Each year, the Episcopal Diocese of Pittsburgh celebrates the life and work of Absalom Jones (1746-1818), the first African-American priest ordained in the Episcopal Church. In conjunction with this event, the diocesan Commission on Race and Reconciliation sponsors a literary contest named for the late Frank E. Bolden, a noted Pittsburgh-based African-American journalist.
The contest is on the subject of racism with a specific theme. This year's theme:
"Race to Reconciliation"
The literary contest is open to all students currently in fifth through twelfth grades.
Students are invited to submit a literary work that describes or gives an example(s) of the theme, either from the past, present or future. Entries may be essays, poetry, fiction or non-fiction, and will be judged on originality, clarity, and composition. The maximum length is 200 words and should be typed double-spaced.
Entries should include the following information: author's name, age, grade, school, teacher's name. Also include the author's home address, phone number, e-mail address, hobbies and interests, extracurricular activities, and plans for the future.
A cashier's check of $100 will be awarded to the author of the winning entry and presented at the annual Absalom Jones Day Celebration on Saturday, February 7, 2015. The author is requested to read their winning entry at the celebration which will be held at Trinity Cathedral, 328 Sixth Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15222.
Questions? Please call one of the following: Nancy Travis Bolden at 412-683-8888; Al Mann at 412-661-5947; or Darrell Powell at 412-828-0502.
Entries may be submitted two ways: e-mail to dpowell2010@hotmail.com or mail to Literary Contest, c/o Darrell Powell, PO Box 419, Oakmont, PA 15139.
Entries must be post marked no later than February 2, 2015.