Feb. 16, 2026, 11:05 a.m. ET
- Carter is documenting the oral history of people whose stories are often left out.
- Submissions are due by Wednesday, Feb. 18.
Many Black History Month essay contests are for young students, with their lives ahead of them. This one — “Why Am I Black History” — is aimed at a group who may have lived it, or to put it another way, helped make it.
There is a minimum age limit to enter: 65 years old.
The contest, organized by state Rep. Brenda Carter, D-Pontiac, asks participants to write an essay, just one page, a short reflection “on why they believe their life story is part of Black history” and a chance to tell their stories.
“I wanted to create space for elders to tell their own stories in their own words,” Carter explained. “Black history is not only found in textbooks or museums. It lives in our communities, our families and in the people who carried us forward.”
In a way, Carter is documenting the oral history of people whose stories have been left out of textbooks, newspaper articles and civic spaces that record them. The contest also is a chance to be recognized and win some money.
The idea of recognizing African-American history dates back at least 100 years.
In 1926, historian and journalists Carter Woodson, who is sometimes called the “Father of Black,” created a Negro History Week, the second week in February, to celebrate the accomplishments of African Americans.
He picked that week because it coincided with the birthdays of President Abraham Lincoln and Fredrick Douglass, two figures the black community had celebrated. Negro History became Black History, and later it became a month.
Carter didn’t detail how much the winners would receive.
But, she noted that she’d like to hear from people, especially those in her district, and would take essays by email, mail or in person, and that her staff would offer assistance for anyone who needed help typing their submission.
Submissions are due Wednesday, Feb. 18. Winners will be announced at the Pontiac School District Board meeting at 6 p.m. on Feb. 23. More contest information is available at 517-373-2577 or BrendaCarter@house.mi.gov.
Contact Frank Witsil: 313-222-5022 or fwitsil@freepress.com
