Experts say not all side hustles build long-term wealth. Scalable businesses, ownership opportunities and income streams that continue generating revenue over time are viewed as stronger paths to lasting financial stability than gig-based work.
Category: Financials
Posted inFinancials
KDW Cares: Building money skills in Baltimore youth
KDW Cares, a Baltimore-based organization founded in 2019, is teaching Black youth long-term financial literacy through a 10-month program focused on budgeting, credit, investing and real-world money management skills. Students say the training is helping shape their financial decisions and future goals.
Posted inFinancials
Closing the gap: A look at early financial literacy programs for Black youth
Educators and nonprofit leaders say children are eager to learn about money, but limited access to early financial literacy in communities of color leaves many without essential knowledge before adulthood. Programs like WattKid$, Diapers2Deposits and WeRise aim to close that gap by teaching students practical money skills, fostering healthier relationships with finances and building pathways to long-term wealth.
Posted inFinancials
From homeownership to capital control: Rethinking economic freedom for Black families
Black Americans were excluded from wealth-building opportunities for centuries through slavery, broken promises and discriminatory policies, leaving a racial wealth gap that persists today. Now, economists and advocates point to homeownership and greater control of capital as key pathways toward closing that divide and achieving true economic freedom for Black families.
Posted inOpinion
Tossing the cap, taking control: 5 smart financial steps for Maryland’s class of 2026
Financial tips for new grads: Understand employer benefits, start investing early, practice soft saving, seek professional advice, and maximize resources.
Posted inFinancials
Reinventing retirement: How young adults are preparing for a future after work
Young adults are redefining retirement as traditional paths like pensions disappear, with entrepreneurs, corporate workers and graduate students each navigating different financial realities and levels of stability.
Posted inOPINION
Rising hardship withdrawals signal financial stress among US workers
Hardship withdrawals from retirement accounts are increasing, with 6% of U.S. workers affected, and disproportionately impacting Black and Hispanic households due to the racial wealth divide.
Posted inCommentary
Beyond racism, materialism and militarismÂ
The State of the Dream 2026 report warns that current policies are reinforcing racial and economic inequalities, leading to a potential Black Recession, and urgent action is needed to address these regressive trends before generational losses occur.
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Scammers don’t take holidays: How to help protect your money this seasonÂ
With the holiday season upon us, it’s important to be aware of the increasing sophistication of online scams and to take steps to protect yourself, such as shopping with trusted retailers, being wary of unrealistic deals, and using secure payment methods.
Posted inFinancials
Maryland Bankers Association to host community talk on credit equity at Coppin State
The Maryland Bankers Association and the Center for Strategic Entrepreneurship at Coppin State University will lead a conversation on credit equity in Maryland on Oct. 24.
Posted inBUSINESS
Harbor Bank of Maryland opens new branch in Silver Spring
The Harbor Bank of Maryland has opened a new branch in Silver Spring, marking its seventh location and a strategic expansion into the Montgomery County market. The community-focused bank celebrated the soft opening with a visit from Afrofuturist icon George Clinton, whose artwork is now on permanent display inside the branch.
Posted in!Front Page Baltimore News
There’s a clear gap in credit scores depending on race and place: How Baltimore is working to fix itÂ
By Victoria Mejicanos AFRO Staff Writer vmejicanos@afro.com The weight of a number For residents of Baltimore, the barrier to buying a home, starting a small business or managing unexpected costs doesn’t rely on ambition alone. There’s a three digit number that plays a major part: the credit score. Research shows that a person’s credit score, […]
