CHARLOTTE, N.C./September 2026 — Johnson C. Smith University (JCSU) is pleased to announce a new partnership with Champions for Financial Legacy (CFFL) and the Shawn "Jay-Z" Carter Foundation to expand financial education, financial empowerment, and wealth-building opportunities for JCSU students. We extend special appreciation to Dr. Lucinda Blue, Associate Professor of Management and Adjunct Professor in STEM , for her leadership in developing the proposal and coordinating this initiative. She will serve as the JCSU liaison and primary point person for all related activities. Planning is already underway, and we encourage faculty, staff, students, and alumni to stay tuned for opportunities to get involved. More information about participation and engagement opportunities will be shared soon.
The initiative will help students develop the knowledge, confidence, and resources needed to make informed financial decisions and build a stronger foundation for long-term financial success. Key areas of focus include financial literacy, wealth building, generational economic mobility, financial decision-making, and access to tools and mentorship.
As an HBCU committed to developing leaders and strengthening communities, the partnership supports JCSU’s commitment to preparing students to create economic opportunities for themselves, their families, and their communities.
Dr. Valerie Kinloch, 15th President of Johnson C. Smith University and a 1996 alumna, stated:
“Since our founding in 1867, Johnson C. Smith University has always been committed to cultivating students and preparing them for lives of impact, leadership, and success. Our partnership with Champions for Financial Legacy and the Shawn Carter Foundation represents a powerful investment in our students’ futures by providing them with the confidence to truly understand financial literacy and the resources needed to confidently build generational wealth. Together, JCSU and Champions for Financial Legacy and the Shawn Carter Foundation are empowering our young people to become leaders who transform opportunities into legacy. I am thrilled that JCSU is joining this innovative effort to advance financial freedom and economic empowerment for students and communities.”
