Legendary New York hip-hop artist and producer, Jay-Z has joined forces with the founder of Cash App, Jack Dorsey, to launch “The Bitcoin Academy,” an educational program advocating for the democratic vision that “education is power.”
Exclusively available for residents of the Marcy Project public housing complex in New York City, the scheme will commence June 22 and run until Sept. 7 with options for both in-person and online attendance. The free educational program is designed to enhance access to financial information and promote inclusive opportunities.
Taught by educators Lamar Wilson of the Black Bitcoin Billionaire and Najah J. Roberts of the Crypto Blockchain Plug, the specific details of the lessons are sparse at this time, but topics surrounding the necessity, utility and vision for Bitcoin as well as general financial literature are all expected.
Children aged five to 17 have also been encouraged to join the “Crypto Kids Camp” on two of the Saturday events, while adult attendees will receive a portable WiFi hotspot device, a one-year limited data plan and a smartphone, if required.
Mr @sc and I are funding The #Bitcoin Academy, a program for residents of Marcy Houses in Brooklyn New York where Jay grew up, designed in collaboration with @CryptoPlug3 and @BlkBTCBillions: https://t.co/hKfq1jqii7
— jack (@jack) June 9, 2022
Dorsey said he was inspired by the results of Bitcoin initiatives that have supported a small-section of African and Central and South American populations. He stated that the overarching goal is “to prove that making powerful tools more available to people enables them to build greater independence.”
Settling potential fears of favoritism, or maximalism towards the leading cryptocurrency asset, Dorsey expressed that the program aims to go beyond the teaching of Bitcoin to conversations surrounding “long-term thinking, local economies and self-confidence.”
Related: Jack Dorsey on UBI: Bitcoin encourages transparency, long-term thinking
Dorsey and Jay-Z — personal name Shawn Carter — are both vocally conscious figures within the cryptocurrency and Web3 landscape. The former has made strides in spotlighting crypto across the Block and Cash App, while Carter is synonymous with his CryptoPunk avatar and passion for artistic autonomy on the blockchain.
The duo co-own a multi-million-dollar music record label called Tidal, which hinted at a desire to integrate nonfungible tokens (NFTs) onto its streaming service last year.