Blacks on Wall Street, Grant Thornton, and Ally Financial Hold Virtual Financial Literacy Masterclass for Teens to give students the financial skills they need to succeed and close the wealth gap.

New York, United States - May 17, 2021 /PressCable/ —

Non-profit organization Blacks on Wall Street, Inc. (BoWS) recently partnered with Grant Thornton, LLP, and Ally Financial, Inc. to present a virtual financial literacy event to teenaged students in and around New York City. Held on April 29, 2021, over Zoom, the event was attended by more than 100 students from 12 different schools.

Personal Finance Masterclass for Teens

The virtual event consisted of three major segments, headlined by a masterclass on financial tips. It also included a financial literacy workshop where the students solved theoretical financial problems using the lessons learned from the masterclass. A live Q&A panel, where the teens could freely ask their questions about the masterclass and personal finance, wrapped up the event.

The Zoom webinar was kicked off by Dennis Creary, CEO of Blacks on Wall Street. Dennis gave the students an overview of BoWS, explaining its mission of closing the wealth and opportunity gaps by providing young Black and Brown students the resources they need to pursue promising careers. He also explained that financial literacy is more important in Black communities now than ever before and that events like this one are a good way to bridge that gap.

Charmone Adams, a Senior Manager, introduced Grant Thornton LLP and discussed some of the firm’s efforts around diversity, equity, and inclusion. He noted the relationship between business resource groups and their impacts on the company and society at large.

The financial tips masterclass itself was delivered by Ally Financial’s Demetrius Scott, Manager of Corporate Citizenship. Demetrius covered a broad swath of topics in a limited time, including budgeting, discipline, credit, saving, and personal finance education.

Q&A Panel and Financial Literacy Workshop

Demetrius also sat on the Q&A panel after the event. He was joined by Jamil Sanders, Vice-President & Relationship Manager at Key Private Bank, and Stephanie Barimah, COO of Blacks on Wall Street. Together, they answered questions, provided additional financial guidance, and shared their personal financial experiences and lessons learned in life.

The event spotlighted the student attendees. The hosts pulled in attendees to review and solve personal finance case studies. The workshop challenged students to use the lessons learned to solve personal finance cases. The problems were multiple-choice, and after revealing the correct answers, the panel also explained why the other choices were wrong – even dangerous – to make.

Closing the Opportunity Gap with Financial Literacy

Blacks on Wall Street and its partners believe that the Black community has suffered from poverty for much too long and aims to close the opportunity gap by providing underrepresented youth the resources they need to pursue promising, rewarding careers.

Their collective mission has been challenged greatly over the past two years, with the COVID pandemic especially hurting the Black families and communities they serve. Unemployment and school closures have only increased the importance and urgency of their work.

To address the problem, Blacks on Wall Street plans to hold more virtual events like this one, teaching students financial literacy and other crucial life skills as the country works towards reopening the economy. The organization hopes that with the education and resources they provide, Blacks on Wall Street, Inc. will help break the cycle of poverty in Black communities.

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About Grant Thornton, LLP

Grant Thornton is the U.S. member firm of Grant Thornton International Ltd., one of the world’s leading organizations of independent audit, tax, and advisory firms. Their website is https://www.grantthornton.com/.

About Ally Financial

Ally Financial is a financial services provider and the largest full-service automotive finance operations in the United States. Their website is https://www.ally.com/.

About Blacks on Wall Street, Inc.

Blacks on Wall Street, Inc. is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to close the professional opportunity gap by providing underrepresented youth the resources to achieve promising careers. Their website is www.blacksonwallstreet.org.

Contact Info:
Name: Stephanie Barimah
Email: Send Email
Organization: Blacks on Wall Street, Inc.
Address: 333 East 102nd Street Suite 809, New York, NY 10029, United States
Website: http://www.BlacksonWallStreet.org

Source: PressCable

Release ID: 89015608