If you haven’t seen Google’s homepage yet, it’s about time you check it out. The Doodle 4 Google contest winner has been revealed, and you may be surprised to see that the doodle is pleasantly pro-black!
Akilah Johnson — a 15-year-old young woman from Washington, D.C. — was awarded the prestigious prize of National Winner, beating out over 100,000 doodle submissions to win a $30,000 college scholarship, a $50,000 grant for her school (Eastern Senior High School), a trip to Google headquarters to meet Google Doodlers, along with several additional prizes.
The doodle, entitled “My Afrocentric Life,” was Akilah’s response to the question “What makes me…me?” The doodle is brilliant, utilizing crayons, colored pencils and Sharpie markers to turn the Google logo into a box braid surrounded by aspects of Akilah’s personality, interlaced with Black Lives Matter imagery and the black figures that inspire her — like Malcolm X, Ruby Bridges, Colin Powell and Angela Davis, just to name a few.
The artwork was inspired by the quote “Be the type of person that not only turns heads, but turns souls.” She used what she’s learned about black history and her culture to create a piece that shows off black hair, African roots and portrays peace…all while remaining colorful and fun.
People are loving the pro-black doodle! Folks took to Twitter to share some (well-deserved) praise for Akilah and her artwork.
RT @MsPackyetti: Today’s Google Doodle invoking #BlackLivesMatter, designed by high schooler https://t.co/LtXhQmgvFK pic.twitter.com/mRmXfj8gzl
— jesseWilliams. (@iJesseWilliams) March 21, 2016
Go head li’l sis!: Today’s winning Google Doodle invoking Black Lives Matter was designed by high school sophomore https://t.co/ZmiGEGRwMn
— Donna Auston (@TinyMuslimah) March 21, 2016
The Google Doodle is lit today! Was so excited to see that the young lady from Eastern Senior High School in DC won! https://t.co/XwyfIW1FCq
— PrestonMitchum (@PrestonMitchum) March 21, 2016
Who run the web?! Go Akilah!
This year’s [Google Doodle] contest theme was: “What makes me…me.” Akilah drew a… https://t.co/G4OZSZIoJ9
— BLACK GIRLS ROCK! (@BLACKGIRLSROCK) March 21, 2016
So cool! I was rooting for her! https://t.co/wCcF8HGwAd
— afrobella (@afrobella) March 21, 2016
Winning this contest has been ‘unbelievable’ for Akilah. She began drawing in second grade, when she started gaining a deep connection to her African heritage through her school and after-school program. In the future, Akilah hopes to study business or criminal justice in college, become a CSI detective and open an arts studio for kids.
Akilah’s doodle is a powerful celebration of black culture. It is a testament not only to the necessity of art in black lives, but speaks to the importance of creating space for diversity and art in tech. Through her doodle, Alikah reminds us that #blackartmatters.
For more information on Akilah Johnson and her Google doodle, check her out on USA Today and the Google 4 Doodle homepage.
What do you think of the winning doodle? Share your thoughts in the comments!
