Tri-Town Against Racism is sponsoring a series of events to commemorate Black History Month.

The second annual Black History Month Creative Expression Contest is underway. This year's theme is Influencers and Game Changers. 

The contest is open to students in grades 7-12 who live and/or attend school in Marion, Mattapoisett or Rochester. Any original creative expression is welcome, including  artwork, poetry, essay, song, dance or short film. 

Entries must be received by midnight on Feb. 21. Winners will be announced on the Tri-Town Against Racism Facebook page at 7 p.m. Feb. 28.

First prize will receive $200, second prize $100 and third prize, $50.

All entries will be part of a virtual art show hosted by the Marion Art Center. 

This year, Tri-Town elementary students will be represented in the show, with every classroom in each of the elementary schools encouraged to submit a piece to the show based on the same theme of “Influencers and Game Changers.’’

Tri-Town Against Racism is donating a copy of “The Undefeated’’ by Kwame Alexander, illustrated by Kadir Nelson, to each classroom, grades 3-6. The book is a favorite of organization president Tangi Thomas, who hopes the book will spark appreciation and inspiration.

On Monday through Friday during February, a picture book celebrating Black History, read by a local resident, will be featured on the organization's Facebook Page. Plumb Library, Mattapoisett Free Library, and the Elizabeth Taber Library provided picture books for this project.