Each year, high school students across the country start a journey to sharpen their skills through the Afro-Academic, Cultural, Technological and Scientific Olympics (ACT-SO). From visual arts and business to performing and culinary arts, participants work with community-based volunteers for a year to develop projects and performances. The experience culminates in local and national events where students compete for scholarships and other rewards.
An Enduring Legacy of Black Excellence
ACT-SO aims to:
Recognize creative talent and academic achievement in the next generation of leaders.
Provide and assist students with the necessary skills to establish goals and acquire the confidence and training to make a successful contribution to society.
Mobilize adults to promote academic and artistic excellence.
0K
young people have participated in ACT-SO, as of 2021
Who’s Eligible
To participate in ACT-SO you must be:
Of African American descent.
A citizen of the United States or hold a permanent resident visa card.
Enrolled in grades 9-12 at the time of application.
An amateur (having not received wages for professional services) in the categories of competition.
Participants in the annual national ACT-SO competition are chosen from the local competitions.