USL Oakland Roots

Oakland Roots, Marshawn Lynch, and Goalsetter Team up to Make History

Published on November 1, 2021 under United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Oakland Roots News Release


For the first time ever, young people in Oakland went out to watch a soccer match and came home with their own savings accounts, financial education, and even shares in one of the biggest companies in the United States.

It was all part of a new initiative launched by Roots aimed at creating financial freedom for kids and families in Oakland. Roots has partnered with Goalsetter, an Oakland-born app that teaches financial literacy to children of all ages, helping them learn economic concepts, lingo and the principles of financial health.

According to Goalsetter, kids who have savings accounts are six times more likely to go to college, and four times more likely to own stock. Yet in the United States 79% of kids aged 15-17 do not have savings accounts and 87% of teens don't know how to manage their money. The problem is especially acute in communities of color - by 2053 African-Americans are projected to have a negative net worth, and LatinX communities are only 20 years behind.

Founded by East Oakland native Tanya van Court, Goalsetter specifically focuses on closing the wealth gap among Black children and kids of color through financial education.

On Saturday night, 100 kids and families from Marshawn Lynch's Fam 1st Family Foundation came out to the support the Roots and watch their very first soccer match. They left with Goalsetter accounts pre-loaded with cash and a financial literacy curriculum - and even their own shares in rideshare giant Lyft as part of Goalsetter's One Stock One Future initiative.

Roots also handed Goalsetter 'Cashola' cards - some pre-loaded with cash - out to all the fans attending the match - and even tossed Lyft shares into the crowd attached to candy as part of the Halloween celebrations!

Roots' goal is now to find a partner to support the expansion of the project and turn every Oakland Roots gameday into a chance to build financial freedom for Oakland families.

Check out the Oakland Roots Statistics

Share: Facebook | Twitter/X | LinkedIn | Reddit | Email



United Soccer League Championship Stories from November 1, 2021


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

OurSports Central