Episode 18: Empowering Financial Literacy: The Kredit Academy Revolution
In this latest episode of the More Elephant podcast, we engage in an inspiring conversation with Evan Leaphart, Founder of Kredit Academy, and Mike Gross, COO and Head of Education, who join the latest More Elephant podcast to discuss the team’s journey from Kiddie Kredit, a mobile app designed to educate children on the credit system by completing chores, to Kredit Academy, a solution and approach dedicated to equipping teens and young adults with the knowledge and tools for optimal credit health.
In 2023, the team was awarded a $1 million investment from the 43North startup competition to continue the movement toward a financially literate future, creating an opportunity for the next generation to embrace credit management with confidence and wisdom.
From their personal journey of friendship and entrepreneurship over many years to relocating to Buffalo after winning the 43 North investment, Evan and Mike share how Kredit Academy aims to make financial education accessible and engaging. Focusing on education, behavioral change, and community engagement, they discuss the broader implications of their work on generational wealth and financial well-being. As we listen, learn, live, better on More Elephant, Evan and Mike are great examples of how an idea can change lives and build pathways to durable financial health.
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Show Notes
As the founder of Kredit Academy, Evan Leaphart is serious about teaching children and their families to have honest conversations about credit. He combines a passion for financial literacy and innovation with a commitment to solving real problems that help the community around him.
Evan encourages youth to follow their dreams and pursue their passions - to create great careers rather than jobs that make everyday feel like work.
Evan is also the co-founder of Black Men Talk Tech, an entrepreneurship collective that promotes collaboration between Black men and other members of the tech ecosystem. Black Men Talk Tech’s mission is to create a cycle of access, insights, capital, and inclusion for Black men in tech. The company delivers social and economic impact, high quality, and substantive content.
Evan’s had prior entrepreneurial ventures and is focused on sharing his knowledge about tech, finance, and entrepreneurship with the next generation.
Mike Gross is a dynamic speaker, facilitator, and youth development professional. He has spent more than 15 years creating, designing, and facilitating programs for tomorrow’s leaders and those that serve them, spreading a message emphasizing entrepreneurship, motivation, leadership, and changing the paradigm of young people of color.
He is a co-founder of the financial wellness startup Kredit Academy and the founder of the WesGold Fellows Summer Internship. He is also the author of the youth entrepreneurship book You Can, You, Should, You’re P.A.I.D., a Guide to the Successful Entrepreneur Mindset, which can be found on Amazon or directly via his website at www.mikegrossonline.com.
Key More Elephant Takeaways in this Episode:
Evan and Mike share their origin story, meeting early in life and how they have been focused together for many years on changing how teens and young adults think about and understand money
We discuss their approach to financial empowerment and educating Gen Alpha on credit through a gamified approach and a solution that allows members to earn rewards both by responsible spending and by engaging in activities and learning modules
We hear about their founder’s story, how they learned to build a company, the resilience and willingness to be flexible as investment opportunity arises, and the power of community in doing work that matters
and more..
More About Kredit Academy: Website | LinkedIn | Evan Leaphart | Mike Gross
Links: Kiddie Kredit | Black Men Talk Tech | WesGold Fellows Summer Internship | Mike Gross Online
Transcript
More Elephant Intro
[00:00:38] Jason Rudman: Welcome to the latest More Elephant podcast, where we talk with idea agents and change makers who are rethinking the world and ultimately helping us listen, learn, live, better.
Today, I'm joined by two bright stars rethinking what it means to have a better financial future. Evan Leaphart and Mike Gross are shaping tomorrow's financial leaders today with their organization, Kredit Academy. Kredit Academy equips teens and young adults with the tools they need to have optimal credit health today and in the future. So, it's all about education, financial literacy, and creating a pathway to living better financially today, tomorrow, and in the future.
So, Evan and Mike, thrilled to have you on the podcast. Thanks for taking the time to tell us a little bit about your story.
[00:01:33] Evan Leaphart : Thank you for having us. You nailed that intro, man. Thank you.
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