Financial literacy goes beyond simply balancing a checkbook or creating a budget; it's about equipping people with the knowledge and skills to confidently navigate the complex landscape of personal finance.  

It’s also a time to reflect on how together, we can take action to advance a region where everyone has access to financial wellbeing for themselves and their families. A disproportionate number of our neighbors, particularly those in communities that have been under resourced or historically marginalized, face significant barriers to accessing financial education and resources, making it harder for them to break free from cycles of poverty and debt.  

Financial literacy is not a privilege reserved for the few but a fundamental right that should be accessible to all. It is also a key that unlocks opportunities to broader life goals like homeownership, entrepreneurship, and long-term financial security. 

Initiatives such as Boston Build Credit (BBC) stand out as powerful tools in the arsenal of financial empowerment.  BBC operates on the principle that credit-building is essential for economic mobility, demonstrating the transformative potential of initiatives aimed at fostering financial inclusion and stability in communities where access to credit is often limited or denied. 

Boston Build Credit empowers families to build credit and create wealth through educational workshops, community outreach, and strategic partnerships.  Ronice Kimbrel, Asset Building and Financial Capability Manager at Boston Tax Help Coalition, a key partner to BBC, is our featured Changemaker for financial literacy month.  The Boston Tax Help Coalition is part of the City of Boston’s Worker Empowerment Cabinet. 

Ronice, a Boston resident and a native of Dorchester who attended the city's public schools, found herself in the tax field after an unexpected conversation while working for the City of Boston. Expressing her interest in helping people buy homes, she saw the importance of financial knowledge. Upon a recommendation, she joined the Boston Tax Help Coalition for free financial education and training, marking the beginning of her career in the field.  

Ronice’s journey in the financial and tax field began in 2017 as a volunteer financial guide for the Coalition. She then advanced to a supervisory role at a busy tax preparation site in Dorchester, serving around 1,000 people during tax season. Over time, she transitioned to program manager, responsible for coordinating rollout timelines, eventually progressing to a managerial role.  

Check out these 8 essential tips, straight from our chat with Ronice, to help people and partners make the most of Financial Literacy Month and beyond. 

Whether you are an individual seeking to improve your financial wellbeing, or an organization or corporate partner working toward empowering thriving, equitable and more financially secure communities, these meaningful steps can have a profound impact and a prosperous future for everyone. 

Focus on Financial Empowerment: Guiding clients through the transition from basic financial understanding to empowering individuals with the tools and skills to succeed in complex financial systems is key to fostering lasting financial success.  

Advocate to Remove Barriers to Financial Access: Recognize the impact of systemic oppression, racial disparities, and intergenerational poverty on financial access. Limited access to resources, connections, and information perpetuates these challenges across generations. As Ronice emphasizes, “Most people learn about finances through their families, and we know that systematic oppression and racial issues in the United States have caused many to lack the same access as others. We believe in breaking down communication barriers and facilitating access to information, so that individuals can make wealth changes in their families and in their lives.”  

Encourage examination of the Impact of Habits on Life Decisions: Illustrate how financial health influences significant life decisions such as buying a car, opening a business, or pursuing education. As Ronice emphasizes, “It's about what you do with what you have. If you're spending more on dining out but struggling to keep your lights on, then we should probably talk about why that is happening. Maybe, instead of dining out five days a week, cutting back to three days could cover your utility bill. It's not just about dollars; it's about examining our habits.” 

Build Trust by Humanizing Financial Education: Understanding and acknowledging the human side of money management is critical, including addressing financial trauma and fostering healthier spending habits. This approach can transform one's life in a positive direction. As Ronice underscores, “Financial health is important; it can have a toll on your physical health. Being aware of that and the support available at no cost is important. You can talk all you want to about money, but if you don't know how to connect with people on a human level, then they can't receive anything you say.” 

Provide Psychological Safety in Financial Coaching: Emphasize the role of financial coaches in creating a safe environment where individuals feel comfortable discussing their financial concerns and goals.

Maximize the Moment of Tax Season: Leveraging Tax Assistance for sustainable financial growth, so people can consider their overall financial picture and shift their mindset surrounding tax preparation. “When most people come in and get their taxes done, they're not thinking about their finances. People get overwhelmed and hyper-focused on one thing. We see this as an opportunity to encourage them to think differently about how they allocate their funds in ways that will make their life less stressful,” said Ronice.  

Draw Support from the Community: Stress the importance of community support in achieving financial health, highlighting how individuals who do better financially can uplift their communities collectively. “It's like the community building itself up from one to another. We need to start thinking of finance as a collaborative support system, and not just an individual situation that one person must handle alone,” said Kimbrel.  

Creating a team of folks for support and accountability is a great starting point, and having a financial coach can be beneficial. For example, Ronice has a close-knit group of five friends (Sister Circle) for her accountability conversations. They support each other in staying on track with their individual goals. She emphasizes, “We have to care more about each other than we do about money, but we should manage the money that we have so that we can care about each other past the money.” 

Harnessing Financial Coaching for Achieving Dreams: Emphasize the importance of setting and working towards financial goals, with financial coaching serving as a catalyst for effective goal attainment. 

Let's take a moment to reflect on the profound impact of financial education and empowerment, and to celebrate the unwavering efforts of individuals like Ronice, one of the many changemakers behind Boston Build Credit, who are working and paving the way for a more equitable and prosperous future for everyone.  

Boston residents can jumpstart your financial wellness by making an appointment for a free Financial Check-Up with Ronice and her team.