6-Week Cohort Now Enrolling · 2026

The Family
Money Circle

Big Mama's Financial Freedom Series. A culturally grounded program for Youth - Elders, navigating changes in life circumstances — taught through the warm, familiar voices of the family.

Sessions
60–90 min
Modules
11 total
Ages
Youth - Elders
Big Mama at the head of the table teaching her grandchildren about money, jars of coins and a ledger in front of them

"Save first. Spend smart. That's the Big Mama way."

Hosted byOnyx Education, Innovation & Impact Lab
Built forSchoolsChurchesYouth ProgramsCommunity CentersHBCU ChaptersMentor Groups

The Program

Financial wisdom passed down at the kitchen table.

The Big Mama Universe is a flexible set of financial literacy modules rooted in storytelling, cultural relevance, and real-life decision-making. Each module features a character from Big Mama's family, so students learn through scenarios that feel like home.

Organizations can select one or two modules for a single workshop — or deliver the full series as a multi-session curriculum. Every session comes with interactive activities and printable worksheets.

Storytelling-first

Lessons told through family voices, not lectures.

Culturally rooted

Built for our community, by our community.

Activity-driven

Worksheets, role-plays & real scenarios.

Flexible delivery

1 module or the full series — your call.

Core Modules

Eleven lessons. One family.

Each module stands alone or stacks into a complete series. Pick what fits your group — we'll bring the rest.

Cousin AJ character portrait
Module 01

Ages 10–17 · Foundation

Cousin AJ

Earn, Save & Banking Basics

Cousin AJ helps youth understand how money comes in, where it goes, and how to give every dollar purpose.

  • Needs vs. wants
  • Reading a paycheck stub
  • Every dollar gets a job
  • Spend / save / give system
Big Sis character portrait
Module 02

Ages 18–24 · Transition

Big Sis

First Apartment Budget

Big Sis walks students through the real cost of moving out — from deposits to utilities to shared expenses.

  • Full cashflow budgeting
  • Move-in sinking funds
  • Bill calendar planning
  • Avoiding credit-card bridging
Big Bro character portrait
Module 03

Ages 25–35 · Building

Big Bro

First Car: Need vs. Status

Big Bro breaks down the real cost of owning a car and helps students avoid the most common financial pitfalls.

  • Total cost of ownership
  • Insurance-first pricing
  • Cash vs. finance vs. lease
  • Function over status

Meet the Family

Welcome to Big Mama's family.

Every character carries a chapter of our story — from the patriarch of 1872 to the youngest cousin of 2011. Their lives become the lessons. Tap any portrait to read their module.

Foundational Principles · Onyx Education, Innovation and Impact Lab

Delivery Format

How each workshop runs.

  • 60–90 minSingle-session workshops
  • InteractiveReal-life scenarios & role-plays
  • PrintablesWorksheets included for every student
  • AnywhereSchools, youth programs, churches, community centers

Learning Outcomes

What participants walk away with.

  • 01Confidence in budgeting & saving
  • 02Real-world financial responsibility
  • 03Stronger decision-making skills
  • 04Planning ahead, avoiding debt traps
  • 05Healthy money mindsets, rooted in culture
Money Mastery — Onyx Education, Innovation and Impact Lab title slide

For Professionals & Partners

The Money Mastery Workshops.

Protect the Foundation. Build Toward Legacy.

A premium, culturally grounded financial education experience designed for Realtors, Financial Advisors, and Business Partners who want to empower their clients and teams with real-world financial clarity.

In this elevated, story-driven workshop series, participants learn how to make confident decisions around credit, homeownership, cashflow, business building, and legacy planning — all delivered in a warm, relatable, and actionable format.

Perfect for client appreciation events, team trainings, conferences, and community partnerships, the Money Mastery Workshops blend professional expertise with human-centered learning to create an unforgettable, high-impact experience.

CreditHomeownershipCashflowBusiness BuildingLegacy Planning

6-Week Guided Experience

The Family Money Circle Cohort.

A six-week journey designed to build community, confidence, and character through storytelling, teamwork, and real-world lessons — guided by the beloved BMU family.

Big Mama Universe Jr.

A curriculum built for ages 6–13.

Big Mama Universe Jr. introduces young learners to money in a language they can understand. Through vibrant storytelling and the BMU family, kids ages 6–13 explore how money works, big decisions, money responsibilities, and earn their way through the certification track — building the confidence and character to carry these lessons for life.

Big Mama Universe Jr. — The Family Money Circle Jr. full money curriculum for ages 6–13
The Family Money Circle — Big Mama Universe 6-Week Financial Literacy Cohort companion facilitator deck
01

Money Has a Language

Foundations — Earning, Saving & Money Vocabulary

Build shared financial vocabulary, read paycheck stubs, distinguish gross vs. net pay, and set SMART saving goals.

02

Your First Big Decisions

Early Adulting — Credit, Contracts & the True Cost

Understand credit scores, APR, total cost of car ownership, first apartment math, and basic contract literacy.

03

Hustle Smart

Entrepreneurship & Variable Income

Separate business and personal accounts, track income, manage quarterly taxes, and protect your venture.

04

Building While Balancing

Career, Home Ownership & Retirement

Navigate competing priorities: emergency funds, 401(k) matches, Roth vs. Traditional IRA, and mortgage pre-approval.

05

Optimization

Maximizing the Years When Income is Highest

Combat lifestyle inflation, sequence financial moves strategically, and build a housing plan that protects retirement.

06

Legacy & The Family Financial Summit

Estate Planning, Asset Transfer & Generational Wealth

Wills, trusts, beneficiary alignment, title types, and the family financial summit that preserves wealth.

Cohort Format

  • 6 sessionsOne 90-minute session per week
  • FacilitatorLed by Quy Thomas & the BMU family
  • StructureStorytelling, discussion, and hands-on activities
  • CapacityIntimate cohort sizes for real connection

Reserve Your Seat

Join the next cohort.

Spaces are limited. Bring your school, organization, or community group into a transformative six-week experience with Big Mama and the family.

Inquire About the Cohort

Booking & Contact

Bring the Big Mama Universe to your community.

Book a single module, the full series, or reserve seats in the 6-week cohort for your school, church, or community group. We'll handle the rest.

Inquiry Form

Tell us about your community.

Share a few details and we'll reach out personally.