Tzedek DC’s Young Adult Financial Empowerment Program
On November 12th, Tzedek DC celebrated the most recent graduates of its Young Adult Financial Empowerment Program. The event highlighted the accomplishments, determination, and growth of program participants, who are the latest cohort in the group of 56 who have completed the program during this 12-month pilot program. It was a memorable and joyful evening, with graduates hearing from Ward 8 residents Lashawn Starkes and Tamia Perry, alumnae of the program; Kamal Ali, Owner of Ben’s Chili Bowl; and DC Councilmember Robert White.
The program and graduation were covered by Fox 5, WUSA 9, and WTOP. Check out the highlight reel below!
The program was featured on FOX 5, WUSA 9, and WTOP in live news segments. WTOP also printed an article, available here.
During this 16-hour, eight-week program, the graduates participated in intensive financial education workshops, ranging from spending plans to credit to savings and investment, to scams and frauds. Participants also received free financial and credit counseling, as well as $100 in seed money in a Stackwell Capital investment account created for them, plus four years of account administrative costs covered.
One participant was able to improve their credit score by 100 points over the course of the program. Another participant said that personal finance “is not as hard as I thought, it isn't inaccessible, and financial freedom are for people that look like me.” This graduate’s sentiment is shared by many others, with 98% of participants saying that they have made changes to their financial habits or decisions as a result of the Young Adult Financial Empowerment Program–and 93% of participants saying they would recommend this program to their family and friends.
The Tzedek DC team could not be more proud of our graduates, whose hard work, pursuit of knowledge, and perseverance led them to this moment of celebration.
Special thank yous to our program partners Stackwell Capital, Industrial Bank, and cohort/graduation host Emma’s Torch for your unwavering support and dedication to financial empowerment for DC residents!
For information on how to enroll in a 2025 cohort (in person or virtual), contact Sophie Adler at sa@tzedekdc.org.