Powered by BNT's Empowerment Resource Academy (ERA)
Tracy Crosby
YOUTH FINANCIAL LITERACY MANAGER
Empowering Youth. Building Financial Skills. Breaking Cycles. Creating Generational Wealth.
Tracy D. Crosby brings over 15 years of experience in education, workforce development, and finance to her role at BNT. She began her career as a financial analyst after earning a bachelor’s degree in accounting, later adding master’s degrees in psychology and organizational leadership. Tracy spent a decade teaching in post-secondary Social and Behavioral Sciences programs.
In 2017, she shifted into Workforce and Community Development to apply her skills in support of underserved communities. Most recently, she served as a public-school teacher, delivering instruction in Career & Technical Education, Financial Literacy, and Data Analytics. She has designed and led customized programs for schools and nonprofits and is passionate about helping youth and young adults gain confidence and real-world financial skills.
Empowerment Resource Academy (ERA)’s Youth and Young Adult Financial Literacy program includes two distinct tracks:
High School Financial Literacy Course Support
A unique, school-specific model supporting Bridgeport high schools in delivering the new state-required financial literacy course through 4-5 essential strategies few, if any others, offer nationwide.
Workshops for Summer and Afterschool Youth Programs
Custom financial education workshops offered through the City of Bridgeport’s youth programs for middle and high school students. These programs serve approximately 3,900 youth and young adults ages 14 to 21, with ERA reaching a growing subset each year.
In both tracks, we have access to engage parents and caregivers with free adult education and coaching, helping build financial stability across entire households. We’re starting in Bridgeport but are exploring one or both models in nearby towns and cities where similar programs could bring the same high-impact benefits. For more information, contact Tracy@bntweb.org.
Track 1: High School Course Support
Connecticut now requires all high school students to complete a financial literacy course to graduate. In Bridgeport, ERA supports this effort by working alongside teachers—not replacing them—to help deliver quality instruction.
We offer value-added support tailored to each classroom, including:
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Curriculum and pacing guides based on the Next Gen Personal Finance curriculum
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In-class support or demo lessons, plus help with specific topics or teaching strategies
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Community guest speakers to bring real-world insight
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Professional development sessions that connect teachers to each other and highlight best practices
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Pre- and post-assessments to measure student progress and assist administrator planning
Every teacher’s needs are different. Some ask for help with a single topic, others use our support throughout the semester. We adjust based on what works best for them.
Track 2: Summer and Afterschool Youth Workshops
ERA also delivers direct instruction and hands-on workshops to Bridgeport youth through:
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Summer programs for middle and high school students, including job readiness components for those in paid summer employment
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Afterschool programs that reinforce personal finance topics and prepare students for high school coursework
These workshops are engaging, interactive, and tailored to different age groups. Topics include:
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Banking, Budgeting, and Saving
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Credit and Debt
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Paying for College and Understanding Financial Aid
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Consumer Protection, Taxes, and Insurance
Additional topics—such as Career Exploration and Planning, Alternatives to College (like trade schools and certification programs), FinTech, AI in Finance, and Cryptocurrency—may be supported by community guest speakers and subject matter experts, depending on program design and availability.
Whole-Family Approach
We don’t just serve students — we aim to engage families as well. For future afterschool programs, we hope to include joint workshops for parents and caregivers alongside their children, as well as adult-only sessions. All participants will have the opportunity to access free, one-on-one coaching with ERA’s certified financial counselors, depending on program design and partner interest. Select workshops will also include free dinners generously provided by Chick-fil-A.
Program Highlights (2024–2025)
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Supported curriculum rollout in various Bridgeport high schools (Spring 2025)
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Professional development and pacing guides for 6 teachers
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Guest speakers from the financial industry
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Pre- and post-assessments for 200+ students
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Launch of youth workshops at 7 summer program sites (starting July 2025)
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Afterschool workshops begin in Fall 2025
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Monthly family dinners offered for workshop participants (starting September 2025).
For Schools and Program Partners
We’re ready to collaborate with educators, program coordinators, and school leaders. ERA can support:
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Curriculum and pacing planning
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In-class instruction and co-teaching
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Workshop design and delivery
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Professional development
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Family engagement tools
- Real-life insights from local professionals, mentors, and college students
Contact Us
Tracy D. Crosby, Youth Financial Literacy Manager
tracy@bntweb.org, 203-290-4255 ext. 105
Let’s work together to bring high-quality, real-world financial education to Bridgeport’s youth and families.