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Santa Barbara, California, October 11, 2024 – Cox Mobile, the mobile phone service of Cox Communications, today announced the launch of the Boys & Girls Clubs of America (BGCA) phone case design contest. Kicked off with a satellite press tour with BGCA alumni Mario Lopez and Dr. Mona Dixonthe competition was created to commemorate the 20th anniversary of Cox Innovation Labs.
Boys & Girls Club teens in Cox markets nationwide are encouraged to submit phone case designs that reflect their vision of “A World Within Reach.” The winning case design will be brought to life and sold in Cox stores nationwide in 2025. The finalists of the competition will be announced in early 2025.
Why it matters
Cox Mobile’s contest celebrates Cox’s long-standing partnership with Boys & Girls Clubs of America – which began in the 1970s – and the 20th anniversary of Cox Innovation Labs, which were founded to help close the digital divide. Cox Innovation Labs are a safe place where club members can use the internet, learn more about robotics, explore 3D printing and get help with homework, work and college preparation. Where Cox does business, more than 100 Labs serve thousands of club members each year.
How the competition works
This competition celebrates creativity and how children can use technology to connect to new worlds. Boys & Girls Club members participating in the contest can use any creative medium to express what they see, believe or feel as they dream about the impact of connectivity on the world.
“We are excited to expand our long-standing partnership with Boys & Girls Clubs of America and tap into the creativity and vision of young minds,” said Colleen Langner, EVP and Chief Operating Officer of Cox Communications and Southeast Trustee of Boys & Girls Clubs of America. “Connectivity opens the door to endless possibilities, and Cox Mobile’s contest gives teens a platform to share their unique perspectives on how technology is bringing the world within reach.”
The bottom line
“Access to today’s connected technology – when used safely and responsibly – gives kids new ways to explore, learn, communicate and, most importantly, follow their dreams,” said Mario Lopez. “I can’t wait to see what these teens show us about their vision of the world and their future place in it – I know it will be inspiring.”
“Boys & Girls Clubs of America and its Cox Innovation Labs have expanded my world,” said Dr. Mona Dixon. “With Cox Mobile, the same powerful world is always within reach. I look forward to celebrating the young minds who use this access to create positive change for themselves, their communities and beyond.”
For more information about Cox Mobile’s phone case design contest, visit www.cox.com/phonecasecontest.
Media Contact: Charla Batey, Charla.Batey@cox.com, 949-354-1787
About Cox communications
Cox Communications is committed to creating meaningful moments of human connection through technology. As the largest private broadband company in America, we operate fiber optic networks in more than 30 states, delivering connectivity and advanced cloud and managed IT services to nearly seven million homes and businesses nationwide. We strive to empower others to build a better future and celebrate diverse products, people, suppliers, communities and the features that make each product unique. Cox Communications is the largest division of Cox Enterprises, a family-owned business founded in 1898 by Governor James M. Cox.
About Boys and Girls Clubs of America
For more than 160 years, Boys & Girls Clubs of America (BGCA.org) has provided children and teens with a safe place to learn and grow. Clubs provide caring adult mentors, fun and friendship, and strong 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. More than 5,400 clubs serve more than 3 million youth through club membership and community activities. Clubs are located in cities, towns, public housing and on indigenous lands throughout the country, serving military families at BGCA-affiliated youth centers on U.S. military installations around the world. The national headquarters is located in Atlanta. Learn more about Boys & Girls Clubs of America atFacebookAndX .
About Mario Lopez
Actor, television/radio host, producer and NYT Best Selling author. His prolific career spans over 40 years, making him one of the most sought-after personalities in entertainment today. The two-time Emmy winner is the host of NBC’s “Access Hollywood” and “Access Daily” and has an overall development deal with NBC/Universal. Mario simultaneously hosts the national iHeart radio program “On with Mario Lopez” and his boxing/MMA podcast “The 3 Knockdown Rule” for UFC FightPass. In 2008, Mario met his wife Courtney Lopez while starring in the Broadway revival of “A Chorus Line.” Mario and Courtney currently live in Los Angeles with their three children.
About Doctor Mona Dixon
Dr. Mona Dixon and her family lived on the streets, moving from one homeless shelter to another until she turned 13 years old. A few years later, she received the National Youth of the Year Award from Boys & Girls Clubs of America (BGCA), received more than $100,000 in scholarships and was honored by President Obama in the Oval Office. This all led to her being featured in national media, in commercials and starring in a national campaign commercial with Mark Wahlberg for Taco Bell Foundation for Teens. She was also named one of the “Most Influential Black Women” by Essence Magazine, along with Oprah and Michelle Obama. Dr. Mona was later appointed by President Obama to serve as the youngest member of a U.S. Presidential Community Service Committee along with four other prominent individuals. Her most recent adventure included a 13-city tour with Grammy Award-winning artist Lauren Daigle, raising donations for Boys & Girls Clubs of America and local clubs. In addition to being CEO of Inspired By Mona, she continues to empower others as she speaks to corporations, schools, nonprofits and fundraisers.
