MLK-ed-quote

Dubuque Branch NAACP is proud to announce the 2025-26 MLK Tribute.  

All K-12 students in the Dubuque community are invited to participate in this year’s MLK Tribute.  With support from teacher(s), parent(s), staff members in community-based organizations, or on their own, students create an entry and submit it through Friday, December 5. All entries are then reviewed and honorees from each grade will be recognized in conjunction with MLK’s birthday at a community gathering on Sunday, January 18, 2026.  We encourage all students (as individuals, in pairs or teams) to participate, to learn more about Martin Luther King, Jr., the contributions of persons of color and/or to gain insights about what each of us can do to assure that we value and practice justice and equality.

Principals/Teachers – Grade levels provided are only guidelines. If your students receive accommodations, please determine the appropriate developmental level for your students’ projects. Hard copy entries can be dropped off at St. Luke’s UMC or send an e-mail to countess14@hotmail.com to arrange for pick-up.

Prior to pick-up, please assure that student’s name, grade, and school on the back side of entry.

Thank you!  We appreciate and count on your support!

Kindergarten through Grade 5 

Themes: Kindness, Fairness & Friendship

  • How do we show kindness, fairness & friendship in our daily lives?

The Goal: To learn more about Martin Luther King, Jr., the contributions of persons of color and/or to gain insights about what each of us can do to assure that we value and practice justice and equality.

o   In short, who are the “hidden figures” in history?  How did this person show kindness, fairness & friendship in their life?

The Challenge:

  • Research an African American inventor, scientist, artist, writer or other essential or creative worker and determine HOW this person helped shape the past, present, or future through kindness, fairness & friendship.
  • Research a person of color in/from Dubuque or Iowa (past or present) who worked or is working to make the world fairer.
  • Show what fairness, kindness & friendship look like to you? 

Create: “Think outside of the box” go visual, instrumental, etc. 

  • Create something explaining the actions MLK Jr. took to try to create fairness in the world and how YOU can create fairness as well.  How do YOU look at the world differently because of MLK Jr.?
  • Create a poster, original artwork, compose a poem, write an explanation, etc. Which shows how this person, and you can show and share kindness, fairness & friendship with others.

 

Potential Resources:

*Please copy and paste these links if clicking on them does not work. *

6th through 12th Grade  (Everything in this section will need to be replaced with what is below)

Theme: The Fierce Urgency of Now. The NAACP is leading the fight for civil rights and social justice to ensure that all Americans continue to thrive. The question is simple: Are YOU all in to support civil rights and social justice using your voice to act on the most pressing issues of your lifetime?

The Goal: To learn more about Martin Luther King, Jr., the contributions of persons of color and/or to gain insights about what each of us can do to assure that we value and practice justice and equality.

In short, who are the “hidden figures” in history?  Who are the people of color who have made historic contributions to society?

The Challenge: Research an African American inventor, scientist, artist, writer or other essential or creative worker and determine HOW this person helped shape the past, present, or future.

Create: “Think outside of the box” go visual, instrumental, etc. 

  • USE YOUR TALENT
  • Create an original piece – whether you are a writer, musician, artist, etc. Create a visual to highlight your research.

Potential Resources: