On behalf of the University of Alabama at Birmingham’s Office of the Vice President for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion and our partners at UAB Student Diversity and Multicultural Programs, the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute, Urban Impact Inc., United Way of Central Alabama, the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, Birmingham Southern College, Jefferson State Community College, Samford University, and the City of Birmingham, we would like to invite your students to participate in our annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. “Word From the Mountain Top” oratory contest.

The purpose of the contest is to recognize and give students the opportunity to reflect on the words of Dr. King while connecting his message to issues facing our nation in the 21st century. In addition, participants are provided an opportunity to display and enhance their own writing and communication skills through oration.  Drawing inspiration from his ‘Beyond Vietnam’ speech, participants are asked to answer the question “What would you say to encourage listeners to act to preserve the best in our U.S. democratic society?”

The top three written speeches from each division (high school and college) will be selected as finalists and invited to participate in the oratorical portion of the competition. Prizes will be awarded to all finalists, and a grand prize will be given to the overall winner from each division.

Click here for a link to contest rules, regulations, and more information

The deadline to submit speeches is January 4, 2019, by 5:00 p.m.