Curtis ‘Wall Street’ Carroll is an incarcerated individual who learned to read and trade stocks while in prison.
He highlights the importance of financial literacy and how it can empower individuals, especially those from disadvantaged backgrounds.
Carroll shares his personal journey and his efforts to promote financial literacy among incarcerated individuals through his program, Financial Empowerment Emotional Literacy (FEEL).
Early life and path to crime
Curtis Carroll’s early life in Oakland, California, was marked by family addiction to crack cocaine and a lack of positive role models.
He turned to crime, believing it was his only option, a decision that eventually led to his incarceration.
Discovering the power of finance
While in prison, Carroll discovered the world of finance through a newspaper’s business section.
This sparked his interest in stocks and motivated him to learn to read and educate himself, offering a glimmer of hope for a better future.
The importance of financial literacy
Carroll views financial literacy as a crucial skill that has been lacking in disadvantaged communities for generations.
He argues that financial illiteracy is a significant public safety issue, as many incarcerated individuals have committed money-related crimes.
