The NAACP’s Afro-Academic, Cultural, Technological and Scientific Olympics hosted its second annual Black Expo and Health Fair, Saturday, Feb. 21.
ACT-SO is a youth initiative of the NAACP dedicated to recruit, stimulate and encourage high academic and artistic excellence among high school students.
The expo and health fair is a community service program to bring awareness of health issues to the Tallahassee-Leon County community. The workshops ranged from self-esteem, diabetes, abstinence, and college preparation.
Brian Henderson, of the Minority Alliance for Advocating Community Awareness, conducted the “Abstinence Education” workshop. Henderson talked to the participants on how the media and peer pressure have blurred the image of sex.
“My ultimate goal is to make a dent in the student’s life for the better,” Henderson said.
Along with community service events, ACT-SO also provides opportunities for the Olympians to demonstrate academics on local, state and national level competitions.
On March 26, at Tallahassee’s Bethel AME Church, the Olympians will compete in areas of the humanities, science, visual arts, performing arts and business.
“I feel a sense of pride and joy in being a part of a program in which I see tomorrow leaders excel in academics, self-esteem, leadership and a sense of community,” Co-Chair of ACT-SO, Celia Suluki said.
ACT-SO is earnestly working to send Olympians to the national competition in July to New York City. Financial contributions are acceptable, made payable to NAACP ACT-SO and mailed to P.O. Box 5892, Tallahassee , FL 32314 .
The Olympians will also hold an ‘ACT-SO Showcase’ fundraiser April 17, at Rickards High School auditorium featuring present, past and friends of ACT-SO.
Alan Williams, Florida House Representative District 8, Engineer George Gilchrist, and Attorney Melody Hadley are a few former ACT-SO Olympians.