Washington-area youth looking to submit a video entry in the statewide Uniting Through History: Hip History Contest are invited to attend an upcoming workshop at the Washington Public Library.

Washington for Justice held an introductory event last month for the contest which asks Iowans 13 years and older to submit a creative and educational interpretation of Uniting Through History Founder Rachelle Chase’s book, “Creating the Black Utopia of Buxton, Iowa.” Washington for Justice member Dan Henderson shares a special guest that will give advice for the contest, “We’re bringing in a guy by the name of Caleb Rainey. He’s a Black artist, poet from Iowa City who does public performances and video. So he can do a workshop for kids to help them with their project.”

The contest submission deadline is May 16th, and the winners will be notified this June. The top three places for middle school and high school submissions will receive a cash prize of $250 to $2,000, and their schools will win a matching prize. Henderson shares that Washington for Justice also plans to recognize local residents who submitted to the contest during their weeklong Juneteenth celebration happening June 12-18th. The workshop takes place from 4-5 p.m. Wednesday, April 13th at the library.