Building Wealth Today For Tomorrow - Financial Empowerment

Chicago largest FREE Financial Education & Empowerment Summit!

Saturday October 4, 2025
10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. CT

UIC Forum - 1213 S. Halsted St. Chicago, IL

2025 KEYNOTE Speakers

COMMON

Grammy and Academy Award-winning artist, actor, and activist

Renee Montgomery

Co-Owner and VP, WNBA Atlanta Dream

Damola Adamolekun

Chief Executive Officer, Red Lobster

Karen Leetzow

President, Chicago Stars FC

Peter Estevez

Entrepreneur, Philanthropist, Speaker and Author

Main Stage Schedule Highlights

Description: Chicago Treasurer Melissa Conyears-Ervin opens the Summit with a powerful message of financial empowerment, setting the tone for a day of learning, networking, and inspiration.

Description: The Chicago Treasurer’s Office proudly awards 10 outstanding high school students with $5,000 scholarships to support their college education. These young leaders embody achievement, service, and the spirit of building wealth for tomorrow. Join us in celebrating their success and bright futures!

Description: Get inspired by our dynamic conversation with Renee Montgomery (Co-Owner and VP, WNBA Atlanta Dream), Karen Leetzow (President, Chicago Stars FC), Shari’ Nycole, and more.

Description: Grammy and Academy Award-winning artist, actor, and activist COMMON — discusses creativity, purpose, and financial empowerment in a one-on-one conversation with Chicago Treasurer, Melissa Conyears-Ervin.

Description: Learn about the Money Matters Institute, the Chicago Treasurer’s Office’s new program dedicated to helping residents build financial knowledge, access resources, and create lasting wealth.

Description: Join this candid conversation that explores how Adamolekun guided Red Lobster through financial challenges by blending tradition with transformation, leveraging technology, and re-imagining customer experiences.

Description: Industry leaders Peter Estevez and James Ramos discuss the influence and opportunities within Black and Hispanic communities, highlighting strategies for wealth-building and economic growth.

Seminar Highlights

Room D – Homeownership: Comprender Es Tu Poder (Knowledge is Power) Tu Guía Para Comprar Casa (Your Guide to Buying a House); hosted by RATE
Room E – Small Business & Entrepreneurship: Marketing in a Digital World; hosted by Chase
Room F – Credit & Money Management: Money Matters Institute presents Maximizing Social Security; hosted by KimCo International, Inc.

Events Center – Money Matters Institute and The Resurrection Project present: The Home Stretch – Your Financial Jumpstart to Owning a Home. Calling all aspiring homebuyers! Join us for a special workshop designed to help you move from dream to doorstep. Gain the tools, guidance, and confidence you need—no matter where you are on your journey.

Room D – Homeownership: Making Homeownership Possible for the First Time; hosted by Old National Bank
Room E – Small Business & Entrepreneurship: Banking on Your Business: Unlocking Capital & Financial Tools; hosted by US Bank
Room F – Credit & Money Management: Credit 101; hosted by TransUnion

Room D – Homeownership: Your Money at Work – Home Buying Simplified; hosted by BMO
Room E – Small Business & Entrepreneurship: Removing Barriers in Underserved Communities; hosted by Old National Bank
Room F – Credit & Money Management: Investing is for Everyone; hosted by Chase

Room D – Homeownership: Estate Planning; hosted by Wells Fargo
Room E – Small Business & Entrepreneurship: Supercharge Your Wealth Through Entrepreneurship; hosted by State Farm
Room F – Credit & Money Management: Small Business Access to Capital; hosted by Huntington Bank

Room F – Credit & Money Management: Supercharge Your Wealth Through Life Insurance; hosted by State Farm

BWTT Youth Summit Schedule

Description: Join Campus Coin as they guide participants through interactive discussions on how AI is shaping technology, education, and daily life. Learn practical skills, ask questions, and discover how AI can empower your ideas and projects.

Description: Join a special Essence Girls United podcast for an inspiring conversation on careers, mentorship, and personal growth. Youth will gain real world wisdom on pursuing passions, building professional skills, and finding mentors to guide their journey.

Description: Join Chicago radio personality Rodney “Hot Rod” Washington and Pep Rally Takeover for lunch, fun activities, and giveaways!

Description: Discover how smart investing can help you achieve your financial goals. This interactive session introduces youth to key investing concepts, practical strategies, and the importance of building wealth early.

Description: Join Jada Juice, Skylar Lemon, Genesis Hale, and special guest BabyChiefDoIt for an engaging discussion on building wealth, money skills, and entrepreneurial success. Moderated by Hot Rod (WGCI), this session offers relatable stories and real-world advice for youth looking to take charge of their financial future.

2025 Exhibitors

Chicago Community Loan Fund

Michigan State University Federal Credit Union (MSUFCU)

Credit Union 1

Bank of America

Citibank

Steps Inc. Consulting

First Eagle Bank

CDPH-Care Team

Office of Emergency Management and Communications (OEMC)

Elevate – Illinois Solar For All

Association House of Chicago

Wintrust Community Banks

City of Chicago Department of Procurement Services

Illinois State Treasurer’s Office

Civilian Office of Police Accountability

Chicago Public Schools

City of Chicago | DOH |Chicago Housing Trust

Illinois Tollway

Cook County Office of the Chief Procurement Officer

Chicago Department of Aviation

Illinois State Comptroller

Clerk of the Circuit Court of Cook County

Illinois Department of Human Rights

Illinois Department of Human Service, Community Service Enterprise Programs

Illinois Department of Commerce of Economic Opportunity (DCEO) – Office of Economic Equity and Empowerment (OE3)

Chicago Department of Aviation

Illinois Office of Comptroller/ Bank On Illinois

Illinois Secretary of State

Cook County Sheriff’s Office-Community Resources

Chicago Transit Authority

City of Chicago Business Affairs and Consumer Protection

Truman College

IHDA-Illinois Housing Development Authority

Chicago Urban League Housing and Financial Empowerment Center

Neighborhood Housing Services of Chicago, Inc.

