Shangra-La Jones
Financial literacy is no longer optional—it’s a life skill. On a recent episode of The Stardom101 Magazine Podcast, we sat down with Shangra-La Jones, a nationally recognized financial educator, author, and community advocate who is changing how money education reaches children, families, and underserved communities.
With over 20 years of experience in the financial industry, two Master’s degrees, and a passion for equity, Shangra-La Jones is on a mission to ensure financial literacy is accessible, engaging, and effective for all.
Who Is Shangra-La Jones?
Shangra-La Jones serves as an Advisory Board Member for the Colorado Financial Educators Council (COFEC) and is an active participant on the National Financial Educators Council (NFEC) Financial Advocacy Committee. Her work supports nationwide efforts to establish financial literacy standards, encourage parental involvement, and deliver high-impact financial wellness programs at the community level.
Her background includes:
Master of Public Financial Management
Master of Public Administration
NFEC Certification
NFEC Board Membership
Over two decades in banking, auditing, and brokerage services
Since 2008, she has taught financial literacy courses to both youth and adults, equipping people with the tools they need to make informed financial decisions.
The Ultimate Financial Literacy Program
Shangra-La is the founder of The Ultimate Financial Literacy Program LLC, a Black-owned business that collaborates with the National Financial Educators Council, an IACET-accredited provider and Certified B Corporation™.
The program is built on 15+ years of research and real-world implementation, focusing on:
Financial literacy equity
Evidence-based education models
Clear learning outcomes
Community-centered financial empowerment
The goal is simple but powerful: reach communities that have historically lacked access to quality financial education and close the financial knowledge gap.
Teaching Financial Literacy Starting at Age 7
One of the most impactful aspects of Shangra-La’s work is her belief that financial education should begin early. Her book series, The Ultimate Financial Literacy Program, introduces children as young as seven to financial concepts using a word association learning method.
This approach helps learners:
Build vocabulary
Improve reading comprehension
Strengthen critical thinking
Form long-term understanding beyond memorization
By connecting new financial terms to what children already know, the material becomes both accessible and memorable.
Featured Books in The Ultimate Financial Literacy Series
The Ultimate Financial Literacy Word Search for Kids
An engaging 100-page activity book featuring over 1,200 financial literacy words, including budgeting, student loans, savings, and investing—designed to make learning fun and interactive.
The Ultimate Financial Literacy Word Search
A more advanced 2,000-word puzzle book for teens and adults covering topics like:
Stocks and bonds
Mutual funds
Risk management
Asset allocation
Portfolio diversification
Perfect for beginners and seasoned learners alike.
The Ultimate Financial Literacy Workbook for Kids
A hands-on workbook filled with:
Word searches
Word scrambles
Career path mazes
Interactive activities
Designed to help children develop real-world money management skills while staying engaged.
Financial Literacy, Faith, and Community Impact
During the conversation, Shangra-La also spoke about the importance of working with churches and community organizations to promote not just economic awareness, but long-term financial participation.
Her message is clear:
Financial empowerment isn’t about appearances—it’s about preparation, education, and ownership.
She encourages leaders, influencers, and public figures to use their platforms responsibly and invest in financial education that builds generational stability.
Special Offer for Listeners
For the month of December, Shangra-La Jones is offering 20% off her books as part of her mission to expand access to financial education.
This is an ideal opportunity for:
Parents
Educators
Churches
Youth leaders
Community organizations
What’s Next?
Looking ahead, Shangra-La is preparing to release a new financial literacy workbook for teens and adults in 2026, designed to bridge the gap between foundational knowledge and practical financial application.
Her work continues to evolve—but the mission remains the same:
financial literacy for all communities, without exception.
Connect with Shangra-La Jones
Learn more about her work and programs:
https://www.financialeducatorscouncil.org/advisory-board-member-shangra-la-jones/
https://www.financialeducatorscouncil.org/shangra-la-jones-on-savings-expenses-and-budget-planning/
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Listen to the Full Podcast Episode
Catch the full conversation on The Stardom101 Magazine Podcast, available wherever you listen to podcasts.
About the Author
