Bankers on a mission: Helping inspire a new generation to financial careers, confident investing

Growing up, Moses Harris and Teresa Tyson never anticipated careers in financial services. Like many, they lacked exposure to mentors in the industry; both found their way to Wells Fargo more by chance than by intention.

Decades later, they are paving the way for the next generation through their commitment to financial education and youth mentorship. Both have leadership roles with the Junior Investment Club, a youth financial literacy program operated by 100 Black Men of America and sponsored by Wells Fargo.

Since its inception in 2020, the Junior Investment Club has grown from five to 30 chapters nationally. More than 700 students each year now engage in the educational curriculum and stock market competition, which lasts approximately 14 weeks.

The Wells Fargo Foundation provides financial support, including a $600,000 grant in 2024, while bank employees like Tyson and Harris volunteer their time and expertise.

A passion for financial education, rooted in personal experience

During the week, Moses Harris, Commercial Banking Credit Product Specialist and Executive Director at Wells Fargo, helps middle market companies grow and scale their businesses. Saturdays, he devotes his free time to teaching middle and high school students about investing. He leads the Junior Investment Club team from Los Angeles as they prepare for competition.

This year brings bragging rights: three Los Angeles students won the national prize in 2025. Harris has twice accompanied participants to visit the New York Stock Exchange.

Tyson, Senior Philanthropy Community Impact & Sustainability Specialist and Sr. Assistant Vice President at Wells Fargo, oversees youth K-12 initiatives and manages philanthropic grants from Wells Fargo. She coordinates the bank’s longstanding relationship with 100 Black Men of America. The two organizations have worked together for more than 30 years to promote economic empowerment.

Sharing their knowledge and inspiring others is personal for both bankers. Tyson recalled her own uncertainty about financial markets.

“When I started my career, I lacked financial literacy. I didn’t understand my 401(k)—and I didn’t have someone I felt comfortable asking,” she explained. “As a result, I missed out on ten years of investing.”

Paying it forward to inspire a new generation

The Junior Investment Club aims to change experiences like Tyson’s. The program’s goals are simple—yet significant:

• Teach middle and high school students about financial markets.
• Showcase careers in finance and entrepreneurship.
• Enable confident investing and financial stewardship.

During the competition, students simulate the investment of $100,000 in the stock market and manage its returns using real-time data. They analyze market trends, make strategic decisions, and track performance to maximize their portfolio’s value.

A personal mission to create financially independent adults

Harris takes financial education a step further. He’s set a personal goal to mentor 100 youth from middle school through their first jobs.

“I want to help create 100 financially independent adults,” Harris said. “My hope is for these 100 students to then reinvest into the community and do the same thing for another 100 students.”

Paying it forward is clearly paying off. Several program participants now have degrees in finance or related fields. Those in college have realized internships and full-time work at leading banks and investment firms. Even their parents are more financially literate and confident about investing after accompanying their children to weekly Junior Investment Club sessions. It’s a small step forward that both Tyson and Harris can appreciate.

The next round of Junior Investment Club programming starts in 2026.