MLK Essay Scholarship Contest

"The Dream Lives in Me: Voices of a New Generation" Essay Scholarship Contest

Presented by the Office of Institutional Standards and Practices in partnership with the Social Science Department

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. believed that each of us has the power—and the responsibility—to challenge injustice, uplift others, and lead with purpose. His legacy calls us to act with courage, compassion, dignity, and integrity.

Today, Dr. King’s dream serves as both a mirror and a map: a call to self-reflection and a guide to community-minded leadership and service. This essay contest invites OCC students to consider how Dr. King’s vision lives on—not just in movements, but in the intentional choices we make every day.

Whether it’s speaking up about injustice, practicing empathy, or leading with values, students are encouraged to share how they are helping carry the dream forward.

The purpose of this contest is to inspire students to express their creativity and share meaningful insights on how Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s vision continues to shape our world today. Through thoughtful reflection and storytelling, this contest celebrates how Dr. King’s vision of justice, equality and education continues to shape our lives, communities, and dreams.

Choose one of the following Essay Prompts to write about:

1. What does carrying the dream forward look like in today’s world—and how are you a part of it? Consider how today’s social and cultural climate challenges us to act with integrity, courage, and compassion—and how Dr. King’s dream lives through everyday actions.
2. Dr. King once said, ‘Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter.’ What social justice issue matters most to you, and how do you plan to raise your voice and lead change?
3. What is a problem you see affecting your community or peers today, and what role do you see yourself playing in changing it? You may reflect on how recent events have shaped your view of justice, leadership, or responsibility.
4. How does Dr. King’s vision inspire you to lead, serve, or speak up today? Explore how his example motivates you to act in ways that honor dignity, fairness, and unity.

Contest Eligibility

• Open to all currently enrolled students at OCC
• The student must be in good academic standing (2.5 GPA or higher)
• The student must demonstrate a financial need

*One submission per student

Essay Guidelines

• Length: 750–1,000 words
• Format: Typed, double-spaced, 12pt font (Times New Roman or Arial)
• Citations: APA or MLA Format
• Originality: Must be your own work—no AI-generated or plagiarized content.
• Academic Integrity: Participants are expected to observe the highest standards of academic integrity. This means submitting original work. Plagiarism and the use of AI-generated text, including Large Language Models and AI-assistants like Grammarly, are strictly prohibited. Violations of this policy will result in disqualification.

Scholarship Prizes 

The top three winners of the MLK Essay Contest will receive the following scholarship prizes, made possible through the generous contributions of an anonymous sponsor and the OCC Foundation:

• First Place: $500
• Second Place: $350
• Third Place: $200

Key Dates

• Deadline: December 5, 2025 at 5 p.m.
• Winners Announced: January 15, 2026

How to Submit

Email your essay to connect@oaklandcc.edu. Please include the subject line "MLK Essay Submission – [Your First and Last Name]."

Please also include in the email:

• Full Name
• Student ID
• Program of Study
• Phone and Email

Agreement on Use of Submitted Work

By submitting your essay for the MLK “The Dream Lives in Me: Voices of a New Generation” Essay Scholarship Contest, you grant the Office of Institutional Standards and Practice, the Social Science Department, and Oakland Community College, along with their representatives, permission to use excerpts or entire portions of your submission for promotional, educational, or other related purposes. This may include, but is not limited to, publication in college newsletters, websites, social media, press releases, advertisements, and during the college’s MLK Convocation. The use of your essay will be attributed to you as the author, and no compensation will be provided for such use. By entering, you acknowledge that you have read and agree to these terms.

Judging Criteria

• Relevance to Prompt and Theme - Clearly responds to the chosen prompt and connects meaningfully to Dr. King’s vision
• Personal Reflection and Storytelling - Demonstrates authentic voice, lived experience, and thoughtful insight.
• Clarity of Purpose and Organization – Strong structure, clear message, and logical flow throughout.
• Original Thinking and Creativity - Unique perspective or interpretation; thoughtful engagement with ideas.
• Impact and Empowerment – Inspires action, hope, or reflection in the reader.
• Grammar, Mechanics and Style - Well-written, polished, and free of major errors.

Criteria	Excellent (5 pts)	Good (4 pts)	Satisfactory (3 pts)	Needs Improvement (2 pts)
Relevance to Prompt and Theme	Fully addresses the prompt with strong alignment to Dr. King's legacy and today’s context.	Mostly addresses the prompt with a clear connection to the theme.	Addresses the prompt but with minimal connection to Dr. King’s message or today’s relevance.	Essay does not clearly connect to the theme or misses the prompt.
Personal Voice and Reflection	Deeply personal, authentic, and reflective. Shows insight and lived experience.	Personal and reflective with some depth of thought.	Some personal connections are present but lacks depth.	Lacks reflection or personal connection.
Clarity of Purpose and Organization	Clear thesis, logical structure, and smooth transitions throughout.	Good organization and mostly clear focus.	Structure is present but may be inconsistent or unclear at times.	Lacks clear focus or organization; hard to follow.
Creativity and Original Thinking	Original ideas and perspectives; shows creative thought and passion.	Some originality; thoughtful but not highly distinctive.	Conventional ideas; some creativity but not fully developed.	Lacks originality or depth of thinking.
Impact and Empowerment	Inspires action or reflection; leaves a lasting impression on the reader.	Makes a strong impression; encourages thoughtfulness.	Some emotional or motivational impact, but inconsistent.	Little to no emotional or inspiring content.
Grammar, Mechanics, and Style	Virtually no errors; polished and professional writing style.	Few minor errors; good readability and tone.	Some errors that may distract but don’t impede understanding.	Frequent grammar/mechanical issues that hinder clarity.

Total Score (out of 30): _____ / 30