Bank President Teri Williams’ Book, “I Got Bank” was Inspiration to Promote Financial Literacy for Youth

Boston, MA (August 31, 2018) – OneUnited Bank is proud to announce the winners of its 8th annual “I Got Bank! Youth Essay & Art Contest.” Ten (10) youth each won a $1,000 savings account for submitting a winning essay or piece of art on financial literacy.

Dontaye Ball Jr., 11, San Francisco, CA, Ziontaye Ball, 11, San Francisco, CA, Evan Corgain, 10, Brockton MA, Jaedin Feaster, 8, Roxbury, MA, Layla Gaston, 8, Havre de Grace, MD, Ryder Noell, 11, Stuttgart, AR, Aaliyah Omitogun, 12, Suitland MD, Michelle Oppong, 9, Los Angeles, CA, Obi Owusu-Bonsu, 12, Los Angeles, CA and Cierra Yoakum, 10, Los Angeles, CA impressed the judges with how well their submissions expressed their journey with money in a very personalized way. The panel of judges included Teri Williams, President & Chief Operating Officer of OneUnited Bank, the largest Black-owned bank in the U.S..

Williams, who wrote the book I Got Bank! after she discovered the lack of books geared toward educating urban youth about financial literacy commented ,”We celebrate our winners who wrote a 250 word essay or submitted art that expressed how they will use what they learned about money to help their families.”

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, OneUnited Bank held a 3 City Book Give Away, where Ms. Williams provided free autographed books to over 500 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 be held again in 2019. 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).

Media Inquiries: Suzan McDowell, Circle of One Marketing, [email protected], 305-576-3790

OneUnited Bank
OneUnited Bank (www.oneunited.com), a Minority Depository Institution (MDI) and a Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI), is a ten time recipient of the U.S. Department of Treasury’s Bank Enterprise Award due to its community development lending. Its mission is to be the premier bank serving urban communities by promoting financial literacy and offering affordable financial services. OneUnited has grown through a combination of organic growth and by acquiring community banks that share its mission, including Boston Bank of Commerce in Boston, Massachusetts, Founders National Bank and Family Savings Bank in Los Angeles, California, and Peoples National Bank of Commerce in Miami, Florida.