Today is the beginning of what I believe is a pivot point in our quest to make financial literacy a core component of everyday life in the United States.
Operation HOPE and I, joined by major corporate leaders including Doug McMillon, CEO of Walmart; Bob Chapek, CEO of The Walt Disney Company; Brian Moynihan, CEO, Bank of America; Rosalind Brewer, CEO of Walgreens; Larry Fink, CEO of BlackRock; Ed Bastian, CEO of Delta Air Lines; Roger Goodell, Commissioner of NFL; Adam Silver, Commissioner of NBA; Sal Khan, Founder and CEO of the Khan Academy; and Tony Ressler, Executive Chair of Ares Management and Principal Owner of the Atlanta Hawks have launched a major initiative aimed at embedding financial literacy into the very fabric of the American ethos and society called Financial Literacy for All.
Financial literacy is one of the major civil rights issues of our time and must be at the forefront of our national conversation. With 42% of Americans feeling inappropriate levels of financial stress and 53% of workers unable to pay for basic expenses in the event of a financial emergency, there’s no better time for us as corporate, banking, philanthropic, and nonprofit leaders to come together and put forth a solution that benefits us all as nation.
Over the next ten years, through a series of programs and awareness campaigns, we will begin to reshape, rethink, and reimagine the way we think about our relationship with money. We will begin introducing Americans, primarily working adults and students from middle school to university, to the core competencies of financial education and reinforcing the foundational skills of budgeting, saving, and credit management. We believe that with each passing year we’ll begin turning the tide on financial literacy education culturally and generationally.
Today is just the beginning and the above listed partners are the inaugural few. We are looking to build a massive coalition of like-minded individuals and organizations from every walk of life, socioeconomic level, and political persuasion to help promote the cause of financial literacy for all. This is our rallying cry and we believe that through this effort we can begin closing the wealth gap, bridge the divide, and begin healing our nation for years to come.
If you would like to join us in our efforts, please click here to fill out the FL4A interest form here or visit www.fl4a.org to learn more.
We look forward to your partnership, support, and participation in this paradigm shifting endeavor for our country.
Click here to read the official press release.