More than twenty years ago, a simple conversation between two friends sparked something extraordinary. Murv Enders, then Executive Director of 100 Black Men of Indianapolis, had a vision: to equip young Black students with the financial knowledge they needed to navigate life confidently. To bring this vision to life, he contacted Dr. Matt Will, a finance professor at the University of Indianapolis.
At first, Dr. Will wasn’t sure this was for him. “Balancing a checkbook and budgeting? That’s important, but it’s not going to change the game for young Black professionals,” he recalled. Instead, he pitched a bigger idea—teaching high school students about investing, building wealth, and preparing for careers as financial leaders. Murv immediately said, “Let’s do it.”
That single “yes” launched the Dollars & $ense Financial Literacy Program, which has since changed the trajectory of hundreds of young lives.
Winning at Life—and on the National Stage
The program started small. That first year, only two students made it through—Victoria Overdorf Smith and Evan Campbell. But they didn’t just complete the program; they went on to win the national investment competition.
“The Dollars & $ense program was my first exposure to a practical, hands-on learning opportunity around personal finance and investment topics,” Overdorf Smith shared. “Beyond exposing me to these topics at an early age, it also helped me build initial skills in teamwork, presentations, and research. My experience in the program was one of the reasons that I chose to pursue a degree in business. Thank you to the Indianapolis Chapter of 100 Black Men of America and to the University of Indianapolis for continuing to invest in our youth through this program!”
Fast forward 22 years, and Indianapolis students have won the national competition six times. They’ve placed as finalists nearly every other year. But the real victory? Watching these students grow into financial analysts, military officers, and executives at top firms—all equipped with the confidence to make smart financial decisions and build generational wealth.
A Program That Sticks with You
For Dr. Will, this program isn’t just about numbers. It’s about changing lives.
“Students I taught 10 or 15 years ago still call me for advice,” he said. “That’s exactly what we wanted—to prepare young Black students not just for today, but for 10, 15 years down the road when they’re stepping into boardrooms, leading investment portfolios, and making financial decisions that impact entire communities.”
That long-term impact is what keeps people like Jeffrey Woodard involved. Woodard, who now chairs the Financial Literacy Program, first volunteered in 2017 while working at Salesforce. He had no idea the program would change his life as much as the students he served.
“I didn’t see this as my second act, I still don’t,” he admitted. “But once I got involved, I realized I could make a real difference. There’s nothing more rewarding than having a student come back and say, ‘Because of this program, I see a future I never imagined for myself.’”
More Than a Class—A Movement
The Dollars & $ense Financial Literacy Program is open to students in grades 9-12, and many return year after year to deepen their knowledge. Each Saturday, students learn about investing, financial planning, and wealth-building strategies, all while preparing for the national Dollars & $ense Youth Investment Competition.
During the pandemic, the program faced one of its biggest challenges—shifting to an online format. Students, already burned out from virtual learning, struggled to stay engaged—but they pushed through. Despite the obstacles, ten students completed the program virtually, proving that the lessons of financial independence and generational wealth could withstand any challenge. The results speak for themselves.
Three students from the Indianapolis chapter are selected to compete nationally each year. Since its inception, the chapter has placed in the top rankings nearly every year, a testament to the program’s high standards, dedicated mentors, and driven students.
Join the Legacy
As the program prepares for its next local competition on March 1, the focus remains on expanding access and awareness.
“What they see is what they’ll be,” Woodard said. “That’s why it’s so important for young Black students to have mentors and to see professionals who look like them excelling in finance, entrepreneurship, and leadership. It changes the way they see their own future.”
This is more than a program—it’s a movement. A movement toward economic empowerment, leadership, and breaking barriers in industries where Black representation is still too low.
But it requires support from the community.
If you’ve ever wanted to give back in a way that truly changes lives, now is the time. 100 Black Men of Indianapolis is looking for mentors, volunteers, and financial professionals who want to make a difference. Whether you can offer your expertise for a few hours or take on a long-term mentorship role, your presence could be the spark that changes a student’s future.
As Dr. Will put it:
“The best way to uplift communities is to create opportunity and to build wealth. That’s what we’re doing here. And it works.”
Join us. Let’s build a future where financial success isn’t a privilege—it’s an expectation. Learn more and get involved today.