Financial Literacy Day on the Hill returned to its first in-person event since 2019 this past July. We were pleased to co-organize this event alongside its founding organization, the Jump$tart Coalition for Personal Financial Literacy. The event brought together a diverse group of advocates, educators and policymakers to champion financial education and celebrate efforts so far.
The 2023 Hill Day captured the collaborative spirit and shared vision of many organizations and advocates working to equip individuals with the essential skills and knowledge to live their best financial lives.
Remarks from honorary co-hosts—U.S. Congresswoman Joyce Beatty (D, OH-03) and U.S. Congresswoman Young Kim (R, CA-40)—kicked off the event and set the stage for financial education as a cross-party issue.
They shared their vision for the recently relaunched bipartisan Congressional Caucus on Financial Literacy and Wealth Building. The congresswomen will serve as co-chairs of the caucus, which will include a group of legislators from both major parties who are committed to empowering Americans with the tools needed to build wealth and achieve financial stability. This display of federal leadership and vision energized participants.
Our President and CEO, Dr. Billy Hensley; Jump$tart’s President and CEO, Laura Levine; and Jump$tart’s National Board Chairman, Corey Carlisle rounded out the remarks. They shared efforts from the field, the current state of financial education across the country and celebrated the return of the in-person Hill Day.
“NEFE is proud to have been a part of the Hill Day event since its inception and to witness the collaborative spirit among representatives from the for-profit and nonprofit sectors, along with policymakers, educators and other advocates. It is truly inspiring to see so many working toward the common goal of helping people live their best financial lives,” says Hensley. “The need has never been greater for individuals to be equipped with the skills and knowledge to navigate an increasingly complicated economic landscape. Our collective field must continue pushing for high-quality, thoughtfully-designed and inclusive financial education to ensure well-being is improved and not obstructed.”
“Financial Literacy Day on Capitol Hill is always such a special event for us,” says Levine. “We are so grateful for the support of our sponsors and exhibitors, and all the hundreds of people who came to the event to learn, gather financial education resources, and bolster the financial literacy mission. Holding the event in the ornate Speaker Nancy Pelosi Caucus Room added to the atmosphere of comradery and we are so grateful to our honorary co-hosts for the invitation.”
The room was filled with exhibitors sharing their research, programs and curricula. Attendees could network and get resources to help inform their work. Hill Day fostered collaboration among educators, policymakers and businesses dedicated to advancing financial education. The event truly was a cross-section of sectors working to improve financial well-being.
The 2023 Financial Literacy Day on the Hill was met with enthusiasm and a strong commitment to the cause of financial education. The atmosphere was one of collaboration and determination as participants recognized the urgent need to address financial education gaps across the nation. Lawmakers and attendees expressed a shared belief in the power of financial education to empower individuals and improve overall financial well-being.
