

INTRODUCING
Black Beauty AI Challenge
Hosted by Black Girls Code & The Doux
Join a groundbreaking opportunity for Black girls and young women to create AI‑generated videos that shape how AI understands Black Beauty, Style, and Culture. No coding experience needed, just creativity and vision.
THE CHALLENGE
What You’ll Do
Create a 60-90 second original AI-generated video that reflects how YOU define beauty, style, and culture.
Theme
This is a first-of-its-kind opportunity for girls and young women to use AI as a tool for self-expression.
Tools
Use free tools (e.g. Kaiber.ai, Runway ML, Canva), so you don’t need paid software or coding skills to compete.
HOW IT WORKS
No experience needed. No fancy tools required. Just your creativity.
Here's how you can enter the Black Beauty AI Challenge and show the world what Black beauty means to you. Here’s how to enter the Black Beauty AI Challenge from start to finish:
Step 1: Make Your AI Video
Use free, beginner-friendly tools. You can create animations, slideshows, or even AI-enhanced footage. We’ll provide tutorials to help you get started!
Step 2: Submit Your Entry
When your video is ready:
- Fill out the submission form [link]
- Upload your video
- Submit it by September 30, 2025, at 11:59 PM ET
You can only enter once, so make it count!
Step 3: Get Judged by a Panel of Experts
Judges will score each video based on:
- Creativity & Originality (Is your idea fresh and unique?)
- Skill & Effort (Did you put care into the final product?)
- Connection to the Theme (Does it speak to Black beauty, style, or culture?)
- Overall Impact (Is it powerful or inspiring?)
Up to 12 finalists will be selected, including a People’s Choice Winner chosen by public vote.
Step 4: Win Big + Be Seen
Whether you're just starting out or already creating bold digital work, this is your moment to shine. Finalists in the Black Beauty AI Challenge will receive recognition, real prizes, and the opportunity to be part of a powerful movement shaping how AI sees and represents Black beauty.
Step 5: Be Seen and Celebrated
All selected finalists and winners will have opportunities to:
- Be featured on The Doux and Black Girls Code social media channels
- Appear in a national campaign about Black creativity and AI
- Have their work exhibited in a live NYC gallery pop-up during MLK Weekend 2026
- Inspire others by sharing their vision of beauty, identity, and innovation
This challenge is more than a competition. It’s a celebration of culture, creativity, and the future. Winners will be announced in November 2025. Each winner will receive their prize via check, electronic payment, or gift card, depending on placement.
Suggested tools
What it is: A free mobile/web video-editing app packed with AI magic — no subscription needed.
Why it’s easy for ages 13–17: Clean interface. Drag + drop clips/photos. Add stickers, filters, and auto‑captions. Works on phones and browsers.
What you can do in the challenge:
- Cut together clips or photos of your style, outfits, or hair ideas.
- Add titles or speech captions so AI learns new phrases.
- Use its 'remove background' to hint at futuristic or cultural visuals.
Pro tip: Record yourself speaking about your artwork, auto‑caption it, and sync with music and transitions to tell your story in under 90 seconds.
Learn more: https://youtu.be/P51CqlPOE_w?si=Pc4fpCMNdUajeUS9
What it is: A free drag‑and‑drop design tool for graphics, slideshows, and short videos — works on phone or tablet.
Why it’s perfect for younger kids (10–14): You can start with a slideshow template, add pictures and short text, customize fonts and backgrounds with no tech skills.
How to use it in the challenge:
- Make a story-style slideshow of photos/images that show your version of Black beauty.
- Add a background track from Canva’s royalty-free music library.
- Download as MP4 and upload to the contest portal.
Learn more: https://youtu.be/AlrC-XaKwew?si=c118sC0lxpFHt9_w
What it is: An AI animation tool that transforms your images, text, or voice into short animated video scenes.
Why teens love it (13–17): No manual editing. You enter a description (e.g., “a girl dancing under neon patterns”) and the AI creates the motion.
Use it for the challenge by:
- Writing a short paragraph describing your idea of Black beauty, uploading a few images, and generating a 30–60 second loop.
- Adding your voice or music and exporting—ideal for abstract or symbolic storytelling.
Learn more: https://youtu.be/Q85d9qofuQk?si=IWsNHDfXVNwo-HUy
What it is: A web‑based AI video editor that includes background removal, color effects, style transfers, and even text‑to‑video features.
Why it fits for older teens (15–17) or tech-savvy kids: More powerful than mobile apps—allows fine‑tuned control of effects with just a browser.
