Contest Spotlight: ‘Paying it forward’ in honor of Black History Month
February 4th, 2014 | Published in Google Student Blog
Black History Month is a time for celebrating and honoring important events and people in the Black community. We know there are so many college students out there impacting the Black community and we'd like to capture your experience. To honor Black History Month, make a 2-minute video with some of your fellow students and tell us how you're paying it forward to the Black community. We'll post your stories, and you could win $500 for your campus organization.
Contest overview
We’re inviting student organizations recognized and approved by their college or university (US based) to produce a two-minute YouTube video that showcases how they have positively impacted the Black community. We’re seeking organizations that have offered some sort of service or philanthropic support such as volunteering at an after school program, fundraising for an initiative, etc. The video should include what the student organization is, the school the organization is from, what business/group/individual effort or initiative it has supported and how.
How to enter
Guidelines
Judging criteria
Submissions will be judged on creativity, ability to demonstrate impact and compliance with the contest rules. Contest judges are Charles Pratt (Software Engineer and “Googler in Residence” at Howard University), Lacy Caruthers (Principal of the Google.Org team) and Malik Ducard (Content Partnerships Director for YouTube). The deadline to submit a video entry is February 21st, 2014 at 11:59pm PST.
Prize
The winning organization will be announced February 28th, 2014. The winning organization will have its video showcased on our Google Student Blog and win $500 .
Key Dates:
Why is Google hosting this contest?
We're proud of the contributions that students are making to the Black community and beyond. We figured we'd put our YouTube and G+ products to good use by capturing some amazing stories as we celebrate Black History Month.
Who can participate in this contest?
This contest is designed for student-run organizations at colleges and universities in the United States. Entries must be submitted by a student-run organization. Submissions from individuals about personal service will not be accepted for this contest. Participating student organizations must be approved and recognized by their college or university.
Are international students/colleges allowed to participate in the contest?
International students attending a college in the United States and involved in a club or organization that is participating in the contest are welcome to participate. Students and student organizations at colleges and universities outside of the United States are not eligible for this contest.
Our organization includes students from another school, can we participate?
Yes, please just be sure to specify this on your entry form and note that you will be treated as one organization.
How will the $500 prize be awarded?
The prize will be awarded to a collective campus organization, not an individual. The money will be paid via check to the organization directly from Google.
Our organization is receiving funding/sponsorships from another company, can we participate?
Yes, student organizations receiving funding from other companies are eligible to participate.
What is considered “impacting the Black community”?
We’re seeking organizations that have offered some sort of service or philanthropic support such as volunteering at an after school program, fundraised for an initiative, etc. Hosting events such as parties, are not considered philanthropic and won’t be considered for this contest.
Organizations do not have to be limited to supporting the Black community exclusively. For example, volunteering at a local Boys and Girls club with a large number of Black students, or coding for a Black owned business, are examples of impacting the Black community.
What should be covered in the two minute video?
Each video should cover the following:
When are submissions due and when will we find out who won?
Submissions are due February 21st at 11:59pm PST. The winners will be announced February 28th on the Google Students blog.
Is there a limit to the number of entries we can submit?
Yes, please submit one entry per organization at your university.
If you have additional questions that have not been addressed in the FAQ, please email .
Contest overview
We’re inviting student organizations recognized and approved by their college or university (US based) to produce a two-minute YouTube video that showcases how they have positively impacted the Black community. We’re seeking organizations that have offered some sort of service or philanthropic support such as volunteering at an after school program, fundraising for an initiative, etc. The video should include what the student organization is, the school the organization is from, what business/group/individual effort or initiative it has supported and how.
How to enter
- Record a two-minute video showcasing how your organization has positively impacted the Black community.
- Upload the video to YouTube and ensure it is public so that the judges may view it.
- Complete this entry form and include the link to your YouTube video.
- Post the YouTube video to Google+ using the hashtag #BHMgooglechallenge
Guidelines
- The deadline to submit completed applications is February 21st, 2014 at 11:59pm PST.
- Applications should include a completed entry form, YouTube video and post on Google+ using the hashtag #BHMgooglechallenge.
- Videos should be no longer than two minutes.
- Ensure your video is public so that the judges may review it.
- For additional information on what qualifies as “impacting the Black community” see the FAQ below.
Judging criteria
- Compliance with guidelines: 20%
- Creativity: 30%
- Impact of the work done: 50%
Submissions will be judged on creativity, ability to demonstrate impact and compliance with the contest rules. Contest judges are Charles Pratt (Software Engineer and “Googler in Residence” at Howard University), Lacy Caruthers (Principal of the Google.Org team) and Malik Ducard (Content Partnerships Director for YouTube). The deadline to submit a video entry is February 21st, 2014 at 11:59pm PST.
Prize
The winning organization will be announced February 28th, 2014. The winning organization will have its video showcased on our Google Student Blog and win $500 .
Key Dates:
- Submissions due February 21st, 2014 at 11:59pm PST
- Winner announced Feb 28th, 2014 on Google Students blog
 |
| Students participating in the Black Googler Network (BGN) Chicago Event in 2013 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is Google hosting this contest?
We're proud of the contributions that students are making to the Black community and beyond. We figured we'd put our YouTube and G+ products to good use by capturing some amazing stories as we celebrate Black History Month.
Who can participate in this contest?
This contest is designed for student-run organizations at colleges and universities in the United States. Entries must be submitted by a student-run organization. Submissions from individuals about personal service will not be accepted for this contest. Participating student organizations must be approved and recognized by their college or university.
Are international students/colleges allowed to participate in the contest?
International students attending a college in the United States and involved in a club or organization that is participating in the contest are welcome to participate. Students and student organizations at colleges and universities outside of the United States are not eligible for this contest.
Our organization includes students from another school, can we participate?
Yes, please just be sure to specify this on your entry form and note that you will be treated as one organization.
How will the $500 prize be awarded?
The prize will be awarded to a collective campus organization, not an individual. The money will be paid via check to the organization directly from Google.
Our organization is receiving funding/sponsorships from another company, can we participate?
Yes, student organizations receiving funding from other companies are eligible to participate.
What is considered “impacting the Black community”?
We’re seeking organizations that have offered some sort of service or philanthropic support such as volunteering at an after school program, fundraised for an initiative, etc. Hosting events such as parties, are not considered philanthropic and won’t be considered for this contest.
Organizations do not have to be limited to supporting the Black community exclusively. For example, volunteering at a local Boys and Girls club with a large number of Black students, or coding for a Black owned business, are examples of impacting the Black community.
What should be covered in the two minute video?
Each video should cover the following:
- Name of student organization being represented.
- Name of school the organization is a part of.
- Name of company, club, organization, initiative, entity, etc. the organization supported and the impact that resulted from that support.
When are submissions due and when will we find out who won?
Submissions are due February 21st at 11:59pm PST. The winners will be announced February 28th on the Google Students blog.
Is there a limit to the number of entries we can submit?
Yes, please submit one entry per organization at your university.
If you have additional questions that have not been addressed in the FAQ, please email .