2025-26 African American and Latino/a Tenacity Challenge, Bedford MA

2025-2026 PROMPT

In the years following WWI, racial and political tensions exploded across the U.S., with violent backlash against African American communities, mass deportations during the Palmer Raids, and the rollback of Progressive reforms. The rise of white supremacist movements reflected a national climate of repression, while the NAACP and leaders like W.E.B. DuBois pushed for new strategies to combat racism and inequality.

Compare and contrast the political, economic and social/cultural conditions in 1919 and the early 1920s with those of the present day. Which do you find to be more significant, the similarities or differences, and why?

We’re thrilled to announce that we are now officially recognized as a 501(c)(3) organization under the Boston Bridge Initiative (BBI)! This exciting milestone marks a new chapter in our journey, and we are deeply grateful for the support and generosity of BBI, whose partnership makes our mission possible.

About the
Tenacity Challenge

The Latino/a and African American Tenacity Challenge is an annual academic scholarship competition for teams of Latinx and African-American students from urban and suburban high schools across Massachusetts. Recommended team size is 6 (may not be larger than 6) students allowing for several members of each team to "specialize" in an area of the challenge preparation. During the extended period of preparation, students build academic capacity, strengthen intellectual risk-taking and develop enduring peer and faculty relationships.

Tenacity Challenge Video

The Competition

The Tenacity Challenge competition will consist of four events centered around the theme of tenacity and leadership. The competition will take place on April 4, 2026. Each team will determine its own division of labor in order to prepare for the four events:

- Math Quiz Bowl Challenge (SAT Math) (There will be no Science component to the 2026 Tenacity Challenge)

- Literature Response Challenge (Video in response to a memoir read by the team)

- History Argument Challenge (Team will research and argue a position before a panel of judges)

- Tenacity Art Challenge- (artistic creation completed prior to the competition date and submitted online)

A range of points will be earned for each event (see rubrics). The highest scoring teams for each event will be recognized with certificates or trophies. The winners of the overall competition (highest cumulative points) will win scholarships. Each member

of the first place team will win a $1,000 scholarship; second place, a $700 scholarship; third place, a $400 scholarship and 4th place

a $150 scholarship.