Elevate

Self-Help Federal Credit Union

Unique Family Services NFP

Live Free Illinois

HIRE360

Allies for Community Business

SomerCor

YWCA METROPOLITAN CHICAGO

Sunshine Enterprises

Women’s Business Development Center

New Covenant Community Development Corporation

Chicago Urban League

Pursuit

Bethel New Life, Inc.

Chicago Latina Business Foundation & Magazine

Chatham Business Association

The Joseph Business School

DishRoulette Kitchen NFP

ABOC – Amalgamated Bank of Chicago

Liberty Bank & Trust

Ladder Up

American Job Center at Truman College

Chicago Cook Workforce Partnership

Great Lakes Credit Union

Center for Changing Lives

Past Speakers

Earvin "Magic" Johnson

Daymond John

Mathew Knowles

Keke Palmer

Larenz Tate

Bill Rancic

what is

bwtt?

Our annual “Building Wealth Today for Tomorrow Financial Empowerment Summit” (BWTT) is the largest financial education program of its kind in Chicago. Experts and leaders from businesses, community organizations, city, state and federal agencies lead workshops and discussions that provide the resources and knowledge you need to build long-term wealth and a more secure future.

Road to Wealth

It’s time for you to start building wealth

IN PERSON WORKSHOPS AND BREAKOUT SESSIONS GEARED TOWARDS FINANICIAL EMPOWERMENT AND EDUCATION

WHAT WE HAVE PLANNED THIS YEAR

WHAT YOU’LL EXPERIENCE:

LEARN HOW TO

BWTT 2024 RECAP

Road To Wealth

What People Are Saying!

“Thank you for having this event. I appreciate it because we need it. We need things like this to actually come into because at first everything is virtual, and it's good to see people and touch people and talk to people besides talk to automated machines and things that way, so it feels good.”

DIANA WASHINGTON

on why we need an in-person event:

“...I learned about the importance of mentorship and trying to find a sponsor who can speak on your behalf if you're trying to start a business or move up in the career field and how important that is for networking.”

CHRISTOPHER

on what he learned:

“They are offering what I need. I need career coaching. I need resume writing. I've been applying for jobs for over six months now. So, I definitely need it. I feel like I've been kind of disappointed because I’ve been applying for so many jobs, I've been getting interviews, but no job offers yet, so this is why I'm here. And I think definitely think it's going to help me.”

OMRANA

on why she came:

“I never expected this because I went to Columbia University career fair, I went to so many career fairs, but this one: I'm amazed...I would definitely request everyone who is looking for any opportunities to come and visit this program because this could not only open doors, but this could also give them a lot of information about the future possible.”

NADIA

on the career fair:

“You really made a lot of people’s day because you had an awesome panel here to answer all different questions. I said that everything you was asking him up there, I was saying, wow, I wonder where did she got those questions from because it’s exactly what I wanted to know!”

SANDRA

on the panels:

“This event is empowering to say the very least. Lots of information. Lots of energy. Lots of opportunities just floating around in one room. You know, I think the city really needs events like this to give people hope for better wealth, better health, better opportunities...the city is full of so many talented and capable people...so I'm glad that she created this opportunity for people to come talk to people in order to better themselves for a better future...[At this event], you can learn something, no matter what it is that you're trying to do. If you're trying to find a job, if you need some information on insurance, there's a lot of banks here that are talking about home loans and finances and debt...These people here are experts. Everybody's very nice and everybody is here to help us further the cause and better one another.”

LASHAY MASTIN

on the variety of resources:

“Oh, this is an awesome event. I mean, it opens up great opportunities for those who are in need of job, those who are looking to expand themselves. I mean, we need more events like this in the city of Chicago...people are looking for jobs and they can't find jobs. They don't know where to go. They don't know how to network. They don't know how to contact. But this event tops all of that. It connects us to the right people. It opens up doors. It gives us leads... I thought that I was going to have to be the person that, you know, knocks on the door, but it seemed like the door was open here and they kind of pulled me into the door, which was totally exciting.”

ALVIN RICHARDS

on the career fair:

There’s a lot of good financial information here, a lot of people who know the answers to things that, you know, you have these nagging questions about financial issues and, you know, meeting people from the banks that you work with, everything's online nowadays, but it's nice to have an actual person to talk to about things...There are experts in this room that you can ask those difficult questions.”

CEPHAS

on the available resources:

“Who wouldn’t want to hear Magic Johnson speak? You know, any advice he could give...will be helpful, especially on a big business level, which is really the hardest thing to find out advice about. Things like boardroom politics, you know, all kinds of things that has really no books written about it. And you have to be in the experience and get smashed in those settings to learn how to, you know, survive in it, or you can just come to an event like event like this and meet people who have been through it.”

CEPHAS

on Magic Johnson: