Alice Zhou was recognized by the Contra Costa County’s Board of Supervisors with the Innovation and Empowerment Youth Hall of Fame Award on March 26 at the Annual César E. Chávez Commemorative Celebration.
Alice Zhou, a junior at Miramonte High School, was awarded the Youth Hall of Fame Award for founding Finclusion, an impact investment education nonprofit, during the 30th Annual César E. Chávez Commemorative Celebration on March 26 in Martinez.
Finclusion offers fellowships, courses and competitions to high school students. Its mission is to equip individuals with the skills and knowledge to contribute to positive global change through socially responsible investment initiatives.
Zhou’s fellowship programs offer low-income students economic mobility through cash grants that high schoolers can invest in a stock of their choice.
Just 14 years old, Zhou began outreach to schools in hopes of partnering. While many declined, she didn’t take “no” for an answer.
With the help of a passionate team she built, Zhou secured partnerships with T1 high schools – schools that are eligible to receive funding from the Department of Education – because they are located in underserved areas.
Zhou’s mother, Jessie Zhou, said her daughter had done everything on her own.
“From navigating the process of filing for Finclusion’s 501(c)(3) status to obtaining grant funding for Finclusion’s various programs,” she said. “I am proud to see her take on new challenges every day to serve students nationwide.”
Today, more than 326 students have completed Finclusion’s online courses that teach Foundations of Investing, Stocks and Bonds, Investment Strategies, Financial Statements and Advanced Portfolio Management.
Finclusion now has 13 promising partnerships and staff from England, India, Canada, Hong Kong, and Australia, as well as Texas, Arizona, Florida, North Carolina, New York, Connecticut, Kentucky and more.
Zhou looks forward to continuing to lead and scale the organization while she pursues a career in asset management.
Concurrently, the young inventor was awarded for her work at the César E. Chávez Celebration.
The annual event recognizes Chávez’s commitment to advocacy for labor rights with youth awards, performances and speakers.
Deputy Chief of Staff for county Supervisor, Ken Carlson, and a committee planner for the event, Lia Bristol, looked over more than 50 nominations.
Bristol said Zhou’s nomination stood out.
“When we read Alice Zhou’s nomination and learned about the non-profit she founded, we knew we had to recognize her in a way that hasn’t been done before,” said Bristol. “We created a new category this year to honor Alice and others who will come after her.”
Zhou was awarded in the “Innovation and Empowerment” category and talks about her goals to continue Chavez’s legacy.
“This award motivates me to continue serving and inspiring students within my community to change the landscape of access to financial literacy education.”
For more information about impact investing, visit Finclusion at finclusionall.org or contact Zhou at alice@finclusionlearn.org. To nominate someone for next year’s award ceremony, go to contracosta.ca.gov.
