Students in grades 3-12 can win cash and scholarships from a $6,400 prize pool by submitting a poem or an original dramatic monologue to the inaugural James Weldon Johnson Young Writer’s Festival, led by the Friends of Brentwood Library in partnership with the City of Jacksonville, Duval County Public Schools, and Jacksonville Public Library.
Students can register for the contest and submit their entries at www.friendsofbrentwoodlibrary.org for free through Friday, June 10.
WHAT: Poetry Contest
WHEN: The deadline for registration and entries is Friday, June 10
WHO: All students in grades 3-12
HOW: Register and submit entries at www.friendsofbrentwoodlibrary.org (Contest rules and guidelines at website)
Registered students and their parents will attend an orientation in the Conference Center at the Main Library downtown on Friday, June 10 from 10 a.m. - noon.
Jacksonville native James Weldon Johnson was an American writer, poet, attorney, educator, civil rights activist, and a leader of the NAACP in the early 20th century. The park downtown—located near the Main Library and City Hall—was named for Johnson in 2020 to honor his contributions to and on behalf of the city.
The James Weldon Johnson Young Writer’s Festival will be held from June 15-19 in and around James Weldon Johnson Park. The festival was created to use poetry, visual, and performing arts as vehicles to impact youth academic achievement, performance, and socio-emotional development. Writing and analytical skills give children and youth a greater understanding of themselves and others.
About The Friends of Brentwood Library: The Friends of Brentwood Library is a non-profit 501 (c)(3) corporation, fully operated by a host of volunteers, including teachers and retired educators, youth ambassadors, senior citizens, and library patrons. The organization is funded by private and public donors. Learn more at www.friendsofbrentwoodlibrary.org.
About Jacksonville Public Library: The mission of Jacksonville Public Library is to enrich lives, build community and foster success by bringing people, information and ideas together. Last year, more than 3.1 million visits were made to Jacksonville Public Libraries, items were checked out more than 4.7 million times, and over 15,000 programs and services were offered to Duval County residents at the Main Library and 20 branch locations. For more information about Jacksonville Public Library, call 255-BOOK (2665) or visit jaxpubliclibrary.org.