R.E.A.L. WEALTH is what we call a “cultural economics” program. In other words, we use Hip-Hop culture and youth culture to teach youth about perspectives on money and how to create, manage and build assets. We also inform youth on the ways in which their cultures may affect the way they view money. Cultural Economics also implies strategies that are taught based on the current socio-economic status and situation of a people. Strategies for overcoming poverty must be intertwined with one’s cultural reality in order for them to be effective.

Example – Teaching a youth how to balance a check book means nothing when their culture teaches them not to trust banks and to keep their money under the mattress. 

Often times, deeply rooted cultural habits have been formed and passed on, not necessarily from within the culture, but because of very real historical obstacles and experiences that a group of people have faced.