Source: https://insurancenewsnet.com/press-releases/oneamerica-commits-1-million-toward-financial-literacy
Educational program launches to empower Central Indiana youth & adults with financial knowledge
INDIANAPOLIS ─ (May 16, 2022) ─ OneAmerica® today announced a $1 million commitment to activate a uniquely tailored financial literacy program in Central Indiana. In collaboration with The American College of Financial Services, the program will offer practical financial understanding to build a personal relationship with finance and drive economic empowerment, with a focus on narrowing the racial wealth gap.
The innovative program, to be funded over a five-year period, is a state-of-the-art education and empowerment experience that teaches important personal finance concepts. Utilizing The American College of Financial Services’ e-learning design and delivery philosophy and building upon The College’s financial wellness curriculum originally created for Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), the Indiana program will develop into a more regional model. It will include not only colleges and universities, but also expand into collaborations with other nonprofit organizations. The OneAmerica investment will now help deliver the program to education institutions and nonprofits in Central Indiana.
OneAmerica, The American College, Martin University, Ivy Tech Community College and other nonprofit organizations will collaborate to deliver the educational opportunity to the Central Indiana community beginning in August 2022.
“Building on the enthusiasm we have seen with our OneAmerica Pathways students to delve deeper into understanding personal finance, we view this program as an opportunity to provide an important financial education resource – one that can establish a foundation for economic empowerment and wealth building,” said OneAmerica Chairman, President and CEO Scott Davison. “OneAmerica has an absolute commitment to impacts and outcomes and we’re eager to work with local nonprofit organizations to deliver a program that creates a readily available path to financial education in Central Indiana.”
Developed by The American College, the research-based program is designed to meet people where they are, allow for self-pacing and progression with learning modules, and provide the tools and confidence to develop strong financial habits. Already working with Martin University and Ivy Tech to tailor the program, the content will continue to evolve to meet the specific needs and interests of Central Indiana residents.
“Financial wellness is a personal journey. The College promised to build upon the success of our program in HBCUs with the right partners committed to impact and outcomes in their communities,”
said The American College President and CEO George Nichols III. “OneAmerica has demonstrated not only their commitment to critical thinking, but more importantly to activating significant opportunities which open doors with real world application. Additional partners translate to deeper impact on narrowing the racial wealth gap through financial wellbeing education and empowerment. This is a very promising next step.”
The program will be provided without cost to the participants.
Dr. Sean L. Huddleston, Martin University president and Lori Handy, vice chancellor of sponsored programs at Ivy Tech Community College, as well as several other community organizations joined Davison and Nichols for the announcement.
Davison has been at the forefront of significant local and national efforts to improve opportunities for underserved communities. Today’s announcement comes on the heels of the recent commitment of the American Council for Life Insurers (ACLI) to Impact Investing to expand affordable housing, utilizing their substantial capital assets for long-term bonds and investments. OneAmerica is also nearing the start of its fourth year for its award-winning Pathways Program, introducing high school students from select Indianapolis ZIP codes to the work of financial services and career opportunities. As a board member for the Central Indiana Corporate Partnership, Davison is also engaged as a committee chairman for Business Equity Indianapolis (BEI), meeting with local African American businesses and community organizations to drive better business outcomes.
Nichols and Davison have collaborated to activate additional opportunities to Black and brown communities. While Davison served as chairman of The College’s Board of Trustees, he helped support several new initiatives of the American College, including the launch of a Center of Economic Empowerment and the growth of the Conference for African American Financial Professionals.
Nichols remains a respected and sought-after voice in the financial services community, as a 30-year industry veteran and an outspoken driver for economic equality throughout his career, and more recently with The American College’s recent initiatives and innovations.
CONTACT:
Lou Ann Baker
Director of Media and Public Relations, OneAmerica
317.513.1284
louann.baker@oneamerica.com
