CBC Spouses Essay Contest
The essay contest provides academically talented and highly-motivated high school juniors and seniors the opportunity to address a topic that embodies some of our communities’ most pressing issues and are asked to write an essay to defend their research, analyses and opinion. Submissions are evaluated by a special committee of CBC Spouses.
Winners will participate in a panel discussion on the topic during the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation’s Annual Legislative Conference (CBCF-ALC) in September.
Eligibility
• Essay contest is open to high school juniors and seniors (grades 11 and 12) at time of submission of essay.
• Essay contestants must reside or attend a high school in a district represented by a Congressional Black Caucus Member.
• Be a U.S. citizen/legal permanent resident.
General Rules
• All essays must be submitted online.
• To upload essay the document must be saved in PDF format .
• Contestants must compose an original essay with limited guidance from adults and teachers.
• The Congressional Black Caucus Foundation (CBCF) will have the right to publish, in full or in part, or otherwise duplicate any essay entered in the contest, along with the author’s name, without payment to the author.
• All entries must be received by March 27, 2027, 11:59 pm EST.
Essay Guidelines
• All essays must be submitted online.
• All essays must be original work of applicant.
• Essays should be original compositions; no less than 750 words, and no more than 1000 words with evidence that supports their findings.
• Essays will be evaluated on overall content, quality, universality, style, grammar, and alignment with essay theme.
- Award
- Varies
- Scopes
- Scholarships
- Deadline
- 03/27/2026
- Supplemental Questions
- Essay Topic: Two Truths about Artificial Intelligence (AI): Artificial Intelligence (AI) is often described as a double-edged sword. Its benefits include expanding access to healthcare and education, reducing systemic biases in institutions, and creating new economic opportunities. Yet its risks are equally significant: biased algorithms that can entrench discrimination in hiring and lending, increased surveillance, and environmental costs that disproportionately impact vulnerable communities. Given this tension, what do you think the impact of AI will be in and for the Black community?
- Letter of Recommendation: Upload letter of recommendation in PDF format submitted on formal, professional letterhead and include contact information. The letter must contain recommender's full name, professional title, contact email, and telephone number.
- Name of your U.S. Representative based on your permanent address. To determine your Representative, enter your permanent address zip code here. If more than one representative is shown, please enter your full address.
- Name of your U.S. Representative based on your academic institution's address. To determine your Representative, enter your academic institution's address zip code here. If more than one representative is shown, please enter your academic institution's full address.