Carnegie Mellon University
February 11, 2020

Video, Photos from 2020 Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Writing Awards

By Stefanie Johndrow

Stefanie Johndrow
  • Dietrich College of Humanities and Social Sciences
  • 412-268-1788

Carnegie Mellon University's Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Writing Awards gives high school and college students in western Pennsylvania a safe space to creatively explore their personal experiences with difference and discrimination through writing. This year, prizewinners touched on topics ranging from race to culture and ethnicity to sexual orientation, religion, sexism and sexual harassment, to immigration status and neuro and physical disabilities.

The student winners read their poems and essays at an awards celebration on Monday, Jan. 20, at 4:30 p.m. in CMU’s Cohon University Center Rangos Ballroom. The celebration included the presentation of the first-ever Special Drama Award and performances by CMU’s School of Drama Musical Theater Ensemble.

Watch a video of the awards ceremony.

View photos from the event.

Learn more about the 2020 awards and read the winning pieces.

The 2020 Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Writing Awards was sponsored by UPMC, Cohen & Grigsby, Hachette Book Group, Champtires, CMU’s Center for Student Diversity and Inclusion, Dietrich College of Humanities and Social Sciences, and English Department.