Ocoee celebrates Black History Month

OCOEE — Ocoee will pay tribute to Black History Month throughout the month of February.

The city’s Human Relations Diversity Board is holding its 11th Annual Black History Month Essay Contest. The essay contest is open to fifth-grade students who attend Ocoee schools. The theme for this year’s competition is “Many Voices, One Dream.”

An essay awards ceremony will be held at 7 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 26, at City Hall, 150 N. Lakeshore Drive. Students will recite their winning essays at the ceremony and be presented with their awards.

 For each participating school, there will be one first-place winner, who will receive a prize valued at $50. The overall winner will receive a prize valued at $250 in addition to being invited to deliver their winning essay at the 2016 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Unity Parade and Celebration in Ocoee.

Throughout the month of February, residents can tune in to Ocoee TV on Channel 200 and at tv.ocoee.org/Streams/OcoeeTV.htm to watch programs that highlight significant people and events from African-American history.