Course info Session: Financial Empowerment Lab NYC

Financial Empowerment Lab NYC is a "hands on" course at Columbia University for business and law students, which was created by CBS Professor Stephen Zeldes and CLS Professor Ed Morrison.  This course launched in Spring 2025 and is being taught again in the Fall 2025 semester. The course will focus on financial health and empowerment in underserved NYC communities, including Harlem and Washington Heights. Teams of 3-4 students each will partner with local non-profits and Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs) on a semester-long project that will culminate in a pre-specified deliverable. In the process, students will be exposed to clients of the organization, develop a better understanding of the challenges facing underserved populations, and work on a project that will help the organization better fulfill its mission. This course emphasizes practical learning, innovative problem-solving, and strategic collaboration, enabling students to apply their skills in a meaningful context that contributes to economic justice and positive social change.