By Leonard E. ColvinChief ReporterNew Journal and GuideThe Hampton University classes of 2026 and beyond have yet to attend one hour of class at the private HBCU in Virginia as seniors.But thanks to a joint venture with the college and a Digital Investment Firm, the Pirates will be receiving a present that will give them a lifetime of economic reward.It happens because of a unique partnership between the 159-year-old institution and Stackwell, the digital investment platform designed to eliminate the racial wealth gap.Recently, the two institutions announced the launch of a new student investment program that will provide funded investment accounts and financial investment education to every member of the university’s freshman classes.Recently, the two institutions announced the launch of a new student investment program that will provide funded investment accounts and financial investment education to every member of the university’s freshman class.Hampton is donating a total of $25,000 to seed Stackwell investment accounts for each student in the Class of 2026, which will be coupled with a financial literacy program from the Society for Financial Education and Professional Development (SFEPD). SFEPD’s program will allow every student, faculty member, staff member, and parent access to an online financial literacy course valued at $3,000—free of charge.The goal of the program is to empower students and their families’ financial futures and encourage wealth building throughout their lives.Hampton and Stackwell hope to grow the size of the program in the future, and will provide the same program and seeded investment accounts for successive incoming classes of students, continuing with the class of 2027 and beyond.According to Federal Reserve and other data sources, the racial wealth gap for the Black community grows larger with each passing generation.White American families on average hold on average eight times more wealth than African Americans ones.The National Bureau of Economic Research says the wealth disparity is the largest of the economic ones between Black and white AmericansThese trends are growing up to 17 times for the Millennial population and Gen Z.The addition of corporate partners and benefactors will be vital in expanding the program in the coming years.“This new program is a key component to delivering the #1 student experience in America,” said University President Darrell K. Williams.“Hampton University is committed to investing in the advancement of our students as future leaders and building generational wealth on a national scale. We are proud to partner with Stackwell to bring such a unique and important program to our campus.”This is the first program in the country to provide financial education and funded investment accounts for an entire class of students. Eligible students will sign up for their own Stockwell investment account, which will be seeded with funds from the university’s donationEach student will also participate in a financial literacy program as part of their core curriculu