Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) have long been at the forefront of innovation and change. These institutions have recently become hubs of sustainable progress, with students and faculty leading the charge towards a cleaner, more renewable energy future. The commitment to the environment is a testament to their academic accomplishments and reflects the student's passion for creating a better world. The ,HBCU Clean Energy Initiative, which brings affordable solar to campuses and communities as well as career training opportunities, explores how HBCU students and facult ..read more

It's almost 2024, and you have a few dollars stashed away from birthday and holiday gifts, and you're wondering what to do with it. Should I buy that new TV, or should I invest? Maybe I don't have enough money to start buying stocks or bonds, so do I treat myself to a little something special instead? Look, we all have choices to make. Sometimes, you deserve to splurge, which usually means only short-term gratification. Starting a plan to make your money work for you while still in college can have long-term rewards because you're investing in yourself and your future. And you don't have to h ..read more

The old saying "the more the merrier" doesn't have to mean spending more money and going into debt. The holidays can easily put a dent into your budget, but with some smart choices, you can get through them without breaking the bank. Our Money Matters has some practical tips to help college students enjoy the season without waking up with a debt "hangover" in January. 1. Create a budget, and don't ignore it. It's really easy to get carried away with buying presents for friends and family if you don't have a plan. Decide how much you can reasonably spend per person and then stick to that. To h ..read more

College can be an exciting opportunity to experience new things both academically and personally. However, it can also be a period marked by economic uncertainty, particularly for students navigating financial independence for the first time. That's why Our Money Matters offers free financial tools to help you avoid the pitfalls of making poor money decisions. In this blog, we explore some of college students' most significant financial mistakes and offer tips on how to avoid them. 1. Overspending on Entertainment Research shows that eating out costs college students $4,000 per year. Another ..read more

The clean energy sector holds immense promise for the future, not only for its potential to combat climate change but also for driving economic growth and job creation. However, historically, people of color and women have been underrepresented in this burgeoning industry. Federal investments in clean energy have unleashed billions of dollars in private sector commitments in manufacturing. And U.S. Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm has made it clear that a Biden administration priority is ensuring that wave of investment helps women and minorities. The HBCU Clean Energy Initiative (CEI) expl ..read more

Our Money Matters is launching a new initiative called the 800 Club. Our mission is simple; we want to help you improve your credit score and get on the path to financial wellness. You may not realize it, but your credit score plays a pivotal role in your entire economic life, influencing everything from whether you can qualify for a loan and what the interest rate will be to your ability to secure rental housing. A high score can save you thousands of dollars in interest over time, while a lower score can significantly affect your financial security. Fortunately, there are effective ways to ..read more

It can be challenging for college students to make ends meet, let alone save. That said, there are things you can do to manage your finances as effectively as possible so that you have a little left over to put some money aside for a rainy day or an indulgence. Our Money Matters provides ten steps to make your money go further. 1. Learn how to Budget: This one is the most important because it will be hard to save if you don't have a plan for managing your expenses. Once you analyze what you spend every month, you will probably find some things you can cut out, like that specialty coffee that ..read more

Our Money Matters is thrilled that LaRese Purnell has joined our team as brand ambassador. LaRese is a financial professional with both an MBA and a Master's Degree in accounting and corporate taxation. He is the Co-Founder and Managing Partner of CLE Consulting Firm in Cleveland, Ohio as well as a nationally recognized motivational speaker who has been teaching financial literacy for over a decade. We wanted to learn how LaRese first became interested in the field of accounting and finance and share some of his financial wellness advice for others. Q: You recently joined Our Money Matters as ..read more

HBCUs have a long history of graduating some of the brightest minds in science, medicine, law, and business. And while the field of environmental justice and policy may be relatively new compared to some other disciplines, HBCU grads are also leading the way there. Some of the most-recognized environmental advocacy experts include Dr. Robert Bullard, known as the "Father of Environmental Justice," Dr. Jennie C. Stephens, a sustainability science and policy expert, and Dr. Ayana Johnson, a co-founder of the Urban Ocean Lab. And the current director of the Environmental Protection Agency, Micha ..read more

May is National Small Business Month and an excellent time to celebrate current and future entrepreneurs. HBCUs have a rich tradition of graduating some of the brightest minds who became successful business owners. While everyone knows the story of some of the most famous alum such as Oprah Winfrey, Spike Lee, and Sean Combs (aka Diddy), many other graduates have started their own companies and set an admirable example for other entrepreneurs to follow. In a recent blog, Our Money Matters offered tips on becoming an entrepreneur. Now, we want to recognize four HBCU alums who turned their conc ..read more