In honor of national financial literacy month, OneUnited Bank is hosting its 3rd annual essay contest to promote financial literacy among the nation’s youth.Children ages eight through twelve are encouraged to read “I Got Bank!” or a similar educational book promoting financial literacy and write a 250-word essay detailing how what they learned from the book can be applied to their lives.

“Financial responsibility is a part of the equation for a happy, successful life and I don’t think you really can be too early to learn. It really does form a foundation for future success,” said Teri Williams, president of OneUnited Bank. “I think it’s important for our kids to know. There is a lot of rap music and popular culture about money, but there isn’t a lot out about how do you obtain wealth, how do you manage wealth, how to you build wealth and my hope is that through the book as well as through the contest that kids will really focus on building wealth and how to make money as opposed to just how to spend it.”

Essay submissions must be electronically submitted or postmarked by June 15, 2013 in order to qualify for grand prize. Three winners will be chosen to receive a $1,000 OneUnited Bank savings account.

Written by Williams, “I Got Bank” covers topics such as bank accounts, credit scores and interest rates through the story of Jazz Ellington, an African-American boy whose grandfather teaches him the importance of saving by creating a savings account for the child.

Williams began working on the book after failing to find appropriate teaching materials to be used by the bank during a program in which OneUnited staff made appearances at schools to spread financial literacy.

“Some of the issues that the urban community has to deal with are different than the communities that are depicted in the other books so when I looked at the books, they just weren’t characters or stories or information that I really thought our community could relate to,” said Williams. “It really wasn’t something that I necessarily wanted to do my entire life, it was just a need that I saw wasn’t being fulfilled.”

According to Williams, OneUnited offers “I Got Bank” to any public library, non-profit organization or middle school nationwide for free, upon request. The book can also be purchased on Amazon.com.

Growing up in public housing in Bridgewater, Connecticut, Williams rose to head OneUnited Bank after obtaining an education at two Ivy League colleges, Brown University and Harvard Business School. Williams believes that these experiences made her the perfect candidate to write “I Got Bank.”

“While I don’t have a background in writing, what I do have is an understanding of urban communities, I grew up in an urban community, and I have an understanding of banking and business,” Williams said. “What I can see from my experiences is that there was a need for a bridge between the urban community and the knowledge and information that I was able to obtain.”

Currently the country’s largest minority owned bank, OneUnited Bank has executive offices located in Boston, Miami and Los Angeles. Despite a minimal presence in the Baltimore area, Williams and company still encourage children across the country to participate in the essay competition.

“You don’t have to be in our community to win. We open up a savings account; it’s an online savings account. We are everywhere,” said Williams.

The “I Got Bank” Essay Contest was created in 2011 in an attempt to provide an extra incentive to kids to become financially literate. Submissions can be sent via mail to the OneUnited headquarters in Boston, or through the bank’s website: https://www.oneunited.com/blog/i-got-bank/

Baltimore— According to a Gallup poll released in January, 43 percent of students in grades five-12 want to be entrepreneurs. With the youth unemployment rate at an all time high of 17.6 percent, many youth will have to make their own jobs if no one else will. In partnership with the Entrepreneurial Development & Assistance Center (EDAC) at Morgan State University (MSU), EYE for Change will co host #EYECON, the premiere youth conference to help students start their own businesses, on Thursday, May 2, 2013 from 8:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at Morgan State University's Student Center.

The objective of the conference is to help youth pursue entrepreneurship as career option and employ an entrepreneurial attitude to excel and remain competitive in the workforce. This year's theme "#EYECON" is a play on the word "icon" and "EYE conference."  Youth will be challenged to be the image and symbol of excellence in entrepreneurship. The conference also features Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) coupled with entrepreneurship.

The innovative workforce of the future will require young people to demonstrate skill and expertise when pursuing careers. It is important youth understand the importance of STEM and pursue entrepreneurial endeavors in the field. 

The conference kicks off with a step show from City College S.W.T.T. step team and remarks from the conference committee members Ian Harpool of Most Dope Photography; Kayla McDaniel, an independent recording artist; and Ayannah Jefferson EYE for Change alumna. It will feature eight interactive workshops including: "Money Trees," "All Gold Everything" and "Whet Your APPetite." The workshops will run simultaneously allowing students to attend up to three. In addition, EYE for Change will hold and announce the winners of the "Biggest Boss" competition. The luncheon will feature cash prizes and a showcase of local talent.

The afternoon market place will feature youth entrepreneurs and service providers.

Lastly, there will be time allotted to network with students from other schools, play games, visit vendors and receive giveaways. The conference is open to youth ages 10-18, school personnel, community leaders, and parents who have an interest in youth entrepreneurship skills training. Advance registration is available online at: www.eyeforchange.org

Putting STEAM into STEM: Towson University, Port Discovery Children’s Museum and PNC team up to teach preschoolers science through dance

BALTIMORE— Towson University and Port Discovery Children’s Museum have been awarded a $17,000 grant by the PNC Foundation to launch Moving to Learn: Grow Up Great with Dance and Science. The program integrates developmentally appropriate dance methodologies with key concepts in pre-K standards in Environmental Science to improve school readiness and science proficiency for children ages two through five years old.

The Moving to Learn: Grow Up Great with Dance and Science curriculum was designed by Towson University’s Department of Dance’s K-12 Education Program and Towson University Community Dance, using concepts that are part of the Maryland public school curricula. The program is offered twice a month to preschool groups at Port Discovery Children’s Museum, and led by certified dance instructors and interns from Towson University’s dance education department.

The instructors use dance and movement to help children investigate the Earth’s resources and to recognize the cause and effect relationship.  For example, in one exercise, children learn about wind, water, and trees and how they interact and affect one another (wind blows, tree bends). The children are then encouraged to stand tall like a tree, then twist, bend, and shake as the wind blows.  

