PPGJLI Now Accepting Entries for Aya Anthology Writing Competition

ST. PAUL, Minn. - June 20, 2023 - PRLog -- The second edition of "Aya: An Anthology of Racial Justice, Healing, and the Black Experience" is now open for submissions. The youth writing competition is being conducted by the nonprofit organization Planting People Growing Justice™ Leadership Institute (PPGJLI), founded by Dr. Artika Tyner. The theme for this year's competition is "What is Racial Justice and Healing for you?"

"We are looking for contributions across the African diaspora from Jamaica to Nigeria," said Tyner.
The deadline for submissions is Tuesday, Oct. 31, 2023 and entries can be submitted online. The writing competition is open to Black youths of all ages across the African diaspora. Entries of 1,000 words or less are sought in the categories of fiction, creative non-fiction, poetry or prose. Writing prompts can be found at the Aya Reflection Guide.

Young authors selected for inclusion in the Aya Anthology will receive $50 and a copy of the published book. The goal of the competition is to advance societal reform and inspire youth artists to lead that change. The Aya Anthology is an open invitation to youths to lead and serve their communities, each with their own unique abilities.

The anthology takes its name from the word Aya (pronounced "eye-ah"). It's a West African Adrinka symbol linked to the former Gyaman kingdom and Ashanti culture. The word Aya is visually represented by a fern. In the Twi language, it symbolizes the attributes of independence, endurance, resourcefulness, perseverance, and defiance against oppression.

Conducted by PPGJLI, the writing competition for the second edition of "Aya: An Anthology of Racial Justice, Healing, and the Black Experience" (https://www.ppgjli.org/aya-youth-anthology-2nd-edition) is an opportunity for Black youth voices, the leaders of the future, to speak and be heard (https://www.ppgjli.org/aya-reflection-guide). The inaugural edition of the anthology is available in a paperback edition at the PPGJ Press and Bookstore and on Amazon.

About Planting People Growing Justice Leadership Institute
Launched in 2015 by Dr. Artika Tyner, the PPGJLI provides a platform for the initiation of social change, cultivation of collective leadership, and promotion of public policy advocacy. The organization's goal is to challenge 10,000 leaders worldwide to make a difference in their communities. Its founder is an educator, author, highly sought speaker and advocate for justice.