Masterclass Series will be hosted by GK Brand Ambassador Kemar ‘Ding Dong’ Ottey

In advancing the financial well-being of Jamaicans, the GraceKennedy Financial Group (GKFG) will be launching next week the GK Money Sense Masterclass with GraceKennedy Brand Ambassador Kemar ‘Ding Dong’ Ottey.

The Masterclass Series will go live on digital platforms on November 1, 2022 with host, Ottey, who has a personal desire to help his fellow Jamaicans better understand money and how to grow their wealth. Over the next 18 weeks, Ottey will share with viewers easy strategies and tips on how to improve their financial well-being and build wealth.

The launch of the series on November 1 will feature a special presentation from Ottey, followed by an engaging panel discussion with CEO of GKFG, Grace Burnett; Deputy CEO Steven Whittingham and finance and business journalist Kalilah Reynolds. All Jamaicans are invited to tune in to GKFG’s YouTube channel and Facebook page for the launch event.

Topics to be covered in the series

The next episode of the Money Sense Masterclass Series will premiere on November 13. Primarily targeting the underbanked and unbanked, the series will feature episodes on budgeting and expense tracking, saving and financial goals setting, insurance, investing, pensions, remittances, online banking, credit and debit cards, financial security and more.

GKFG will embark on a robust education and engagement campaign to ensure that all Jamaicans, no matter their educational background, can feel supported and one step closer to taking charge of their financial future. The curriculum for the series was developed through a partnership with Junior Achievement Jamaica and will deliver information that is clear and easy to understand.

The Masterclasses form part of GKFG’s recently launched Adult Financial Empowerment Programme, GK Money Sense. The programme was carefully designed to give Jamaicans the tools to shape their own futures by using pop culture to help improve their financial knowledge. Noted broadcaster and communications specialist Fae Ellington joins Ottey as programme ambassador.

Visa on board

Visa, a global leader in financial services, is also on board as a partner for the programme and will provide valuable information on credit and debit cards. The public can also expect to benefit from a consistent flow of content in the form of blogs, graphical educational series, testimonials, and other activities, which will be made accessible on GKFG’s website, all major social media platforms, and traditional media such as radio, television and print.

Commenting on the upcoming launch, Burnett observed that solutions to the financial challenges faced by the unbanked and underbanked need not be out of reach.

“Unfortunately, many Jamaican households are struggling financially because they lack suitable and accessible savings, affordable insurance, and retirement products. As a people driven to succeed, it is high time that we capitalise on initiatives that seek to take the fear out of managing money, so that everybody can confidently pursue their aspirations whether big or small,” she said. 

Ottey, who got his start as a popular dancer, parlayed his dancing prowess into becoming an artiste. He has used his talents to not only grow his personal wealth, but also support his community, and now he plans to help Jamaica through the GK Money Sense Masterclass.

Ottey is pleased to be a part of the programme as he said he has always believed financial matters were not being explained properly.

“Long time I’ve been saying this, if you want people to understand, and people to learn this thing you have to talk to them in street talk, explain the thing simpler so that we can all get it,” he shared.