( ENSPIRE She Did That ) Beckford Creates Book Series For Financial Literacy
ENSPIRE Contributor: Gabrielle Maya
Financial literacy doesn’t have to wait until high school. Entrepreneur, author, and staunch advocate for financial literacy, Ebony Beckford is the visionary behind Fin Lit Kids. Fin Lit Kids is a pioneering multimedia edutainment company that is committed to teaching children about money management. It is accessible, enjoyable, and easy for children ages 3 to 7 to understand. Through educational games, activities, books, and digital content, the goal of Fin Lit Kids is to give essential money management skills at an early age.
With a Bachelor’s in Communication Arts at St. Johns’ University graduate, and nine years of real estate experience; Beckford strongly believes that introducing financial education at a young age will help children gain financial independence and foster economic growth in communities of color. In 2020 she released her best-seller children’s book “Madison’s 1st Dollar” which paved the way for Fin Lit Kids. She has received praise and traction from NBC News New York, Essence, Madammenoire, and Black Enterprise. In addition, Beckford received a $10,000 grant from UPS Ignite and Accion Opportunity Fund for her enterprise growth.
Ebony Beckford shares her creation of Fin Lit Kids, their mission, the importance of financial literacy at the ages 3 to 7, Madison’s 1st series, her use for the $10K grant, and more!
How did you create Fin Lit Kids, when did the concept come to light, and what is the mission?
The journey to create Fin Lit Kids began with the launch of my best-selling children’s book, “Madison’s 1st Dollar.” After the book’s release, I had conversations with high-earning individuals who confided in me about their financial struggles. Despite being well-versed in making money, they were living paycheck to paycheck because no one had taught them how to manage their finances. This sparked a realization that financial education was necessary and it needed to start at a much younger age.
Our mission is simple but impactful: We aim to make financial literacy accessible, enjoyable, and relatable for children aged 3-7.
Why should children from ages 3 to 7 learn about financial literacy now rather than at the high school level?
While financial education at the high school level is valuable, numerous studies, including one from Cambridge University, have shown that the formative years between ages 3 and 7 are crucial for developing money management habits. This research backs up our approach: Start young to build habits that will last a lifetime. Kids are incredibly receptive at this age. They’re like sponges soaking up everything around them. It’s a golden opportunity to instill a positive relationship with money that will set them on a path to financial well-being.
Are there other financial literacy books in the Madison’s 1st series that you will be working on?
Absolutely! Madison’s 1st series will have four books in total. We’ve successfully launched two titles in the series thus far: “Madison’s 1st Dollar” and “Madison’s 1st Budget.” We’re thrilled to announce that two additional books are currently in development, focusing on two important subjects, banking and entrepreneurship. Each book aims to tackle different facets of financial literacy, making the subject holistic and engaging for young minds.
Congratulations on the $10K grant from UPS Ignite and Accion Opportunity Fund. How do you plan on using the money to enhance Fin Lit Kids?
Thank you! We’ve allocated 100% of the funds towards increasing our social media marketing and advertising efforts. The investment has already paid off; we’ve seen a 200% increase in engagement across all our platforms. It’s an exciting sign that our message is resonating with more and more people.
What can we look forward to in the future of Fin Lit Kids, and what do you hope to accomplish in five years?
In the next five years, Fin Lit Kids aims to be the go-to resource for early childhood financial education. We envision partnerships with educational institutions, an expanded book series, and interactive digital platforms to make learning about money fun and effective for young children.
Go visit Fin Lit Kids for more information on financial literacy and how to get started. To view the entire Madison’s 1st children’s book collection click here. Follow Ebony Beckford on Instagram and LinkedIn.
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