( ENSPIRE Community Spotlight ) KidVestors Inspires Kids To Enjoy Learning About Finance
ENSPIRE Contributor: Bailey Chambers
NAACP grant-winning business owners Courtney and Darius Pettway spotted a gap in financial education for elementary kids and wanted to empower the next generation. KidVestors, the culmination of their idea to revolutionize the curriculum in American public schools and inspire kids to love learning about finance, was recognized on Black Entrepreneurs Day this year. Daymond John, who curates the annual event, presented them with the grant in October.
The Pettway’s used their knowledge of investments and finances and transformed it into an engaging learning program for kids. It’s filled with cartoon adventures featuring characters, Avery and DJ, which makes students excited to learn about investing in the best real estate properties or building their stock portfolios.
The publicity that came along with the grant and mentorship gave the KidVestors founders access to the best animators and illustrators to elevate their business.
“We were able to get the news out, especially in our local community, but also garner capital. That’s probably one of the hardest things for startups to do. Those two things were big for us. It let the community know, ‘We are here.’ Awareness is everything. It doesn’t matter how this can change a kid’s life unless they know that it’s there,” said Darius, “It’s more than necessary to teach our next generation to invest.”
Since earning the grant, the Pettway’s have partnered with a school district to integrate KidVestors into the curriculum for students in kindergarten through fifth grade.
Before KidVestors, there was no conscious way to teach kids about finances, especially in the public school curriculum. Most adults learn about this information when they become adults. According to Experian.com, just 19% of Gen-Z consumers feel confident in their knowledge of personal finances. 74% have learned what little they know from their parents rather than at school.
“We didn’t learn about it until almost into our thirties, and that’s the story of most people. We did not learn about it in school. That’s why we are trying to change that,” said Courtney.
The goal for KidVestors is to partner with more schools to introduce financial education. They want to build a curriculum that appeals to middle and high school students as well. To accomplish this, decision-makers like superintendents must see the tremendous value of financial education. KidVestors difference it would make in the next generation. The exposure gained from winning the NAACP grant opened the door for that to happen.
For more information on KidVestors, visit thekidvestors.com
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