In honor of Black History Month, Eden Prairie has celebrated the voices of young individuals who have taken the transformative words of Black American civil rights leaders and made them resonate anew in our present age. The 2025 Words in Action Contest, which honored these powerful historical narratives through writing, art, and digital media, has named its winners at a recent city council meeting.
The contest, which is now in its fifth year began on Martin Luther King Jr. Day and concluded Tuesday. It invited Eden Prairie’s youth, both residents and school attendees, to reflect on quotes from civil rights leaders that personally inspired them, and articulate what those words meant to them. Not only did they explore historical impact, but they also focused on how they could perpetuate the legacies of these leaders in their community. The winners and honorable mentions were selected by a committee and were awarded cash prizes thanks to, the Eden Prairie Community Foundation.
According to the city’s announcement, "The students were also asked to include ideas on how they can carry the legacies of civil rights leaders forward in our community."
The full details of the winners and their inspiring work can be found on the official event page. For those interested in viewing the creativity and insight of Eden Prairie's youth, a comprehensive list of current and past winners, their entries, and those who received honorable mentions is available here.
