Planting People Growing Justice Leadership Institute (PPGJLI), an organization dedicated to empowering communities and cultivating leaders through education, has announced the launch of its newest initiative, a writing competition entitled "Writing for Social Change."

This unique competition invites talented writers of African descent who are residents of Minnesota and are 18 years of age or older to submit their most inspiring and imaginative works. The winners will be awarded a $3,000 prize along with a copy of their published children’s book, affirming both their literary achievements and their contribution to social justice.

The exciting announcement comes after PPGJLI was honored with a significant Cultural Heritage Grant from the Minnesota Humanities Center. The generous $135,000 award will greatly enhance PPGJLI’s ongoing efforts to harness the power of storytelling to uplift marginalized voices and drive community transformation. This work is funded in part by MHC with money from the Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund that was created with the vote of the people of Minnesota on November 4, 2008.

"We are incredibly thankful to the Minnesota Humanities Center for their support," said Dr. Artika Tyner, Founder and Executive Director of PPGJLI. "This grant allows us to expand our efforts to inspire and empower writers from African American communities in Minnesota to share their stories and create meaningful dialogue around social justice topics."

The competition features two main categories for submissions: Fiction and Nonfiction. In the Fiction category, participants are encouraged to create a picture book that delves into themes like Juneteenth, the historically-rich Rondo neighborhood, or the concept of Black Joy, celebrating positive and joyous narratives within the African American community.

The Nonfiction category invites writers to craft short biographies highlighting the life and contributions of Minnesota-based heroes and sheroes, such as Dr. Josie Johnson, Roy Wilkins, and August Wilson. These figures represent the profound impact that individuals can have on civil rights, social justice, and cultural enrichment.

PPGJLI aims to foster a deeper understanding of African American heritage and to celebrate the resilience and triumphs of the BLACK community. Through this initiative, writers have the opportunity to educate, inspire, and make a difference by sharing stories that resonate with children and families.

Submissions will be accepted from now until October 1, 2024. Entries will be reviewed by a panel of judges composed of esteemed writers, educators, and community leaders. Submissions will be judged based on their creativity, relevance to the specified themes, and their potential impact on readers.

"The power of storytelling is immeasurable in creating social change," Dr. Tyner added. "We believe that by sharing diverse narratives, we can build bridges of understanding and inspire future generations to advocate for justice and equity."

People who want to enter the competition can find more details and submission guidelines on the PPGJLI website at https://www.ppgjli.org/writing-for-social-change-23-1

This initiative not only aligns with PPGJLI’s dedication to social justice but also honors the invaluable contributions of writers and storytellers in shaping perspectives and fostering community connections. This competition is a call to all African American writers in Minnesota to lend their voices to a movement that values justice, inclusivity, and the celebration of culturally rich narratives.

For more information about the Planting People Growing Justice Leadership Institute, please visit www.ppgjli.org or contact PPGJ at info@ppgjli.org

Media Contact
Company Name: Planting People Growing Justice® Leadership Institute
Contact Person: Media Relations
Email: Send Email
Phone: (651) 303-6566
City: Saint Paul
State: Minnesota
Country: United States
Website: www.ppgjli.org