The ACT-SO Program is a major project of the NAACP, providing an instrument through which African-American youth are encouraged and inspired toward excellence in academic and cultural pursuits while benefiting from the maximum support of their Community. ACT-SO affords the same respect for African-American Scholastic and cultural achievement that is given to heroes. The ACT-SO committee plans and conducts the annual ACT-SO academic competitions for students in grades nine (9) through twelve (12) in accordance with the published guidelines of the National NAACP Office and oversight of the National Director of the ACT-SO Program.