Black Student Union's Miss Sophomore champions financial literacy for Black youth

Sophomore journalism major Savannah Grooms wins this year’s Black Student Union’s miss sophomore election. (Caleb Winters/The Black Explosion)

Sophomore journalism major Savannah Grooms won this year’s Black Student Union’s miss sophomore election.

Grooms thanked all her voters in a comment after her victory was announced at the Black Student Union’s Black Student Pageant on Oct. 15, saying how honored she was to serve as miss sophomore.

“This year, I’m excited to encourage everyone to start investing, even if it’s a small amount,” said Grooms. “Together, let’s us take the first steps toward building generational wealth.”

As Miss Sophomore, Grooms plans to share and grow financial knowledge in the Black community through workshops and events.

Grooms’ rival candidate, sophomore public health science major Taylynn Taylor, believes Savannah will be a great leader who will help the University of Maryland’ss Black community financially grow.

“As Miss Sophomore, I expect her to stand by her platform and help the Black student body learn how to invest, learn how to make better financial decisions, and set up good financial futures,” said Taylor.

Grooms' interest in business stretched back to high school, where she discovered her love for baking, leading to one of her greatest achievements, Savannah’s Sugar Sweets. She took the money she made from that business and invested it in the stock market.

Grooms owns shares in cannabis companies, Amazon, MGM and Six Flags. Once she finishes her real estate license this winter, she plans to work with her father buying real estate.

As an intern at AARP Maryland, Grooms learned that many Black people struggled with financial gain and security.

"They didn't know early on to start investing and start thinking about retirement," said Grooms. "Now that they retire, they're not as well off as they wish they could be."

Grooms was mentored under Senior Business Operations Analyst for AARP, Tracy Lankford. Under Lankford's guidance, Grooms learned the importance of financial literacy and the difference it could make in people's lives.

“Her impact was felt across the entire organization, from helping pass important bills at the state government level to supporting quarterly budget forecasts, driving outreach schedules and communications initiatives, and more,” Lankford said. “She is, without question, the embodiment of grace, intelligence, and leadership. Miss Sophomore couldn't have a more deserving candidate.”

Black people remain one of the most impoverished races in America. According to the United States Census Bureau, the poverty rate for the Black population fell to a record low in 2022, even further below pre-pandemic levels. The data shows that Black people drastically need financial help, and Grooms plans to do just that.

Grooms closely associates herself with financial growth and wants to inform people that financial prosperity is not impossible.

“I really want people to learn about financial literacy at a young age so [they’re] better off in the future,” Grooms said.