By Tashi McQueen
AFRO Staff Writer
tmcqueen@afro.com
In Baltimore City, KDW Cares is focusing its work on Black youth through extended programming designed to build financial knowledge early. The organization was founded in 2019 by Steven Williams, executive director.
“We run a 10-month financial literacy program that runs concurrently with the school year,” said Williams.
Though KDW Cares offers workshops, its primary focus is on long-term financial educational programs for youth in Baltimore.
“It’s not a workshop-type deal where we reach young people and then let them go to figure it out,” said Williams. “It’s a kind of immersive experience that goes through everything from first, how do you obtain finances, so we work on resumes, interviewing, researching a career.”
Throughout the 10-month program, KDW Cares teaches youth budgeting, saving, credit building and leverage, asset protection and investing, including stocks, bonds and entrepreneurial paths like real estate.
Williams said the organization’s focus grew out of his own experience and what he saw in his peers.
“What I learned through my own personal experiences and the experiences of my peers, is regardless of the socioeconomic status or education that we obtain, one missing piece was financial literacy across the board,” said Williams.
He added that financial knowledge gaps persist even when educational and income levels rise.
“Though they might have a degree and have a much higher starting wage than their parents and grandparents, if they don’t have a strong foundation of financial literacy, they will still face some of the same financial challenges,” he added.
Students in the program say it is already having an impact.
“Without this class, I probably wouldn’t have reached most of the goals I set for myself,” said David Cruz-Harris Jr., 18. “It has taught me many lessons, it has helped avoid many mistakes that I’m glad I did not have to go through.”
Cruz-Harris said he joined the program at 16 with the goal of learning how to better manage money and make stronger financial decisions. He encourages other youth to take similar steps.
“I was also someone who was skeptical about taking financial literacy classes,” said Cruz-Harris. “But I think this program is something that everyone, no matter what age you are, should try at least once.”
