Boston, MA – OneUnited Bank, the largest Black-owned bank in Miami, Florida and the U.S., recently announced the winners of its 9th annual “I Got Bank! Youth Essay & Art Contest.” Participation in the contest reached a 9-year high with essay and art submissions from thirty states and the District of Columbia. Each of the ten (10) youth contestants were awarded a $1,000 savings account for a winning essay or piece of art on financial literacy.
The Winners
The winners who all expressed their financial literacy journey in very creative ways, included Patrick Sweet, 11 of Miramar, Florida. The other winners are: Sabreen A. El-Amincluded in, 12, Pasadena, CA, Kristian Flakes, 11, Pearland, TX, Precious Fofana, 8, Hyde Park, MA, Zaiderick Hayes, 12, Birmingham, AL, Arielle Johnson, 12, Davenport, IA, DeAsia Mauldin, 11, Compton, CA, Xavier Nelson, 12, Moseley, VA, Arabia Roberts, 12, Washington, DC, and David Wines, 10, and Des Moines, IA. The panel of judges included Teri Williams, the bank’s President & Chief Operating Officer.
“I Got Bank” – The book
Williams, who wrote the book I Got Bank! after she discovered the lack of books geared toward educating urban youth about financial literacy said, “This year we were excited to see the volume and diversity of submissions and were inspired by all the essays and art. Congratulations to our winners and their families for appreciating the importance of financial literacy.”
The “I Got Bank!” youth essay & art contest is part of a larger OneUnited Bank initiative to educate youth and adults about smart money management. I Got Bank! was offered at no cost to libraries and middle schools across the U.S. and to date, more than 3,000 copies have been donated in 37 states. In 2018 and 2019, OneUnited Bank held a 3-city book give away, where Ms. Williams provided free autographed books to over 800 families.
OneUnited Bank has also launched its Financial Education Center with online playlists on Financial Basics, Major Life Decisions, Starting a Career, Small Business and Preventing Elder Fraud. OneUnited Bank hopes its efforts will improve the financial skills of children and adults throughout the country. The “I Got Bank” Essay & Art Contest will celebrate its 10-year anniversary in 2020. To learn more about past winners, please visit the OneUnited Bank Financial Literacy Blog.
I Got Bank! is published by The Beckham Publications Group, Inc. (www.beckhamhouse.com ).
