What’s the Topic?

“The African American in Texas: Past and Present”

Twentieth-century African Americans are waiting to tell their stories. History books capture only a portion of the triumphs of African Americans as they struggle to gain full participation in American democracy. Texas is rich in African American history, and those who made history-veterans of World War I and II, survivors of the Great Depression, activists of the Civil Rights Movement-are still with us. These individuals are living treasures of stories and experiences, offering personal perspectives and unique insights into history.

The Barbara Jordan Historical Essay Competition invites students to engage in a journey about real people who lived during these historic times and experienced significant events in African American history. Throughout Texas, students of all races and ethnicities will research, interview, and write about African Americans in their local communities. And because many of their subjects are elderly, students preserve these important stories - and all their individual wisdom and insight - for future generations.

Students often see history class as the most irrelevant class they take. They memorize names, dates, and places for a standardized test, and then those facts are promptly forgotten. They often don't see how history relates to their lives or how history has shaped the world around them. When students participate in the Barbara Jordan Historical Essay Competition, history literally comes alive. Participation in the competition provides an opportunity to transform the tedium of learning facts and dates into an engaging investigation into their subject's memories, anecdotes, and artifacts.

Who can participate?

Open to all Texas high school students, grades 9-12, this competition provides students the opportunity to explore history by talking with grandparents, aunts, and uncles, as well as community, business, and religious leaders about their neighborhood and community. Students will develop an essay related to the competition's theme, "The African American in Texas: Past and Present."

How do I get started?

Read the Rules & Content Guidelines

A copy may be downloaded from this website or you may request a copy by emailing abumphus@austin.utexas.edu. The guide contains all of the information, rules and guidelines to enter the competition.

Visit Lift Every Voice: A Toolkit of Texas African American History for more primary sources of modern African American history. The toolkit provides lesson plans and web resources for teachers, as well as oral history samples and essay writing tips for students.