Families Building Wealth Together: Inside January’s Economic Independence Academy Workshop in KCK
- Moses Wyatt
- Jan 22
- 4 min read
Updated: Jan 23
By Levi Lee
On Wednesday evening, January 14, 2026, Grant Elementary School became a hub of learning, conversation, and community as 42 students, parents, and guardians gathered for the January Economic Independence Academy (EIA) Workshop hosted by the Jegna Klub. Designed to close the wealth gap by equipping families with real financial tools, the workshop reflected a powerful belief: economic independence grows strongest when families learn together.
The workshop is part of the J.E.G.N.A. Klub Student of the Week Award, an initiative that goes beyond celebration. In addition to recognition, each honoree and their nominating adult receive a Stockpile “Any Stock” gift card and the investing eBook From Teen to Millionaire: A Guide for Young Investors by Nu Wall Street founder and KCKPS alumnus Chris Dunlap—practical resources that encourage families to take the first step toward long-term wealth building.
Investing First: Starting Early and Starting Small
The evening opened with Investing 101 for Families: Building Wealth Together, led by Chris Dunlap of Nu Wall Street. Dunlap focused on breaking down the stock market into accessible, actionable steps families could understand and apply immediately. His message emphasized consistency over complexity.
“Even if you start with $5 or $10 a month in companies that are historically producing, you are building wealth,” Dunlap told the audience. “Start with these kids while they’re young.”
That approach resonated deeply with both adults and students. Rickie Hudson, a senior at F.L. Schlagle High School, reflected that the most important lesson he learned was that “it’s better to invest now than later.” Parent Jacob Handy echoed that sentiment, calling the session a reminder that “the best time to invest is NOW.”
For parents like Rosette Scover, the presentation filled critical knowledge gaps. She shared that the workshop provided “a lot of information that I needed to know and had not taken time to figure it out for myself.” Reba Miller added that learning about both finances and investing helped make wealth-building feel attainable rather than intimidating.
Real Estate as a Long-Term Strategy
The second presentation, Real Estate 101, was led by Erik Murray of Eastside Innovation, who is also running for US Senate. Murray introduced families to real estate as a long-term wealth strategy rooted in patience and opportunity—especially right here in Wyandotte County.
“Real estate is a patience game,” Murray explained. “Over time your wealth grows through rental income, debt reduction, appreciation, and lower taxes.”
A key highlight was his discussion of the local land bank and the opportunities it presents for families to build and own property. “Our local land bank is sitting on vacant properties,” Murray shared. “This means opportunities for YOU to BUILD and OWN.”
For many attendees, this knowledge unlocked new possibilities. Robyn Green Sr said the most valuable takeaway for him was learning about “Unified Government Land Bank information.” Seventh grader Payton Towers was equally energized, noting that learning how “free land equals instant equity” completely reshaped his understanding of real estate.
Students also gained clarity around future planning. Ninth graders Lyric Kimbrough and TyJalia Sanders both shared that learning about loans and real estate helped them better understand how credit works and why maintaining good credit matters early.
Learning, Confidence, and Community
Post-workshop exit slips showed that most participants rated the experience as “very helpful,” with many expressing increased confidence in applying what they learned. While some families requested future sessions on topics like business ownership, grants, commodities, and credit repair, the consensus was clear: access to trusted information—and people willing to explain it—made all the difference.
That sense of care extended beyond the classroom. Dinner was prepared by Wilson’s Pizza & Grill, named one of the 101 Best Pizzas in the Nation. Attendees were quick to share their appreciation. A 4th grade attendee commented, “..Pizza was delicious..,” while a parent attendee joked, “..I forgot how good Wilson’s Pizza is—I’m definitely going to get back by there…”
Growing the Movement
Reflecting on the night, Dunlap noted, “It is growing. It will get bigger, and we will have more in attendance.” With support from partners including the Kansas City Kansas Schools Foundation for Excellence, Eastside Innovation, Nu Wall Street, Henderson Entertainment, 103.7 DaBeat, The Ryan Show, New Solutions Network and Wilson’s Pizza & Grill, the Economic Independence Academy Workshops continue to expand its reach and impact.
At its heart, the Economic Independence Academy is about more than financial education. It is about families growing together, building confidence together, and creating pathways toward lasting economic independence—together. Families are encouraged to attend the next Economic Independence Academy Workshop:
📅 Wednesday, February 18, 2026
⏰ 5:00 – 7:30 PM
641 N 57th Street
Kansas City, KS 66102
✔️ Free to attend
✔️ Spanish interpreter available
⚠️ Attendance limited to 50 participants
Families will explore:
* Investing basics
* Real estate and homeownership
* Financial planning and economic empowerment
The Economic Independence Academy Workshops are free, and open to all KCKPS staff, students and their families, includes a Spanish interpreter, and requires RSVP Here.
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Was a great Time and very informative. I look forward to the next one.