2023 Theme

"Celebrating the Achievements of African American Floridians"

Art Contest: Grades K-3

Governor Ron DeSantis' and First Lady Casey DeSantis' Black History Month Art Contest is open to all K-3 students in the state of Florida.

Entry Dates: Entries must be mailed to Volunteer Florida: Black History Month Committee, 1545 Raymond Diehl Road, Suite 250, Tallahassee, Florida 32308. All entries must be received no later than 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time on Tuesday, February 7, 2023. Emailed, scanned or faxed entries will not be accepted. Contestants are responsible for all shipping costs.

Awards: Four statewide winners will be selected, and each winner will receive a $100 art supplies gift card and a 1-year pass to Florida state parks. Once the winners are announced, the decision is final

Essay Contest: Grades 4-5, 6-8, 9-12

Governor Ron DeSantis’ and First Lady Casey DeSantis’ Native American Heritage Month Essay Contest is open to all students attending any Florida school in grades 4-12 (public, charter, private, home or virtual). Six winners will be selected: two elementary school student (grades 4–5), two middle school student (grades 6–8) and two high school student (grades 9–12). Each winner will receive a 2–Year Florida College Plan scholarship provided by the Florida Prepaid College Foundation and a $100 gift card for school supplies.

Entry Dates: Entries can be mailed to Volunteer Florida, Black History Month Committee, 1545 Raymond Diehl Road, Suite 250, Tallahassee, Florida 32308, or submitted electronically through the online submission form. All entries must be received no later than 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time on Tuesday, February 7, 2023. Contestants are responsible for all shipping costs. Entries submitted electronically will receive email confirmation. Emailed, scanned, or faxed entries will not be accepted. 

Awards: Each winner will receive a 2–Year Florida College Plan scholarship provided by the Florida Prepaid College Foundation and a $100 gift card for school supplies. Once the winners are announced, the decision is final.

Online Submission

Paper Submission

Excellence in Education Award Contest

Governor Ron DeSantis’ and First Lady Casey DeSantis’ Black History Month Excellence in Education Award Contest is open to any full-time educator who works in an elementary, middle, or high school in Florida (including public and private schools). Nominations may be submitted by a principal, teacher, parent/guardian or student.

Entry Dates: Entries can be mailed to Volunteer Florida, Black History Month Committee, 1545 Raymond Diehl Road, Suite 250, Tallahassee, Florida 32308, or submitted electronically. All entries must be received no later than 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time on Tuesday, February 7, 2023. Contestants are responsible for all shipping costs. Entries submitted electronically will receive email confirmation.

Awards: Four winners will be selected. Excellence in Education award winners will receive $2,500 from Volunteer Florida. Once the winners are announced, the decision is final.

Online Submission

Paper Submission