Updated: Dec 18, 2023
Financial education needs to serve readers of all backgrounds. We aspire for our content, staff, contributors, and partner organizations to further the financial empowerment of those from all ethnicities, genders, generations, sexual orientations, abilities, and socioeconomic backgrounds, particularly those who may be disadvantaged. Here are four things we are doing to improve how we deliver on that goal across the themes of content, people, and community:
Content. We continually seek to remove bias from our content in the service of being as objective and helpful as possible for our readers.
Since 2020, our Anti-Bias Review Board, which is composed of more than 15 subject matter experts including educators, public health professionals, journalists, researchers, and financial experts, has reviewed every educational article in Chweya’s library.
That review resulted in edits made to articles that were deemed to have biased language or information. Just as importantly, the review helped identify opportunities for making our content more inclusive to all audiences. We also created content to offer deeper examinations of subjects like housing discrimination and access to banks for all. With the review of our existing educational library complete, we pledge to review new educational articles on an ongoing basis before they are published.
Content: Create Timeless, Inclusive Financial Content
Over the last two years, we have reviewed and updated 500 articles on Chweya to be inclusive. In 2024, we will work with the Chweya Media Anti-Bias Review Board to review all new educational articles on an ongoing basis to ensure it is inclusive and free of bias.
People. Producing unbiased content requires that the people creating it bring an array of experiences and diverse perspectives.
In 2024 we will continue our series of bimonthly information and training sessions led by Mackenzie Price, Ph.D., director for anti-bias initiatives at Dotdash Meredith, to educate our staff on the challenges and experiences that disadvantaged groups may have. In understanding those challenges and experiences, we can better create content that will serve their needs.
Community. Many organizations exist to serve the needs of disadvantaged groups. We currently partner with four such organizations and use Investopedia’s reach and expertise to help them execute their mission.
https://www.wallstreetbound.org/ – Wall Street Bound teaches the technical “hard” skills of finance and the “soft” skills of corporate culture to empower under-represented young adults to achieve beyond their present horizons.
https://www.projectcomeup.org/ – Project Come Up is a nonprofit organization with a sole focus on fostering growth among the disenfranchised. Their strategy is focused on providing educational platforms and investment opportunities for underrepresented minority communities.
https://www.nefe.org/ – NEFE champions effective financial education. We are the independent, centralizing voice providing leadership, research, and collaboration to advance financial well-being.
https://www.jumpstart.org/ – Investopedia is a national partner of Jump$tart. Jump$tart supports the financial education efforts of its partners and affiliates, and brings together the financial literacy community to foster cooperation and collaboration. Jump$tart raises the importance of financial literacy and the importance of effective financial education.
The work at Chweya will evolve, and there is no progress without accountability. This is the continuation of a permanent and necessary shift in how we serve the financial community. We encourage our readers to share their thoughts and ideas for improvement by emailing us at [email protected].