Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger hosted three “Money Talks” programs this week, reaching high school and college students in Georgia. The programs strongly support Secretary Raffensperger’s goal of instilling Georgia’s next generation with crucial financial management skills and an entrepreneurial mindset.

“Investing in the financial education of our youth is the smartest move we can make for our state,” said Secretary Raffensperger. “Our economy is better positioned when the next generation has control over their financial future.”

Two programs were held on Wednesday with GA SOS Student Ambassadors students at Student Leadership North in Johns Creek. Student representatives were present from Alpharetta High School, Centennial High School, Chattahoochee High School, Johns Creek High School, Northview High School, Innovation Academy, Mt. Pisgah Christian School, and Providence Christian Academy - Johns Creek. 

The programs were moderated by Atlanta radio personality Art Terrell. The panelists, Sileta Bell, President of The Bell Consultants; Leanne Francis Craport, Senior Consultant;  and Ebony Francis, CEO, B.A., M.B.A., Accountant at AvestiCorp, led insightful and engaging conversations on practical money skills which included budgeting, saving and investing, creating a financial plan, credit and loans, minimizing the cost of college, and how career choices can affect your finances.

Secretary Raffensperger hosted a separate “Money Talks” program at LaGrange College on Thursday.

The program was moderated by Atlanta radio personality Art Terrell. The panelists included Shardea Ages, CFP®, Co-Founder and Senior Wealth Advisor, Collective Wealth Partners; Sileta Bell, President of The Bell Consultants; Leanne Francis Craport, Senior Consultant; Ebony Francis, CEO, B.A., M.B.A., Accountant at AvestiCorp, led insightful and engaging conversations on practical money skills, which included budgeting, saving, investing, maximizing income, credit and loans, retirement planning, entrepreneurship, and starting a small business.

The Secretary of State Securities Division is a leader in improving financial literacy through outreach and education. The attendees received free resources at the event, which included the Official Money Guide for Teenagers, Strategies for Investing Wisely & Avoiding Financial Fraud, and Official Money Guide for College Students.

The Securities Division would like to extend special thanks to Irene Sanders, Executive Director, Student Leadership North, and John Tures, Professor of Political Science at LaGrange College, for coordinating the programs with our office and for giving us the opportunity to empower students to be financially savvy.

To learn more about our financial literacy programs, click here.

To review and download our free financial resources, click here.

To view our financial literacy webinars, click here