California State University, Northridge convened national leaders across philanthropy, technology, education and entertainment to launch a bold initiative to equip Hispanic-Serving Institutions learners to lead and prosper in an AI-driven economy.
The new initiative builds on CSUN’s Global HSI Equity Innovation Hub bringing together SUMA Wealth and Super{Power}, along with a national network of HSIs, industry partners, and cultural leaders to advance scalable pathways to economic mobility for the next generation.
Today’s convening featured a headline conversation with California’s First Partner Jennifer Siebel Newsom, alongside Beatriz Acevedo, co-founder and CEO of SUMA Wealth. CSUN President Erika D. Beck moderated the discussion, which explored how culture, capital and emerging technologies can unlock new opportunities for HSI learners, including Latino students, to build wealth, launch ventures, and shape the future economy.
“CSUN’s Global HSI Equity Innovation Hub was built to do exactly this — to convene the partners, resources and vision needed to ensure that HSI Learners are not just entering the AI economy, but positioned to lead it,” said Beck. “Through our partnerships with Apple, SUMA Wealth and Super{Power}, we are reimagining what it means to prepare the next generation with the skills, tools and confidence to thrive in an AI-powered world and to build real and lasting wealth.”
Underscoring the urgency of this moment, California’s First Partner pointed to partnership and community connection as essential drivers of lasting economic mobility.
“Building lasting economic mobility, especially for kids and women, amidst a constantly shifting economy starts with strong partnership and community connection,” said Newsom. “Through our California Love, California Strong initiative, we are taking a holistic approach to strengthening California communities and connecting them to critical resources for success, from building wealth on day one through CalKIDS to ensuring HSI learners have the tools they need to prepare for and thrive in today’s economy.”
A National Effort Anchored in Innovation and Opportunity
The initiative will begin in California, with the potential to scale across more than 500 HSIs nationwide. The effort is designed to reach more than 20,000 students over the next two years. Programming will be open to all participating students.
At its core, the initiative integrates:
-AI fluency and digital skills development
-Financial capability and wealth-building pathways
-Entrepreneurship and side-hustle incubation
-Culturally rooted storytelling and creative technology
Together, these elements are designed to equip students not only for employment — but for ownership, innovation and long-term financial prosperity.
“Financial literacy is foundational — but in today’s world, it must be paired with access to technology, capital, and opportunity,” said Acevedo. “Through SUMA, we are integrating AI-powered coaching with culturally relevant financial guidance to help young people build real-world skills, make informed decisions, and create pathways to long-term wealth. This is about preparing a generation not just to participate in the economy, but to lead and shape it.”
During the convening, CSUN’s Global Equity Innovation Hub and its partners unveiled a suite of new national programs, including:
-Side Hustle Bootcamp (What’s Your Side Hustle) — developed in partnership with SUMA Wealth, equipping students with the tools to launch income-generating ventures
-Culture is Currency Challenge — a first-of-its-kind national challenge connecting cultural expression with entrepreneurship and economic opportunity
-Virtual Immersive Platform (VIP) — a new digital experience designed to connect students, educators, and partners across the national HSI innovation ecosystem
“These initiatives reflect the power of an HSI innovation ecosystem working at scale — transforming cultural innovation into economic empowerment,” said Amanda Quintero, equity innovation officer for the Global HSI Equity Innovation Hub. “We’re equipping HSI learners with AI and technology tools to build wealth, launch ventures, and reshape a future economy that includes them.”
These national programs will be supported by a growing coalition of partners, including Apogee Electronics and Apple, a founding partner of CSUN’s Global HSI Equity Innovation Hub. Apple’s technology ecosystem and learning platforms will play a central role in advancing innovation across participating institutions.
Call to Lead in the AI Economy
Speakers throughout the day emphasized the importance of moving from a reactive posture to a proactive one — designing culturally relevant systems that enable students to thrive, build wealth, and lead in the evolving economy.
“This is a moment to play offense, reimagine what’s possible for the next generation, and open new doors into a fast evolving AI-driven economy,” said Jacqueline Martinez Garcel, co-founder of Super{Power}. “At Super{Power}, we bring together storytelling, AI and entrepreneurship so young people can create, own what they make and turn their ideas into lasting economic opportunity.”
With HSIs enrolling nearly two-thirds of all Latino students — more than 1.5 million students — leaders underscored the urgency — and potential — of investing in scalable culturally relevant models that expand access to high-growth sectors and pathways to economic mobility.
