When it comes to building wealth, young adults are often stuck at a critical crossroads. With student loans piling up, unclear job markets, and conflicting financial media advice, navigating the path to financial freedom can feel overwhelming. But Akiva Ellis, a tireless advocate for financial literacy, is out here proving that education and accessibility can pave the way for generational wealth—especially for young adults from historically underserved communities.
At Cultural Coins, we’ve long upheld the belief that financial literacy is a stepping stone to independence and success. Akiva Ellis personifies this belief as a Certified Financial Planner™, financial educator, and thought leader passionate about providing tools young adults can actually use to take control of their financial futures.
Why Financial Literacy Matters
“Financial literacy is about more than just numbers,” Ellis shares. “It’s about empowerment and ownership. It’s about seeing money as a tool to design the life you want, rather than as something to fear or avoid.”
Financial literacy is foundational, but too many schools—and even workplaces—don’t provide young people with the basics. Ellis points out that a majority of teens enter adulthood without understanding crucial concepts like credit scores, interest rates, or basic investment strategies. This knowledge gap disproportionately affects underserved communities, perpetuating cycles of financial insecurity.
And yet, when young adults learn how to manage their money, the ripple effects are profound. They gain the confidence to reduce debt, save for major milestones (like buying property or starting a business), and even create wealth they can pass down to future generations.
At Cultural Coins, we see financial literacy as a critical first step to addressing the larger systemic inequities in wealth distribution. Which makes expert educators like Ellis all the more important.
Akiva Ellis’ Approach to Demystifying Wealth-Building
Ellis’ approach to financial education is rooted in accessibility and relatability. Her programs and workshops are interactive and dynamic, tailored to meet young adults where they are—both in life and in their financial journeys.
Here are five key principles Ellis emphasizes in her work, and how these lessons intersect with Cultural Coins’ mission to promote long-term wealth-building in culturally relevant ways.
1. Start With the Basics
Many young adults feel inadequate or embarrassed about their lack of financial knowledge. Ellis actively works to break down this barrier with the reassuring reminder, “No one is born knowing how money works. It’s okay to start wherever you are.”
She provides easy-to-digest frameworks for creating budgets, understanding net worth, and setting tangible short-term financial goals.
2. Tailor Financial Advice to the Individual
One-size-fits-all financial advice simply doesn’t work. “Your goals and values matter,” Ellis explains. Her teachings encourage young adults to make financial decisions that reflect not just their aspirations but also their broader cultural and social contexts.
This emphasis aligns with Cultural Coins’ commitment to creating advisors and tools that speak to the lived experiences of Black and Brown professionals.
3. Make Saving a Habit, Not a Chore
For Ellis, framing saving as a positive act—something empowering rather than restrictive—is critical. “Every time you save, you’re paying your future self,” she says.
She promotes accessible tools like automated transfers into high-yield savings accounts and micro-investing apps, making it easier to build the foundation of an emergency fund or investment portfolio.
4. Take Debt Out of the Shadows
Debt can be one of the biggest emotional barriers to achieving financial literacy. “There’s a lot of shame tied to debt,” Ellis points out.
Rather than encouraging avoidance, Ellis advocates for clear strategies to tackle debt head-on. She provides practical tips for prioritizing high-interest loans and finding relief programs that may offer help.
At Cultural Coins, we echo this belief. Transparency and judgment-free guidance are essential when addressing the financial burdens faced by young adults today.
5. Connect Finances to Your Why
Ellis drives home the importance of understanding your personal “why” when working toward financial goals. “Wealth isn’t just about money in the bank,” she emphasizes. “For most of us, it’s about freedom—freedom to provide for your family, freedom to pursue your passions, freedom to leave an impact.”
That focus on legacy resonates deeply, particularly within communities fighting for generational wealth. It’s also a key pillar of Cultural Coins, where we strive to translate those dreams into actionable financial steps that create lasting impact.
The Bigger Picture: Young Adults Owning Their Financial Futures
Ellis’ dedication to financial literacy is undoubtedly making an individual and collective impact. By demystifying wealth-building concepts and making them accessible, she’s helping to close knowledge gaps that have disproportionately held young adults—especially those of color—back.
At Cultural Coins, we believe in the power of this important work. Whether it’s through financial literacy workshops, connecting individuals to trusted advisors, or developing intuitive tools that strip away the complexities of wealth-building, we’re honored to be part of this wider movement toward an inclusive financial future.
Financial Literacy Is for Everyone—Start Your Journey Today
It’s time to take ownership of your financial story, just like the young adults Akiva Ellis empowers every day. Whether you’re just starting your first budget or looking to make your first investment, you don’t have to go it alone.
Visit Cultural Coins today to explore tools, resources, and trusted advisors who understand the unique challenges and opportunities of your financial goals. Together, we can rewrite the narrative and build the wealth you—and your community—deserve.