News Harris-Stowe State University [seal-cityOfficial-skyless-2x2-_InBlue_1] For Immediate Release Contact: Courtney McCall (314) 340-3391 mccallc@hssu.edu<mailto:mccallc@hssu.edu> Debbie Johnson (314) 612-1686 johnsonde@stlouis-mo.gov<mailto:johnsonde@stlouis-mo.gov> Treasurer’s Office First Financial Empowerment Event to be Held at Harris-Stowe ST. LOUIS, MO (April 9, 2014) – The City of St. Louis Treasurer’s Office will host its first Financial Empowerment Summit at Harris-Stowe State University on Saturday, April 26, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. This event, which is co-sponsored by Harris-Stowe, The Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis and The United Way of Greater St. Louis, will include financial literacy centered activities for the entire family. In addition to providing valuable educational resources, the summit will feature an inspiring keynote address from John Hope Bryant, CEO and Founder of Operation Hope. Several banks and credit unions, as well as state and federal agencies, will be on hand to provide important information about the second-chance bank accounts, credit counseling, the unclaimed property database, identify theft and new opportunities available through the MOST 529 College Savings Program. “St. Louis tops the nation in the number of minority households that are either unbanked or under-banked, and we are twice the national average in overall unbanked households,” said City of St. Louis Treasurer Tishaura O. Jones. “The goal of this event is to educate and empower the citizens of our region to make better choices with their money and avoid using predatory financial services. “We are excited about providing this opportunity for the community,” added Treasurer Jones, "and want consumers to walk away feeling empowered to change their financial future.” Harris-Stowe State University, located in midtown St. Louis, is a fully accredited four-year institution that offers 14 degree programs in the areas of Teacher Education, Business and Arts & Sciences. In 2013, HSSU ranked no. 1 in the state in degree production of African-Americans in mathematics (MDHE). The university, which has been in existence for more than 150 years, offers the most affordable bachelor’s degree in the state of Missouri and is home of the Don and Heide Wolff Jazz Institute. ### Courtney Z. McCall Harris-Stowe State University Associate Vice President of University Relations HGA 110 3026 Laclede Avenue St. Louis, MO 63103 Ofc: (314) 340-3391