Keith Ford II
TBL Financial Literacy Advocate
Personal Notes
Financial literacy has completely transformed my life. Understanding how money works—budgeting, saving, investing, and making informed financial decisions—has given me the freedom and confidence to build a more secure future. But more importantly, it has shown me how powerful this knowledge can be in changing lives, especially in communities where financial education is often lacking.
That’s why I’m committed to sharing what I’ve learned. Through financial literacy programs, I’m working to equip young people and families with the tools they need to take control of their finances and create opportunities for themselves. Knowledge is power, and financial education is one of the greatest gifts we can give to the next generation.
This is more than just a passion—it’s a mission. And I’m excited to continue pushing this forward, one community at a time.
Keith Ford II, The Basketball League (TBL) and the National Financial Educators Council
Born and raised in the inner city, Keith Ford II grew up witnessing poverty both in his neighborhood and at home. Life forced Keith to mature quickly—at just 16, he became a father, shifting his focus to building a strong foundation for his daughter’s future. Determined to break the cycle, Keith turned to sports, using basketball as more than just a game but as a tool to gain knowledge and open doors beyond the court. Keith’s talent led him to Vincennes University, where he played college basketball. When the ball stopped bouncing, Keith found himself searching for his true calling. That search led him back to his roots—serving his community. Over time, Keith became a personal trainer, mentor, and behavioral therapist, helping others find discipline, purpose, and strength in their own journeys. Yet, one question always remained in Keith’s mind: how could he achieve financial stability and maintain it? The answer came when Keith discovered financial literacy. Knowing that education was the key to financial freedom, he took a life-changing course from the National Financial Educators Council (NFEC) and never looked back. Now, as an NFEC Certified Financial Education Instructor, Keith teaches financial literacy to young students at an elementary school in North Chicago, Illinois, empowering the next generation with the tools to build a better future. Keith’s mission is clear—breaking cycles, creating opportunities, and giving back to the community that raised him.
TBL and the NFEC work together to spread financial literacy throughout TBL’s professional sports league communities. This campaign kicked off in 2020 with the objective to train TBL teams, executives, and staff how to teach personal finance. Other partners that generously support the campaign include Barons, Broad St. South Podcast with Angel Martinez, and the fans and teams in the 49 TBL cities.
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