“Studies have proven that an arts-rich environment helps children succeed in school,” said Laura Gamble, PNC regional president in Greater Maryland, speaking on behalf of the PNC Foundation. “Our investment represents a commitment to partnering with the area’s leading institutions to deliver innovative projects that bring learning and the arts to life for young children.”

“Through the Moving to Learn program, we are transforming STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and MATH) into STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math), providing our youngest learners with an arts infused “leg up” in school readiness,” said Professor Jaye Knutson, Towson University Department of Dance.

At the end of the 30-minute program, each child receives an informational brochure to take home so that a parent or caregiver can reinforce learned concepts at home.

“We are excited to partner with Towson University and the PNC Foundation on such a unique program and look forward to reaching many early learners through this platform,” said Nora Moynihan, Director of Education for Port Discovery Children’s Museum. “Most early learners are not introduced to STEM learning until elementary school. By engaging preschool children in purposeful arts-based play that is rich in science, we are able to set the foundation for academic achievement in STEM/STEAM learning through elementary school and beyond.”

Moving to Learn: Grow Up Great with Science is offered to pre-school groups at Port Discovery Children’s Museum at 10:15 a.m. and 11:15 a.m. on the following dates: May 14 and 16, and June 4 and 6, 2013. Advance registration for groups is required.

For more information or to register a group, contact the Port Discovery Group Sales Department at 410-864-2666 or email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Some Baltimore City Public School students received a rich history lesson they will never forget during “Booker T. Washington Arts Academy Day @ The Avenue Bakery.” The event was held Wednesday, Feb. 20 and afforded Booker T. Washington Middle School students the opportunity to participate in a number of activities which included learning about Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall, watching a civil rights documentary, and watching the unveiling of a mural.

The event was hosted by James “Jim” Hamlin, Owner and Head Baker of The Avenue Bakery, and was sponsored by The Royal Theater & Community Heritage Corporation.

“We have to instill a sense of pride and dignity in our kids and future generations,” said Hamlin. “I have been working with Booker T. Washington since 1995, and that has always been my focus. This was a great event and an awesome experience for the students. They got the opportunity to learn a lot of history about the community.”

Located at 2229 Pennsylvania Ave., The Avenue Bakery brings the rich, historic legacy of Pennsylvania Avenue to life under one roof. This distinction has placed the unique eatery on the map as one of Baltimore’s most successful new cultural destinations since opening its doors two years ago.

"The students got to understand they have a lot to be proud of,” said Hamlin. “They also learned about how our community has helped the country. In addition to the photos and wall panels, The Avenue Bakery also includes a historic timeline, and archive footage.”

He added, “That’s the basis of what we do here at The Avenue Bakery and through The Royal Theater & Community Heritage Corporation.  We give people a taste of history and the legacy of the community.”

During the event, students and other attendees enjoyed samples of The Avenue Bakery's freshly baked rolls, pastries and muffins. They also listened to attorney Larry Gibson, author of “Young Thurgood: The Making of a Supreme Court Justice.” Gibson’s discussion took place in The Avenue Bakery’s conference room.

 Columnist Rosa “Rambling Rose” Pryor, who authored a book entitled African American Entertainment in Baltimore, also attended the event and spoke to the students. Attorney Eddie Smith also participated in the event.

 Students also watched the premiere screening of “Baltimore's Leaders of the Civil Rights Movement” a documentary which was commissioned by The Royal Theater & Community Heritage Corporation.

 The culminating part of the event was the unveiling of the fully-installed Royal Theatre Courtyard Mural by Francisco “Cisco” Davis. The mural was commissioned by The Royal Theater & Community Heritage Corporation to share the rich history of Pennsylvania Avenues’ Golden Era. The mural is located outside The Avenue Bakery near The Royal Theater & Community Heritage Corporation’s Hamlin Family Garden.

 “The mural represents the Civil Rights Movement from the perspective of the Baltimore community,” said Hamlin. “It includes Parren J. Mitchell, Juanita Jackson Mitchell and others. It also includes some of the historic churches in our community.”

 Hamlin has worked with The Royal Theater & Community Heritage Corporation since 2003.

 “The whole idea of coming to The Royal Theatre & Community Heritage Corporation was to impact and spearhead efforts around The Royale Theatre because so many people talk about the fact it should have never been torn down,” said Hamlin. “It means a lot to me to help rebuild our historic communities.”

The Royal Theatre was the famous theater along Pennsylvania Avenue. Duke Ellington, Nat King Cole, Louis Armstrong, and Redd Foxx were among the many famous entertainers to perform there.

“We also offer The Pennsylvania Avenue Heritage Trail, which takes you through the area,” said Hamlin. “The Trail introduces its visitors to Baltimore African-Americans who helped build the city, gain Civil Rights, and more.” 

Hamlin formerly worked at UPS, where he retired after more than 35 years. Hamlin said he is always looking for ways to expose youngsters to positive role models. On Feb. 5, The Avenue Bakery sponsored a ‘Job Shadow Day’ with Booker T. Washington Middle School students.

“Booker T. Washington Arts Academy Day at The Avenue Bakery was exciting for me,” said Hamlin. “The students had the opportunity to talk to authors, lawyers, entrepreneurs, and others. We are the products of what we are exposed to. The problem today is that young people are limited to what they are exposed to. During segregation, all of the successful African-Americans had to live in the community. As a result, this exposed them to the children living in their neighborhoods.”

He added, “That’s where we are successful in fulfilling our mission.  I commend Larry Gibson, Rosa Pryor, Eddie Smith, and all those who came out to make this a great event for our young people. It’s about our children, and what we are able to do to improve their future and ours. We can contribute to their success.”