2026 Reverend Ivan George Essay, Poster, and Video Contest

CHAACA & The Cherry Hill Public Library Present

The 2026 Reverend Ivan George Essay, Poster, and Video Contest
Celebrating the 100th Anniversary of Black History Month.
“Black Creativity: African Americans in the Arts.”

The contest is open to ALL public school students in Cherry Hill in grades K through 12th in honor of the 100th anniversary of Black History Month. The essay, poster, or video must depict an African American artist in the performing arts, media arts, or visual arts who was born before 1970 and whose work reflects the significance of Black History Month and its impact over the last 100 years. Students may choose artists from music, dance, theater, film, television, journalism, painting, sculpture, photography, or design. 

For Students in Grades K-3

1. Who is the African American artist that you selected? Tell us their name and what kind of art they are known for.
2. What kind of work did this person create? What were they famous for?
3. Why did you select this person? What about their art inspired you?
4. Did they receive awards or special recognition?
5. What was their life like after they became famous? How did they help or inspire their community?
6. Based on what you learned, would you choose to try this art form? Why or why not?

For Students in Grades 4th Through 12th

1. Who is the African American artist that you selected? Tell us their name and what kind of art they are known for.
2. What kind of work did this person create? What were they famous for?
3. Why did you select this person? What about their art inspired you?
4. What historical period did this artist live and work in? How did the time and place affect their opportunities, their art, and their accomplishments?
5. Did this person have to overcome any obstacles while creating their art? Were any of these challenges connected to race, discrimination, or limited access to resources?
6. What inequities existed in their field (performing arts, media arts, or visual arts)? How did these barriers impact the artist you selected and the reception of their work?
7. How does the artist you selected affect you, your family, your city, this country, and/or the world? Explain the impact of their creativity, message, or achievements.
8. Did this person continue to inspire or influence others after their career peak? How is their legacy still felt today?

 Awards

 There will be three winners in each of the following six categories: Kindergarten–1st Grade; 2nd–3rd Grade; 4th–5th Grade; 6th–8th Grade; 9th–10th Grade; 11th–12th Grade. (*Exact prizes subject to change based on fundraising efforts.) 

Guidelines

• All work (essay, poster, video) must be the student’s original idea.
• Only technical help is allowed (ex, someone filming the video, cutting letters).
• The student must create scripts, artwork, concepts, and props.
• Rubrics are attached (adapted from RubiStar: http://rubistar.4teachers.org/index.php).

Submission Requirements

• Emailed entries must include: student name, school, grade, age, and teacher or counselor.
• Entries will be assigned random numbers before judging to ensure fairness.
• Submissions accepted February 6, 2026.

How to Submit

• Drop off at Cherry Hill Public Library – Reference Desk, or submit virtually.

• Essays/Posters: email clear images or documents to htarrant@chclc.org (you can use student accounts).

• Videos: upload to YouTube and email the link to htarrant@chclc.org (make sure permissions allow opening).

Format Rules

• Poster images must be clear (JPEG, GIF, or PNG); size ≤ 36” x 24”.
• Videos must be 6 minutes or less.
• Essays must be 200–500 words, submitted as Word or PDF.
• Celebration & Recognition
• All entries will be displayed at a reception on 25, 2026, at 6:00 PM at the Arthur Lewis Administration Building, 45 Ranoldo Terrace, Cherry Hill.
• Winners will be recognized at the 7:00 PM School Board Meeting the same evening.
• Entries will also be showcased at the Juneteenth Parade & Festival – June 20, 2026, at Croft Farm.

The Essay·Poster·Video Contest will be judged by a panel of judges selected by the CHAACA Executive Board. 

Students can select an African American artist born before 1970 whose work shaped the last 100 years of American culture from the list below, or choose someone else of their liking.

 Performing Arts (Music, Dance, Theatre, Film)
 Duke Ellington (b. 1899)
 Louis Armstrong (b. 1901)
 Josephine Baker (b. 1906)
 Paul Robeson (b. 1898)
 Billie Holiday (b. 1915)
 Ella Fitzgerald (b. 1917)
 Pearl Bailey (b. 1918)
 Lena Horne (b. 1917)
 Katherine Dunham (b. 1909) – dance pioneer
 Alvin Ailey (b. 1931) – modern dance legend
 Aretha Franklin (b. 1942)
 Diana Ross (b. 1944)
 Stevie Wonder (b. 1950)
 Nina Simone (b. 1933)
 Ray Charles (b. 1930)
 Sidney Poitier (b. 1927) – first Black Best Actor winner
 Denzel Washington (b. 1954)
 Whitney Houston (b. 1963)
 Michael Jackson (b. 1958)
 Prince (b. 1958)

Media Arts (Film, Television, Journalism, Photography)
 Gordon Parks (b. 1912) – filmmaker/photographer
 Oscar Micheaux (b. 1884) – early Black filmmaker
 Pam Grier (b. 1949) – film icon
 Cicely Tyson (b. 1924)
 Ruby Dee (b. 1922)
 Ossie Davis (b. 1917)
 James Earl Jones (b. 1931) – actor and voice artist
 Spike Lee (b. 1957) – filmmaker
 Debbie Allen (b. 1950) – dance and media arts
 John Singleton (b. 1968) – filmmaker
 Samuel L. Jackson (b. 1948)
 Phylicia Rashad (b. 1948)
 Quincy Jones (b. 1933) – producer and composer
 Gil Noble (b. 1932) – journalist

Visual Arts (Painters, Sculptors, Photographers, Graphic Artists)
 Jacob Lawrence (b. 1917)
 Romare Bearden (b. 1911)
 Augusta Savage (b. 1892) – sculptor
 Faith Ringgold (b. 1930) – painter and quilter
 Jean-Michel Basquiat (b. 1960)
 Alma Thomas (b. 1891)
 Elizabeth Catlett (b. 1915) – sculptor
 Aaron Douglas (b. 1899) – Harlem Renaissance painter
 Charles White (b. 1918)
 Betye Saar (b. 1926)
 Benny Andrews (b. 1930)
 Sam Gilliam (b. 1933)
 David Driskell (b. 1931)
 Howardena Pindell (b. 1943)