Talk Financial Literacy In Bridgeport On 'Stellar Credit Day'

BRIDGEPORT, CT — In 2019, a study ranked Bridgeport No. 1 nationwide among cities with high credit card debt — and an event this weekend is designed to help change that.

Titled "Financial Finesse: Building Your Economic Legacy," the program is hosted by public benefit corporation StellarFi in collaboration with the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority's Bridgeport-based Theta Tau Omega chapter.

"Financial Finesse" takes place on Saturday from 10:30 a.m.- 2 p.m. at Housatonic Community College. It will begin with breakfast and registration, followed by a keynote address and a panel discussion.

At its close, Mayor Joe Ganim will proclaim April 30 "Stellar Credit Day."

The goal of the program is to give citizens the support, resources and community needed to build healthy relationships with money, officials said. It is free and open to the public, though RSVPs are required ahead of time and can be done here.

Stacey Tisdale — CEO of Mind, Money, Media, Inc. and founding partner of StellarFi — will attend it.

StellarFi, which will publicly launch this summer, aims to open access to credit to the 132 million Americans who currently have poor credit or no credit, officials said. (Nearly 25 percent of Bridgeport residents struggle with more than $10,000 in credit card debt, the 2019 study found.)

Read more: This CT City Has Highest Credit Card Debt In The Country

"Financial Finesse" will be held in Housatonic Community College's Beacon Hall (900 Lafayette Blvd., Bridgeport). Parking is available in the school's garage, and entry is on Lafayette Boulevard.

All guests and participants must show proof of vaccination and wear a mask, and temperatures and waivers will be taken at the door.