Romio Harvey
TBL Financial Literacy Advocate
Personal Notes
It’s just so easy to let money stuff slide, to think of it as a boring chore we’ll get to “someday.” But honestly, that “someday” rarely comes with the clear mind and purpose we need to actually make a real difference.
Think of it like planting a garden. If we just toss a few seeds around without much thought—some on the sidewalk, some in rocky dirt, maybe a few in good soil—what kind of harvest do we expect? Probably not much, right? But if we take the time to get the soil ready, pick good seeds, plant them carefully, water them often, and keep the weeds away, we’re setting ourselves up for a fantastic crop.
Our money works the exact same way. Being intentional means more than just paying our bills on time or quickly checking our bank balance. It means really getting involved with our money. Knowing where it comes from, where it goes, and most importantly, where we want it to take us. It’s about setting clear goals, whether that’s saving for a house down payment, planning for when we stop working, or just building up an emergency fund. Then, we make a plan to get there. The financial “seeds” we plant now—like saving steadily, making smart choices with our spending, and investing wisely—are what will grow into our future financial security and freedom.
Life can throw curveballs, and having stable finances gives us a really important safety net. But beyond that, being intentional with money gives us freedom. Freedom from constant worrying, freedom to grab cool opportunities, and ultimately, the freedom to live the life we truly want. It’s not about saying no to everything fun; it’s about empowerment. It’s about making smart choices today that will really help our future self. So, let’s all try to be thoughtful, careful, and proactive with our money. Your future self will definitely thank you for it!
Romio Harvey, The Basketball League (TBL) and the National Financial Educators Council
Romio Harvey brings a unique blend of passion, discipline, and practical financial wisdom to every audience. A former student-athlete, Harvey understands firsthand the dedication and sacrifice required to pursue ambitious goals. While his childhood dream of becoming an NBA player required immense talent, he quickly recognized that talent alone wasn’t enough. The necessary showcases, camps, and travel for exposure—all crucial steps toward the highest levels of competitive basketball—came with significant costs. It was this realization that ignited a deep appreciation for financial education and its role in unlocking opportunities.
Today, Harvey is a dedicated public school teacher, committed to empowering the next generation. Drawing on personal experience, he passionately advocates for the importance of sound financial habits, emphasizing that understanding money isn’t just about wealth accumulation, but about gaining the resources needed to pursue one’s dreams. He believes that by equipping students with practical financial knowledge, they can navigate life’s challenges and create their own pathways to success, just as he learned to do on the journey toward a lifelong dream. Harvey inspires audiences to view financial literacy not as a burden, but as a powerful tool for achieving their fullest potential.
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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