ACT-SO
The Afro-Academic, Cultural, Technological, and Scientific Olympics (ACT-SO) is an initiative by the NAACP to foster academic and artistic excellence in high school students. Open to U.S. students in grades 9-12, participation is not restricted by race or ethnicity.
Competition Categories
Students may select up to 3 categories to compete in:
Performing Arts
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Dance: Ballet, Contemporary, Modern, Traditional
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Music Instrumental: Classical & Contemporary
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Music Vocal: Classical & Contemporary
2025 Boston Branch ACT-SO Season
2025 Boston Branch ACT-SO Program
Open to High School Students 9 –12 grade
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Competitions held on April 26, 2025| 9 am –Noon | Yawkey Club of
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Roxbury Gold medal winners will advance to the National Competitions held July 9-13, 2025, in Charlotte, North Carolina
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Top finishers receive awards, prize packages, cash prizes, scholarships, and more!
2025 Boston Branch Mentors & Judges Program
The Boston NAACP Branch ACT-SO Program is seeking area professionals to serve as MENTORS and JUDGES for high school students competing in the Boston ACT-SO program. Mentors and Judges must be experienced in the area of: STEM, Humanities, Performing Arts, Visual Arts, and/or Business.
Please note, applicants may not serve as a Mentor and Judge in the same competition
Important Dates
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April 20, 2025 – Student Application Deadline
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April 26, 2025 – Local Competition (Yawkey Club, Roxbury, MA)
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May 19, 2025 – Local Awards Ceremony📢 May 22, 2025 – Mandatory Gold Medal Winner Orientation
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May - July 2025 – Gold Medal Winner Coaching Sessions
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July 9-13, 2025 – National ACT-SO Competition (Charlotte, NC)
Join the Legacy of National ACT-SO Boston Branch National ACT-SO Champions!
2024 National Write Your Future Scholarship Winner
2024 Gold Medal Original Essay
2024 Silver Dance: Contemporary
2023 Silver Medal Ballet
2023 Bronze Traditional Dance
2023 Bronze Music Composition
2023 Bronze Photography
2022 National Lancome Scholarship
2021 Gold Poetry Performance
2020 Bronze Poetry Performance
Notable Local ACT-SO Alumni Include: Anthony Burrell, Janay Trench-Lesley, Zayda Adams