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​​Afro-Academic Cultural
​Technological Scientific Olympics

The NAACP ​ACT-SO (Afro-Academic Cultural​Technological Scientific Olympics) program is an historic national achievement program specially designed to showcase the unique talent, passion, and academic achievement of high school students across the country.

​Originally conceived as a needed platform for underrepresented Black excellence, the prestigious program has since evolved to include all cultures, identities, and lived experiences.

Every year, NAACP units across the country host their own local programs, holding local competitions in the spring. Top finishers advance to the National ACT-SO Competition in July to vie for​ cash prizes, award packages, scholarships, exposure, and more! 

​CALLING ALL SUMMIT COUNTY
HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS!

​Summit County high school students begin their ACT-SO journey in the
Akron ACT-SO program, hosted by the Akron NAACP. 

Compete in ​5 major categories:
STEM, Humanities, Performing Arts, Visual Arts, and Business
(select up to 3 competitions total from the 5 ACT-SO categories)

Let's Go!!!

 Participate in ACT-SO enrichment activities​
•
Shine in the Akron ACT-SO Competition in late April

Akron GOLD MEDAL WINNERS advance to the National ACT-SO Competition in July!
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2026 AKRON ACT-SO SEASON

​5 Competition Categories

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​2026 Akron ACT-SO Season
2026 Akron ACT-SO Program
Open to ​Summit County High School Students
April 18, 2026 | The Knight Stage​
Akron gold medal winners will advance to the National ACT-SO Competition
Register Now!​​​
2026 National ACT-SO Program
Open to 2026 Akron ACT-SO Gold Medal Winners ONLY
Competition July 15-19, 2026 | Chicago, Illinois
Top finishers receive awards, prize packages, cash prizes, scholarships, and more!​​​

Join the Legacy of
​National Akron ACT-SO Champions!
​
​• • • • •
​Summit County is home to ​5 National ACT-SO Champions! 
Will you be next?

2025 National Gold Medalist • Dajeun Dickerson II Music: Vocal Contemporary
2022 National Lancome Scholarship Winner
2021 Bronze Medal • Sydney Borges for Short Story
2019 Silver Medal • Chika Nkowcha for Drawing 
2019 Bronze Medal • Connor Harris for Microbiology
2018 Silver Medal • Kofi Boakye for Music Instrumental/Contemporary ​

Notable ACT-SO Alumuni Include: John Singleton, Roy Hargrove, Lauryn Hill, Jennifer Hudson, Alicia Keys, Jada Pinkett-Smith, Anthony Anderson, and Kanye West
Akron ACT-SO Team
PHONE: 330-356-8022
EMAIL: [email protected]
www.AkronACTSO.org
Akron NAACP Office
230 W Center St, Akron OH 44303
​PHONE: 330-573-4986
EMAIL: [email protected]
www.NAACPAkron.org