ACT-SO is rooted in the firm conviction that Black/African Americans can succeed and compete at the highest levels as their counterparts in classrooms, boardrooms, healthcare and locker rooms if given the right support. ACT-SO - referred to as Olympics of the mind - is designed to recruit, stimulate, improve and encourage high academic and cultural achievements among high school students and provides a forum through which Black/African American students can further develop their educational capabilities and demonstrate the same prowess, expertise and recognition often reserved for entertainers and athletes.