2023 Writing for Change Essay Contest

*Deadline extended to April 14, 2023*

The Black Allyship @ Mochi (BA@M) column is an ongoing project that urges an awareness of racial injustice in the United States, particularly the oppression of Black people in America. The articles, resources, and opinions we share are a call to action, an open discussion, and a place to take a stance against anti-Black racism.

You cannot change any society unless you take responsibility for it, unless you see yourself as belonging to it and responsible for changing it.”

— Grace Lee Boggs

Thanks to our partnership with A Code and B Code, we are proud to present the Second Annual Writing for Change Contest. Like last year, in memory of Grace Lee Boggs’ work with Black communities, we are seeking essays from BIPOC writers that answer the question: 

In consideration of complex histories and current movements, what can Asian Americans do to be better allies and co-conspirators in the fight for racial justice? 

The kinds of writing we want to see are previously unpublished pieces that blend personal experience with data or interviews from changemakers in a way that educates an Asian American audience of all ages. For example: 

All submissions will be reviewed by current BA@M co-editors and Rohan Zhou-Lee, one of last year’s contest winners, along the following criteria:

• Engagement with the prompt in actionable for Mochi’s audience
• Exploration of a topic or perspective not yet present in the BA@M column
• Originality of ideas or a unique perspective

Submissions must be 1,800 words or less.

The grand prize is $500 and publication in Mochi Magazine’s BA@M column. Finalists will also be notified and awarded $100 and publication. Current Mochi staff and previous contest winners…