LITTLE ROCK – Little Rock residents will have an opportunity to sharpen their financial literacy skills and better position themselves to build wealth during a grant-funded event hosted by the City of Little Rock next month.

“CapitalCon: Navigating Your Financial Journey” is Saturday, Dec. 9, at 11 a.m. at the Statehouse Convention Center.

The free event is paid for through the Economic Mobility Leadership Institute (EMLI), a program of the African American Mayors Association. The grant is funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. Little Rock was one of just nine cities nationwide to receive EMLI grant funding for projects intended to improve financial literacy and foster wealth generation, especially for underserved communities.

“We know that financial literacy is a key step toward economic mobility, and it’s our responsibility as leaders to connect residents with the tools and information they need to generate wealth,” said Mayor Frank Scott, Jr. “As a City, we were fortunate to receive an EMLI grant to fund a dynamic, engaging day of programming that will help build a better and more prosperous future for the people of our City.”

A report released earlier this year listed Arkansas as the least financially literate state in the nation. “CapitalCon” attempts to improve financial knowledge with a series of presentations and informative workshops on investments, estate planning, home ownership, entrepreneurship and more.

Any resident interested in learning more about improving their financial standing and preparing for the future should attend the Dec. 9 event. A full agenda with speakers and other features of the program will be announced soon.