top of page
LJC Education Committee Logo.jpg

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, along with the 2025 Youth Logo Contest.

 

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. 

2025 DR. EUGENE AND DR. MAXINE HANKINS CAIN
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 Dr. Eugene and Dr. Maxine Cain.

EugeneCain2.jpg
Dr. Eugene Cain

Dr. Eugene Cain, a native of Birmingham, Alabama, resides in Lansing, Michigan. He is a 1965 graduate of Talladega College. Dr. Cain received his masters and doctoral degrees in education from Wayne State University in Detroit, Michigan. Currently retired after spending 50 years in education, Dr. Cain is a much sought- after consultant and lecturer on African-Centered education, urban education and strategies to improve educational outcomes for African American children. During Dr. Cain’s tenure as an educator, he served in many different capacities: classroom teacher, curriculum director, university instructor for undergraduate and graduate students, member on various advisory boards, school principal, local school superintendent from El-Hajj Malik El-Shabazz Academy, and assistant superintendent for the Michigan Department of Education. He also served as Southeast Regional Development Vice President for Edison Schools, the nation’s largest manager of public schools. Additionally, Dr. Cain has served as a writer and reviewer for several major textbook companies, co-chair for Lansing’s United Negro College Fund Drive, Vice President of the Lansing, Michigan NAACP, advisory Board member for Wayne State University College of Education and the University of Michigan (Dearborn Campus), past chairman of the Clemson University based National Dropout Prevention Network, an organization that he was instrumental in organizing and President of the Talladega College National Alumni Association. He is also the current president of Talladega College’s Detroit Alumni Club.

Dr. Maxine Hankins Cain

Maxine Hankins Cain was born and raised in Norfolk, Virginia. She received her Bachelor’s degree in elementary education from Norfolk State University; a master’s degree in reading from the University of Michigan ; and a doctorate degree in school administration from Union University and Institute. During her 43-year professional career she served as a classroom teacher, academic coach, principal in Lansing and Detroit, Director of Elementary Education , and Superintendent of Sankofa Shule Public School Academy in Lansing, Michigan. She has also served as Vice President of Lansing Regional Sister Cities Commission for several years and presently serves as its President. In addition, Maxine serves as the Sister Cities International (SCI) State Representative for the state of Michigan. In this capacity, she is responsible for increasing and supporting the number of sister/friendship partnerships with local municipalities in Michigan and cities abroad …focusing on education, cultural experiences and economic development. Another statewide position held is that of being appointed by Governor Gretchen Whitmer as a member of the Michigan Judicial Tenure Commission, which is responsible for investigating complaints of judicial misconduct. In 2023, Maxine was appointed chairperson of an international project entitled “Libraries and Literacy”, a part of the SCI/Africa Summit, held in Cape Town, South Africa. Maxine continues to be involved as a national keynote speaker, workshop presenter and storyteller of iconic figures such as Harriette Tubman, Fannie Lou Hamer and Mammie Till. She is a member of the National Association of Black Storytellers, a Diamond Life Member of the NAACP, a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc, AARP of Michigan’s Volunteer committee, and Lansing Lucidas’ Toast Masters International Club. Maxine continues to mentor and support youth through her involvement with “Life of Purpose,” a metropolitan Detroit based program that identifies the strengths of youth and meet them at their point of need.

ESSAY COMPETITION & SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM RESOURCE LINKS

2025 APPLICATION PERIOD: FEBRUARY 24 - APRIL 12

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

University-Olivet-primary-full-color.png

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 videos provided by the Juneteenth Education Subcommittee to assist with students being able to write a successful essay.  Listed below are some of the documents that can be downloaded.  More resources will be posted soon.

 

Return to the Essay Competition Page to Review and/or Submit Application

Video Resources

 

Juneteenth History (Presented by the Lansing Juneteenth Education Committee): 

https://youtu.be/f90i_DQK-fE

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 dig 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 Competition is presented in partnership with the University of Olivet.

 

© 2004-2025 by P.E.E.R.S. - Lansing  Juneteenth Committee.  All rights reserved.

 

  • Facebook Social Icon
  • Instagram Social Icon

The Lansing Juneteenth Celebration is a National Juneteenth Observance Foundation Member Organization

 

NJOF Logo.jpg
bottom of page