Investing in the Future: Ravens Boys & Girls Club Teens Explore Finance and Career Opportunities at T. Rowe Price

For teens in the Baltimore Ravens Boys & Girls Club’s Impact Innovators program, financial literacy is more than understanding money. It's about building confidence, creating opportunities, developing meaningful connections, and discovering what is possible for their futures.

On Tuesday, October 20, Impact Innovators participants had the opportunity to visit T. Rowe Price's Baltimore headquarters at Harbor Point for an afternoon of hands-on investment education, career exploration, mentorship, and networking with professionals in the financial industry.

The experience brought financial concepts to life, allowing teens to learn about real-world investment strategies while gaining exposure to career pathways.

Learning to Invest Through Experience

One of the highlights of the visit was an interactive investment game led by DeAndre Tackett, Pricing Product Manager and Mosaic Inclusive Programming Lead at T. Rowe Price.

During the activity, students explored six different investment categories: equities (stocks), bonds, oil, property, gold, and cryptocurrency. Working in teams, participants were challenged to allocate a hypothetical $100 investment portfolio across these assets.

As the game progressed, students were introduced to different economic scenarios and learned how changing market conditions could affect their investments. They considered the impact of interest rates, economic growth, supply and demand, and emerging technology while making decisions about how to protect and grow their portfolios.

The activity reinforced an important financial principle: successful investing requires research, critical thinking, adaptability, and an understanding of risk.

Adding another layer of mentorship, students from Morgan State University's Investment Club joined the experience.

Arthur Watson, a senior finance major and president of Morgan State's Investment Club, and Simone Brown, a junior finance major and vice president, worked alongside Ravens Club members, offering guidance, answering questions, and helping students navigate their investment decisions.

This engagement with college students allowed Club members to see what pursuing finance at the collegiate level can look like while learning directly from students already following similar interests.

For 13-year-old Lyric Carr, the interactive investment activity was especially meaningful because it introduced her to financial concepts she had not previously explored.

"What I enjoyed the most about the trip was that I got new finance information that I didn't know before, because I love gaining new knowledge about financial literacy. Another part I enjoyed was the activity of splitting the money based on real-life scenarios."

Lyric's reflection highlights the importance of making financial education engaging, relatable, and accessible to young people. Through hands-on learning, students were able to see how investment decisions connect to real-world economic conditions.

Beyond the Market: Building Connections and Discovering Possibilities

While the investment game introduced students to financial decision-making, the networking portion of the visit created an equally meaningful experience.

Participants connected with T. Rowe Price professionals, including Andre Fountain, T. Rowe Price Foundation Manager, and Alex Hendricks, Human Resources Business Partner and Boys & Girls Club of Metro Baltimore board member.

Throughout the conversations, students received valuable advice about education, career development, leadership, and personal growth.

One message that resonated throughout the experience was:

"To whom much is given, much is required."

Students were encouraged to take advantage of the opportunities available to them, remain committed to their education, and understand the importance of giving back as they achieve success.

Other lessons emphasized the importance of maintaining personal values, making intentional decisions about how time is spent, and recognizing that success does not require knowing everything. Instead, students were reminded of the power of building relationships with people who can teach, challenge, and support them along the way.

The conversations also encouraged students to appreciate each stage of life, avoid compromising their principles, and remain open to learning from others.

For 14-year-old Jeremiah Carver, the most meaningful part of the experience was the opportunity to build connections with people who shared his ambitions.

"The best part was getting to meet people that give me a better chance at meeting my dream, and meeting people that follow the same goals as me."

Jeremiah's reflection captures the purpose behind experiences like this one: helping young people recognize that their dreams are attainable and that the relationships they build today can help shape their futures.

Another participant, Robert, shared how much he valued hearing directly from professionals about their careers and responsibilities.

"My experience was really good, fun, and educational. I enjoyed getting to know the employees and hearing them share detailed information about their jobs."

Robert's experience reflects the importance of career exposure. By connecting directly with professionals, students were able to learn about different roles within the financial industry and begin imagining themselves pursuing similar opportunities.

For Ayden, the visit provided a welcoming environment where learning and relationship-building went hand in hand.

"My experience during the field trip was really educational and fun. I had a really great time learning and talking to the directors. I also enjoyed the shrimp that was provided."

Ayden's reflection serves as a reminder that meaningful learning experiences can also be fun, engaging, and memorable. From conversations with professionals to the hospitality provided throughout the visit, students experienced an environment where they felt welcomed and encouraged to learn.

Together, these student reflections demonstrate that the impact of the visit extended far beyond financial education. Their reflections show that participants walked away with something meaningful, whether it was new financial knowledge, a professional connection, career inspiration, or a greater sense of confidence.

Connecting Financial Learning to Real-World Opportunities

Beyond participating in the investment game, students had the opportunity to tour the office and engage in conversations about educational journeys and career opportunities within asset management.

These experiences are especially valuable because they allow young people to envision themselves in professional environments, build relationships with potential mentors, and understand that career opportunities in finance extend beyond what they may already know.

By bringing together financial professionals, college students, and Boys & Girls Club members, the visit created a bridge between education, mentorship, and future career possibilities.

A Partnership That Invests in More Than Money

This experience was made possible through the coordination of Ashley Bell, PMP, Early Talent Senior Recruiter at T. Rowe Price, whose efforts helped bring the visit to life.

The greatest investment we can make is in the potential of our young people.

For Impact Innovators participants, this visit was about more than stocks, bonds, and financial markets. It was about understanding that their futures are filled with possibilities.

At the Baltimore Ravens Boys & Girls Club, we are not simply teaching teens how to invest in the market. We are empowering them to invest in themselves, their dreams, and their futures.