The organiser of Bermuda’s first Financial Literacy Summit said the event is designed to confront wealth gaps and misconceptions about money management — not to promote speculative schemes.

Zach Wilson, a Bermudian with a background in marketing and the music industry, launched the summit today at The Shed in Dockyard as part of the wider Lumina Festival. The programme featured American keynote speaker 19 Keys, who addressed technology and entrepreneurship before an audience that included dozens of students.

Wilson, who previously worked with global entertainers including Rick Ross, said he initially considered staging a music festival. But conversations with young people steered him in a different direction. “Nine out of ten children told me they were more interested in the financial literacy portion than the music side,” he said. “So we leant into it and wanted to make this a festive, fun event for education.”

He acknowledged criticism from some who feared the summit would be little more than a vehicle for crypto promotion or risky investments. “I did see it,” Wilson said. “But I completely understand why people would be sceptical. Bermudians have been bamboozled by many companies that came here, took money and left. I can’t blame them. I’m excited and blessed to be able to build consumer trust here.”

Wilson pointed to non-profit partners such as Peak Potential and Pocket Change Youth Entrepreneurship as proof of a long-term commitment to the community. He added that organisers hope to double the number of students in attendance next year, provided more sponsors come forward.

“This whole event is my love letter to my country,” Mr Wilson said. “I’m proud to be Bermudian, and I’m glad to start my career and my initiative here.”