Scott Hanson, U.S. Cellular Associate Sales Manager; Sophia Armendariz, third place winner; Xzavier Lidesma, first place winner; artist Vedale Hill; Edwin Aleman, Club Manager at the Don & Sallie Davis Boys & Girls Club (Photo courtesy of U.S. Cellular)

U.S. Cellular and Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Milwaukee announced the winners of U.S. Cellular’s Black History Month Art Contest today with Lamarr Hughlett’s portrait of Barack Obama receiving the most votes and first place. Xzavier Lidesma’s portrait of Malcolm X was voted second place, and Sophia Armendariz’s portrait of Martin Luther King Jr. voted third place.

Each winner had their artwork framed and presented to them during a special ceremony at the Don & Sallie Davis Boys & Girls Club. The three winners also received VISA gift cards, $250 for first place, $150 for second place and $100 for third place.

The ceremony followed a month-long contest in February in which artwork featuring prominent African-Americans submitted by 8 local Boys & Girls Clubs members was displayed in select U.S. Cellular stores. The public was invited into the stores to vote for their favorite works of art. The contest celebrated the artistic ability of community youth and honored influential African-Americans in history.

“We are so proud of all the young boys and girls who entered this contest,” said Scott Hanson, U.S. Cellular Area Sales Manager for Milwaukee. “U.S. Cellular is committed to supporting the talents of local youth and celebrating the rich and diverse cultures within the communities we serve.”

The contest is an extension of ongoing collaboration between U.S. Cellular and Boys & Girls Clubs of America

“We are so grateful to have a strong relationship with U.S. Cellular in Milwaukee,” said Vincent Lyles, President & CEO, Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Milwaukee. “Programs like these make a positive impact in our community and we applaud U.S. Cellular for helping us spotlight some of our amazing young people.”

In 2016, U.S. Cellular has donated $60,000 to support Boys & Girls Clubs locations in Milwaukee.

About Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Milwaukee

Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Milwaukee (BGCGM), one of the largest youth serving agencies in Milwaukee, offers structured after-school and summer programming to more than 43,000 children and teens each year. Within the safety of 44 locations, youth have access to free meals, academic support, role models and opportunities to build character and explore new interests. Through programs like SPARK Early Literacy Initiative and World of Work, the Clubs provide a structured pathway for members to thrive in all stages of their education and gain valuable job experience that will help them develop successful careers as adults.

More than 86 percent of the organization’s annual budget goes toward youth programming. Charity Navigator, America’s largest and most-utilized charity evaluator, has given BGCGM its highest rating of four stars. For more information, please visit www.boysgirlsclubs.org.

About U.S. Cellular

U.S. Cellular is the fifth-largest full-service wireless carrier in the United States, providing national network coverage and industry-leading innovations designed to elevate the customer experience. The Chicago-based carrier offers coverage where the other carriers don’t and a wide range of communication services that enhance consumers’ lives, increase the competitiveness of local businesses and improve the efficiency of government operations. U.S. Cellular has the Highest Wireless Network Quality Performance in the North Central Region, according to the J.D. Power 2016 U.S. Wireless Network Quality Performance Study, and 99 percent of customers have access to 4G LTE speeds. To learn more about U.S. Cellular, visit one of its retail stores or uscellular.com. To get the latest news, promos and videos, connect with U.S. Cellular on Facebook.com/uscellular, Twitter.com/uscellular and YouTube.com/uscellularcorp.