Growing the Next Generation of Investors: How One D.C. High School Is Changing the Financial Future

Students in H.D. Woodson High School’s Academy of Finance presented their capstone projects at United Way of the National Capital Area’s (United Way NCA) Washington, D.C. office. 
 
The students completed a 10-session curriculum led by Howard University students in collaboration with United Way NCA’s Washington, D.C. Financial Empowerment Center (FEC) at Greater Washington Urban League (GWUL). The collaboration brings together select juniors and seniors at United Way NCA’s Community School H.D. Woodson High School and our Financial Empowerment Center  (FEC) network to create wealth-building habits. 
 
“United Way [NCA] has been such a great help in connecting us with H.D. Woodson, preparing a space for the students to come here,” Greater Washington Urban League FEC Program Administrator Amath Morgan said. “They took that commitment to come to these classes, do the project, show themselves presenting—that can be a little scary. We wanted to thank them for their commitment.” 

 
Through the national nonprofit First Generation Investors (FGI), Howard University student volunteers facilitate the interactive lessons about long-term investing. 
 
“They teach kids the importance of investing and why it’s important to invest early so you can maximize your earnings later in life,” Howard University student volunteer Jordyn Turner said. 
 
Topics include stocks, compounding interest, volatility and diversification, bonds, mutual funds and ETFs, and dollar-cost averaging. 
 
“I’m very proud of my classmates because I know they’re going to take this and use it in their future,” H.D. Woodson High School student Alajah said. “I want to build generational wealth and it’s really important to me I’ll be successful—that’s one of my biggest dreams. Successful, to me, is not even being rich. It just means being financially stable.” 
 
Students presented their investment decisions to FEC and United Way NCA staff. The program is designed to support college and career readiness by building financial confidence, decision-making skills, and real-world application. 
 
Upon completion of the program, each student receives $150 (with funds from FGI and GWUL) to invest into a real portfolio, selecting from a curated group of Exchange-Traded Funds (ETFs) or mutual funds. Once students graduate high school and turn 18 years old, positions are transferred to the students’ own brokerage accounts. 
 
 
“High school students are looking for this information because they want the knowledge and it’s incredible they’re taking the initiative themselves,” Morgan said. “It’s important youth learn financial education so they’re able to go into their next phase of adulthood or further education.” 
 
To learn more about FGI, click here. Learn more about FGI and explore how United Way NCA is building pathways to youth opportunity and financial security across generations.