Louisville ACT-SO

Each year, high school students across the country start a journey to sharpen their skills through the Afro-Academic, Cultural, Technological and Scientific Olympics (ACT-SO). From visual arts and business to performing and culinary arts, participants work with community-based volunteers for a year to develop projects and performances. The experience culminates in local and national events where students compete for scholarships and other rewards.

2023 Sponsored By: Fund for the Arts

Luminary Comity is a partner of Louisville NAACP Youth as a mentor and sponsor of this local ACT-SO competition program. Students of African descent who are U.S. citizens enrolled in grades 9-12 will take part in Louisville ACT-SO. ACT-SO is an acronym for Afro-Academic, Cultural, Technological and Scientific Olympics. This program is a local competition for high school students. The winners of the competition go on to represent the city and state at a national competition. There are 32 competitive fields for students to compete in.

We need your help in assisting in the cost to get students to the national competition of ACT-SO and material cost of participants. This can be financially strenuous and limit the number of students we can allow to compete. We are in need of financial assistance to make this venture a success. Please show your support to the youth competing and for the future generations of youth. Empowering the seeds of hope shall fortify a promising foundation for those destined to receive the passing torch.

Donate with the button below or Make check/money orders to Luminary Comity, Memo: ACT-SO

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Join the mailing list for ACT-SO

We are very excited to be a part of ACT-SO for the 2023-24 season.

Deadline March 15, 2024

The link to the application is https://bit.ly/LouisvilleACT-SO

"ACT-SO is synonymous with success. It is my sincerest hope that every ACT-SO participant takes risks in the safe, creative, and nurturing space ACT-SO provides. Chart your course. Share your story. Change the world."

- Larry Brown, Jr. National Director, NAACP ACT-SO

AN ENDURING LEGACY OF BLACK EXCELLENCE

ACT-SO aims to:

Recognize creative talent and academic achievement in the next generation of leaders.
Provide and assist students with the necessary skills to establish goals and acquire the confidence and training to make a successful contribution to society.
Mobilize adults to promote academic and artistic excellence.

We are very excited to be a part of ACT-SO for the 2024-25 season.

Deadline March 1, 2025

The link to the application is https://bit.ly/LouisvilleACT-SO

Louisville ACT-SO PROGRAM

Culinary & Hospitality program - October 2024 - July 2025

ACT-SO Committee Meetings - Bi-weekly starting January 2025

Kick Off - March 16, 2025 (Zoom Meeting ID: 5956844252)

Local mentorship and enrichment programs - January 2025 - July 2025

Local ACT-SO Competition - April 26 2025: (TBD) & April 27, 2025:

Local Award Ceremony - May 18, 2025

ACT-SO Jr. - June 2025 - October 2025

National Competition - July 2025 Charlotte, NC (July 9 - July 12, 2025)

ACT-SO PROGRAM TIMELINE

August: Local programs kick-off annual ACT-SO activities

March: Local programs conduct mentoring and scholastic enrichment activities

April: Local programs host ACT-SO competitions

April-July: Students continue their local mentorship and enrichment programs to prepare for the National Competition.

July: Annual activities culminate with the National Competition and Ceremonies

Louisville ACT-SO Competition areas

ACT-SO inspires young Black students to expand their horizons and sharpen their skills. From performing and culinary arts to science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM), students can demonstrate their talents in up to three competition areas.

There are 31 different categories. Past categories Participants have chosen:

PLAYWRITING: A literary composition developed for the stage.

POETRY - WRITTEN: An original poem or prose performed as a monologue or exchange involving extemporization.

DRAMATIC ARTS - ACTING: The art of staging or acting plays.

MUSIC VOCAL - CLASSICAL: The art of performing with the human voice rhythmic tones or sounds of the late 18th and 19th centuries characterized by an emphasis on balance, clarity, and moderation.

MUSIC VOCAL - CONTEMPORARY: The art of performing with the human voice rhythmic tones or sounds to produce music with the tones of the present.

PHOTOGRAPHY: The process, art, and technique of taking images recorded by a camera and reproducing them on a photosensitive surface.

PAINTING: The art of laying on paints with a brush or a knife.

ORATORY: The art of speaking in public eloquently and effectively. (This is not a dramatic presentation.)

"I can't think of any other program that has played a bigger part in preparing me for my future the way ACT-SO has. "

- Taylor C. 2018-20 ACT-SO alumni, East St. Louis.

Categories: Drawing, Entrepreneurship, Filmmaking and Original Essay

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

All you need to know about the Afro-Academic, Cultural, Technological and Scientific Olympics program.

What is ACT-SO?

ACT-SO was founded in 1978 by author and journalist Vernon Jarrett. The program is intended to provide recognition to young people who could demonstrate academic, scientific, and artistic achievement, allowing young people to gain recognition equal to that often achieved by entertainers and athletes.

Who is eligible to participate in ACT-SO?

Students of African descent who are U.S. citizens enrolled in grades 9-12 and are amateurs in the categories are eligible to participate.

Participants in the annual national ACT-SO competition are chosen from the local competitions.

What are the benefits of participating in ACT-SO?

The ACT-SO program is an enrichment program. Over the course of each year students work with local volunteer instructors and mentors to develop projects and participate in enrichment opportunities, including workshops, tutorials and field trips specific to their competitions. The local ACT-SO competitions and ceremonies showcase the results of the students' hard work. Competition winners receive medals and prizes provided by the local and regional sponsors and contributors. The local Gold Medalists advance to the national competition and have the opportunity to receive scholarships and other rewards provided by national sponsors.

What are some other participation opportunities in ACT-SO?

ACT-SO is a community-based program that provides multiple opportunities for involvement. Community members may participate as Chairpersons, mentors, sponsors, organizers, competitors, benefactors, educational partners, etc. The program receives support from schools, local businesses, community organizations, churches, foundations, major corporations, and individuals. For more detailed criteria and information about how to get involved, please contact the National ACT-SO office.

ACT-SO MASTERCLASS:

MARKETING & SUSTAINABLE GROWTH

Trey Brown, a 15-year-old entrepreneur, shares his keys to success during this masterclass on Marketing & Sustainable Growth.

Presented by McDonald's Black & Positively Golden

PURSUING PURPOSE WITH PASSION

Pursuing Purpose with Passion with McDonald’s Owner/Operators Tanya Hill-Holliday and Danielle Dawkins-Alston

Presented by McDonald's Black & Positively Golden

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