Interactive conference aims to increase financial literacy among students

COLUMBUS, Ohio — Making sound financial decisions may seem like common sense, but for many it may be the source of financial hardships later in life, and our spending habits early on may be to blame. 

What You Need To Know

• The 5th annual Baller’s Conference is teaching valuable financial skills, including money management, preparing for future bills, and managing savings account
• 200 middle and high school students went through the different workshops
• Organizers say the goal is to close the racial wealth gap 

But The Baller’s Conference in Columbus is trying to change that.

It’s a way for students to learn valuable life lessons, including money management, preparing for future bills and managing a savings account.  

For Rylei Caldwell, who is taking part in the Baller’s Conference, that means starting early.

“We’re about to go off to college or maybe some of us are going to trade school, but we need to know how our finances will impact us and starting early will set us up for the right route,” said Caldwell.

The event includes seminars and hands-on activities.

As students go from workshop to workshop, event organizer Sherome Hathaway said they’re learning a lot under some pressure. 

“They have a working lunch where they go through the pitch competition, and during this competition, they all have to compete, providing a great presentation around real-world solutions that can help solve real-world issues. So, students have a chance to win money,” said Hathaway. 

By educating these students, Hathaway said closing the racial wealth gap is key. 

“The average African-American family today has $24,000 in savings and investments in home equity compared to $189,000 in those same things in white households,” explained Hathaway. “So, we need to make sure that finances and that money is a dinner table conversation.” 

Hopefully, that creates more opportunities for students like Caldwell. 

“I think it will influence my future because I plan to have my own business. So, learning about finances early will set me up before college so that I can learn the ins and outs of that,” said Caldwell.

And while Caldwell is not exactly a financial adviser, she gives one piece of advice.

“One of the key things that stuck with me is having those conversations at the table about finances with my parents early, so that I am set up for when I’m on my own or when I’m starting my own family,” she said.