Three South Florida Students Take Home Youth Essay and Art Contest Wins

Hy-Lo News Staff Report

OneUnited Bank, the largest Black-owned bank in the U.S., announces the winners of its 10th annual “I Got Bank! Youth Essay & Art Contest.”

For the first time, there were 5 winners who submitted art, matching 5 winners who submitted essays on financial literacy. Each of the ten youth winners are awarded a $1,000 savings account.

Students from across the country between the ages of 8 and 12 were encouraged to read a financial literacy book of their choosing, and either write a 250-word essay or create an art project to show how they would apply what they learned from the book to their daily lives. This included starting a business, adding to their existing savings account and creating a vision board.

Of the 10 winners, three were from South Florida. Aminan Anyabwele, 9, Miramar, FL, William Cum Jr., 8, Pompano Beach, FL, and Alizah Perez, 12,
Pembroke Pines, FL.

The other winners include Morgan Hardwick, 12, Washington, DC, Loren Herrell-Guy, 11, Chicago, IL, Olivia Hur, 12, La Crescenta-Montrose, CA, Mariah Mack, 12, Grovetown, GA, Javonte Patton, 12, Palm Coast, FL, Sophia Prakash, 9, Glendora, CA, and Aarionna Totty, 9, Holly, MI.

Williams, who wrote the book I Got Bank! What My Grandad Taught Me About Money (Beckham) after she discovered the lack of books geared toward educating urban youth about financial literacy, stated:

“This year we were excited to see the quality of the art submissions in addition to the essays. Congratulations to our winners and their families for appreciating the importance of financial literacy.”

This year, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, OneUnited Bank offered a free copy of the I Got Bank book on their website to assist parents who are homeschooling their children.

To learn more about past I Got Bank winners, please visit the OneUnited Bank Financial Literacy Blog.