As part of a new holistic approach to financial literacy that empowers participants to achieve financial freedom and success in all areas of life, The Urban League of the Upstate (ULUS) has partnered with South Carolina businessman and bestselling author Erik Weir to develop a personal finance course.

Based on Weir’s business book, “Who’s Eating Your Pie? Essential Financial Advice That Will Transform Your Life,” the free course will be taught by trained mentors both online and in person.

It will focus on Weir’s Start-Stop-More-Less principle (SSML), which encourages those seeking to better their financial position to: START something you’ve never done, STOP something that’s not working, do MORE of something that is taking you closer to where you want to go, and do LESS of something that isn’t getting you there (or isn’t getting you there efficiently).

The course material will include a Victory Journal for recording personal and financial wins, motivational quotes by Weir and Zig Ziglar, video interviews, reflection activities, case studies and some of the very same financial advice that Weir provides to his clients.

The course is expected to launch this fall.

The National Urban League (NUL) believes increased financial literacy can lead to improved financial capability and practices that benefit even those with relatively low incomes.

Financial literacy is combining financial knowledge with attitudes, skills, and behaviors, which are essential to make a financial decision based on personal circumstances, according to Urban League officials.

The ULUS has been offering community-based services in the 10-county region for over 50 years.

In 2022, the organization made strategic programmatic decisions to be nationally aligned and locally relevant.

"We are uniquely positioned to impact lives,” said Gail Awan, ULUS president and CEO. “As a historic civil rights organization representing African American and underserved communities, this is our mission."

She added, "Erik Weir is an expert in providing financial advice, he understands the needs of entrepreneurs, and he deeply cares about making a difference. We are excited to partner with him on this course.” 

"Personal finance is a subject that historically has been left off school curriculums, as a result, many young people today lack the understanding and guidance as to how their finances actually work,” Weir said.

He added, “Money is a tool. Like any tool, it can’t do anything on its own; it requires competent hands to wield it. That is why I am excited to collaborate with the Urban League of the Upstate on an innovative companion course for students, small and minority owned business owners, entrepreneurs, and creative professionals. Together, we will empower more people with the financial tools they need to grow a bigger, sweeter financial pie.”

“Who’s Eating Your Pie? Essential Financial Advice That Will Transform Your Life” was published by Forefront Books/Simon & Schuster in May 2022.

For more information, go to urbanleagueupstate.org.