The Intro session allowed all presenters and instructors a chance to introduce themselves to Summit attendees. [ALL PHOTOS BY NATE PAIGE]
While the popular sayings money makes the world go round, and money is power may be true to some degree, many young people aren’t aware of the substantial power that can be obtained from a strong credit rating, and its importance when it comes to purchases such as cell phone service, car payments, insurance, and even some job interviews.
And good credit can have a direct impact on a person’s general health.
On Saturday, April 20, the Boys 2 Men with Money inaugural Empower-Men-T Summit was held for young men of color at Eldred Hall on the CWRU campus, offering a day of credit counseling, empowerment sessions, and networking with professionals and community leaders. Representatives from Premier Bank, JP Morgan Chase, MetroHealth, the Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority (GCRTA), Cleveland Water and more were on hand to provide useful information and resources.
Ikenna Okoro, co-founder of Boys2 Men with Money.
Boys 2 Men with Money, co-founded in 2021 by Ikenna Okoro, targets young men ages 13-30 to educate them about financial literacy, as well as the connection between wealth and health.
“This summit is an amalgamation of those resources around personal finance, health, and safety. The most unique thing we’re offering today is 1-on-1 credit coaching sessions. 10-15 credit experts are here discussing credit cards, debts, and what a credit report looks like, so that we can be more educated and informed, to make the best financial decisions possible,” says Okoro.
Boys 2 Men with Money operates under the parent organization The Phe’be Foundation, established in 2002 by Sharron Murphy Williams who serves as executive director. The Phe’be Foundation promotes equitable financial literacy among low to moderate-income households by providing a myriad of educational programs and counseling services focused on financial stability.
Phe’be Foundation Executive Director Sharron Murphy-Williams addresses the audience
“This event is being conducted by four of our Advisory Council Board Members, and their view is ‘We are on this privileged campus, but economics and our well-being still needs to be mastered,’” says Williams. “They partnered with Black Men in White Coats, and The Brotherhood, to invite as many young black men that would come, and really engage in their mental health, teaching the basics of credit.”
In addition to credit coaching, educational/empowerment sessions were conducted by the following guests:
- Walter Patton, founder of Ghetto Therapy, provided an overview of his program that brings in licensed therapists to meet with residents of the Central neighborhood. Ghetto Therapy has grown in popularity since its 2018 inception.
- Robert Cummings and Commander Orlando Hudson of GCRTA Transit Police distributed free ID cards and offered valuable information on how to travel safely while Black.
- Sir Evans, founder of Superpower Planner, offered insightful information on how to overcome adversities.
Robert Cummings (left, facing), and Commander Orlando Hudson (right) of the GCRTA Transit Police discuss employment opportunities with two Summit attendees.
Also on hand was Marlon Leek, a Trauma Recovery Coach for MetroHealth, who offered information on the community and counseling services available through MetroHealth, and distributed flyers for the upcoming MetroHealth Men’s Health Fair Saturday, April 27 at two locations, Severance Center [44118] and the Tri-C Metro Campus [44115].
“I am hoping this Summit will impact every young man who walked through this door today, and they will understand that we have created a safe space for them, with the intentions that they are better for coming to this event than had they not,” says Williams.
To receive more information about Boys 2 Men with Money, click here.
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