1976
Vernon Jarrett presented his concept for ACT-SO to the DuSable Museum of African American History.
About Us
Preparing, recognizing, and rewarding excellence.
Our mission is to prepare, recognize and reward high school youth who exemplify scholastic and artistic excellence.
Our vision is to build confident youth with the character of excellence and determination to become successful productive members of our society.
National ACT-SO Brief History
An “Olympics of the Mind” that became a national youth achievement program.
1977
The NAACP accepted ACT-SO as an official sponsored NAACP youth achievement program.
1978
The first National ACT-SO competition was held in Portland, Oregon with seven cities participating.
2004
Mr. Vernon Jarrett, ACT-SO founder, lost his battle with cancer at the age of 82.
New Jersey ACT-SO Brief History
New Jersey State Conference
NJ State Conference is the only NAACP State Conference that started and has maintained a statewide ACT-SO Consortium Program.
1988-1989
Rev. Sonya Redd, with the support of then President Keith Jones, developed the NJ State ACT-SO Program.
1990
NJ ACT-SO conducted its first ACT-SO Competitions with six Local NAACP Units participating as a consortium in three regions: North, Central, and South.
1991
There were 13 participating local NAACP ACT-SO Units with approximately 120 students, 24 of whom went on to compete nationally.
35Years
8-14Programs
3,300+Students
Why participate in ACT-SO?
Our Leadership
Leaders and committee members
Rev. Sonya Redd
Initiator & Architect of NJ ACT-SO Program
01/1989 - 10/1995 & 10/2016 - Present
Al Hester
2nd NJ State ACT-SO Chairperson
10/1996 - 2003
C
Charlene Bafour
3rd NJ State ACT-SO Chairperson
2004 - 2005
Deborah Smith Gregory
4th NJ State ACT-SO Chairperson
2005 - 2016
- Kima D’AnjouTechnical Solutions Coordination
- Dale GibsonTechnical Solutions Coordination
- Wayde HollingerMedia & Public Relations Coordinator
- Michelle ReddACT-SO Units Liaison Coordinator
- Arthur TaylorACT-SO Units Liaison Coordinator
- Tiffany ThomasCollaboration Coordinator