The Talented 10 Award

 What is the Talented 10 Award?
 
The Talented Ten award was established to honor great leaders of our time who make an impact in our community for the greater good.
 
In celebration of Black History Month, we continue to celebrate the legacy of many leaders before us who believed in social change that makes a positive impact in our communities. Leaders such as William Edward Burghardt, better known as W.E.B. Du Bois, is one of those leaders in which we celebrate at our Jr. Unity Ball. Du Bois used the term "the talented tenth" to describe the likelihood of one in ten black men/women/youth who become leaders of their race in the world, through methods such as continuing their education, writing books, or becoming directly involved in social change. He strongly believed that African Americans needed a classical education to be able to reach their full potential. He saw classical education as the basis for what, in the 20th century, would be known as public intellectuals:

“Men we shall have only as we make manhood the object of the work of the schools — intelligence, broad sympathy, knowledge of the world that was and is, and of the relation of men to it — this is the curriculum of that Higher Education which must underlie true life. On this foundation we may build bread winning, skill of hand and quickness of brain, with never a fear lest the child and man mistake the means of living for the object of life.”
-W.E.B. Du Bois   ​

Better Family Life recognizes how important it is, that as a community, the successes, triumphs, and achievements of youth are valued, honored and celebrated, and will continue to foster and shine a light on student achievement – continuing tradition, Better Family Life will honor 10 students for their hard work, diligence and resilience at the 2018 Jr. Unity Ball.
 
Applications for the Talented Ten Award are NOW OPEN for submission.
 
To apply:
Click Here to download the Talented 10 Form
 
Please complete the form, answer ONE essay question and submit completed documents:
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By email to sharnell.sharp@betterfamilylife.org
Subject Line: 2018 Talented Ten Essay Submission
 
By dropping off documents to the office located at:
Better Family Life, Cultural, Educational and Business Center
Youth, Family and Clinical Services Department
5415 Page Blvd. St. Louis, MO. 63112