY II
Grades 7th & 8th
Essay Competition
CATEGORY III
Grades 9th & 10th
Essay Competition
CATEGORY IV
Grades 11th & 12th
Juneteenth Bellamy-Taylor
Academic Talent Scholarship
Academic Talent Scholarship

Essay Writing and Competition Resources:
The Juneteenth Education Committee has provided a wealth of tips and resources for those entering the essay competition. Students are encouraged to take advantage of the Juneteenth “Preparing the Essay” Workshops. Listed below are some of the documents that can be downloaded. More resources will be posted soon.
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Essay Rules and Guidelines
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Essay Scoring Rubrics
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Essay Application Checklists
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Scholarship Tips
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Writing Workshop Documents
Return to the Essay Competition Page to Review and/or Submit Application
Video Resources
Juneteenth History (Presented by the Lansing Juneteenth Education Committee):
Juneteenth History (How to do research for your essay; symbolism of Juneteenth Flag; tips on responding to essay questions):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2BF6EWTPc2s&authuser=0
Juneteenth Essay Writing Tips (Responding to essay questions for each category; how to did deeper and get more understanding of what has happened since Juneteenth is now a National Holiday):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EgZcC11PNFY&authuser=0
The Lansing Juneteenth Celebration is a project of Progressive Empowerment Education Resource Services - P.E.E.R.S. 501(c)(3). The Juneteenth Essay Contest is presented in partnership with Olivet College.