Racial Justice Video Project Calls High School Students to Submit Their Art for "A Gallery of Stories of Your Racial Discovery"

(Bergen County, New Jersey; March 8, 2022) -- The Community Chest of Eastern Bergen County's Racial Justice Liberty Project announces a call for high school students, residing in or attending school in Bergen County, to submit a one to two minute video about the theme "A Gallery of Stories of Your Racial Discovery". 

Students are invited to share their personal reflections about how they came to understand their own racial, ethnic, or cultural identity and how it currently affects them.  The finished piece will reflect a range of perspectives on this topic in various art forms.

            The project is creating a series of videos comprised of young people's contributions about their personal stories.  The project's goal is to reach a wide audience to promote understanding about the range of young people's experiences encountered throughout their lives and the impact on teens.

Art Forms

            Submissions may include any of the following:

            • short films;

            • poetry;

            • original music performed by the submitter, with all music styles accepted; and                                                                                                                   

           • photographs of a single print or digital image.     

            All submissions should not include any music with royalties.  If actors are used in a film, one must include the creator of the submission.

            Malaika Menezes and the members of the Video Production Club at Dwight Morrow High School will produce the completed video, with various art pieces incorporated.

Entry Requirements

            Applicants must be high school students residing in or attending high school in Bergen County, New Jersey.  Individuals or groups of students may submit an application.  The following information must be included with all applications: name of student(s), school and grade(s), town(s) of residence, email address(es), and telephone or cell phone number(s).

            Applications must be submitted by March 31, 2022 to Dr. Shelly Wimpfheimer, Executive Director of The Community Chest of Eastern Bergen County, at shelly@communitychestofenglewood.org.  The parents or the guardians of the applicant's work selected for inclusion in the final video will be required to complete and sign a permission slip authorizing the use of the materials submitted.

            Participants whose submission is selected may be asked to participate in an interview.  This participation is not mandatory.      

Finalist Selection and Notification

            The final selections will be made by April 30, 2022.  Notifications will be made by email.  Submissions not selected in this round may be considered for a future video.  Participation will be considered a form of community service.   All participants will receive a Certificate of Completion to use in their college application packet.

             For further information about The Community Chest of Eastern Bergen County, contact (201) 568-7474.

About The Community Chest

            Founded in 1933, The Community Chest of Eastern Bergen County, a nonprofit, tax-exempt organization, has supported local not-for-profit agencies for over 85 years.  The Chest leads initiatives and supports nonprofits that make our communities stronger and benefit people in need in eastern Bergen County.  Each year, The Chest raises funds and allocates them to agencies demonstrating the capacity to provide services to local citizens.  The organization also provides coordinating and planning services in its communities, serving as a bridge between agencies and organizations and investing in the stability and quality of the service network. 

            The Community Chest's Board of Managers is comprised of community leaders dedicated to improving the lives of neighbors in need.  People interested in being considered for board membership may contact executive director Shelly Wimpfheimer at (201) 568-7474.