Virginia M. Leonard Community Education Center

11/28/2025

THERE IS STILL TIME TO ENTER! Pinellas County Middle and High School students are encouraged to enter the 36th Annual Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Essay & Oratorical Contest. The top four (4) applicants in each grade level will be eligible to compete for the $500 scholarship.

The deadline to enter is December 14. Learn more and apply here: stpeteparksrec.org/mlkessaycontest

10/21/2025

Call for Proposals for Professional School Counseling Journal Special Issue on Black Neurodivergent Students and School Counseling. In centering the lived experiences of Black neurodivergent youth and elevating the role of school counselors as agents of equity, this special issue seeks to spark urgent conversations and sustained action across the profession. Submissions due by Dec. 1, 2025. Learn more here:https://schoolcounselor.org/getmedia/0ee8f63c-2a9e-440a-8300-a42b53aa6fdf/Special-Issue-Call-for-Proposals-Neurodiversity.pdf

06/05/2025

06/04/2025

🎨 Picasso & African Art: A Hidden Influence

When you think of Pablo Picasso, you probably picture bold, abstract shapes and the birth of Cubism but did you know African art played a major role in his revolutionary style?

🖤 In 1907, Picasso visited the ethnographic museum in Paris and was deeply inspired by traditional African masks and sculptures. The bold lines, exaggerated features, and spiritual presence of African art challenged his ideas of beauty and realism. That same year, he painted “Les Demoiselles d’Avignon”, often seen as the spark of Cubism a style that broke objects into geometric forms.

🌍 While Picasso never publicly credited African artists, their visual language helped him break from European traditions and reshape the future of modern art. This connection is a powerful reminder that Black art has always been foundational not just inspirational.

📚 Let’s teach the full story. Let’s give credit where it’s due.

Absolutely! To deepen your exploration of African art and its profound influence on artists like Picasso, here are several educational websites and resources that offer rich insights into traditional and contemporary African art:

🎓 Top Educational Resources on African Art

1. National Museum of African Art – Smithsonian Institution
• Teacher Resources: Offers adaptable workshops, lesson plans, and hands-on activities tailored for educators.
• Online Resources: Provides access to the Warren M. Robbins Library, professional development materials, and the Eliot Elisofon Photographic Archives.  

2. The Metropolitan Museum of Art – The Art of Africa
• A comprehensive resource featuring 40 traditional works from sub-Saharan Africa, complete with historical context, lesson plans, maps, and glossaries. 

3. Boston University African Studies Center – Visual Art Resources
• Curated materials that delve into both traditional and contemporary African art, offering guidelines and sample lessons for educators to approach the subject with cultural sensitivity. 

4. African Artists’ Foundation (AAF)
• Based in Lagos, Nigeria, AAF promotes contemporary African art through exhibitions, festivals like LagosPhoto, and educational programs aimed at youth empowerment. 

5. Zeitz Museum of Contemporary Art Africa (Zeitz MOCAA)
• Located in Cape Town, South Africa, Zeitz MOCAA offers educational programs, fellowships, and exhibitions that highlight contemporary African artists and their works. 

6. Art School Africa
• An initiative that organizes events, exhibitions, and workshops to empower aspiring art professionals across the African continent. 

7. Virtual Museum of Modern Nigerian Art
• An online platform showcasing over 800 works from Nigerian artists, providing an accessible resource for students, teachers, and art enthusiasts interested in modern and contemporary Nigerian art. 

8. Virginia Museum of Fine Arts – “I Am: Identity in African Art”
• An educational resource exploring the concept of identity in traditional African art and culture through twelve objects representing various societal roles. 

05/14/2025

Scholarships with Upcoming Deadlines
1. Steps for Change Scholarship
• Award: $2,000
• Eligibility: High school seniors with a minimum 3.5 GPA and demonstrated financial need.
• Deadline: May 16, 2025
• Apply: Wealth by Health Foundation 

2. Empowerment Through Education Scholarship
• Award: $1,000
• Eligibility: Indiana residents pursuing post-secondary education, including college, technical schools, or cosmetology schools.
• Deadline: May 17, 2025
• Apply: Empowerment Through Education
 
3. NYCDA Foundation College Scholarship Program
• Award: Up to $150,000
• Eligibility: High school seniors pursuing performance-based majors (dance, musical theater BA or BFA programs).
• Deadline: May 19, 2025
• Apply: NYCDA Foundation  

