Philadelphia is turning 250 years old this year — and students aren’t just watching history, they’re part of it. The I AM PHL Contest & Student Summit (IAMPHL26) invites high school students across Philadelphia to use art, music, and spoken word to reflect on where the city has been — and where they are going next. They will have a unique opportunity to show off their one-of-a-kind talent to win one-of-a-kind prizes through the 2026 I AM PHL contest presented by Philadelphia Education Fund’s PhillyGoes2College in partnership with Wawa Welcome America. Submissions to the Contest due on May 26, 2026.
As part of the contest, we will have a free, one-day IAMPHL Student Summit on May 2, 2026 from 11:00am to 3:00pm at Thomas Jefferson University to build your skills and map out your future. If you make art, make music, write, perform—or if you’re just starting to explore your creative side, this is where you need to be. Students leave with real exposure to Philly’s creative scene, new hands-on skills, a clearer map of life after high school, connections to mentors, and actual next steps. Families leave with the tools and local resources to properly support their creative student. The summit is free, but space is limited; register HERE. For more information, contact PEF’s Senior Digital Project & Content Manager, Emmanuel Sofolawe (pronounced show-faux-lah-way).