ACT-SO is a major youth
initiative of the National Association for the Advancement
of Colored People (NAACP).
Founded in 1978, by renowned author and journalist, Vernon
Jarrett, ACT-SO provides a forum through which
African-American youth
demonstrate academic, artistic and scientific prowess and
expertise, thereby gaining the same recognition often only
reserved for entertainers and athletes.
ACT-SO is rooted in the firm conviction that
African-Americans can succeed and compete at the same or
superior levels as their counterparts
in classrooms, boardrooms and laboratories across this
nation and abroad. The mission of ACT-SO is to prepare,
recognize and reward
African-American youth who exemplify scholastic and artistic
excellence.
The ACT-SO Goals
1. To mobilize the adult community for the promotion of
academic and artistic excellence among African-American
youth.
2. To recognize academic and talent achievement among
African-American students.
3. To provide and assist African-American students with the
necessary skill tools to establish goals and acquire theconfidence and training to make a
successful contribution to
society.
