Financial freedom shouldn’t be a luxury, and Jay-Z’s Shawn Carter Foundation is taking steps to ensure it isn’t. In an effort to empower the next generation, the foundation has partnered with a group of HBCUs, aiming to equip students with the financial knowledge needed to secure their futures. With guidance from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, this program dives into the essentials—credit, debt, investing—giving students real-world tools to build wealth that lasts.
The , co-founded by Jay-Z and his mother, Gloria Carter, has long been dedicated to supporting underprivileged communities. This latest initiative is part of their broader mission to empower young Black students, especially at HBCUs, with tools to succeed financially in a world where financial stability often determines opportunity. Backed by Toyota and inspired by Wharton’s Bridges to Wealth program, Jay-Z’s foundation and Wharton School’s Coalition for Equity and Opportunity introduce to build financial skills at HBCUs.
Research consistently shows a racial wealth gap that leaves Black families at a disadvantage; according to data from the Federal Reserve, . This disparity has prompted conversations around generational wealth and the need for targeted financial education—especially for Black students who may face additional financial challenges. According to the Shawn Carter Foundation, the new program’s curriculum includes “real-world applications and service-learning .