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Paul Laurence Dunbar Poetry Contest

The Paul Laurence Dunbar Poetry Contest is open to poets in grades K-12 and adults. 

Categories:  

  • Grades K-5
  • Grades 6-8 
  • Grades 9-12
  • Adult

Guidelines: 

  • Submissions may not exceed 100 lines per poem.
  • Limited to 3 submissions per contestant.
  • All entries should include a cover page with author’s full name, grade, address, phone number, and title of work.
  • Do not include your name on the pages of poetry.
  • By submitting your work to the contest, you are allowing your work to be included in our award ceremony booklet if it is selected as a winning piece.

Submit entries electronically to dunbarpoetrycontest@sinclair.edu

Contest Closed

For more information, please contact the contest coordinator: Sooyoung Chung (sooyoung.chung@sinclair.edu).

 

Congratulations to the 2025 Paul Laurence Dunbar Poetry Contest Winners:

  • Middle School: Nate Chatlos
  • High School: Claudine Tumusifu
  • Adult: Kara Felkley