From April 25-27, I conducted the first set of case studies for my research project, Financial Exclusion in the Southern U.S.: The Real Whys, Challenges, and the [Potential] Role of Digital Inclusion, in Miami. This initiative was done in collaboration with Kredit Academy and its CEO, Evan Leaphart, combining our shared mission of addressing financial exclusion with the community trust Evan has built over the years.
Kredit Academy is a fintech startup dedicated to helping individuals of all ages navigate the path from basic financial literacy to credit mastery. Through its two core products, Kiddie Kredit and Kredit Quest, the company focuses on closing financial and credit-specific knowledge gaps and introducing the right tools at the right time.
I first connected with Evan in 2022 at a fintech conference, and we’ve stayed in touch as fellow founders passionate about financial inclusion. When Miami was selected as a key city for this project, Evan was the first person I reached out to. His deep roots and ongoing community work made Kredit Academy the perfect partner for this research.
The workshop focused on engaging residents of Miami-Dade County who are unbanked, underbanked, or otherwise financially underserved. This area was prioritized because Miami-Dade ranks 5th in the nation among unbanked counties, with nearly 15% of residents unbanked and over 20% underbanked. The primary goal was to conduct in-depth conversations with at least five individuals, laying the groundwork for future studies across 6-8 cities and bigger groups.
The experience offered valuable insights into the financial challenges residents face and the nuances of conducting intimate, community-based research. Two moments in particular stood out:
Trust and Reluctance: One participant was hesitant to engage in a group setting and was deeply concerned about the confidentiality of his information. Building trust took time and reassurance. Ultimately, his relationship with Evan and the credibility of Kredit Academy were key in opening up the conversation. This experience reinforced how essential local trust is when addressing sensitive financial topics.
Diverse Perspectives in a Shared Household: A memorable interview involved a couple—one banked, the other unbanked. While aligned in many aspects of life, their views on money and trust in financial institutions differed due to family history and personal experiences. This dialogue surfaced new, relevant questions not originally on my list, which will now be incorporated into future sessions.
A key takeaway from this workshop was the affirmation of my thesis: in-person, on-the-ground engagement is critical. Virtual conversations cannot replicate the depth, authenticity, and trust built through face-to-face interactions, especially when working with historically underserved communities. Demonstrating empathy, showing that their stories matter, and being present in spaces where they feel comfortable make a significant difference.
Looking ahead, I’m eager to apply these lessons in our next stop, New York City. Partnering with trusted local organizations and approaching each conversation carefully and intentionally will remain central to this project’s success. Ultimately, the goal remains the same: the insights gathered will help shape future and better policies and financial technology solutions designed for true inclusion.
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