Juneteenth Contest
Juneteenth Contest Showcases Youth Voices
The Downtown NYC Zetas, a historically African American sorority, reached out to Homeward NYC and senior-services provider Project FIND to showcase youth talent and support homelessness prevention programs.
The Downtown NYC Zetas hosted a contest in honor of the Juneteenth holiday where youth performed an original rap, song, or spoken word on the themes of the freedom, liberation, and resiliency of the Black community.
Youth performers competed for a cash prize. The contest’s fundraising efforts were shared evenly between Project FIND and Homeward NYC.
Thank you and congratulations to the Juneteenth Creative Expression Contest winners! Quadiar, age 11, recited his poem Brave Dragon. Aviya, age 16, provided lyrics, vocals and piano for her song Juneteenth Song. Alyssa, age 15, recited her poem 2:45.
Watch the video of these talented young artists:
“I find it particularly rewarding that the talent and voices of young people would be used to support young adults in crisis and to give back to the elders in our community,” said CEO Jeannette Ruffins, who went on to address the young artists, “Kudos to all the young people who submitted work. It takes courage to share your work with others, especially for review, and you are very brave.”
Thank you to Soror Andrene Denniston, President of Downtown NYC Zetas, for including us. Thank you to Mark Jennings, Associate Executive Director at Project FIND, and thank you to the Racial Equity in Supportive Housing Workgroup (RESH) for their organizing efforts. And thank you to everyone for participating, for spreading the word, and for making gifts in support of homeless seniors and young adults.
About: Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc., Alpha Alpha Upsilon Zeta Chapter (Downtown NYC Zetas) is an international, historically African American sorority. Project FIND operates supportive housing and seniors centers that provide low-income and homeless seniors the support they need to enrich their lives and live independently. Racial Equity in Supportive Housing Workgroup (RESH) is a volunteer group of about Black and Brown leaders from supportive housing agencies across New York State. Homeward NYC provides housing and wraparound services that empower homeless young mothers, LGBTQ young people and older adults to live life forward.
The Downtown NYC Zetas sorority has teamed up with Homeward NYC, Project FIND and The Racial Equity in Supportive Housing Workgroup (RESH) to showcase youth and young adult talent to benefit supportive housing.
Contest submissions are due June 21st for this Juneteenth original song, rap, or spoken word performance contest for ages 8-24.
For eligibility, submission, rules, and CASH Prize information see below or download the PDF.
- New York State residents ages 8 to 24 may submit an original song, rap, or spoken word up to 4 minutes in length. In honor of the Juneteenth holiday, the original piece should center on the themes of the freedom, liberation, and/or resiliency of the Black community.
- Pieces must be the original work of the youth/young adult alone.
- Submissions are due no later than Monday, June 21, 2021 at 11:59pm
Additionally, this event is to raise money and awareness of the homelessness prevention efforts of Project FIND’s Homeless-In-Reach Program (HIR Plus) and Homeward NYC’s LGBTQ Supportive Housing. 100% of proceeds raised will be split between these two groups.
To make a gift in support of the homelessness prevention efforts of Project FIND’s Homeless-In-Reach Program (HIR Plus) and Homeward NYC’s LGBTQ Supportive Housing, visit bit.ly/JuneteenthGoFundMe. 100% of proceeds are split between these two groups.