NAACP ACT-SO (Afro-Academic Cultural, Technological and Scientific Olympics)New Orleans, is a yearlong youth development program that seeks to provide mentorship, training and competitions for all youth, regardless of ethnicity, learning differences, disabilities, sexual orientation or gender identity, in areas of STEM, Humanities, Entrepreneurship, Performing, Visual, and Culinary Arts. Through their work with outstanding mentors/experts, our youth develop their talents and positively contribute towards the positive social and economic growth of the city, the community and beyond. They become advocates for equity and inclusion in their career fields/choices. Each year, high school students across the country start a journey to sharpen their skills through participation in NAACP ACT-SO. The experience culminates in local and national events where students compete for scholarships and other awards. New Orleans was an inaugural city for the competition in 197 8. NAACP ACT-SO New Orleans seeks to: Recognize creative talent and academic achievement in the next generation of leaders; Provide and assist students with the necessary skills to establish goals and acquire career success