Atlanta Financial Advisors Lead NULITES Youth Workshops


From left, FA Robert Rumley, Eddy Bayardelle, FA Quincy Atkinson, Bryson Jordan and his father, the guest speaker Brian O. Jordan, FA Erwin Matthews and FA Brennan Lothery

Nearly 300 teenagers from across the United States gathered in Atlanta for the National Urban League Incentives To Excel & Succeed (NULITES) Youth Leadership Summit during four days in late July. The summit was part of the 96th annual conference of the National Urban League, the oldest and largest nonprofit civil rights and social service organization advocating for African Americans.

"We are honored to be a part of the 17th Annual NULITES Youth Leadership Summit," said Bill Lorenz, managing director of Global Private Client's Tri-South region, which includes Atlanta. "What better way for our financial advisors to use their talents than by helping tomorrow's leaders crystallize their dreams today."

NULITES is an afterschool and summer program in 26 states that promotes leadership qualities and high standards of educational character.

"The goal of NULITES," said Eddy Bayardelle, president of the Merrill Lynch Foundation, "is to promote high standards, to reflect the positive aspects of youth today, and to help them become the dynamic leaders of tomorrow. Merrill Lynch has long been a supporter of the National Urban League and is proud to be a part of that mission. I'd like to thank those in our Atlanta complex for their time and participation."

The theme of the conference was "Bring Your 'A' Game ... Don't Let Life Happen, Make It Happen," and the celebrity guest speaker at the morning plenary session sponsored by Merrill Lynch was Brian Jordan, a professional athlete talented enough to be an All-Star baseball player for the Atlanta Braves and an All-Pro football selection for the Atlanta Falcons. Mr. Jordan, a Merrill Lynch client who runs his own nonprofit foundation for underprivileged children, underscored the value of learning how to handle money and finances at a young age.

After Mr. Jordan's speech, the teenagers broke up into several workshop groups. Four financial advisors from the Atlanta area — Erwin Matthews, Brennan Lothery, Robert Rumley and Quincy Atkinson — led workshops focused on career strategies and saving for education. About 80 teenagers attended. The two sessions were based on the Investing Pays Off® (IPO®) curriculum, designed by the firm to teach young people about the importance of financial literacy.

Mr. Matthews said, "The IPO program is a great tool that helps invite group discussion and makes all the kids feel like they contributed to the success of the seminar. I think everyone felt good about their participation and learned a lot about themselves and from others."

"The kids were lively and engaged," Mr. Rumley said. "My session was entitled, 'You, Your Life, and Career.' I encouraged the kids to tap into their interests to determine their career. I told them that if you love what you do for a living, you'll never work a day in your life."

Mr Atkinson said that speaking to children so eager to learn "was a rush. You never know which type of audience you will encounter," he said. "Their personalities are so fertile at that stage in life. They feed off of each other and the energy that they get from their peers and the speaker/facilitator."

Mr. Lothery said he enjoyed leading a workshop on education. "Being an education major at Colgate, this was near and dear to my heart," he explained. "What was impressive about the kids was that everyone who attended the workshop had the same mindset: Education is one of the main drivers to long-term success in the real world, and planning for that education needs to begin today."

"The 2006 NULITES Youth Leadership Workshop was a tremendous experience," Mr. Lothery added. "Some of America's most promising minority students all gathered in one place for one reason: to take it to the next level. I feel honored that I was a part of it."