Society for Financial Education and Professional Development, Inc. and Jackson Charitable Foundation partner to teach financial skills at Tennessee State University, Meharry Medical College, Chicago State University, and Michigan State University.
Partnership marks Jackson Charitable Foundation’s support for financial literacy programs in higher education, focused on historically Black colleges and universities.
ALEXANDRIA, VA AND LANSING, MI. – March 14 , 2022 – Today the Society for Financial Education and Professional Development, Inc. (SFEPD) and Jackson Charitable Foundation announced a partnership to teach personal finance seminars at Tennessee State University (TSU), Meharry Medical College, Chicago State University (CSU) and Michigan State University (MSU).
“Thanks to Jackson Charitable Foundation’s support, SFEPD can teach thousands of students in Tennessee, Illinois, and Michigan how to manage their money better and enhance their economic well-being,” said Ted Daniels, president and founder of the SFEPD, which teaches financial skills to people of all ages with a focus on historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs). “Financial education gives undergraduate and graduate students useful financial skills they might not otherwise receive or learn too late.”
Danielle Robinson, executive director of the Jackson Charitable Foundation, says it is important to teach financial skills to college students at this critical time in their lives. “Jackson Charitable Foundation is honored to join forces with SFEPD to provide education that enhances the financial knowledge of college students as they enter adulthood,” Robinson said. “Making financial education accessible to more people throughout their life is essential in the quest for a more financially literate country.”
SFEPD’s mission is to enhance the financial and economic literacy of Americans of all ages and backgrounds, particularly college students. SFEPD seminars focus on personal financial topics, including saving, investing, banking, budgeting, credit, debt, student loan management, and financial goal-setting. SFEPD kicked off the initiative with Jackson Charitable Foundation with money management workshops at MSU in the fall of 2021. Financial seminars are scheduled for the three other schools.
MSU students who attended SFEPD’s financial seminars found them beneficial, including student Josh Bruckner, who said he would have preferred earlier exposure to the subject matter. “I didn’t learn about personal finance in high school,” Bruckner said. “I’m realizing personal finance is something I want to learn about sooner rather than later. I know I can take steps today to help build a financially secure future.”
Frank Freund, director of the Insurance and Risk Management Program at the Eli Broad College of Business at MSU, said college students can pay it forward with the knowledge they gain. “In education, it is important to help make things real, using practical examples for students,” Freund said.
“Financial education is no different. Learning about personal finance gives our business students the skills to build their financial futures as they go into careers where they help companies and others do the same.”
Peer-to-Peer Financial Literacy Model Launched at Tennessee State University and Chicago State University
In addition to the economic seminars, SFEPD is implementing its innovative Student Ambassador Program in which financial educators train student leaders to teach their peers how to make informed personal finance decisions at TSU and CSU. SFEPD started the program in 2017 to specifically address the challenges young people of color face in maintaining financial resilience and building wealth. SFEPD currently sponsors the Student Ambassador Program at 25 HBCUs with more schools in the pipeline.
HBCU leaders believe financial education is essential for their students. Dr. Millicent Lownes-Jackson, dean of the School of Business at Tennessee State University, is enthusiastic that students at TSU will gain practical financial skills beneficial for their future. “The College of Business at Tennessee State University is honored to have been selected to be a part of this dynamic partnership, which will empower our students for financial and economic success,” Lownes-Jackson said. “Our Student Ambassadors will have the opportunity to earn a financial literacy certificate and become poised to conduct peer-to-peer seminars for students in all academic disciplines across our campus.”
Daniels agreed. “In teaching fellow students, Student Ambassadors gain leadership skills and become champions of financial education on campus and are empowered to share this important knowledge with others after graduation,” he said. “Jackson Charitable Foundation’s support for the Student Ambassador Program will give HBCU students the opportunity to learn financial principles that lead to economic success.”
About The Society for Financial Education and Professional Development
For more than 24 years, SFEPD, based in the Washington, D.C. area, has served as an award-winning financial literacy and professional development nonprofit teaching financial skills to people of all ages and backgrounds, with a focus on underserved communities and HBCU students. Learn more at www.sfepd.org. Connect with SFEPD on social media:
About Jackson Charitable Foundation
Jackson Charitable Foundation’s vision is for all Americans to have the strong personal finance skills that allow people to live fuller, more self-directed lives. The 501(c)(3) private operating Foundation is the charitable-giving arm of Jackson National Life Insurance Company. The Foundation works with Jackson associates and world-class partners to provide economic opportunities that build strong communities. Follow the Jackson Charitable Foundation at jacksoncharitablefoundation.org, on Facebook at @JacksonCharitableFoundation and on Twitter at @JacksonFdn.
Media Contacts:
Danielle Robinson, Executive Director
Jackson Charitable Foundation
Phone number
Danielle.robinson@jackson.com
Ginie Lynch, Director of Communications
SFEPD
443-614-2772
ginielynch@sfepd.org