North Star Journey

How financial literacy can help reduce racial wealth gaps

Blue Piggy Bank WIth Coins
How did you learn to manage your money? Minnesota doesn’t require that students take a stand-alone course on personal finance before graduating. But more states are beginning to mandate these classes. (kenteegardin via Flickr)
Friedrich, Alex

Who taught you about money and when? Some of us learned about personal finance from our parents or other adults in our lives. Others learned from teachers in school. And some had to figure it out on their own. 

Minnesota doesn’t require that students take a stand-alone course on personal finance before graduating. But more states are beginning to mandate these classes. And advocates say that financial literacy can be a tool to reduce wealth gaps.

MPR News host Angela Davis talks with two guests who work in economic education and financial literacy.

Guests: 

  • Julie Bunn is the executive director of the Minnesota Council on Economic Education, an economist and a former state legislator.

    Jennifer Garbow is an educator and associate extension professor for the University of Minnesota Extension Center for Family Development.

North Star Journey was made possible in part with funds from the Legacy Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund.

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This activity is made possible in part by the Minnesota Legacy Amendment's Arts & Cultural Heritage Fund.