From a single pitch in 2021 to the awards shelf today — scroll through the moments that built Know Money. Know Empowerment.
Our story — 2021 to today
2021
Paul Farrell builds Know Money. Know Empowerment. and pitches the program to Securityplus Federal Credit Union — a plan to close Baltimore's banking deserts with free financial coaching, built with the credit union, not just for it.
2022
Credit Score Management, presented with Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. — the first in a series of sessions helping people tackle debt, understand their credit, and build it back up from home.
#ABGOFinanceSeries — Credit Score Management, virtual, April 12, 2022.
2024
KMKE workshops bring the same practical money moves to partners across Baltimore — real numbers, real regrets, and a plan to fix both.
A KMKE financial wellness workshop.
KMKE shows up where Baltimore already gathers — on stage at community events, sharing the mic with the leaders and neighbors doing the work.
KMKE on stage at a community event.
2022
Recognized by the City of Baltimore at the 48th Annual Mayor's Business Recognition Awards for community impact through financial empowerment.
48th Annual Mayor's Business Recognition Awards, Baltimore City.
2022
Paul Farrell and the Securityplus team with Mayor Brandon Scott accepting the Mayor's Business Recognition Award.
On stage with Mayor Brandon Scott.
2023
Paul Farrell named an Emerging Leader and panelist by the MD|DC Credit Union Association.
Accepting the Emerging Leader award, 2023.
2023
The Securityplus team honored for the campaign that carried KMKE across the region.
The Securityplus team with the Trailblazer Award.
2023
Paul Farrell honored for leading corporate social responsibility in financial wellness.
2025 – 2026
Paul Farrell recognized with a New Leaders Council (NLC) fellowship award for workplace leadership, completed the NLC Maryland Leadership Institute as a Class of 2025 fellow, and presented his capstone project at graduation. The next chapter is yours — the app, new coaching waves, and a growing member community are taking shape in 2026. Come build it with us.
Accepting the NLC fellowship award, June 27, 2025.
Get one short email a month — practical money moves, member wins, and early access when your coaching wave opens.
Partner or invest with usSince 2021
KMKE launched in 2021 with Securityplus Federal Credit Union and a handful of neighborhood partners — sororities, churches, a school, and a snowball shop — meeting people where they already gathered. We funded partners directly, got neighbors banked, and turned seminars into real credit-union relationships.
Launch program partners
As featured in
Why we exist
Know Money. Know Empowerment. is a nonprofit dedicated to eliminating financial deserts — bringing accessible, culturally relevant financial education, coaching, and tools to historically underserved communities.
Our goal: support 150,000+ people across the greater Baltimore–Washington, DC area by 2027
To eliminate banking deserts and empower underserved communities.
A generation of financially capable people who confidently build wealth, manage debt, and lead financially secure lives.
Everyone should have the tools to thrive financially — no matter their background.
Program services
01
Free 1:1 coaching with certified financial coaches — with AI-powered support between sessions.
02
Grassroots partnerships with DC & Baltimore high schools and colleges to reach students early.
03
A member community to ask questions, keep up with money trends, and get advice from each other.
04
A library of credit-union partners you can apply to directly for better loan and deposit rates.
The member journey
Tap a step to see what happens there.
01 — Awareness
You hear about KMKE through community events, school partnerships, social media, or a friend. No pressure — just an open door.
No fees · no upsells · no catch
Our services cost you nothing — not now, not later. Partner credit unions and financial institutions fund the program to reach communities like yours. They invest; you build wealth. That's the whole model.
KMKE Membership
Everything included$0 / forever
No credit card. No trial clock. Just help.
In the community
Launched in 2021 to combat financial insecurity and banking deserts in Baltimore City, KMKE was built on a simple idea: economic empowerment means equipping underrepresented and unbanked communities with the knowledge and tools to take control of their financial future.
We meet people where they are and help them get one step closer to where they want to be — empowering individuals to thrive on their own terms, beyond traditional bank standards.