Bronx Youth Attended Atlanta Investment Conference

Councilmember Kevin Riley led 60 Bronx students to an educational event in Atlanta held this past August.

Updated on Sept. 30, 2026 in Scholarships

Screen-print poster illustration of books with ascending geometric shapes, representing youth educational and financial empowerment. — Councilmember Kevin Riley led 60 Bronx youth to Atlanta’s Invest Fest in August, providing students with direct access to financial mentorship and higher education pathways. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Councilmember Kevin Riley took 60 young people from Council District 12 to the Invest Fest conference in Atlanta, which ran from August 7 to August 9, 2026. The program aimed to connect Bronx youth between the ages of 14 and 21 with opportunities in entrepreneurship, investing, and college life.

Why it matters

By facilitating direct exposure to financial education and academic environments, the initiative provides young residents with practical tools to build wealth and pursue higher education. This retrospective program highlights the importance of early mentorship in shaping the professional trajectories of underserved youth.

The delegation included 60 students aged 14 to 21. Achievements included a $1,500 High School Pitch Competition prize for Michael Collado and $250 startup funds for two AIMHIGH Empowerment Institute graduates.

The players

Kevin Riley

Kevin Riley is a New York City Councilmember representing Council District 12 in the Bronx.

Michael Collado

Michael Collado is a student who won a $1,500 prize in the High School Pitch Competition during the conference.

Roads To Success

Roads To Success is a community organization that partnered with the councilmember to facilitate the youth program.

AIMHIGH Empowerment Institute

AIMHIGH Empowerment Institute is an educational organization that supported the trip and provided investment funds to graduates.

The details

The initiative, which partnered with Roads To Success and the AIMHIGH Empowerment Institute, included pre-trip workshops in New York and attendance at the Earners Academy. During the trip, the youth group toured James Madison University and participated in ongoing leadership development and mentorship sessions.

August 7-9, 2026: The group attended the Invest Fest conference in Atlanta.

Culture Shift

This initiative reflects a broader movement to democratize financial literacy by integrating entrepreneurship training into youth development. It signals a shift away from traditional classroom-only education toward immersive, practical experiences that align with the growing interest in personal finance.

Participants gained direct access to capital and investment training that can be implemented in their own financial planning. The ongoing mentorship program ensures that the skills learned during the trip continue to influence the students' daily leadership and career development.

The takeaway

Early engagement with financial concepts and college campus life can significantly broaden a student's future career and investment horizons. Establishing investment portfolios at a young age provides a foundational step toward long-term financial independence.