Lansing Juneteenth Celebration
2026 DR. CLYDE D. CARNEGIE
LANSING JUNETEENTH
ESSAY COMPETITION & SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM
APPLICATION PERIOD: FEBRUARY 28 - APRIL 18
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 Youth Art 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.
CALLING ALL LANSING AREA STUDENTS GRADES 6 THRU 12!
We have over $6,000 in award money and gifts, as well as scholarships, to give out this year!
CATEGORY I
Grades 6th
Essay Competition
Award Values:
1st Place - $75 (value)
2nd Place - $50 (value)
CATEGORY II
Grades 7th & 8th
Essay Competition
Award Values:
1st Place - $100 (value)
2nd Place - $75 (value)
CATEGORY III
Grades 9th & 10th
Essay Competition
Award Values:
1st Place - $200
2nd Place - $150
CATEGORY IV
Grades 11th & 12th
Academic Talent Scholarship
Award Values:
1st Place - Essay Winner (scholarship**)
2nd Place - Essay Winner (scholarship**)
Scholarship Value - Up to $30,000
**Scholarship value up to $30,000.
Tuition only (see Rules and Guidelines)
Juneteenth Bellamy-Taylor
Academic Talent Scholarship
Award Values:
1st Place - $500 (scholarship*)
2nd Place - $400 (scholarship*)
*Scholarship Consultant available upon request
The Dr. Willie D. Davis Jr.
and Bonnie A. Jones
Lansing Juneteenth
Social Justice Scholarship
Award Value:
$1,000 Award - One 1st Place Winner*
*Must attend a two or four-year college, university, or accredited trade program
Essay Submissions:
Essay competition applications can be submitted online (via our website) or by paper hard copy. Hard copies can be dropped off at the following locations (Note - Staff at these locations can accept applications, but cannot provide contest details):
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Capital Area District Libraries
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East Lansing Public Library
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Letts Community Center
Deadline:
Entries must be received by April 18, 2026. Entries received after that date will not be eligible for participation and will not be returned. It is the responsibility of the student to verify open hours for drop off locations.
Contest Award Program:
The Juneteenth Essay award program will be held June 18, 2026, 6:00 PM, Location to be Announced. Additional details will be provided.
Information:
For more information, please send your question or special request by email to education@lansingjuneteenthcelebration.org.
(This presentation is not sponsored by the Capital Area District Libraries, or our other drop-off locations. Staff at those locations cannot assist with contest detail questions.)
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 these resources.
Please read contest details and rules (found on the resource page) thoroughly before submitting your entry. Entries my be submitted by printing and completing the paper form
or by using the online entry submission process.
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.