Ways to use it in the challenge:
- Upload simple video or photo series, then inpaint or blur backgrounds to focus on you or your hair style.
- Use text‑to‑video to dream up a futuristic environment (like a glowing mural, a fashion runway).
- Color‑grade your video to match a theme (e.g., gold tones, vibrant blues).
Learn more: https://youtu.be/c38vtLw1nSk?si=uKjXpco3M7jn_-Nc
What it is: An intuitive AI tool that turns rough sketches or text prompts into animated video clips—think cartoon or stylized scenes.
Why even new creators can use it: You can hand‑draw an outline, or type a sentence like “a girl drawing with curly hair under neon lights,” then let AI animate it.
Use in the competition by:
- Creating a 15–30 second animated intro (like a digital mural or graffiti clip).
- Download and combine with a CapCut or Canva backdrop to add your voice and music.
Learn more: https://youtu.be/F4vZTKOCeds?si=pCOuFiyTo9TNcXZj
Use one tool or mix a few. What matters most is that the final video reflects your vision of Black Beauty, Style, or Culture.
What it is: An app that turns your still photos into realistic motion videos—making 3D-like scenes from normal images.
Why it’s fun: Works with just one photo (e.g., a favorite outfit or hairstyle board) and adds cinematic motion.
For the challenge:
- Choose a single photo of your look or cultural style. Use Luma to animate it—so the photo “moves” and zooms like a video.
- Export that motion file (10–20 seconds), add audio/narration in CapCut to reach 60–90 seconds.
Learn more: https://youtu.be/S8zMe5aCUtI?si=dOLQGeR-D0A10OeY
THE PRIZES
$1,500
1ST PLACE
Awarded to the finalist whose video receives the most votes during a public voting period. Rally your community to support your work.
$1,000
2ND PLACE
Selected by our panel of expert judges based on creativity, execution, and relevance to the theme.
$750
3RD PLACE
$500
4TH PLACE
$150
5TH PLACE
$150 gift card from The Doux
HONORABLE MENTIONS (2)
$100 gift card from The Doux, each recognizing two standout entries that deserve a spotlight.
BEYOND THE PRIZE
SOCIAL SPOTLIGHT
Top entries will be featured on Instagram and TikTok, giving your work the visibility it deserves.
NYC Gallery Exhibition
Finalists and winning videos will be showcased at a NYC pop-up gallery on MLK Day 2026, celebrating creativity, culture, and digital storytelling.
MAKING HISTORY
Be part of the first generation to actively shape how AI understands and represents Black beauty.
IMPORTANT DATES
Milestone Dates
Submissions Open: June 30, 2025
Deadline to Submit: September 30, 2025
Finalists Announced: Late September 2025
People’s Choice Voting: Fall 2025
Winners Announced: Early November 2025
NYC Gallery Show: January 2026 (MLK Weekend)
A FEW RULES
- You must be 10 years old and live in the U.S. to qualify for cash prizes. If you reside in the UK you are eligible to receive Honorary Mentions
- Your video must be your original work
- Only one entry per person
- Free tools are encouraged, but if you use paid tools, your entry will still be considered!
- Keep it respectful: no hate, harm, or hurtful content.
- We may share your video on social or at public events, so make it something you're proud of!
- For full list of competition rules and criteria, click here.
Who Can Enter
You’re eligible to participate if you meet these requirements:
- You identify as female
- You are age 10 or older
- You live in the continental United States
- You’re submitting an original video that you created yourself
Participants will compete in two age categories:
YOUTH TRACK
AGES 10-17
ADULT TRACK
AGES 18 AND OVER
Notes for Parents and Guardians
If you're under 18, you may need a parent or guardian’s permission to participate.
We encourage family support, the youth category is a positive, educational experience for young creators.
NEVER CODED BEFORE?
NO PROBLEM!
All you need is creativity and a story to tell. We'll provide the tools and support to bring your vision to life.
NEED HELP?
Join Our Weekly Drop-In Sessions
Get hands-on assistance from our tech experts every week until the end of the campaign. Whether you're stuck on tools, need creative direction, or just want to brainstorm ideas—we're here to help you bring your vision to life.
What You'll Get:
✨ One-on-one tech support
🎨 Creative brainstorming
🛠️ Tool tutorials & tips
💡 Troubleshooting help
MEET YOUR JUDGES
VIP judging committee CHAIRS



VIP judging committee members







Ready to make your mark?
Submissions are now open!
Click below to apply today!
About Black Girls Code
Since 2011, Black Girls Code has been creating a more inclusive tech industry by inspiring, educating, and equipping young girls and women with the skills to lead and thrive in technology. BGC isn't just closing the opportunity gap—it's shaping the future of tech.