Colorism Healing Poetry Contest

RESULTS are IN for the 2016 CHPC!

The purpose of the Colorism Healing Poetry Contest is to raise awareness about colorism among all people and to provide a productive, creative outlet for self-expression and healing. Click here for a definition of colorism, and here to see results of the 2014 Colorism Poetry Contest.

The submission period for the 2016 Colorism Healing Poetry Contest officially closed on April 30th. Thank you to all who participated or supported the contest in any way. Keep reading to learn more about our honored judges, our generous sponsors, and interesting facts about this year’s contest.

Judge Dr. JeffriAnne Wilder

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Dr. JeffriAnne Wilder is currently an Associate Professor of Sociology & Founding Director of the Institute for the Study of Race and Ethnic Relations (SRER) at the University of North Florida. She holds a Ph.D. in Sociology from the University of Florida. She writes, researches, and lectures on the contemporary experience of black Americans and other racial/ethnic minorities. Dr. Wilder is a distinguished expert and scholar of colorism in black American society. She is the recipient of many research and teaching awards, and has been featured in local and national media including Black Enterprise, National Public Radio, Nightline, 20/20, and the New York Times. Dr. Wilder recently published the book Color Stories: Black Women and Colorism in the 21st Century (2015). JeffriAnne was born and raised in Cleveland, Ohio. She is a proud member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. You can learn more about Dr. Wilder on her website and follow her on Twitter @JeffriAnneW.

Judge Kiara Lee

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Kiara Lee is a writer, activist and PhD student, studying education. She is a native of Richmond, Virginia. She has been doing work with colorism since 2010. This work includes her children’s book “Light-Skinned, Dark-Skinned or In-Between?” and her amateur documentary of the same name, “Under the Rug,” a play about the perpetuation of colorism in the black family and numerous speeches, appearances and other publications. She also has a children’s book surrounding the effects of parental incarceration titled “Be a Man Tyrone: What Happens When Daddy Goes to Prison.” Kiara is also the founder of #SCHOOLGIRLHUSTLE, a clothing line and a movement to empower girls and women in school and to support the schoolgirl and her hustle. Check out #SCHOOLGIRLHUSTLE on Instagram (@schoolgirlhustle) and online (schoolgirlhustle.com). To read her blog, THEBLACKERTHEBERRY, and check out her books, go to the blackertheberry.org.

Thanks to our sponsors!

thanks to our sponsors 2016 CHPC

2016 CHPC Quick Facts

  • This year we received just over 300 entries, including international submissions.
  • Contestants from the U.S. represent 36 states.
  • The states with the largest number of contestants are California (12.9%), Texas (9.9%), New York (9.6%), and Florida (9.2%).
  • Our biggest division is Division 2- ages 12-19, representing nearly 85% of all entries.
  • All contestants represent diverse languages and ethnicities.

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Eligibility

This year the poetry contest is open to all ages separated into three divisions:

•Division 1- Ages 11 and under
•Division 2- Ages 12-19
•Division 3- Ages 20+

Awards

•1st Place- $50, Publication online and in print
•2nd Place- $25, Publication online and in print
•Honorable Mentions (as chosen by judges)- Publication online and in print
•Editor’s Picks (as chosen by the editor)- Publication in print

CHPC 2016 Rules and Guidelines

Please follow the rules and guidelines below for all poetry submissions:

•Explore the issue of colorism as a major theme. Click here to learn more about colorism.
•Submit one poem written in English (1,000 words or less).
•Submit unpublished poems only (including self-publication).
•Submit your poem via the form at the bottom of this page. (Please do not email submissions.)

Terms and Conditions

Before entering the contest, you must agree to the following terms and conditions.

•By submitting a poem to the CHPC you certify that you are the original author.
•By submitting a poem to the CHPC you agree to have your poem published online at ColorismHealing.org and/or in the subsequent CHPC print anthology, should your poem be selected.
•By submitting a poem to the CHPC you grant permission for your poem and relevant demographic information to be used in future research studies and publications by Sarah L. Webb and/or Colorism Healing.