FirstBank is joining forces with Rock The Street, Wall Street in support of the nonprofit organization’s mission to increase interest among female high school students in pursuing careers in banking and finance and to improve their overall financial literacy skills.

FirstBank President and CEO Chris Holmes kicked off the partnership by presenting a check to Ashley Leftwich, Partner Engagement Manager of Rock The Street, Wall Street. The presentation was made as part of Tennessee Financial Literacy Week, held this year April 5–9.

The organization was founded in Nashville, Tenn., by CEO Maura Cunningham in 2013, and since that time, it has established programs in 17 cities across the country and will see significant growth in the 2021–22 academic year. Rock The Street, Wall Street provides a yearlong financial and investment literacy program for girls, and uses female volunteers to teach financial education and make presentations about career opportunities to high school girls in under-represented communities.

“Rock The Street, Wall Street is honored to begin our relationship with first-time sponsor FirstBank for the 2021–22 academic year,” Cunningham said. “Many girls adjust their college searches and their career direction after completing our program, and FirstBank will help to change the trajectories for many high school girls in Nashville.”

As part of FirstBank’s involvement, female bank associates will be teaching financial literacy lessons for female students in grades 9–12 at KIPP Nashville, a free charter school located on Douglas Avenue, and will be conducting one-on-one mentoring sessions for students during the 2021–22 school year. There will also be a field trip to FirstBank where students can learn about the different roles women play at financial institutions.

“We are extremely excited about this partnership and the opportunity FirstBank has to encourage young female students to explore banking as a career option,” said Jeanie Rittenberry, Senior Vice President and Director of Marketing and Communications. “The work that Rock The Street is doing is so important in terms of helping our industry attract more women and provide them with opportunities to grow in rewarding careers.”

“It is well-known that banking has been a male-dominated industry in the past; but that is something that is changing, and we are happy to be part of that effort,” Rittenberry said. “This partnership aligns perfectly with our goal of attracting a more diverse workforce.”