A class to ‘set you up for the future’

Class was in session in the Harold Brown Knowledge, Education and Empowerment Program, but instead of humanities, science or math the students were focused on material that may not be relevant to them until well after graduation. 

The lessons in such topics as homeownership and investment  were part of a four-session San Diego State University fall course called the Adulting 101 Series, a collaboration between HB KEEP, the San Diego Urban League Young Professionals and First Citizens Bank. 

HB KEEP, housed in the Division of Student Affairs and Campus Diversity, guides and inspires students to understand and overcome the biases they face in transitioning from student to professional life.

The Adulting 101 series, required for students enrolled in the program’s seminar, covered topics ranging from becoming a homeowner to investment and other financial readiness topics and allowed students to network with professionals from various fields. 

Linda Fulton, a third-year business management major, said her favorite session was one in which a panel of professionals from the San Diego Urban League Young Professionals group spoke about their occupations. 

“Hearing from other professionals about how they connect with their community and hearing the different perspectives was definitely the highlight for me,” Fulton said. 

For Maiya Johnson, a third-year business administration major from Stockton, the sessions dealing with the steps to take to own a home and the various types of investment products were high points. 

“The key takeaway for me was that it’s never too early — or too late — to start investing because it can set you up for the future,” Johnson said. 

Teyona Stewart, a mortgage banker and market specialist with First Citizens Bank, said providing students with information to help set themselves up for success was one of the reasons they partnered with Urban League and HB KEEP. 

“My main takeaway for the students is that I hope they get out of this full series is that they empower themselves to be financially fit and free for their future, and I would like for them to start now,” Stewart said. “That way they don’t have to depend on anyone else but themselves, and they take advantage of good old compound interest.” 

To help a pair of students put the lessons into practice, one of the partners, First Citizens Bank, donated $10,000 that was awarded to two students during a random drawing at the end of the series, which the students can use to establish their own investment accounts or use however they see fit. 

Rewarding class

Students who attended all four of the sessions were eligible for the random drawing, which took place Nov. 5 inside the KPBS Community Room at the end of the final session. 

The winners were Fulton and Johnson, who cried tears of joy when they heard their names called.

“I have no words; I’m still trying to process this,” Fulton said. 

The students weren’t the only ones who got misty eyed. 

HB KEEP Director Rachael Stewart said she couldn’t be happier for the students. 

“I wanted to cry because to have that kind of opportunity that adults don’t even get, it’s unheard of,” Stewart said. “It made me proud of the program; it made me proud of the outcome of the program. To be able to turn the outcome into monetary resources that the students can then take and put forth the advancement of investment makes me so happy.

“I just know this is the beginning of something amazing,” she said. 

Her advice to Fulton and Johnson?

“Invest wisely,” she said. “We have provided them with the resources to do that. They will be connected to a financial planner and adviser, and I know they will be in good hands so that they can make right and informed decisions on their investment.”

Fulton said she plans on using some of the money to help with her everyday expenses, but also wants to invest in a dance program she helped form in Gardena. Johnson echoed Fulton’s sentiments regarding day-to-day expenses but said the bulk of her prize will go toward savings and investments — music to both Stewarts’ ears.  

“This is going to do wonders,” said Johnson. “I feel like with investment and putting money aside, you have to start somewhere, and this is a big start for me.”