Breaking barriers,

book by book.

Writing Contests

All children deserve to see themselves and their lives represented in books. We’re excited to share that Strive Publishing and Free Spirit Publishing have partnered up once again to bring you the Black Voices in Children’s Literature Writing Contest, now with eligibility expanded to the entire US.

2023 Winners

A woman with black hair smiling, wearing a red jacket, blue jeans, holding a cream-colored pole outdoors with a blurred green garden background and blue sky.

Trenise Ferreira

Summer Hair

2022 Winners

Close-up of a woman smiling, wearing glasses, with dreadlocks, sitting in an office chair.

Yvette R. Murray

Gullah Color Wheel

A woman with dark hair, glasses, and a pink tie-dye top smiling outdoors with green foliage in the background.
Portrait of a smiling African American woman with styled dreadlocks in an updo, wearing large black earrings with shell adornments and a patterned top, against a plain light gray background.

Rose McNeill

Black Boy, Keep Your Head High (2nd)

A woman in a graduation cap and gown holding a diploma cover, standing on a grassy area with a fence and cars in the background.

Joy Jones

The Sky Is Not Blue (3rd)

2021 Winners

Carmena Fleury

The Birthday Party with No Birthday Cake (1st)

A woman with long dreadlocks, glasses, and a colorful patterned scarf smiling at the camera in an indoor setting.

Sherrie Fernandez-Williams

Tiara and Kiara Movin' and Groovin'

A woman with glasses and earrings taking a selfie indoors. She has short dreadlocks and is smiling, wearing a cream-colored hoodie. In the background, there is wall decor including a framed quote and a geometric shelf.

Elizabeth Davis

Hair Story (3rd)

2020 Winners

A young woman with natural curly hair smiling and resting her chin on her hands, wearing a colorful patterned top, outdoors against a wooden background.

Crown Shepherd

Black Girl, Black Girl (1st)

Photo by Tiffany Townsend

Close-up of a woman smiling with curly black hair, wearing glasses and red lipstick.

Sagirah Shahid

Wave Your Glove, Like a Rainbow Between Clouds (2nd)

A woman with gray hair wearing a gray sweater and a red patterned scarf posing in front of a painting of a forest scene.

Sue Smith-Grier

Tamika’s Cool Adventure

(3rd)

2019 Winners

Mélina Mangal.png

Mélina Mangal

Jayden’s Impossible Garden

Dr. Artika Tyner.png

Dr. Artika Tyner

Kofi Loves Music

Marit G. Woods

I Love Me

Arielle Dance

Miss Mimi’s Welcomes All

A young woman with curly hair smiling and looking confidently at the camera.
Marit G. Woods.png

Mikhayla Smith Robinson

Calm Baby,

Breathe Baby