Angel Reese and Magic Johnson Launch Wealth Playbook to Empower Baltimore Students

Baltimore, Maryland — Two generations of basketball greatness came together this week for a cause that transcends sports. WNBA star Angel Reese and NBA legend Magic Johnson officially launched Wealth Playbook, a financial literacy initiative designed to equip Baltimore high school seniors with the tools to manage money, build credit, and plan for the future. The four-session program, unveiled at a local school, has been hailed as a bold step toward addressing economic inequality at its roots.

The collaboration pairs Reese, 22, one of basketball’s rising icons, with Johnson, 65, whose own post-retirement success in business has become a model for athletes seeking to build legacies off the court. For both, the partnership reflects more than just star power—it reflects a shared vision of empowerment. “This isn’t just about money—it’s about building a future,” Reese told reporters. “I grew up here in Baltimore, and I know how important it is to have someone believe in you and teach you the things school doesn’t always cover.”

Johnson echoed her sentiments, drawing from his own experiences. “When I left the NBA, I didn’t want to just be remembered for championships. I wanted to change communities,” he said. “Financial knowledge is freedom. If we can give young people that freedom early, they can change the trajectory of their lives.”

The program, structured over four sessions, covers essentials such as budgeting, responsible credit use, and long-term planning. But organizers stress that Wealth Playbook goes beyond technical lessons. Students are encouraged to see wealth not as something passed down from privilege but as something that can be created through informed choices, discipline, and vision. The initiative also incorporates mentorship, giving students direct access to professionals and role models who have successfully navigated both financial and personal challenges.

Baltimore educators have praised the timing of the program, noting that financial literacy remains one of the most overlooked components of public education. According to the Council for Economic Education, fewer than half of U.S. states require a personal finance course for graduation. “We’re sending students into the real world without the basics of how to balance a budget or understand interest rates,” said Principal Carla Jenkins, whose school hosted the launch. “Having someone like Angel Reese—who walked these same halls—and Magic Johnson deliver this message is powerful beyond measure.”

For Reese, the project is also deeply personal. Nicknamed the “Bayou Barbie” during her college career, she has embraced her platform to champion both social causes and community development. Her return to Baltimore for this initiative, she said, was about giving back to the city that raised her. “I wouldn’t be who I am without Baltimore,” she explained. “Now I want to make sure the next generation knows they can build wealth, not just dream about it.”

Magic Johnson’s involvement further elevates the program’s profile. Beyond his five NBA championships, Johnson has become a billionaire entrepreneur with investments spanning entertainment, real estate, and health care. His story of transforming athletic fame into sustainable business success serves as a case study for the very lessons the Wealth Playbook aims to instill. “Young people don’t just need lectures—they need living examples,” Johnson said. “I’m here to show them it can be done.”

The launch has already attracted national attention, with social media buzzing over the unusual but inspiring partnership between the veteran and the rising star. Hashtags like #WealthPlaybook and #BaltimoreStrong trended locally as clips from the event circulated. For many, the images of Reese and Johnson side by side symbolized a passing of the torch—not only in basketball but in community leadership.

As the program rolls out, participants will track their progress and share their experiences publicly, with hopes of expanding Wealth Playbook to other cities in the future. Organizers are already in talks with potential partners to scale the initiative, though both Reese and Johnson emphasized that Baltimore will remain the heart of the project.

For a city that has struggled with cycles of poverty and inequality, the message resonates: wealth is not just inherited, it can be built. And with two of basketball’s brightest stars leading the charge, Baltimore’s students are being handed a playbook that could change their lives well beyond the court.