Jack Dorsey & Jay-Z Debut Financial Literacy School For Underserved Communities

Former Twitter chief Jack Dorsey and media mogul Jay-Z (Shawn Carter) have teamed up for a new financial literacy program, The Bitcoin Academy, which aims to provide in-person and online classes to underserved communities.

The initiative will begin with the Marcy Houses project in Brooklyn, New York, where the rapper hails from, with the duo possibly planning to expand it to other neighborhoods in the region. 

Residents attending the lessons will be provided with MiFi devices, smartphones, nominal amounts of Bitcoin, and data plans—which they will be allowed to keep even after the program ends—to help further their digital know-how. 

These classes will take place from June 22 to September 7, 2022, with topics ranging from ‘What is Money?’ to ‘What is Blockchain?’ and ‘How to Keep Yourself Safe from Scammers’. During these sessions, which will be conducted by staff from Dorsey’s Block and Jay-Z’s charity, participants will also have dinner.

Children living within the vicinity of the projects can sign up for a Crypto Kids Camp, which will be held on the weekends as an introduction to the burgeoning cryptocurrency market.

“The Shawn Carter Foundation has always been about providing educational access and opening doors of opportunity to underserved communities. No one should be left out or behind,” said Gloria Carter, Jay-Z’s mother.

“Everyone should be empowered to make informed financial decisions in order to take care of themselves and their families,” she added.

As cryptocurrency goes further mainstream, many who are lacking knowledge and opportunity in this area may feel left behind in the process. It’s certainly heartwarming to see two of the biggest names in technology and entertainment come together to champion an equal playing field for everyone, everywhere.

[via Rolling Stone, Decrypt, and ROC NATION, cover image via various sources]