Each year, high school students across the country start a journey to sharpen their skills through the Afro-Academic, Cultural, Technological and Scientific Olympics (ACT-SO). From visual arts and business to performing and culinary arts, participants work with community-based volunteers for a year to develop projects and performances. The experience culminates in local and national events where students compete for scholarships and other rewards.
ACT-SO inspires young Black students to expand their horizons and sharpen their skills. From performing and culinary arts to science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM), students can demonstrate their talents in up to three competition areas. Explore the 32 competitive fields.
The Pennsylvania State Conference currently has ACT-SO Programs in the Coraopolis Branch – Carter Spruill, Chairperson, Greater Harrisburg Area Branch – Kaaba Brunson, Chairperson and Philadelphia Branch – Vee Norris, Chairperson.
Pennsylvania Black Conference on Higher Education
Pursuant to the NAACP ACT-SO/ PBCOHE Work Alliance, the Executive Committee of the Pennsylvania Black Conference supports the Statewide NAACP ACT-SO Programs by making judges available to judge in each local competition.
If your branch is interested in starting an ACT-SO Program contact Kaaba Brunson, State ACT-SO Chair at 717-645-4873 or kaabanjie@verizon.net.
You can also see more information at https://naacp.org/our-work/youth-programs/act-so- achievement-program
Statewide NAACP ACT-SO Report August 2024
National Medals for Philadelphia and Coraopolis ACT-SO Programs
Philadelphia ACT-SO Program Wins Three National Medals
The Philadelphia ACT-SO Program, under the Leadership of Chairperson Veronica Norris, won three National Medals at the National ACT-SO Competition, held in Las Vegas, Nevada July 11-14, 2024.
The National Medalist are:
Joshual Matthews, Senior, Germantown Friends Won the National Bronze Medal for Chemistry/Biochemistry.
Abdullah Mahmoud, 11th Grade, Central High School Won the National Bronze Medal for Mathematics
Samirah Mungin, 11th Grade, The Philadelphia High School for Creative and Performing Arts (CAPA) Won the Silver Medal for Vocal Contemporary
Three Philadelphia local ACTSO gold medalists were unable to make the trip to Las Vegas. Gemma Richardson (Vocal Classical and Dance Contemporary); Anatasia Noble, Ballet; and Danae Truxler, Classical Instrumental.
Kudos also must be given to Samirah Mungin, Philly’s National ACTSO Silver Gold Medalist, who got an opportunity to sing with the National NAACP ACT-SO choir the traditional ceremonial song the National Black Anthem, “Lift Every Voice.” Also, she sang with others in additional songs throughout the ceremony. As quoted by Chairperson Vee, “when Ms. Mungin took the stage in singing her part of the song, “Fantasy,” by Earth, Wind & Fire, she set the entire room on fire, figuratively speaking.”
Tribute to Sean A. Parker
As an added, but important fact, the Philadelphia National ACTSO participants all wore a Tee Shirt with a picture on the back, honoring the memory of former Philadelphia Local and Statewide ACTSO Chairperson Sean A. Parker. In my humble opinion, it was only fitting that the Philadelphia Program would enjoy such success at the National ACTSO Competition.
Corapolis ACT-SO Program Wins Gold Medal for Sculpture
The Coraopolis ACTSO Program, under the leadership of Chairperson Carter Spruill, won its’ second straight National ACTSO Medal.
Tiana Ellis, a rising senior at Washington High School, won the National Gold Medal for Sculpture.
Greater Harrisburg ACT-SO Student Won a
Lancôme Write Her Future Award
Lily Mubbala, a senior from Central Dauphin High School was awarded a $10,000 Scholarship by the Lancôme Write Her Future Scholarship Competition. She was acknowledged along with the other National Lancôme recipients at the Award Ceremony.
This marks the third year in a row that a student from the Greater Harrisburg Area NAACP AC-TSO Program has won this prestigious award for Pennsylvania.
Harrisburg ACT-SO Vocal Contemporary Contestant, A’mari Hargrove was selected to participate in the closing ceremony and sing with the National ACT-SO choir, as well as other songs, adding more Pennsylvania presence to the National Stage.
Seven Harrisburg Local ACT-SO Gold medalist did not make the trip to Las Vegas. Blanca Castenada, Sculpture; Jahree Payne, Ballet; Kimia Folks, Music Composition; Susan Kargbo, Dramatics; Sienna Embrey-Banks, Business Entrepreneurship, Tawiah Amanor, Dance Contemporary; and Joyce O’Goffa, Poetry Performance.
Since 2018-2019 the State of Pennsylvania has consistently won medals at The National ACT-SO Competition*
2018-2019
Philadelphia Nasir Pittman, Gold; Dance Contemporary
2019-2020
Harrisburg Lunden McClain, Bronze; Poetry Written
Philadelphia Kenneth Moody, Bronze; Classical Instrumental
2020-2021
Harrisburg Prince Sopko, Silver; Chemistry/Biochemistry
Harrisburg Madison Stokes, Bronze; Medicine and Health
2021-2022
Harrisburg Madison Stokes, Gold; Medicine and Health
Harrisburg Tijesuni Ademuwagun, Bronze; Traditional Dance
2022-2023
Coraopolis Mia Clemmons, Silver; Poetry Performance
Harrisburg Morgan Marino, Bronze; Biology Micro-Biology
2023-2024
Coraopolis Tiana Ellis, Gold; Sculpture
Philadelphia Samirah Mungin, Silver; Vocal Contemporary
Philadelphia Joshual Matthews, Bronze; Chemistry/Biochemistry.
Philadelphia Abdullah Mahmoud, Bronze; Mathematics
*It is important to note that this is not an exhaustive list of all Pennsylvania ACT-SO National Medals since 1978. This list starts with the Philadelphia ACT-SO Program under the leadership of Sean Parker.
Pennsylvania Lancôme Write Her Future $10,000 Scholarship Award Recipients
2021-2022 Harrisburg Danneil Mubbala
2022-2023 Harrisburg India Smith
2023-2024 Harrisburg Lily Mubbala
Congratulations to all our Pennsylvania National ACTSO Competition Student Winners!
On behalf of the Coraopolis, Greater Harrisburg Area, and Philadelphia ACTSO Committees, and their extraordinary Chairpersons.
Peace, Kaaba Brunson, Greater Harrisburg Area and Pennsylvania Statewide ACT-SO Chairperson