Saturday, March 7, 2009

Money X Live - Financial Literacy Event

The first ever event of its kind, "Money X Live" was held in Anaheim, California on Friday 27, 2009, as a means to creatively teach students the basics of financial literacy. Described as an MTV-style awards show mixed with education to inspire youth about financial literacy, upward mobility and being financially independent, the high-energy, high-impact event directly touched over 1,000 students through the use of performances and presentations by celebrities, musical groups and professional athletes. I have seen too many well intended organizations waste tremendous resources hosting events to "discuss" financial literacy, but Money X Live actually did something about it, and it worked.

We were fortunate to be included in the "Money X Live" event so that it could be filmed for inclusion in our forthcoming documentary movie, The Secrets of Money, as one of the "solutions" to the financial illiteracy epidemic that is sweeping America. We were also grateful to be granted special interviews with multiple of the event's celebrity participants (see photos below), who all spoke in support of better financial literacy education.

Whether we like it or not, as financial literacy advocates, we are competing for attention with the likes of MTV, American Idol and the X-Box; one of the most effective ways to get our message through is by using the same pop culture marketing angles and making the content practical and relevant to their daily lives. Hands down, Money X Live was far and above the most effective and successful way I have seen to promote financial literacy to the next generation. I hope that we will start seeing Money X Live events nationwide!

Braun Mincher with Money X Live Promoter, Vince Shorb


Wilmer Valderrama - "Fez" from TV sitcom 'That 70's Show'


Skateboarding legends Christian Hosoi and Brian Sumner


Tyler Christopher - "Nikolas Cassadine" on General Hospital


John "The Spider" Salley - NBA Champion & Talk Show Host
(Short People: Braun Mincher, Vince Shorb & Chad Penry)


Malcolm McCassy - Host of Malcolm's World TV & Founder of Ethika Underwear


Kaba Modern, Won Top 3 on America's Best Dance Crew (MTV)

Click here to see the complete photo album from the event online.

Check out the video below from Money X Live:

Posted by at

1 comment:

Vince Shorb said...

Braun thanks for everything you are doing in the battle against financial illiteracy. The financial education community needed someone to raise awareness about this issue - we appreciate you taking the lead!

In reviewing the list of people involved and experiencing the quality of the production, I'm sure this will be a huge success. I hope you have the affect that 'Super Size Me' had on McDonalds. We see the effects a fast food diet has on people and we also see what happens when people do not receive a practical financial education. Its been front page news everyday for the past 8 months now.

I like the holistic approach that you have taken to presenting this topic - from policy makers, to educators, to financial education experts, to the everyday person that has their life impacted because they lack real world money skills.

The Secrets of Money: The Documentary Movie is needed right now! I know this documentary has the potential to affect millions of lives and keep up the great work! Vince

March 9, 2009 at 11:03 AM

Post a Comment

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)