Celebrating Partnership and Progress

TMJF, Money Vehicle, JUMP High to Empower New Jersey Families Through Financial Literacy

On Saturday, May 10, 2025, The Malcolm Jenkins Foundation proudly joined Cooper Medical School of Rowan University (CMSRU) to celebrate the culmination of a powerful partnership—one rooted in education, empowerment, and community. Through CMSRU’s JUMP High (Junior Urban Medical Pioneers) program, eight New Jersey high school students and their parents completed TMJF’s Closing the Wealth Gap program, a multi-week financial literacy course powered by TMJF and the nationally recognized Money Vehicle curriculum.

Led by Dr. Guy Hewlett, Associate Dean, Office of Engagement and Community Impact at CMSRU, the JUMP High program provides mentorship and immersive academic and career enrichment experiences and exposure to healthcare careers for youth who excel in math and science. This year, the program expanded to include a vital new dimension: financial literacy for the whole family.

A Two-Generation Approach to Financial Empowerment

At TMJF, we believe that real change starts at home—and that families thrive when they learn together. That’s why this program was intentionally designed with a two-generation approach. Students were encouraged to bring a parent or caregiver to each session, allowing families to build financial knowledge and confidence side by side.

The curriculum, delivered over six months, (two-hour sessions offered one Saturday each month) by CMSRU medical students trained in facilitation, introduced key concepts such as budgeting, saving, credit, and investing. Beyond the numbers, students and their families were given tools to better understand the systems that shape financial opportunity—and the power they have to create generational change.

Medical Students as Mentors and Leaders

One of the most impactful elements of the program was the involvement of CMSRU’s medical students as facilitators. These aspiring physicians didn’t just teach financial principles—they modeled leadership, discipline, and the value of giving back. Their presence sent a clear message: “You belong in every room. And your dreams are possible.”

By sharing their personal journeys and helping demystify both healthcare and financial systems, these students forged meaningful connections and encouraged high school participants to dream bigger—and plan smarter. It was a great example of peer-to-peer learning an leadership in action.

Celebrating Achievement and Commitment

The culmination event, held on CMSRU’s campus, was a joyful and affirming moment for all involved. Each student and parent pair received a certificate of completion, honoring their commitment to the program and to each other.

“This program is a perfect example of how we build legacy,” said Gwendolyn V. Jenkins, President and CEO of TMJF. “When families learn together, they grow together. And when young people see themselves not just as students—but as future leaders, doctors, and creators—that’s how we close the wealth gap.”

Looking Ahead

As TMJF celebrates 15 years of impact, initiatives like this one underscore the importance of collaboration, culturally responsive programming, and community-rooted solutions. We are deeply grateful to Dr. Hewlett, CMSRU, and every student, parent, and mentor who made this experience a success.

This is more than a partnership. It’s a movement toward equity, opportunity, and generational transformation—one family at a time.

Malcolm Jenkins Delivers Keynote and Power Pathway Academy to Philly's 2020 Graduates

TMJF celebrates its 10th anniversary year by launching an innovative e-learning platform, providing youth with free access to a unique career readiness program

This afternoon, two-time Super Bowl Champion Malcolm Jenkins delivered a virtual keynote address to 13,500 graduating seniors of the School District of Philadelphia Class of 2020. The message was one on perseverance and adaptability. "Taking the easy way out is a choice. But I hope you hear me loud and clear, you will decide your future. You are valued. I know some of you are scared. This is an unprecedented time in our society with the pandemic and all the rituals you were looking forward to being taken away like getting together today for this ceremony. But I want you to know that the world is ever-changing, both good and bad. And you get to decide the life you want to have and the difference you can make in our community," Jenkins said. For full virtual graduation visit: https://www.philasd.org/2020grad/

The virtual event featured appearances from Philadelphia stars such as Eagles hall of famer Brian Dawkins, Black Thought from The Roots, musician Jill Scott, and rapper Freeway . The ceremony also include an original performance by a graduating senior, remarks by students and Mayor Jim Kenney, a video collage and more.

Following Jenkins’ keynote, Gwendolyn V. Jenkins President and CEO of The Malcolm Jenkins Foundation, announced the launch of Power Pathway Academy, surprising the graduates with the news that all of them would receive access to TMJF’s innovative digital empowerment program.

Power Pathway Academy is a groundbreaking digital career readiness program designed to engage youth ages 13-24 on their mobile devices with culturally relevant micro-learning experiences. Through swipeable, visual storytelling content, Power Pathway Academy aims to connect youth with career pathway opportunities, and the digital “power” skills, and soft “mind” skills required in a highly digital 21st century workforce.   “Power Pathway Academy highlights the career journeys of powerful, under-represented role models to create awareness for the wide variety of career pathways available to both college-bound and non-college bound students, including filmmaking, design, digital marketing, coding, advertising, music, fashion design and much more.” 

 Even before the COVID-19 crisis, schools were struggling to adequately equip students with the technical knowledge and employability skills required for working in a competitive and highly digital workforce. COVID-19 has increased this need for digital career readiness programming, with students losing months of in-person instruction and guidance from school counselors. This disruption, coupled with unprecedented unemployment rates, has made Power Pathway Academy an important resource for our youth, whether they are college-bound or going directly into the workforce.  

 TMJF is launching Power Pathway Academy in partnership with Comcast, Microsoft, Facebook Elevate, Insomnia Cookies, DiverseForce, Damari Savile and ListenUp Media. Partner companies will feature stories of their own diverse role models, as a way to create awareness for their company’s many career pathway opportunities.

For more information, to get involved, or to register your student, visit www.powerpathway.academy