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Behind every photograph is a story waiting to be told.
 

For generations, Black journalists have documented the people, places, and moments that shaped history, often telling stories that were overlooked or ignored by mainstream media. Through newspapers, radio, television, and photography, they preserved the voices of communities, celebrated achievements, exposed injustice, and ensured that history would not be forgotten.

Inspired by this legacy, the Bessie Smith Cultural Center invites high school and college students to participate in the Portraits of Purpose: A Visual Storytelling Competition.
 

Your challenge is to identify someone in your community whose story deserves to be heard. This individual does not have to be famous or hold a public office. Instead, seek out the everyday people who make a meaningful impact through their work, service, leadership, creativity, resilience, or commitment to others.
 

Your submission should tell their story through the power of photography and journalism.

Contest Rules

Each participant will submit:

1. One Original Photograph

Capture a compelling portrait or environmental portrait that tells the story of your subject. The photograph should reveal something about who they are and the role they play within the community

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2. Written Story (300–500 words)

Interview your subject and write a feature story that answers questions such as:

  • Who are they?

  • What do they do?

  • Why is their story important?

  • How have they impacted others?

  • What challenges have they overcome?

  • Why should the community know about them?

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Think like a journalist. Your goal is to introduce readers to someone whose story deserves recognition.

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3. Photo Caption (50–100 words)

Write a caption similar to those found in newspapers or magazines that explains the moment captured and identifies your subject.

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Participants may choose to feature individuals such as:

  • Educators

  • Veterans

  • Healthcare professionals

  • Artists and musicians

  • Entrepreneurs

  • Faith leaders

  • Civil rights advocates

  • Coaches

  • Small business owners

  • Community volunteers

  • Historians

  • Activists

  • Grandparents preserving family history

  • Neighborhood leaders

  • Local heroes whose work often goes unnoticed

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Submission Requirements:

  • All Mediums Accepted

  • Size 8" X 10" ready to hang with Velcro on back

  • No self made labels, these will be made based on submitted information

  • All works must be registered at www. bessiesmithcc.org/artcontest

  • All work must have printed registration form on back to enter

  • Delivery of work to the museum by January 22, 2027

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Artist/Exhibitor grants permission for the Bessie Smith Cultural Center to reproduce his/her name, information describing his/her work, representations of his/her work and any other information he/she has provided for the purpose of display, promotion and publicity either now or in the future.

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If Artist/Exhibitor is not available on-site to display, re-pack or re-transport his/her work, he/she gives permission to BSCC to do so on his/her behalf at his/her own risk and expense.

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Release of Liability: The Bessie Smith Cultural Center shall not be liable for any injury to Artist/Exhibitor, their personnel, agents or employees or for any damage or loss of Artist’s/Exhibitor's work, equipment or other personal property arising out of the above exhibitions/displays, the mounting and/or any other activities involved in the preparation and/or presentation of the exhibitions/displays. Artist/Exhibitor agrees to assume all risk of damage to or loss of his/her own art from whatever cause. Artist/Exhibitor further agrees to release and to hold harmless the Bessie Smith Cultural Center its officers, directors, employees, volunteers and agents from any and all liabilities and damages to art work and/or persons as a result of any part of Artist’s/Exhibitor's participation in the Exhibit.

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Indemnification: Artist/Exhibitor shall indemnify, save and hold harmless the Bessie Smith Cultural Center, its officers, directors, employees, volunteers and agents and the participating exhibition venues from any and all claims, demands, causes of action and judgments, losses, costs and expenses, including but not limited to reasonable attorney’s fees, arising due to the negligence of Artist/Exhibitor, their employees, agents or other personnel hereunder, including but not limited to any representation, warranty, term and/or condition of this Agreement.

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Insurance: Artist/Exhibitor shall be solely and exclusively responsible to insure properly and adequately their work and property.

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Assignment: Neither Party shall assign to transfer any of its rights or obligations under this Agreement and any attempt to do so shall be void and of no effect.

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Waiver and Effective Nullity: Waiver by either party of any provision of this Agreement shall not operate or be construed as a waiver of any provision by such party at any time hereafter. The nullity of any provision hereunder shall not affect the validity or enforceability of the remaining provisions hereunder of the Agreement, which shall survive.

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