CEO & scholar to present Greenwood’s expanded finance career program for minority students at FIA Expo in Chicago
ELMHURST, IL (JLN) — November 11, 2025 — When Kwesi Smith became CEO of the Greenwood Project, he saw an opportunity to do more than tinker at the edges of career access for Black and Latino students. “The biggest change is that we lengthened our learning journey for the scholars,” Smith explained to John Lothian News, describing how students are trained in a yearlong program during their sophomore year, instead of a four-week intensive training session preceding a truncated six-week summer internship.
FIA EXPO participants will get a chance to hear about how Greenwood participants—known as scholars—now spend a full 12 months developing skills, allowing them to “build command of information and for us to do as much as we would like to do with them.” Smith and Greenwood Scholar Zikora Okonkwo will engage in a conversation onstage on Monday about how disciplined training, data-driven preparation, and real-world experience are shaping the next generation of industry talent.
Greenwood expanded from serving about 50 scholars annually to around 200, with plans to reach 300 graduates per year. The curriculum also now includes sales and fintech academies—covering roles from software engineering to proprietary trading—and, most recently, an investment academy for those interested in banking, private equity or venture capital. Scholars attend weekly classes and can spend up to 15 hours weekly on homework, supported by a coaching team of industry veterans. “The learning journey has been lengthened, but also the level of support has increased drastically,” Smith said.
A recent merger with Dallas-based Stream Foundation positions Greenwood to further expand its reach throughout the South and Southeast. “Stream is going to be integral in terms of us continuing a more national expansion,” Smith said, noting that virtual delivery now allows scholars nationwide to enroll.
The impact, Smith said, is evident: 70% of Greenwood graduates move into full-time roles in finance, and 90% into “high-trajectory” careers requiring a four-year degree with significant earning potential. “Our north star and our vision is to create a hundred million in economic mobility every year,” Smith said. “When someone participates in our program, they see generally a one- to three-million uptick in lifetime earnings, which really can position them to impact their family and communities for generations to come.”
Smith emphasized that Greenwood’s network effect is growing. “Our biggest recruiting and referral source is really word of mouth with scholars,” he said, adding that application acceptance rates have dropped to about 15% as demand surges. Corporate partners no longer guarantee interns slots; instead, both firms and students choose what fits best. “Now scholars have the agency to choose the roles that are right for them,” Smith said.
At FIA Expo in Chicago, Smith will deliver a clear message: “We can’t do this work without support,” inviting both volunteers and financial sponsors to join Greenwood’s mission. “It’s always been refreshing to engage with FIA at the conference,” he said. “What I would love for individuals to walk away with is that now is an exciting time to partner and invest in the Greenwood Project.”
