Angel Reese and Magic Johnson Launch Wealth Playbook to Empower Baltimore High School Seniors with Financial Literacy

Magic Johnson, an NBA legend and WNBA star, and Angel Reese, a WNBA star, will join forces to launch a transformational initiative to close the racial wealth gap and empower the next generation of leaders in Baltimore.

The duo announced the creation of Wealth Playbook, a new financial literacy program targeting high school seniors in Baltimore, through a joint effort by the Angel Reese Foundation, the Magic Johnson Foundation, and Pull Up Neighbor, a community-focused marketing and outreach firm.

The program is designed to teach students the basic principles of money management and long-term wealth creation, including budgeting, credit education, investing, homeownership, and entrepreneurship. Financial literacy is made accessible and actionable for young adults preparing for life after high school, using culturally relevant tools and real-world scenarios in the curriculum.

“For me, this is about giving kids the knowledge and tools I wish I had when I was their age,” said Angel Reese, born and raised in Randallstown, Maryland. “Baltimore made me who I am, and it’s only right that I invest in my community. Wealth Playbook is about creating real change—one student, one family at a time.”

The racial wealth gap in America is still staggering, making the Wealth Playbook a timely addition. The National Community Reinvestment Coalition reported in October 2024 that Black households have an 85% wealth gap compared to white families. Hispanic families are behind by 78%.

The median wealth of white households in 2019 was $219,206, while Black households had a median of just $27,937. Wealth Playbook’s goal is to tackle these disparities head-on, which are deeply rooted in systemic inequalities. Reese, who played at LSU and was selected for the WNBA in 2024, has kept close connections to her roots.

In 2023, she gave $12,000 to cover the tuition for one of the girls’ basketball team members at Saint Frances Academy, where she also received scholarship support. The same year, she founded her nonprofit, the Angel C. Reese Foundation, to create opportunities for underrepresented youth through education, mentorship, and sports.

Saint Frances remains central to its work. Magic Johnson, a key figure in community development for over thirty years, will join Reese on this mission. The Magic Johnson Foundation, founded in 1991, has been dedicated to improving access to education, health care, and economic empowerment in underserved communities.

“Financial literacy is not a luxury—it’s a necessity,” said Magic Johnson. “If we want to see real generational change, we have to start with education. I’m proud to partner with Angel, who’s doing incredible work in her hometown, to help bring this vision to life.”

Johnson’s journey from NBA icon to business mogul highlights the power of financial education. Forbes reports that he has amassed a net worth of $1.5 billion since he started entrepreneurship. Much of his fortune comes from Equitrust, a life insurance company that has grown from $16 billion to $27 billion in assets under management since he took over in 2015. Wealth Playbook’s rollout will start this summer, with workshops being offered at local high schools and community centers, beginning with Saint Frances Academy. The plan is to expand the program to other cities, using Baltimore as an example of success in the long run.

Pull Up Neighbor specializes in culturally relevant, grassroots marketing and will help ensure the initiative is deeply embedded in the local community. The firm will provide maximum impact and engagement by overseeing on-ground outreach and creating real-life financial scenarios that students can relate to.

“Bringing together Angel’s passion, Magic’s business acumen, and our expertise in community engagement makes this a powerful trifecta,” said Fredrick A. Whitaker, CEO of Pull Up Neighbor. “We’re not just handing out pamphlets—we’re building a movement.”

Wealth Playbook aims to provide Baltimore seniors with a roadmap as they prepare to graduate and take their next steps in life.

“This is about teaching our kids that they can not only succeed—they can build, grow, and own their future,” Reese said. “That’s what real wealth looks like.”