TREASURER CONYEARS-ERVIN, BMO HOST BUILDING WEALTH TODAY FOR TOMORROW FINANCIAL EMPOWERMENT WEEKEND

TREASURER CONYEARS-ERVIN, BMO HOST BUILDING WEALTH TODAY FOR TOMORROW FINANCIAL EMPOWERMENT WEEKEND

From Friday-Saturday, Sept.30-Oct. 1, Chicago City Treasurer Melissa Conyears-Ervin and BMO Financial Group hosted the “Building Wealth Today for Tomorrow Financial Empowerment Weekend” at the UIC Forum. The event combined the Treasurer’s two signature events - the Building Wealth Today for Tomorrow Financial Empowerment Summit and the Financial Services Career Fair. Over 1500 Chicagoland residents took the opportunity to gain insights into the current financial trends, build
relationships to obtain job opportunities within the financial
services industry, join workshops on saving money, buying
a home or starting a business, and access much more.

“I am thrilled that so many Chicagoans came out this weekend to learn how they can get themselves and their families on a path to financial freedom at our Building Wealth Today for Tomorrow Financial Empowerment Weekend,” said Chicago City Treasurer Melissa Conyears-Ervin. “We are so grateful to our partner BMO and all of our sponsors and participants who helped us provide
a space for residents to access the tools they need to build
brighter financial futures and address the racial wealth gap.
I hope our attendees found this weekend truly empowering,
and I’m already looking forward to next year’s event!”

Structural inequities and income disparities over time have led to a racial wealth gap that not only remains, but is getting worse, particularly in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. A 2022 study found that Black Americans had one-sixth the wealth of white Americans on average, while a study from 2021 found that for every dollar a typical white household has, a Black household has 12 cents and a Latino household has 21 cents.

“We were so excited to partner with the Treasurer and her office to bring real financial progress to Chicago residents and families,” said Eric Smith, Vice Chair, BMO Financial Group. “Partnerships like these are at the core of our Purpose to Boldly Grow the Good in business and life and exemplify our commitment to build a thriving economy, sustainable future, and inclusive society throughout the communities we serve.”

On Friday, Sept. 30, the Financial Services Career Fair provided an opportunity for diverse candidates from across the city to find career opportunities in the financial services industry and beyond. Participants had the chance to engage with more than 50 participating employers on-site including BMO, Wintrust, CIBC, JP Morgan Chase, and more. The event featured career readiness workshops, resume reviews, chats with career coaches, mock interviews, complimentary professional headshots, and other resources.

On Saturday, Oct. 1, the Financial Empowerment Summit featured free information for Chicagoans on topics related to financial planning and credit building, keys to homeownership, money management and access to capital, real estate, and so much more. The day had keynote speakers Daymond John of ABC’s “Shark Tank,” Bill Rancic, the first “The Apprentice” winner, hip-hop mogul MC Lyte, and many more.

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