UScellular, Boys & Girls Clubs of America Kickoff 2024 Black History Month Art Contest
CHICAGO (Jan. 11, 2024) – UScellular and Boys & Girls Clubs of America have announced the return of their annual Black History Month Art Contest. The contest began in 2008 at the Boys & Girls Clubs of Southwest Virginia and has since grown to include 31 Clubs across the country.
New to the 2024 contest, the top three first-place submissions with the most votes from all participating Clubs will also be named national winners1 and will receive an additional $250, bringing their total winnings to $500, while their home Club will also receive a $1,500 donation.
Up to 10 finalists from each of the 31 Boys & Girls Clubs will be chosen by local Club representatives and UScellular leaders based on creativity, quality, interpretation, clarity of theme and overall impression. The finalists’ artwork will be digitally displayed in select stores, and from Feb. 1 – Feb. 15, anyone 18 and older is invited to vote for their favorite art online. The top three vote-getters at each Club will be announced in late February with the winners receiving the following:
- $250 for first place
- $150 for second place
- $100 for third place
To participate in the contest, Boys & Girls Club members are encouraged to create original pieces of artwork representing influential Black STEM icons. These can include historical figures, world leaders, scientists and educators who have made vital contributions to the world of science, technology, engineering and math.
“The addition of three national winners to the Black History Month Art Contest is a thrilling development that UScellular and the Boys & Girls Club of America are excited to introduce this year,” said Kevin Lowell, executive vice president, chief people officer and head of communications at UScellular. “We’re honored to provide a platform for our young artists to showcase their talent and contribute to the recognition and appreciation of Black history, culture and the achievements of Black people in STEM.”
“We’re honored to partner with UScellular for this annual contest in celebration of Black History Month,” said H Walker, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Officer at Boys & Girls Clubs of America. “Not only is it important for young people to have the agency and opportunities to discover and nurture their self-expression and creativity, moreover it is programs like this that drive our mission in the direction of youth so they can realize their dreams as they commemorate Black STEM icons.”
No Purchase Necessary. Entrants who are minors must have parental consent to participate in the Contest. Official Contest Rules, including full entry details and Finalist and Winner selection criteria/voting are available by email request to USCDLMediaRelations@uscellular.com.
1 One “national winner” per Club; see contest rules for details.
About UScellular
UScellular is the fourth-largest full-service wireless carrier in the United States, providing national network coverage and industry-leading innovations designed to help customers stay connected to the things that matter most. The Chicago-based carrier provides a strong, reliable network supported by the latest technology and offers a wide range of communication services that enhance consumers’ lives, increase the competitiveness of local businesses and improve the efficiency of government operations. Through its After School Access Project, the company has pledged to provide hotspots and service to help up to 50,000 youth connect to reliable internet. Additionally, UScellular has price protected all of its plans, promising not to increase prices through at least the end of 2024. To learn more about UScellular, visit one of its retail stores or www.uscellular.com. To get the latest news, visit newsroom.uscellular.com.
About Boys & Girls Clubs of America
For 160 years, Boys & Girls Clubs of America (BGCA.org) has provided a safe place for kids and teens to learn and grow. Clubs offer caring adult mentors, fun and friendship, and high-impact youth development programs on a daily basis during critical non-school hours. Boys & Girls Clubs programming promotes academic success, good character and leadership, and healthy lifestyles. Nearly 5,000 Clubs serve over 3.6 million young people through Club membership and community outreach. Clubs are located in cities, towns, public housing and on Native lands throughout the country, and serve military families in BGCA-affiliated Youth Centers on U.S. military installations worldwide. National headquarters are located in Atlanta. Learn more about Boys & Girls Clubs of America on Facebook and Twitter.