Me To We Ghana trip and $9,000 in scholarships to be awarded in RBC Black History Month Student Essay Competition

TORONTO, Oct. 31, 2013 /CNW/ - The 2014 RBC Black History Month Student Essay Competition gives students an opportunity to learn about the contribution black people have made not just to Canada's history, but to the world at large.  For the first time ever, students can earn a Me to We Ghana trip as well as scholarships of $5,000, $2,500 and $1,500 for sharing their knowledge on the important role black Canadians have made to our diverse heritage.

The RBC Black History Month Student Essay Competition asks students entering a Canadian university or college in the 2014/15 academic year to learn about and share their thoughts on how black Canadians have helped to define Canada's diverse heritage and identity through their achievements and contributions to the broader society.

"It's so important for our youth to understand our shared role in building this country," says Gerry McNeilly, Director of the Office of Independent Police Review, Province of Ontario, who will help form a panel that chooses the top essays.  "Writing an essay on this important topic is a great way to gain insight into some contributions that aren't always discussed in our classrooms."

Other esteemed panelists include:

• Tonya Walker - Lawyer and 2013 Harry Jerome Award recipient
• Kay McConney - Former Counsel General, Barbados at Toronto, Executive Leadership Coach
• Ainsworth Morgan - Founding Director, Pathways to Education and Vice Principal, Nelson Mandela Public School

"Recognizing the contributions of African Canadians is important to our diverse national heritage." says Jennifer Tory, RBC Regional President for Greater Toronto. "This essay competition gives young Canadians an opportunity to honour our history and celebrate our diversity."

Essays should be 750 words or less, and must be submitted by December 16, 2013.  Full competition details can be found at www.rbc.com/essay

Winners will be celebrated during Black History Month 2014, when all Canadians are invited to participate in festivities and events that honour the legacy of black Canadians, past and present.

About RBC

RBC supports a broad range of community initiatives through donations, sponsorships and employee volunteer activities. In 2012, we contributed more than $95 million to causes worldwide, including donations and community investments of more than $64 million and $31 million in sponsorships. In 2013, the company announced the RBC Believe in Kids pledge, a five-year, $100 million commitment to improve the well-being of one million children and youth.

RBC employs approximately 80,000 full and part-time people who serve more than 15 million clients in Canada, the U.S. and 49 other countries. RBC is recognized among the world's financial, social and environmental leaders and is listed on the 2012-2013 Dow Jones Sustainability World Index and the DJSI North American Index, the Jantzi Social Index and the FTSE4Good Index. RBC is one of Canada's Greenest Employers, one of Canada's 50 Most Socially Responsible Corporations, and among the Global 100 Most Sustainable Corporations in the World.

SOURCE: RBC Royal Bank - Public Affairs & Community Relations

Mark Hamill
Director, Communications, RBC
416.974.3900
[email protected]