Mellody Hobson uses childhood experiences to teach kids about finances: “It wasn’t about having a lot” [Video]

It’s a subject many shy away from talking about publicly and with their families: Money.

“Wealthy families don’t want kids to be entitled. Families that struggle don’t want kids to be burdened, and both are robbing children of the opportunity to really anchor themselves in an issue that is going to be a part of their entire life,” said Mellody Hobson, the co-CEO and president of Ariel Investments.

Hobson has been on a lifelong mission to teach financial literacy.

“I think we have to bring money to the forefront for children, especially since these days money is very mystical since it spits out of machines and we pay for things on phones and cards.”

Her passion to help others is tied to her childhood, saying she grew up in a family that didn’t have financial wealth.

“We would get evicted,” Hobson said. “Our phone would get disconnected, lights turned off, …