Eligibility:

The Juneteenth Detroit Student Poetry Contest is sponsored by the City of Detroit's Civil Rights, Inclusion & Opportunity department. The contest is open to Detroit high school students who live in and attend a school in Detroit.

Poetry Submissions:

Each contestant may submit only one original poem in English (500 words maximum). The poem must be about Juneteenth. The poem must be uploaded as a Word document.

Winners:

There are three opportunities to win the contest. Winners will receive cash prizes as follows:

1st Prize: $250

2nd Prize: $150

3rd Prize: $100

A total of $500 in cash prizes! Winners will be selected from a Detroit High Schools!

Winners will be notified by email on May 23, 2025. Winning poets will read their winning poems at the City of Detroit Celebration of Freedom, Wednesday, June 18, 2025, and their poems will be posted on our social media platforms.

Deadline:

Poems must be submitted in a Word file by May 16, 2025, at 11:59 p.m. EST.

If you have questions regarding the contest, please email: CRIO_ Engagement@detroitmi.gov. Or call the CRIO Department at (313) 224-4950 or crio@detroitmi.gov.

Each winner must complete all requested contact information to receive a prize.