According to data revealed in a February 2026 report, Racial Wealth Snapshot Series: The Overview of Black American Economic Outlook, median Black households hold $44,100 in net worth compared to $284,310 for White households. While we’re aware of the massive role systemic racism plays in these figures (including G.I. Bill atrocities to redlining), there is a lot of work to be done within our communities. The resources to collectively improve our circumstances seem limited while conversations surrounding these grim racial wealth gap statistics are plenty. However, some people don’t simply talk. They put their money (and time and resources) where their mouth is. Enter Shanisha Dixon-Tyrell.
A determined Black woman with more than a decade of professional finance experience, Dixon-Tyrell is one of the few people putting action behind her desires to educate Black families about the importance of financial literacy. This 35-year-old founder is the brains behind the FinLit Youth Conference, a growing movement that brings together youth and parents to learn wealth-building skills side-by-side. Now in its third year, the free annual multi-generational event is intentionally held in April during Financial Literacy Month. The conference is building influence as it builds wealth.
The Brooklyn-based State University of New York at Albany graduate spoke to ESSENCE about her inspiration for this powerful conference, the importance of introducing our children to personal finance early and how she’s staying relevant by incorporating topics like the future of AI into her conference programming.
ESSENCE.COM: What prepared you to step into this role as founder of the FinLit Youth Conference?SHANISHA DIXON-TYRELL: With 13 years in the finance industry, my journey started at the State University of New York (SUNY) at Albany. After college, I began a career at the New York State Department of Labor. It was there that I had a realization: I deeply wanted to help people, but I wanted to do it through empowerment and prevention rather than just navigating the aftermath. I am now a financial educator and founder of Shanisha’s Changing Lives, Inc., a financial education and coaching firm, dedicated to bridging the gap between financial information and real-world implementation.
ESSENCE: Did that work inform your “why” to start this conference?DIXON-TYRELL: I found myself saying “if I only knew earlier” one too many times. I decided to live by the mantra “be the change you wish to see.” I realized that while I couldn’t change my own past, I could ensure the next generation avoids the struggle of not knowing. We need to make healthy financial practices like budgeting and investing as routine as brushing our teeth or showering. My why is ensuring fewer people have to wonder, what if, because they have the tools to act now. I want to ensure that one less child grows to be a financially burdened adult.
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ESSENCE: Who is your conference’s target audience?DIXON-TYRELL: Our target audience is youth ages 12–18 and their parents or caregivers. Each year we expand our reach, impact and programming. We intentionally serve both the youth and their parents or caregivers because financial target=”_blank”> View this post on Instagram
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ESSENCE: What are three things parents and caregivers can do with children to educate them on personal finance?DIXON-TYRELL: 1) Demystify the Bank: Don’t just have your kids sit in the bank lobby. Bring them to the teller, show them how the ATM works, and explain what a withdrawal or a deposit is. 2) Mind Your Words: When a child asks for something and you can’t say yes, try to avoid the “I’m broke” narrative. Instead of simply saying “no,” explain what you’re choosing to prioritize financially and why. This builds critical thinking and respect for money early on. Kids are usually much more compassionate and understanding than we give them credit for when we finally invite them into the conversation. 3) Find a Community: Attend events like the FinLit Youth Conference. If you aren’t in NYC, seek out local workshops where financial talk is normalized and celebrated. It is so much easier to learn with a community, and you’ll have accountability partners. 4) And one more I’d add: Create some form of payment system for your scholar, whether it’s money for school or chores, teach them how to budget and save with the money, and set a goal plan with them.
ESSENCE: What’s the ideal age to begin discussing personal finances?DIXON-TYRELL: As soon as your child can identify or ask you to buy something, you start teaching them. In those formative years, children from birth to eight years old are sponges, building the habits and routines that will stay with them for life. This is the prime time to mold their respect for money. At this age, you can teach them that money is usually a result of effort or achievement. When you allow them to use “their” money (earned through chores or rewards) to buy a desire, you are building their decision-making, responsibility, and prioritization skills.
ESSENCE: Share some of the exciting things attendees can look forward to at this year’s conference.DIXON-TYRELL: We don’t just teach scholars how to save; we teach them how to earn. Our conference features activations where scholars learn monetizable skills: from hair-braiding, candle making, donut making from a 15-year-old entrepreneur, electrical workshops, to AI app building and commercial animation. We even fundraised for a mobile golf course this year to teach scholars how to network and feel comfortable in environments where major deals are made. My mentor once told me: “A mind, once stretched, can never go back to its original dimensions.” That is what the conference does, it stretches you, gives you vision and hope.
TOPICS: black children black families financial literacy generational wealth Personal Finance racial wealth gap
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