Hundreds of students from Los Angeles and New York City public and private high schools have accepted the B’nai B’rith International Diverse Minds Youth Writing Challenge, in which they are charged with crafting children’s books that explain diversity and tolerance to elementary-school-aged children. The first-place winner from each city will receive a sizable college scholarship and will have his/her book professionally published. Winners will be announced at award ceremonies in Los Angeles on June 2 and New York on June 12.
The contest, now in its third year, is an education-and-awareness initiative created in conjunction with B’nai B’rith programs that promote tolerance and communicate a message of equality among all citizens. The contest aims to enlighten, inspire, and educate America's young people and their families in an effort to destroy prejudices and strengthen the future of our youth.
The first place winners or winning teams in Los Angeles and New York will receive a $5,000 college scholarship and have their winning submissions published as books and distributed to each library and elementary school within their region. The second place winner receives a $2,000 scholarship, and the third place winner earns a $1,000 scholarship. A panel of judges from B’nai B’rith and the worlds of education, the arts, and government reviewed the submissions and will select the winners.
In addition, the teacher or youth leader who oversaw the creation of each first place submission will receive a $500 stipend to use for classroom or organizational materials.
The Diverse Minds Youth Writing Challenge is supported by NYSE Foundation in New York City and the Weingart Foundation in Los Angeles, with Kodak serving as the printing sponsor for both cities.
