Kids from DC and Maryland learn to earn, save and invest money at financial literacy event

WASHINGTON — Saturday, 75 kids from DC and Maryland now know how to earn, save and invest their money when they land their first job or start their first business.

An event in DC’s Brookland neighborhood featured speakers, events and exercises to help kids understand financial literacy.

“We’re calling it ‘Standing on Business’. I didn’t know that was a hip term, apparently,” said Linda Wilson, the executive director of Fund II Foundation . “Learning how to be entrepreneurs quickly.”

Wilson helped organize this event. With kids attending from DC, Prince Geroge’s County and Baltimore.

“They sort of learn how to earn, and then also how to save, but then also how to invest,” said Wilson. “We bring those three things up and get them to practice it.”

The day included discussion, dance and documenting every detail.

“We were asking a lot of questions. I was putting it in my notebook,” said 8-year-old attendee Malikie Sesay.

“I think it’s amazing they have programs like this, because I think this is what us kids need,” said 15-year-old attendee Tamia Wayne. “We need things like this, we need to have support and a great system we can learn from.”

It’s an event that’s pooling community resources together, like Paul Winestock’s nonprofit, Saving our Next Generations.

“To help our youth make better choices and decisions by providing them with entrepreneurship, financial literacy, customer service and college prep,” said Winestock.

Kids and teens who show up and stay the entire day got to go home with some free stuff including a backpack with hygiene materials from black owned businesses. Several different books, most of which about financial literacy and a $100 Visa gift card. Some money to supplement an even greater treasure.

“The experience I’m getting from everything that they’re telling me and it’s helping me in life,” said 12-year-old attendee, Donnell Jones.