In a session at the recent African American Mayors Association Annual Conference, representatives of local government, higher education and the finance community participated in a panel discussion focused on equipping college-aged students with the tools they need to build a stable and prosperous future.
Panel participants included Quinting Lacewell, VP of Governmental Relations and External Affairs, Wells Fargo; Montgomery Mayor Steven Reed; Brandon Simmons, Chairman, Board of Regents, Texas Southern University; and Christian Kuehne, EVP of Athletic Organizations, Bridge Athletic.
The panel emphasized a collaborative effort among local governments, financial institutions, and educational programming to help young people take meaningful steps toward economic empowerment.
One of the central themes was preparing students for homeownership early to give them access to both the knowledge and resources necessary to achieve this milestone. Panelists discussed how municipalities and leaders can partner with organizations like Wells Fargo to enhance financial health, offering real solutions that pave the way to homeownership and long-term stability.
Beyond financial literacy, the panel stressed the importance of programming that not only supports economic development but also boosts community retention. When young residents feel empowered and supported in their cities, they’re more likely to stay, grow, and contribute to local economies.
A particularly impactful idea was taking local government directly to students—meeting them where they are and showing that their futures matter. Whether through workshops on budgeting, credit building, or civic engagement, these initiatives ensure that students see local leadership as invested in their success.
This panel stressed the message that today’s students are tomorrow’s homeowners, entrepreneurs, and community leaders and the work to support them must start now.
