Fisk University Students Capture $40K Scholarship with Winning Financial Literacy Campaign

Fisk University has once again demonstrated its entrepreneurial excellence, with four students securing a $40,000 scholarship after winning Experian and HomeFree-USA's 2026 #IYKYK pitch competition. The victory marks a second consecutive win for the Nashville-based HBCU in the national contest designed to amplify student voices in corporate financial literacy campaigns.

Team F2—comprising students Hannah Daniel, Habeebah Dawodu, Remi Adeshina, and Kanchan Thapa—triumphed with their innovative "FinCheck" campaign, which reimagines financial wellness conversations for Generation Z through social media-driven engagement.

Bringing Financial Literacy to Social Media

The winning "FinCheck" concept cleverly adapts the viral "fit check" trend that has dominated social platforms, redirecting that cultural momentum toward financial health discussions. The campaign will encourage Gen-Z users to share their financial wellness journeys, normalizing conversations about credit management, subscription services, and credit locking—making financial health "as routine and shareable as personal style," according to the team's presentation.

The strategy also includes plans for student and influencer-led activations on campuses nationwide, integrating financial education into the cultural fabric of college life. These initiatives support Experian's Big Financial Friend (BFF) campaign, designed to make financial wellness more accessible to young adults.

"We came into this competition and said we're going to put our best foot forward, we're going to get up here, have fun, and we're going to leave a lasting impact.



This is just beyond words."
— Hannah Daniel, Fisk biology major and Team F2 captain

Expanding Access Across the HBCU Community

The pitch competition represents a significant expansion of the Experian Credit Academy and the Center for Financial Advancement, in partnership with the National Urban League. The initiative has already reached several hundred students from multiple HBCUs and Minority Serving Institutions through credit education sessions and financial wellness workshops.

By incorporating student-led strategies into corporate campaigns, Experian is creating pathways for HBCU students to serve as financial literacy ambassadors within their own communities. The competition allows participants to apply classroom knowledge to real-world marketing challenges while building professional portfolios and industry connections.

Raudy Perez, senior director of External Inclusion and Belonging Partnerships for Experian North America, emphasized the corporate commitment to this approach: "Experian's Credit Academy and #IYKYK Pitch Competition aims to modernize and normalize the conversation around money and credit in a fun and culturally relevant way for young adults. Our partnerships with HomeFree-USA, CFA, and the National Urban League are essential in helping us reach and empower the next generation of leaders."

Perez added that the company was "inspired to see how these scholars lean into the learning and proactively share their knowledge as BFFs for their peers and communities."

Building Financial Empowerment for the Next Generation

As the Experian Credit Academy continues its investment in Gen-Z financial literacy, HBCU students like the Fisk team are positioning themselves as leaders in the financial wellness movement. The competition not only provides substantial scholarship support but also validates student innovation while addressing a critical need for culturally relevant financial education in underserved communities.

The victory reinforces Fisk University's legacy of producing students who excel in competitive academic and professional environments while contributing meaningful solutions to real-world challenges.

Originally reported by Black Enterprise.