2026 Juneteenth at King Park Art, Essay & Spoken Word Student Contest Submission Form 🎉✨
This form is for Long Beach area students in grades 3–12 to submit original artwork, essays, and/or spoken word entries inspired by the theme: “Sankofa: Honoring the Past, Inspiring the Future.” Before submitting, please make sure: 1) your work is original, 2) files are labeled correctly, 3) parent or guardian information is included. *** SUBMISSION DEADLINE: Wednesday, June 17, 2026 at 11:59 PM***
Student Information
Student First Name
*
Student Last Name
*
Grade Level
*
Please Select
Grade 3
Grade 4
Grade 5
Grade 6
Grade 7
Grade 8
Grade 9
Grade 10
Grade 11
Grade 12
School Name
*
Students must either attend a LBUSD school -OR- live in Long Beach if they attend another school outside of the school district (i.e., online, home school, etc.)
Email (best email that student and/or parent can access)
*
example@example.com
Parent/Guardian Name
*
First Name
Last Name
Parent/Guardian Phone Number
*
Please enter a valid phone number.
Format: (000) 000-0000.
How did you hear about this contest?
School/Teacher
Parent/Guardian
Social Media
Friend
LBUSD Sankofa Parent Village or Group
LBUSD Black Literature Society
Community Organization
Other
Submit your creative works below.
Students may submit one entry in each of the three categories: 1) Essay contest, 2) Art contest, 3) Spoken word contest
A) ESSAY SUBMISSION
A1) Essay Title
A2) Which prompt did you respond to?
Please Select
1) What does Sankofa mean in your life or community?
2) How can learning from the past help solve problems today?
3) What does freedom / liberation look like in 2026?
4) Who inspires you and represents Sankofa?
5) What change do you want to make in your community?
6) Other
A3) Option A: Upload Essay File
Upload a File
Drag and drop files here
Choose a file
Submit a pdf, doc, docx
Cancel
of
A3) Option B: Paste a Google Drive Link to Your Essay
B) ART SUBMISSION
B1) Artwork Title
B2) Art Medium
Please Select
Drawing
Painting
Photography
Digital Art
Mixed Media
Collage
Other
B3) Artist Statement
Describe what your art is about and how it connects to the Sankofa theme
B4) Option A: Upload Artwork Image
Upload a File
Drag and drop files here
Choose a file
Submit a jpg, png, or pdf
Cancel
of
B4) Option B: Paste a Google Drive Link to Your Artwork
B5) Will you be able to display your original artwork at Juneteenth at King Park on June 20?
Yes - I can provide the original
No - I can only provide a copy of the orginal
C) SPOKEN WORD SUBMISSION
C1) Spoken Word Title
C2) Which prompt did you respond to?
Please Select
1) What freedom means to you
2) Lessons from ancestors or community
3) What Sankofa looks like today
4) Black joy, resilience, and identity
5) Hopes for the future
6) Other
C3) Option A: Upload Video or Audio File of You Performing the Piece
Upload a File
Drag and drop files here
Choose a file
Cancel
of
C3) Option B: Paste a YouTube, Google Drive, or Vimeo Link of You Performing the Piece
C4) Option A: Upload the Written Spoken Word Poem
Upload a File
Drag and drop files here
Choose a file
Submit a pdf, doc, or docx
Cancel
of
C4) Option B: Paste a Google Doc to Your Written Spoken Word Poem
C5) Would you be available to perform your piece live at Juneteenth at King Park on June 20 if selected?
Yes
No
Maybe
PERMISSION & AGREEMENT
I confirm that: This submission is my original work. I understand submissions may be displayed or shared as part of Juneteenth at King Park. I have permission from a parent or guardian if I am under 18. And I understand late or incomplete submissions may not be reviewed.
*
Yes
SUBMIT YOUR WORK BELOW
Thank you for participating in the 2026 Juneteenth at King Park Sankofa Art, Essay & Spoken Word Contest! Your creativity, voice, and vision matter. We appreciate you taking the time to reflect, create, and share your work with the community. Winners and selected participants will be contacted after the review process.
QUESTIONS
If you have any questions, call/text Melissa at 515-999-6356.
Submit
Should be Empty: