The Chicago students learning how to get very, very rich

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🗞️ Driving the news: At Chicago State University, a new course is teaching students from disadvantaged backgrounds how to build generational wealth — not just find jobs
• The class, led by philanthropist and entrepreneur Pete Kadens, encourages participants to set ambitious financial goals, including starting companies and aiming for multimillion-dollar net worths within a decade

🔭 The context: Chicago’s South Side has long struggled with economic inequality, low intergenerational wealth, and barriers to entrepreneurship
• Kadens, known for funding scholarships and social equity programs, developed the course to help students understand investment strategies, business ownership, and long-term financial planning — topics often absent from traditional university curricula

🌍 Why it matters for the planet: The program reflects a broader sustainability theme — economic empowerment as social sustainability
• Teaching financial literacy and entrepreneurship in underserved communities can foster equitable economic growth, reduce systemic inequality, and support resilient local economies that align with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth, SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities)

⏭️ What's next: The pilot class has inspired interest from other U.S. universities seeking to integrate wealth-building and financial independence into their social mobility programs
• Kadens plans to expand the model nationally, with a focus on minority-serving institutions
• Graduates are encouraged to reinvest in their communities, creating a multiplier effect for inclusive wealth creation

💬 One quote: “I don’t just want to make ends meet — I want to build something lasting,” — Jenae Crockett, student, Chicago State University

📈 One stat: Only 6% of Black households in the U.S. hold business equity, compared with 15% of white households, highlighting the racial wealth gap the program seeks to address

See on illuminem's Data Hub™ the sustainability performance of thousands of top universities, like Columbia University, Oxford, Cambridge, or Stanford

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