Financial Literacy Conference provides valuable advice

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (TSU News Service) - Tennessee State University's Center for Entrepreneurship and Economic Development held its 4th Annual Financial Literacy Conference on March 23.

Dr. Bishop Joseph Walker, III (photo by John Cross, TSU Media Relations)

The one-day conference at the Avon Williams Campus brought together banking and economic development experts, tax planners, and the mayor’s Office of Economic Opportunity and Empowerment.

They discussed alternative financing, understanding credit, budgeting, student loan management, steps to buying a home, and causes of bankruptcy, among other topics.

Organizers said the conference will benefit people from all walks of life, including students, people looking for business ideas, retirees and those approaching retirement.

Dr. Ruthie Reynolds, director of CEED, said, “We are suffering because we don’t know how to use money,” adding that financial literacy must be priority "in our educational system."

Dr. Bishop Joseph Walker, III, senior pastor of Mount Zion Baptist Church, was the keynote speaker.

He cited several key areas to financial planning that include: Having the right mindset by focusing on things that appreciate in value; living within your means; understanding delayed gratification; and educating yourself about money.

“Too often people put emphasis on depreciating assets because they make us look good, but add no value in terms of our future,” said Walker, who is also chairman of TSU’s Board of Trustees. “The kind of car you drive, the clothes you wear, the jewelry you wear – those things have depreciating value. They lose value the moment you buy them.”

Sponsors of the conference include Fifth Third Bank (which brought its eBus), Capstar, Regions Bank, United Way, Suntrust, NAFI, Pinnacle, Renasant Bank, Financial Empowerment Center, and the Nashville mayor’s office.

For more information about the Center for Entrepreneurship and Economic Development, visit http://www.tnstate.edu/ceed/.

Department of Media Relations

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