Thinking Black Year 10 Creative Writing Prize

In October, we hosted 50 Year 10 students for a Creative Writing Prize, run by Thinking Black and supported by New College. 

Hope Oloye, Founder and Director of Thinking Black, writes about the day. 

The Creative Writing Prize invites young Black state school students in Year 10 to critically engage with Black literature.

This year, 50 students were selected from an applicant pool of over 200 and were invited to attend a series of lectures and discussion groups featuring works by Black poets, novelists, and playwrights. Students then attended a writing skills bootcamp before selecting a writing style to produce a piece in. Quotes from Michelle Obama and Dave were used as prompts for student work, drawing on themes including courage, hope, and Black British identity.

Written and verbal feedback was then given on drafts in small group tutorials before student submission into a prize draw. Winners were awarded cash prizes and trophies, alongside receiving an invitation to a winners' day at Europe's leading talent and literary agency and finally students were selected for publication in Thinking Black's annual anthology.

The prize works to introduce young people to Black writers across the diaspora, equip students with writing and analytical skills, and celebrate student achievement.

New College acted as both the main funder of the prize and host for the students' celebration day - an event where students and parents/carers were invited to attend tours of the College, attend a panel with current Black students at Oxford, enjoy a spoken word performance and meal, and receive certificates and trophies presented by Miles Young, the Warden of New College.

Thinking Black look forward to continuing the prize, expanding the student pool, and building upon its academically rigorous and multi-media syllabus. Look out for their anthology around New College over the coming months! 

Hope Oloye, Founder and Director of Thinking Black

'We have been extremely proud to support Thinking Black over the past year. Experiences such as this are vital to widening students’ extra-curricular opportunities and will hopefully have led to a deepened interest into the craft of writing. In particular, it was wonderful to welcome all of the participants and their families to New College on Saturday October 15th, and we are looking forward to continuing our partnership with Thinking Black over the next year and into the future.'

Daniel Powell, Head of Outreach and Communications, New College

Daniel Powell and Hope Oloye