About BEAM
The Business and Economics Academy of Maryland (BEAM)?
The Center for Finance, Investment and Entrepreneurship, Inc., (CFIE), is a Maryland non-profit organization that seeks to open The Business and Economics Academy of Maryland, (BEAM), beginning in the 2022-2023 school year. BEAM will be the first private school in the state of Maryland and one of only a few in the country to offer a Pre-K through 5th grade education with a Financial Literacy and Entrepreneurship focus.
Our mission is to deliver a transformative education to the children and families in Maryland and teach them to become financially stable through saving, investing and entrepreneurship. We all understand the circumstances that created these conditions. We need to understand that although we can not change the past, we must do all we can to create a better future. That's why we decided to create BEAM.
The founders of BEAM are seasoned educators, entrepreneurs, non-profit professionals, financial services professional, community activists, civic leaders and parents who have a passion for the cultural and economic development of the State of Maryland and the economic empowerment of its residents. The communities that this school will target have experienced significant economic stagnation, which has impacted health, education and financial deficits and other related disparities. Unemployment rates for Baltimore City residents in these communities are disproportionately high and many residents have lost hope of ever finding employment that can provide a livable wage.
By offering an education built around early learning within a Project Based Learning (PBL) model, we believe we can change how economic instability impacts health outcomes and educational attainment rates. This situation creates a drain on city resources, but more importantly perpetuates generational poverty, hopelessness and many other, related negative societal outcomes. These situations also represent lost opportunities to build stable families, generational wealth, and thriving communities, and perpetuate the disparities between the poor and wealthy. Offering instruction based on early learning and a PBL model, can change how economic instability impacts health and educational attainment rates.
MISSION AND VISION
The vision of BEAM is create a city of thriving urban neighborhoods, free of generational poverty.
BEAM’s mission is to deliver a transformative education to the children and families in Baltimore City and teach them to become financially stable through saving, investing and entrepreneurship. BEAM will provide Baltimore City students with a financial literacy and entrepreneurship-infused education that equips them with the academic, creative and social skills necessary to succeed in higher education, professional careers, and in life as professionals in business and as community leaders.
BEAM will offer a rigorous, project-based educational model, which will be infused with financial literacy and entrepreneurship concepts as early as the Kindergarten year. The academic program will focus on early literacy, early learning and social skills as a preparation for our K-8th grade program.
FOUNDERS
The founding group of BEAM believe that Baltimore families will enthusiastically embrace and support a school program that offers an alternative view of the future. A view filled with prosperity and opportunity. In fact, everywhere that the founders have presented the school idea, in community meetings, churches, neighborhood gatherings and business events, they have been met with overwhelming enthusiasm and pledges of support. The founders of BEAM look forward to partnering with parents, dedicated educators and community partners to create intelligent, life-long learners, who will develop a high value for education, and entrepreneurial and wealth-building mindsets at an early age. The curriculum is designed to foster students who will become innovative citizens who will change the future for their families, their communities, Baltimore City and the world beyond. The Business and Economics Academy of Maryland will offer a unique educational option to the citizens of Baltimore City.
WHAT IS FINANCIAL LITERACY?
Financial literacy is the ability to use knowledge and skills to make effective and informed money management decisions. Personal financial literacy encompasses a range of money topics, from everyday skills such as balancing a checkbook to long-term planning for retirement. While literacy - the ability to read and write - is a fundamental part of the education system, financial literacy is often left out of the equation. In the United States, fewer than half of states have any financial literacy requirements for their K-12 education systems, and only four states require high school students to take personal finance classes.
While there is a movement to include more finance-related coursework in elementary, middle and high school settings, parents and guardians are the primary educators when it comes to teaching children the skills they need to develop a strong foundation for life-long financial competence.
Source: http://www.investopedia.com/university/teaching-financial-literacy-kids/
Research and Testimonials
Critical decisions -- from financing higher education to saving for retirement -- can have lasting consequences for individuals and for our country's economy. Financial literacy enables people of all ages to make smart choices and set goals to protect their hard-earned income. And increasing individuals' understanding of debt, including mortgages and credit cards, helps guarantee every person receives equal treatment and is able to secure lasting opportunity. By strengthening the financial capability of all Americans, we are investing in the fundamental promise of a brighter future and building a more prosperous
President Barack Obama, // 44th President of The United States
What material success does is provide you with the ability to concentrate on other things that really matter. And that is being able to make a difference, not only in your own life but in other people's lives. The surest way to bring goodness to yourself is to make it your intention to do good for somebody else.
Oprah Winfrey // Entrepreneur, Philanthropist, Media Mogul
The world is full of limitations, but the most serious limitations you will ever face will be the ones you place upon yourself."
Reginal F. Lewis // Entrepreneur/President/CEO Beatrice, Inc.
BEAM Creator and Founder
CALVIN WATKINS, JR.
CHAIR & FOUNDER
Calvin is a seasoned entrepreneur and has extensive experience working with public, private and charter schools providing public relations and marketing services through his firm, Chosen Media, Inc. and Charter School PR. Calvin is also a licensed Realtor.
© 2021 Business and Economics Academy of Maryland
All rights reserved.
The Business and Economics Academy of Maryland, (BEAM) is a proposed PreK-5th private school and will be privately funded and independent. The school is established by a 501(c)3 organization made up of teachers, parents, and community groups to bring educational alternatives to children in Maryland.
