Howard University is teaming up with Robinhood Markets, Inc., a financial services company dedicated to making financial markets accessible to people of all income levels, to redefine for student-athletes what it means to win both on and off the field.
Through the launch of Money Drills, Robinhood’s first partnership with a historically Black college or university, Howard’s student-athletes are gaining the financial playbook they need to secure brighter futures. This groundbreaking initiative equips participants with skills to navigate the growing opportunities—and challenges—of a changing athletic financial landscape.
Money Drills educates participants about budgeting, saving, investing, and credit management. This partnership comes at a pivotal time, as NCAA rules now allow student-athletes to profit from their name, image, and likeness. Despite lucrative opportunities, many professional athletes face financial instability post-retirement, with 65% of NBA players and nearly 80% of NFL players encountering significant financial issues within a few years of ending their careers.
The program’s launch featured workshops led by Planned to A.T.—a nonprofit that teaches financial literacy through gaming—and a guest lecture by former NFL player and finance educator Brandon Copeland. The event also included appearances by Howard Athletics Director Kery Davis, School of Business Dean Anthony Wilbon, and former NBA player Etan Thomas.
“Technology serves as a powerful democratizing force in the financial system—we’ve utilized it to usher in a new generation of investors and equip them with educational tools that welcome them into financial markets,” Mary Elizabeth Taylor, Robinhood’s vice president of global government and external affairs, said in a press release, emphasizing the program’s broader mission.
Howard joins a growing list of universities using this program, including Florida State University; University of California, Berkeley; and Duke University. They will be the ninth NCAA Division I school to join Money Drills. Since its inception over two years ago, the program has seen 95% of the participants report improved personal finance management skills.
