CAC hosts poetry, speaking contests for Black History Month

Central Arizona College is holding poetry and public speaking contests to celebrate Black History Month.

CAC’s Communication Studies, Equity Council and Student Engagement is hosting the Cultural Expression competition and the theme this year is “The Unity of Community.”

CAC students will express their experiences, stories and knowledge related to the theme through poetry and the Pecha Kucha presentation style, a press release from CAC stated. Pecha Kucha is the Japanese phrase for “chit-chat,” and it is the name given to a type of PowerPoint presentation that uses images on slides rather than words.

The Black History Poetry contest is a long-standing tradition at CAC, and students, faculty, staff and members of the community are invited to submit their poems related to the theme. Poetry contest submissions should be emailed to eliana.leamons@centralaz.edu . For the Pecha Kucha speaking competition, video presentations must be submitted to Professor Michelle Young at michelle.young1@centralaz.edu .

The deadline for all submissions is 6 p.m., Monday, Feb. 19. Cash prizes will be awarded to the top finalists.

Winners will be announced starting at noon, Tuesday, Feb. 27 at the Signal Peak Campus, Building I, Room 400, 8470 N. Overfield Road, Coolidge.