EQuity Scholarship Essay Competition
Coming Early 2022
2022 Scholarship Essay Competition
Complete the interest form receive all communications related to the 2022 competition
2021 Scholarship Winners
Winner
Dominique Kalunga
Dominique Kalunga was born and raised in Northern Virginia and is a rising sophomore at the University of Miami. She is majoring in Music Composition and Computer Science with a minor in Music Business. Her two great passions are writing and songwriting, both of which she intends to pursue at a professional level. Dominique also finds it important to mention that she loves Star Wars with all of her heart.
Honorable Mention
Darius Buckley
My name is Darius Montel Buckley and I'm a playwright, screenwriter, published author, and performing artist. I'm pursuing a Master of Fine Arts with a concentration in Playwriting at Columbia University. I grew up in Metro Detroit where my love of writing and dramatic literature was born at Mosaic Youth Theatre of Detroit. In recent years, I published Haze: Book One, Wonder Boy: A Science Fiction Short, and the original Detroit Hip Hop Musical, The Fly & Incredibly Dope Adventures of Tyrone Jenkins. I hope that my work will inspire young people, provide necessary representation for people of color in genres that have lacked diversity, and create stories for people to escape into and dream.
Honorable Mention
Mackenzie Chiodi
I am a doctoral student pursuing a PsyD at Roosevelt University in Chicago, Illinois. In the future, I aspire to run a private practice that specializes in treating children with anxiety and obsessive-compulsive disorders. In my spare time, I love to lift weights, explore the city and eat Italian food! Social justice has always been a passion of mine, which is what drew me to the city of Chicago, my graduate institution, and my future career as a mental health practitioner.
Honorable Mention
Mia Redic
I’m currently a rising Junior at Loyola University Chicago majoring in forensic science with aspirations to attend law school and to practice constitutional law! I love to be a part of community outreach programs that can increase the livelihood of members of my community. In my free time, I enjoy going to music festivals and cheering on my favorite NBA team the, Brooklyn Nets, I would consider myself a super fan! My hometown of Chicago has inspired my career choice greatly; I care for my city and the citizens who call this city their home! My desire as I continue through higher education is to learn how I as a woman of color can uplift, inspire, and lead others to success.
Honorable Mention
Ebony Berry
Ebony is a graduate student pursuing their master’s in speech-language pathology. They plan to work in pediatrics and help children that struggle with speech disorders. In their spare time, they enjoy gardening, cooking, and watching cartoons.
The Details
Eligibility
Entrants must be enrolled in a degree-granting program in Fall 2021. All degree programs are eligible.
Participants of all racial and ethnic identities are encouraged to apply.
Essay Details
Essays should be approximately 700 - 900 words, original for the competition, and address the prompt.
The prompt for the 2021 Scholarship Essay Competition is below.
Prizes
First Place
One person
The winning essayist will receive a $5,000 scholarship, a profile on our Medium publication on Race + Emotions, the option for a recurring column in Race + Emotions, and free admission to EQuity events for the upcoming academic year.
Honorable Mention
Four people
Honorable mentions receive free admission to EQuity’s EI Fundamentals Immersive Course, a feature on EQuity’s social media, and a small prize package.
“There is no greater agony than bearing an untold story inside you”
— Maya Angelou
Timeline
April 6th
2021 EQuity Scholarship Essay Competition launches. Complete the interest form to directly receive any program updates.
April 19th
2021 EQuity Scholarship Essay Competition prompt released.
May 28th
All entries must be submitted by 11:59 PM ET. The submission link is now closed.
June 21st - 25th
Honorable mentions and winner announced.
2021 Scholarship Essay Competition Prompt
Anti-Blackness, white supremacy, and racial inequality lead to emotionally charged experiences in life: navigating the harm and trauma of injustice; reckoning with the ways you’ve perpetuated anti-Blackness; practicing humility while exploring solidarity; undertaking healing work individually or as a community. Tell us about an emotionally charged experience you’ve had related to race. What emotions came up for you in that experience? Have you processed those emotions? Does the emotional impact still impact you today? How might tools around emotional intelligence have transformed this experience?
FAQs
Is the scholarship only for Black students?
Students of all racial identities are encouraged to apply. White supremacy and anti-Blackness impact us all, and we all have a role to play in addressing their impact.
How will you evaluate the winner?
EQuity will impanel a diverse group of judges to review the scholarship competition essay submissions. Essays will be evaluated on the following criteria: relevance to the prompt, clarity of ideas, thought-provoking story, and interest to the EQuity community.
Is the scholarship only for students?
Yes. To be eligible to apply, you will need to be enrolled in a degree-granting program this fall. EQuity recognizes the historic and contemporary barriers to college. We are committed to having a community essay writing competition in the future. Sign up for our newsletter for more information.
How strict is the word limit?
We want to give space for you to share your story in however many words you feel are necessary. The 700-900 word limit is a suggestion.
Will I receive the prize money directly?
EQuity will disburse the prize money to the school of the winner in accordance with the school’s requirements. We hope to have the funds available by August 1st for any possible fall tuition bills.