Meet Pierre, a recent high school graduate who will be attending Boston University in 2025. Originally from Harlem, NY, he participated in the FGI Columbia chapter where he was an active FGI participant who took an interest in investing and financial literacy.
Tell me a little bit about yourself (What grade are you in, where are you from, what do you enjoy doing, what is your family like, etc.)
My name is Pierre, and I was born in the UK and moved to New York when I was 2. I live in Manhattan, Harlem specifically, and I’ve lived here my whole life. I just graduated from Columbia Secondary School in West Harlem. I’m going to Boston University and my program actually starts in January, so I do 2 years of just pure liberal arts classes, and then after those 2 years I can declare any major I would like. At the moment, I’m thinking of majoring in either business or computer science. I’m also doing a semester in London over the summer and I have family there so I’ll get to stay with them. Outside of school, I like playing sports, and hanging out with friends.
How did you discover FGI?
It was shared to one of our counselors and they sent an email out to our grade. I’ve always been interested in investing and stocks, so it just stood out to me and I asked a couple friends to join it with me. I was really immersed, so I stuck to it and did the final project and presented it and had a great time.
What was your favorite part of FGI?
I really enjoyed the fact that they gave us the $100 budget to research your own stocks and ETFs and invest into them as you like based on your own research. It gives you funds that most high schoolers just don’t have access to and you can use that as a foundation to further invest in more advanced topics and options.
How did the program change the way that you had traditionally thought about finance and investing? How did it change your habits?
It definitely made me more aware of my money spending habits, just seeing how if I save money and invest it, it can compound over time and I can end up having a lot of savings when I’m older. So, I’ve definitely been a little bit more careful with how I’m spending my money and what I spend it on.
FGI is an organization supported by donors and almost all volunteers. What message would you send to those who have supported, or are considering supporting a program like this?
Other than a big thank you. It’s really just their generosity and philanthropy that's giving this opportunity to students and I’m really appreciative of it.
What else would you like to share?
Asked me if I knew Wesley. “I just wanted to say [my tutor, Wesley] was incredible, he led my cohort and was really awesome."
