This year’s National competition featured 32 categories across STEM, performing arts, humanities, visual arts, business, and culinary arts. Students competed for medals, scholarships, and other prizes, demonstrating the program’s commitment to recognizing and fostering excellence within the Black community. The Roanoke Branch of the NAACP held its annual ACT-SO (Afro-Academic, Cultural, Technological and Scientific Olympics) competition at William Fleming High School, on May 19, 2025. The event was conducted under the leadership of Sheila Herron, ACT-SO Chair, and Kai Washington-Brown, Co-Chair, alongside Brenda Hale, Roanoke Branch President, and the dedicated members of the ACT-SO Committee.
2025 National Gold Medal Winner
These Olympians were this year’s local winners, and because of that they were able to also participate in the opening ceremony to represent their city and state. There were over 600 Olympians that competed this year that all did an excellent job in their field. Join us in congratulating Roanoke’s own NATIONAL GOLD MEDAL winner, Simone Bryant. She is continuing her education at NC A&T this fall.
Other Local winners & awards: Nazier Jackson – Gold Medal in Photography, William Fleming High School; Branasha Devlin – Gold Medal in Poetry Performance, Silver Medal in Poetry Written, Salem High School; Simone Bryant- Gold medal in Sculpture, Bronze Poetry Performance, William Fleming High School; Myles Venable, Youth Council Member, Delegate, Northside High School.
Next year we will be traveling to Chicago, Illinois for the 50th ACT-SO Competition. To follow the ACT-SO Olympians and stay updated on NAACP Roanoke Branch activities, please follow us on social media.
If you are a student or know of a student entering grades 9th–12th who would like to participate in the 2026 ACT-SO program, please contact: Sheila Herron at [email protected]; Kai Washington-Brown – [email protected]; of Brenda Hale – [email protected]
