Recently, I found myself standing in a room full of bright young ladies from the Steminista group right here in Columbia, and let me tell you, it took me back in time. These girls, a mix of middle-schoolers and high-schoolers, were sharp, curious, and full of the same spark I remember seeing years ago when I first stepped into financial education.
Back then, after leaving the financial industry, I realized something powerful. People wanted to learn how to invest, how money works, how to build something real for their families. And with the experience I had, I knew I could help bridge that gap.
Fast forward to now, and here I am again, watching a new generation search for answers. But this time, their questions aren’t just about investing. They’re about technology they’re already swimming in. Artificial Intelligence. Something many adults are still trying to make sense of.
And that’s exactly why this Steminista session meant so much.
I taught the girls how ChatGPT can be personalized to help with school assignments, idea-building, writing practice, and studying. Their eyes lit up when they realized AI wasn’t some distant, futuristic robot, but something they could use right now to make learning easier. Parents in the room leaned forward as I walked through the history of AI, safety settings, and the importance of protecting personal data.
The reactions were priceless.
There were aha moments.
There were wow moments.
There were parents whispering, “I had no idea it could do that.”
And I absolutely loved it! In between the lessons, I shared a little of my own journey. I told them about my
mother, who ran a computer lab long before computers became the center of our lives. I talked about my career in finance and the wave of tech changes I saw over the years. From paper files to online trading. From calculators to algorithms. From slow systems to instant decisions.
And now here we are: AI in the classroom, AI in business, AI in everyday life.
Standing before those girls reminded me why I began teaching in the first place. Our young people are stepping into a world where technology isn’t optional. It’s necessary. And access to that knowledge shouldn’t depend on luck, privilege, or zip code.
We cannot afford for our children to be last in the AI revolution.
So today, I’m making a renewed commitment. I will continue showing up for our youth, teaching them what AI really is, how it works, how to use it wisely, and how to stay safe while doing it. And just like I’ve done in finance for years, I’ll keep breaking these big concepts into something our kids can use to build real futures.
These Steminista girls reminded me that our community is filled with brilliance. They just need guidance, opportunity, and someone willing to say, “Yes, you can learn this. You can do this. You belong in this space.”
I’m excited about what’s ahead. And I’m even more excited about who’s rising with us. Let’s keep empowering them, together.
Tenita Joi Abraham is a Certified AI Consultant, financial educator, and founder of Building Legacies, LLC. With over 25 years in finance, marketing, and entrepreneurship, she empowers minority professionals and small business owners to integrate AI, financial literacy, and innovation into their daily lives. Learn more at www.LegacyConsultingPros.com
