Follow Your Dreams: Jasmine's journey from a small rural town in Alabama to becoming a financial literacy advocate,

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Two-time Emmy and Three-time NAACP Image Award-winning television Executive Producer Rushion McDonald interviewed Jasmine Young.

Founder and President of the Financial Literacy Institute, joins Rushion McDonald to discuss her journey from a small rural town in Alabama to becoming a financial literacy advocate, entrepreneur, and community leader. The conversation focuses on education, financial empowerment, HBCUs, generational wealth, entrepreneurship, and the role economic power plays in creating social change.

Purpose of the Interview

The interview was designed to:

• Share Jasmine Young's personal story and professional journey.
• Highlight the importance of financial literacy and financial education.
• Promote entrepreneurship and wealth-building within underserved communities.
• Discuss the value and impact of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs).
• Raise awareness about the Black Wall Street Black Business Expo and its mission.
• Encourage individuals and families to build financial independence and generational wealth.

Key Takeaways 1. Education Was Her Path to Opportunity

Young grew up in rural Alabama and saw education as her pathway to a different future. She earned a full scholarship to Alabama A&M University and knew as early as high school that she wanted to become a CPA.

Quote:

"I knew that I was getting out, and I was going to use financial literacy as a way to do it."

Her story demonstrates how education can create opportunities regardless of where someone begins.

2. HBCUs Build Confidence and Leadership

Young credits Alabama A&M University with shaping her personally and professionally.

She explains that being surrounded by Black excellence helped develop her confidence and prepared her for challenges she would face in the broader workforce.

Quote:

"Going to an HBCU was the best thing I ever did."

She argues that HBCUs provide not only academic preparation but also practical life and leadership skills.

3. Financial Literacy Starts at Home

One of the most compelling parts of the interview is Young's description of how her parents taught financial responsibility.

Although her family lived in a rural area and did not appear wealthy by traditional standards, they taught budgeting, discipline, accountability, and long-term thinking.

Examples included:

• Managing a weekly allowance.
• Paying for personal expenses.
• Learning to budget before adulthood.
• Understanding the value of money early.

She believes these lessons created the foundation for her success.

4. Wealth Is More Than Appearances

As a child, Young was embarrassed by her rural upbringing. Later, she realized her family possessed something far more valuable than appearances: land ownership, self-sufficiency, and financial wisdom.

Her family owned more than 78 acres of land and lived off resources available on their property.

She learned that true wealth is often found in assets, knowledge, and long-term planning rather than outward displays of success.

5. Financial Literacy Is Her Purpose

Young explains that her passion for numbers eventually became her life mission.

Through the Financial Literacy Institute, she works to increase financial knowledge and help families improve their economic outcomes.

Quote:

"My passion for financial literacy was actually my purpose."

Her goal is to spread financial literacy one family at a time.

6. Economic Power Creates Social Change

A major theme of the interview is that financial empowerment and social justice are closely connected.

Young argues that communities gain influence when they build wealth, support businesses strategically, and leverage their spending power.

She believes economic participation is one of the most effective ways to create meaningful change.

Quote:

"The way for us to move the needle economically is we have to be civically engaged."

7. The Legacy of Black Wall Street Matters Today

Young created the Black Wall Street Black Business Expo to honor the entrepreneurs and wealth-builders of Tulsa's Greenwood District while encouraging modern business owners to continue that legacy.

She views the event as both a celebration of Black excellence and a call to action.

Key goals include:

• Supporting Black-owned businesses.
• Building generational wealth.
• Strengthening communities through entrepreneurship.
• Encouraging civic and economic engagement.

8. Your Environment Does Not Define Your Potential

Throughout the interview, Young challenges stereotypes about people from rural communities.

She demonstrates that success is not determined by geography, background, or circumstances but by education, discipline, opportunity, and persistence.

Her story serves as an example that individuals can achieve significant success regardless of where they start.

Notable Quotes On education and opportunity

"I knew that I was getting out, and I was going to use financial literacy as a way to do it."

On HBCUs

"Going to an HBCU was the best thing I ever did."

On financial literacy

"My passion for financial literacy was actually my purpose."

On her upbringing

"My parents gave my brother and me a basic foundation of how to be a responsible financial adult."

On economic empowerment

"The way for us to move the needle economically is we have to be civically engaged."

On wealth-building

"We've done it before, and Black Wall Street is an example of it."

On leveraging economic power

"The answer to all our social injustice issues is recirculating the Black dollar in our community."

Overall Assessment

The interview is a powerful discussion about financial literacy, education, entrepreneurship, generational wealth, and community advancement. Jasmine Young presents a compelling example of how discipline, education, and financial knowledge can transform lives. Her message is that true empowerment begins with understanding money, building assets, supporting community businesses, and using economic influence to create lasting social and financial change. The central theme is that financial literacy is not just about money. It is a tool for freedom, opportunity, and generational impact.

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