Moguls in the Making

Wells Fargo and Partners kick off October’s Get Smart About Credit Campaign at Financial Literacy Event featuring Anthony Anderson of ABC’s Blackish

Over 250 children and parents from the Tri-state area attended the interactive one day credit management session sponsored by Wells Fargo and hosted by The Positive Community (TPC) and Bergen Community College on October 10 on the BCC campus in Paramus, NJ 

In classes taught by instructors from World of Money,  a not-for profit financial education institute headed by CEO Sabrina Lamb, participants learned essential savings and budgeting lessons, credit management tips, and the benefits and risks of investing at an early age.   Anthony Anderson of ABC’s “Black-ish”was the featured guest speaker. He shared his personal credit story, which included growing up as a child in Compton, Calif., his journey into adulthood as a college student and presently as an actor and father. He also imparted advice to the young listeners and shared money lessons he learned along the way. 

“It’s utterly essential that young people are familiar with the art of money, savings and credit because it’s part of their future,”said Adrian Council, co-founder and publisher of TPC. “We are so thrilled to be able to engage with our young people around the conversation of personal finance with the help of Wells Fargo and World of Money.  This workshop, as part of our Newark Roundtable Leadership Series, will not only help secure the financial well-being of children and parents who attended the event, but it will also empower them to make informed decisions about their future and contribute to the future of their local communities.” 

Established in 2010, TPC’s Newark Roundtable Leadership Series (NRLS) focuses on promoting topics such as health, education, and business important to local our readers. This series has brought together elected officials, influential business and community leaders, and faith-based organizations to influence and ignite positive change.   In 2012, Wells Fargo partnered with us creating  the Platinum Business component of NRLS specifically focused on business, entrepreneurship, personal finance, women in business and youth financial literacy.  

Wells Fargo’s Northeast Region President Larisa Perry welcomed participants to the Youth Financial Literacy Roundtable and provided an overview around the bank’s involvement with Get Smart About Credit –a national financial education volunteer program created by the American Bankers Association to educate and raise awareness among young consumers about the importance of using credit and debt responsibly.  

“We are thrilled to partner with The Positive Community to educate consumers—young and old –about the responsible use of credit and managing their debt,”said Perry. As bankers, we understand that achieving one’s financial goals, whether short- or long term, is easier with knowledge. That’s why, every October, we are so proud to support ABA’s Get Smart About Credit campaign and bring tailored financial literacy events for consumers of all ages in our diverse communities. Our goal this year is to reach at least 60,000 people across the nation and empower them on their road to financial freedom. ”

The fact that Anthony, who is an entertainer, was able to open up to the audience and share his progress with money was very eye-opening for our young participants. The audience could relate to the everyday challenges Anthony shared that we all in some point of our lives have faced or will face.

Other event speakers included World of Money CEO, Sabrina Lamb, who is also an accomplished author and speaker; Assistant to the President of Bergen County Community College Ursula Parrish-Daniels; and TPC’s Co-Founder Jean Nash Wells.