4. Atlas Shrugged Essay Contest
• Award: Up to $25,000
• Eligibility: High school seniors, college, and graduate students worldwide.
• Deadline: July 19, 2025
• Apply: Ayn Rand Institute 

05/14/2025

🎓 National Scholarships
1. Horatio Alger National Scholarship
• Award: Up to $25,000
• Eligibility: High school juniors who have faced and overcome significant adversity, demonstrate critical financial need, and are involved in community service.
• Application Period: Opens August 1, 2025, and closes October 25, 2025.
• Apply: Horatio Alger Scholarships  

2. Coca-Cola Scholars Program
• Award: $20,000
• Eligibility: Graduating high school seniors with a minimum 3.0 GPA who demonstrate leadership and commitment to community service.
• Application Opens: August 1, 2025
• Apply: Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation 

3. Voice of Democracy Scholarship (VFW)
• Award: National first-place winner receives $30,000; other national scholarships range from $1,000–$16,000.
• Eligibility: Students in grades 9–12.
• Deadline: October 31, 2025
• Apply: VFW Voice of Democracy  

4. Regeneron Science Talent Search
• Award: Up to $250,000
• Eligibility: High school seniors conducting original scientific research.
• Application Period: Opens June 1, 2025, and closes November 6, 2025.
• Apply: Regeneron STS 

05/13/2025

5-Year Career Readiness Roadmap for Middle School to High School Graduation:

⸻

Year 1: 7th Grade (Age 12-13) - Exploration & Self-Awareness

Focus: Building curiosity, self-confidence, and exposure to multiple careers.
• Join a STEM or coding club (online or school-based).
• Participate in sports, arts, or music to explore talents and leadership.
• Attend local career day events, Black business expos, or HBCU tours.
• Read books about Black inventors, entrepreneurs, and leaders.
• Join Junior Achievement or a youth entrepreneurship program.
• Start a small side hustle (e.g., lawn mowing, tutoring, sneaker cleaning).

⸻

Year 2: 8th Grade (Age 13-14) - Skill Building & Goal Setting

Focus: Identify interests, strengthen academic foundation, and build soft skills.
• Attend a career-focused summer camp (tech, sports, arts, trades).
• Take online courses in coding, graphic design, or financial literacy (free sites like Khan Academy, Coursera).
• Shadow a Black professional (teacher, business owner, engineer, barber).
• Join a leadership program (Urban League Young Leaders, NAACP Youth).
• Begin setting personal, academic, and financial goals (vision board, journal).

⸻

Year 3: 9th Grade (Age 14-15) - Early Career Exploration & Mentorship

Focus: Exposure to real-world work, building networks, and sharpening life skills.
• Enroll in career and technical education (CTE) classes if available.
• Attend career expos and HBCU college tours.
• Seek a mentor from the community, church, or professional groups.
• Start a YouTube, podcast, or social media page about a passion or skill.
• Participate in summer programs for African-American youth (like NSBE Jr. or 100 Black Men of America).

⸻

Year 4: 10th Grade (Age 15-16) - Certifications & Hands-On Learning

Focus: Begin earning certifications, internships, and work experience.
• Get certified in first aid, CPR, OSHA, or basic tech (Google IT, CompTIA A+).
• Apply for internships, apprenticeships, or summer jobs.
• Join DECA, FBLA, or youth entrepreneur competitions.
• Attend Black Male Summits or leadership conferences.
• Open a student savings or teen investment account (learn about stocks, business credit).

⸻

Year 5: 11th-12th Grade (Age 16-18) - Career Commitment & Transition Planning

Focus: Clarify post-high school plans (college, trade, military, entrepreneurship).
• Apply for scholarships, especially Black-focused ones (UNCF, Thurgood Marshall Fund).
• Visit trade schools, HBCUs, and local businesses.
• Secure internships, apprenticeships, or launch a side hustle formally (LLC, EIN).
• Join young professional associations (e.g., NABA, NSBE).
• Prepare for college applications, military ROTC, or entrepreneurship grants.
• Build a professional resume, LinkedIn, and business card.

⸻

Extra Keys to Success Across All Years:
• Consistent mentorship.
• Focus on literacy, financial literacy, and digital skills.
• Community service and leadership opportunities.
• Exposure to positive, successful Black male role models in diverse fields.

05/12/2025

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