August 14, 2024 | By Dani Young

In partnership with Youth Opportunities Unlimited, the Breadwinners Academy summer youth program, Books 2 Bread, is a paid learning experience. Students spend six weeks learning financial literacy, covering important topics such as saving and budgeting tips, taxes, credit, insurance, banking, investing and more.

Founder and Director Jason Lockett Sr. started the program in 2022. “Breadwinners Academy is my call to action to be a part of the solution to bridging the wealth gap through financial literacy,” Lockett said.

A proud Cleveland native, he attended Cleveland Metropolitan School District and graduated from John F. Kennedy High School in 2003.

“My decision to start in Cleveland goes beyond my foundational roots,” he said, noting Cleveland's child poverty rate is 45.9%, the ninth highest in the state and the highest for any city in the United States with a population over 300,000 people. “Poverty is significantly connected to financial literacy, from limited access to education, employment opportunities, financial decision-making, and the influence on the cycle of poverty within families. Addressing financial literacy within Cleveland can create a more equitable foundation for future generations in our beloved city.”

Throughout the summer, all twenty students opened a bank account as well as a youth brokerage account. They earned a weekly paycheck along with a half course credit for high school. The program ends each week with Field Trip Fridays, providing hands-on learning in the community. Locations included:

• Budgeting with PNC Fairfax Connection

• Banking with Erie Bank SMART Center

• Home Buying experience with Crefco Financial Group

• Investing with Fidelity

• Car buying with Tim Lally Chevy

• Auto insurance with State Farm

• Banking with Chase Bank

• Banking with Bank of America

• Equitable Advisors

• Touring John Carroll University

“Field Trip Fridays were incorporated into our program so students can see what they’ve learned in action! Bringing real-life experiences and professionals into our classroom is imperative to our students learning and growth,” Lockett said.

Academy participant Summer noted the experience at Chevy as an eye-opening field trip. Salesmen gave them a first-hand experience into buying cars and role-playing different scenarios. “I don’t know anything about buying cars so I’m glad I was able to have that experience.”

Participant Marvin said his favorite part of the program was the field trips. “Because networking is so important…just to see different opportunities you could have.”

Marvin heard about the program from his guidance counselor, Ms. Jackson, and even recommended the program to his friend.

“Breadwinners is great, I would recommend it to just about everybody,” said Marvin. “It’s very vital to have these personal finance tools.”

At the Books 2 Bread graduation ceremony, each youth showcased their financial vision boards. Participants gave well-informed presentations about their financial plans and next steps.

Summer, a recent graduate from Garfield Heights High School, said joining the program was one of the best decisions she could have made for her financial future.

“I’m so glad I got the opportunity to work with Breadwinners because I didn’t take a financial literacy class in high school, so Breadwinners gave me all the essential skills and tools that I need to be financially responsible going into adulthood,” Summer said.

“Some of the skills that I’ve learned are skills that I’ll be able to use for the rest of my life,” she added. “The best thing Breadwinners taught me was about credit as credit goes into everything.”

While learning about finance, the students also receive a paycheck along the way as a paid work experience.

“That’s definitely a benefit, but if you’re going to do this program, that shouldn’t be your main focus,” Marvin said. “Your main focus should definitely be about learning about the different financial skills that you need.”

Through Breadwinners Academy’s partnership with Youth Opportunities Unlimited, over $60,000 in total compensation and scholarships was provided to the students.

“Collaborating among nonprofits that teach youth is important because it allows them to pool resources, share expertise, and avoid duplication of efforts, resulting in more effective programs and broader impact,” Lockett said. “By working together, these organizations can better address the diverse needs of youth and create a stronger support network to empower young people.”

Both Summer and Marvin thanked Lockett and team for the informative program and how enjoyable they made it.

“After the program, we wanted our students to know that the sky isn’t the limit and they can achieve anything their heart desires,” Lockett said.

This is one of the many unique opportunities available through our Summer Youth Employment Program.