How well do you know how your money works? What might you be able to learn to use your resources more efficiently? That’s part of the point behind Financial Literacy Month as defined in a proclamation adopted by the Albemarle Board of Supervisors on April 2.
“Financial literacy is essential to the economic health and well-being of individuals, families, and communities, empowering people to make informed decisions about budgeting, saving, investing, and managing debt,” said Supervisor Diantha McKeel as she read from a resolution.
An organization called the National Endowment for Financial Education helped create the month in the early 2000’s as Youth Financial Literacy Day. Albemarle’s proclamation was received by Janasha Bradford of the group Mahogany and Friends.
“Mahogany and Friends started as a passion project, a way to make financial literacy fun, creative and culturally relatable for our youth,” Bradford said. “We believe that if you teach kids about money early, you’re not just teaching them how to save or spend. You’re teaching them how to build confidence, make smart decisions and shape the life they want to live.”
Bradford said one offering the organization offers during the month is a budget workshop that will be attended by over 300 young people who attend the Boys and Girls Club in Albemarle County and Charlottesville. In the summer they offer a one-month summer money workshop.
Supervisor Ned Gallaway said he appreciates that Mahogany and Friends uses the term “financially capable.”
“There’s a certain level of confidence, both psychologically and emotionally, that comes with that, that if you find yourself in the reverse situation, especially when one bad financial decision could live with you for 5, 10, 15 years, if not longer,” Gallaway said.
Read Supervisors’ full proclamation for Financial Literacy Month here.
Before you go: This particular segment is the sixth segment from the April 3, 2025 edition of Charlottesville Community Engagement. That particular edition is intended to include as much as possible from the April 2, 2025 meeting of the Albemarle Board of Supervisors. It’s also being recorded for the April 5, 2025 edition of the Charlottesville Community Engagement radio show as well as the next podcast. There is a fourth segment that doesn’t really offer any sound and I think I need to add more to it before I post a story here. The interesting thing about writing stories about a community is that there’s always more to tell. Thank you for reading!
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