When Sekou Kaalund started a job as a 22-year-old in New York, rent was so expensive that he contemplated ending his 401(k) savings enrollment plan so he could get more in his paycheck.
He was advised not to make the move, told that the company was matching his contributions and that it would be worth the investment. He took the advice. "Seventeen years later, that nuanced decision has probably quadrupled the investment," Kaalund said.
"The goal is to uplift young African Americans, get them ahead of the curve as it relates to jobs, careers and finances," said Kaalund, the head of Black Pathways.
The coronavirus canceled college graduations and crushed the economy, limiting job opportunities for new candidates seeking to enter the workforce. The program is aimed at providing information that betters their chances when they get virtual interviews, as well as helps them learn financial responsibility, interview for jobs and more.
