The Norfolk State University School of Business is helping young people build a stronger financial future by equipping them with practical knowledge and skills through its annual Financial Literacy Youth Empowerment Conference.
Held this summer, the one-day conference brought youth aged 18 and under together for an engaging day focused on money management, budgeting, financial decision-making and the real-world costs of everyday life.
The School of Business has hosted the Financial Literacy Youth Empowerment Conference annually since 2019. The initiative grew from a commitment to collaborate with community organizations that share aligned missions and goals, bringing together expertise to address some of the financial challenges young people face.
Over the years, the School of Business has partnered with organizations including the Virginia Cooperative Extension, Junior Achievement of Greater Hampton Roads, United Way of South Hampton Roads and more.
“Early financial literacy plays an important role in helping young people develop healthy financial habits,” says Tanya Perry, Outreach Director for the School of Business. “Learning how to manage money, understand spending and avoid lifelong debt at an early age can make it more attainable for individuals to build healthier financial practices as they grow.”
The conference also helped youth understand the real cost of everyday life, including housing, utilities, groceries, child care and transportation. Discussions and activities emphasized the difference between needs and wants, helping participants recognize essential living expenses while considering how discretionary choices can affect a household budget.