Today we’d like to introduce you to Tiffany Pearson-Kilgore and Ashley Rutland. Them and their team share their story with us below:
Planned to A.T. was founded by two educators, Ashley Rutland and Tiffany Pearson-Kilgore, who were inspired by interactions with their students who often dream of becoming professional athletes but did not understand the parameters that go along with the financial benefits as an avenue for a better way of life. After exchanging stories of their student’s dreams, Ashley and Tiffany brainstormed on how they could get ahead of the statistics of 80% of NFL players going broke 2-3 after retiring and created their Non-profit, Planned to A.T. Inc.
With a combined experience of 16+ years in education, Ashley and Tiffany designed this interactive curriculum to immerse student-athletes in experiences that are engaging, impactful and set them up with tangible next steps to develop long-term healthy financial habits.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
The biggest obstacle we face now, of course, is the lack of finances, which has been compounded with the fallout from situations evolving around COVID. Although we have had a VERY strong interest in our program from the colleges and universities we have been in contact/ connected with, the fact remains that many of these schools lack the money needed to fund the program. They recognize the need for these services, know the program can have a positive and much-needed impact, and would be extremely beneficial to their student body overall but the reality is, funding is limited and budgets are very tight. therefore in the interim, we are in the process of this obstacle can be eliminated, and we can proceed to reach and teach as many students/ individuals as possible. We KNOW we can make a difference when given the opportunity.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
What makes Planned to A.T. unique is our laser focus on not just improving financial literacy as it may impact an individual currently but our goal is to help guide and change the overall mindset of that person’s family which can impact the community, which in turn can impact the city. Therefore in our workshops, we are targeting college students and high school students. Where possible we encourage parent participation with the high school students because that can bring the most impact and accountability for that students. For example, one of our workshops included some students AND parents. We heard feedback from parents like “O.K. I’m going to hold you accountable” pertaining to the financial goals students set at the end of our interactive workshop. We have had adults thank us for giving them ideas on what they themselves can apply personally.
Another thing we are most proud of is our educational background. We are TEACHERS and we know how to TEACH. But it’s not just PRESENTING the material…..anyone can do that. Our training includes knowing not only WHAT to teach but understanding HOW to teach. How to make the material relatable. Getting across the concept of WHY you really need to know this and apply it to your life. We are not just “sit and git” teachers. We take action! Our mission is to make a financial paradigm shift for the community in general, which can be a starting point for a productive financial future for anyone involved.
Can you talk to us a bit about happiness and what makes you happy?
What makes us most happy is the fact that we are cousins, we share a common background/value system, and our goals align so much! Even both of our mothers worked in the education system. We are simply so in sync, which makes working together seamless. Our families have instilled the value of making a difference, which serves as the foundation upon which we build everything else. We are tasked with the goal to serve, which reflects in our backgrounds as teachers so that is just a part of us, to the core (pun intended). It makes us happy that we are able to do something we not only love as educators, but at the same time, we can really have a positive impact while doing it.
Contact Info:
- Email: info@plannedtoat.org
- Website: https://www.plannedtoat.org
- Instagram: @plannedtoat_inc
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/plannedtoatinc
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/PlannedtoAT_inc
Image Credits
@clicksbycarrington
