Council Member Leroy Comrie of Queens, with co-sponsors Abolish The N-Word Project Inc. and the UniverSoul Circus, honored the winners of his second annual Black History Month Essay Contest, which asked middle school students in New York City to consider abolishing the N-word.
The theme of the essay contest was “Why The N-Word Should Never Be Used” in 250 words or less. The ceremony took place at City Hall.
The 26 winners were a diverse group from middle schools across the city and each received a City Council citation from Council Member Comrie, as their families looked on. Additionally, the winners received gift packages from the Abolish The N-Word Project and free tickets to performances of the upcoming UniverSoul Circus.
The two winners from Brooklyn were Flatbush resident Destinee Charles, who attends Middle School for Art & Philosophy, 1084 Lenox Road, and Canarsie resident Christine Ayanna Croasdaile, who attends Poly Prep Country Day School, 9216 Seventh Avenue.
The Abolish the N-Word Project Inc., led by Brooklyn residents Jill Merritt and Kovon Flowers, began a public relations campaign nearly a year ago to abolish the use of the word by all people through the establishment of a website, educational materials and community events.
For more about the organization, go to www.abolishthenword.com
