Financial Literacy Programs

Through our partnerships with local lending institutions and financial consultants, we are providing innovative programming for Black men and Black youth in Dane County. We have two Financial Literacy programs to help our Black men, young and matured, to understand generational wealth and add them to the conversations that they are so often left out of.

Black Men Youth Financial Literacy Program

This program focuses on young Black men, ages 15-19 years of age, the importance of saving money, budgeting, finances, account management, and investing. The youth in this program will be supported in obtaining employment, if they aren’t currently employed, and they will attend our financial literacy and financial club monthly meetings. During these meetings, our Black youth will be taught how to open a bank account, and how to save more than 50% of their earnings. In return, they will receive a 2:1 match on every dollar they save (i.e. if they are able to save $100, they will receive a $200 match, bringing their total saving to $300), up to a maximum of $1,000 every six months.

Black Men Financial Education Program

This program focuses on teaching Black men, ages 20-35, the basics of personal finance, as well as supporting them in understanding how our underserved men have traditionally been removed from the conversation about Black wealth, and develop healthy financial attitudes and habits. Individuals in this program will learn the importance of money management, debt and debt relief, developing net worth, and accumulating Black wealth. This will be done through teaching our men how to save and the importance of saving, even when you’re living paycheck to paycheck; instilling money management techniques in them; and promoting good financial health.