Fayetteville, NC to Host Money Box Academy’s Inaugural Gala 2025 Featuring Celebrity Financial Coach Anthony O’Neal | Financial Literacy, Entrepreneurship & Community Empowerment
Fayetteville, N.C. — On Saturday, October 18, 2025, Shabain Farms & Event Center will open
its doors to what promises to be one of the region’s most significant gatherings of the year: The
Inaugural Money Box Academy Gala. The evening will unite business leaders, community
advocates, and changemakers under a single mission: building financially intelligent and
resilient communities.
At the center of the night stands Anthony O’Neal, nationally acclaimed financial coach,
best-selling author, and media personality. Known for his powerful approach to financial freedom
and debt elimination, O’Neal has inspired millions across the country. His keynote address in
Fayetteville marks a major milestone for Money Box Academy, a nonprofit founded to close
financial literacy gaps and empower families to build generational wealth.
The gala’s theme, “The Vault is Open,” speaks to unlocking access to knowledge, opportunity,
and resources. Guests will experience more than a keynote: live music, fine dining, and curated
networking will set the stage for an evening that blends inspiration with action.
The program will also spotlight an extraordinary lineup of honorees whose work has shaped the
financial education landscape locally, nationally, and internationally. Lakeisha Rolle, founder of
The Financial Academy in the Bahamas, will be recognized for her groundbreaking work in
empowering youth and adults across the Caribbean. Coach Rachel Hanible of Philadelphia,
recently named the 2025 National Financial Education Instructor of the Year by the Financial
Education Council, will be honored for her transformative teaching and advocacy. Jerome
Scott, widely known as “The Insurance Guy,” will receive the Lifetime Achievement
Award for his decades of service, mentorship, and unwavering dedication to strengthening families
through financial security and education.
In addition to these nationally and internationally recognized leaders, five additional honorees
will be celebrated for their extraordinary contributions to advancing financial literacy and for
their tireless support of Money Box Academy’s mission. Their work reflects the diversity,
innovation, and dedication that has fueled the growth of this movement and pushed the
organization forward to new heights. Collectively, the honorees embody the spirit of
empowerment that Money Box Academy seeks to instill across every community it serves.
“This night is more than a fundraiser, it is a movement,” said Crystal McLean, Founder and President of Money Box Academy. “We are gathering the people who believe in creating lasting change for families, students, and entrepreneurs. Anthony’s presence, combined with the recognition of leaders like Lakeisha Rolle, Rachel Hanible, Jerome Scott, and our other honorees, signals to our community that the conversation around money, resilience, and opportunity belongs right here in Fayetteville.”
With a growing roster of sponsors from banks, law firms, and local businesses, the event reflects the collaborative spirit of Money Box Academy’s mission. The nonprofit has already touched thousands of lives this year through workshops, school partnerships, and simulation-based learning programs that make financial literacy practical and relatable.
Event Details
Date: Saturday, October 18, 2025
Location: Shabain Farms & Event Center, Fayetteville, N.C.
Mocktail Hour: 4:30 p.m.
Program Start: 5:30 p.m.
Attendees can expect an atmosphere equal parts celebratory and catalytic, with proceeds funding expanded programs for youth, families, and small business owners across North Carolina. As anticipation builds, one thing is certain: the Money Box Academy Gala will not only be remembered as a remarkable night, but as the spark for a broader financial literacy movement across the Southeast.
For sponsorship opportunities, media inquiries, or ticket information, please visit:
https://moneyboxacademy.info/home
Or contact partnerships@moneyboxacademy.org – 9109832803