Two-time Super Bowl Champion MALCOLM JENKINS and The Malcolm Jenkins Foundation collaborate with former NFL Colleague Jedidiah Collins and Money Vehicle to tackle the racial wealth gap in Black and Brown communities
Today, 2x Super Bowl Champion and former Philadelphia Eagles Safety MALCOLM JENKINS announced a partnership between The Malcolm Jenkins Foundation (TMJF) and Money Vehicle LLC (MV) to bring an enhanced financial literacy curriculum to high school students in Philadelphia, PA, Newark, NJ and soon to high school students across the country. As part of its “Closing the Wealth Gap” education initiative, TMJF has strengthened the impact of its existing financial literacy programming with a 12-week in-class curriculum that supports teacher instruction and empowers student learning and application. The curriculum covers 10 questions high school students ask about money and provides a holistic foundation in financial literacy that will help students build their financial plan.
The partnership between TMJF and Money Vehicle, LLC aims to close the racial wealth gap by offering a financial literacy curriculum that builds awareness of the importance of understanding money and money values in classrooms.
In Newark, the curriculum is offered to the Newark School of Global Studies, Newark School of Fashion & Design and Newark School of Data Science and Information. In Philadelphia, the curriculum is offered at Parkway Northwest High School for Peace and Social Justice.
“April is Financial Literacy Month and I’m excited about The Malcolm Jenkins Foundation’s partnership with Money Vehicle, LLC to jumpstart youths’ education about money and wealth building,” Jenkins said. To combat a system that has made it significantly difficult for people of color to acquire wealth, TMJF will be a driving force in closing the gap through its continuous efforts in empowering youth to own their future and set them on the path to financial freedom. “I believe the best first steps to closing the wealth gap in our communities is to educate our youth in understanding the language of finance; how their relationship with money correlates with their personal value system; and how their values are key determinants in achieving financial freedom. It’s a mindset shift from one of a consumer, spender and scarcity, to one of a saver, investor and abundance,” Jenkins added.
“Incorporating TMJF’s financial literacy program in the classroom will help serve as Newark Public Schools’ response to enhancing educational concepts for students, their families and ultimately their communities,” said Superintendent Roger León. The goals of the program are aligned with the district's mission to deliver an academically rigorous and culturally responsive instructional program that prepares students for success, builds knowledge, and fosters leadership,” he added.
The impact of this partnership will empower youth with the knowledge and skills needed to make informed financial decisions concerning their immediate needs such as establishing a cash management system, assessing job opportunities, paying for their education after high school; as well as future needs such as investing, home ownership and even entrepreneurship,” said Gwendolyn V. Jenkins, TMJF President & CEO. “Our Foundation has seen young adults thrive when given the tools and resources to learn life skills that will propel them to success.” The partnership between TMJF and Money Vehicle, LLC aims to close the racial wealth gap by offering a financial literacy curriculum that builds awareness of the importance of understanding money and money values in classrooms. By working together to change the negative trajectory of Black and Brown wealth, TMJF and Money Vehicle hope to level the playing field and provide youth in Black and Brown communities with the tools they need to thrive and achieve success in all aspects of their lives.
“This partnership allows us to impact the futures of high school students,” said MV Founder Jedidiah Collins CFP®. “Financial literacy is a crucial life skill, and we believe that every young person deserves access to quality financial education because exposure breads expansion. This exposure can not only change the lives of students, but also can impact their communities as well. By working together, we can teach students the language of money, empowering them to stop just working for money and to start making money work for them.”
“Our students deserve every opportunity at success - period. It has been an honor to work alongside The Malcolm Jenkins Foundation to chip away at closing the wealth gap to reduce financial obstacles to success. They’re all in, looking to make sustaining change happen, and constantly riding for our students as true community partners,” said Jeffrey MacFarland, Principal, Parkway Northwest High School.
