The Center at Sierra Health Foundation, Build.Black. and Black Child Legacy Campaign have partnered with Sacramento Kings forward Harrison Barnes and his family to help expand financial literacy for youth aged 5 to 18 while addressing wealth and opportunity gaps in communities of color.
The Center at Sierra Health Foundation, Build.Black. and Black Child Legacy Campaign have partnered with Sacramento Kings forward Harrison Barnes and his family to help expand financial literacy for youth aged 5 to 18 while addressing wealth and opportunity gaps in communities of color.
In February 2021, Harrison and Brittany Barnes committed $10,000 to help 250 Sacramento youth open Goalsetter savings accounts with a $40 initial investment. Goalsetter, a financial literacy and savings app, announced on Juneteenth 2020 an initiative to partner with NBA Players Association, athletes, entertainers, activists, community leaders and corporations to engage 1 million Black and Brown youth with FDIC-insured savings accounts and financial literacy education.
On Thursday, May 6, participating youth received the committed funds of $40 to open their own saving accounts and, joined by their parents, received a virtual wealth-building training with Tanya Van Court, Goalsetter’s founder and CEO.
“We are excited to continue to partner with The Center at Sierra Health Foundation and Build.Black. and the Black Child Legacy Campaign to advocate and invest in Black and Brown communities to help close the wealth gap. Goalsetter creates access to essential financial education at an early age, increases the likelihood of achieving a college education and sets the next generation up for success,” said Harrison and Brittany Barnes.
Youth were identified by community organizations and leaders through the networks of the Build.Black. coalition, the Black Child Legacy Campaign, Trauma Informed Wellness Program for the African American/Black Community in Sacramento County and the Sacramento County COVID-19 Collaborative, as well as through a partnership with Sacramento City Council Member Mai Vang, working with local schools and administrators.
“I’d like to give a heartfelt thank you to the Barnes family for their continued generosity and commitment to supporting the growth of generational wealth. The ability to save and manage money is something that every kid could benefit from, especially in underserved communities. The Goalsetter platform takes the idea of saving money in a piggy bank directly to where kids are at,” said Les Simmons, senior pastor at South Sacramento Christian Center and chair of the Build.Black. coalition.
Among other charitable donations and partnerships, the Barnes family has previously worked with The Center at Sierra Health Foundation, Build.Black. and the Black Child Legacy Campaign to support families impacted by COVID-19 and structural disinvestment, including $40,000 to finance necessities for families and older adults in April 2020 and groceries for local families in December 2020.