Sign up for classesSign up for classes
Scroll down to learn more
Free
Classes
Exclusively For
Marcy Residents
Summer
2024
The future of money.

Education is power. Shawn “JAY-Z” Carter and Jack Dorsey are personally funding The Bitcoin Academy, a program for residents of Marcy Houses, in Brooklyn, New York, where Jay grew up. This program aims to provide education and empower the community with knowledge.

Classes available
in person and online

Sign up for classes

Who are the instructors?

Instructors Tonya Rapley, a millennial money expert and creator of My Fab Finance, offering high-demand financial workshops and leading the innovative FinTech app, FOAM, and Ryan D. Lawrence, a Brooklyn-based educator championing economic justice through financial literacy, STEAM education, and partnerships with global nonprofits, teach about Bitcoin and general financial literacy, how it works, why you should care, and how to build your own financial future.

About The Bitcoin Academy

This program aims to provide education and empower the community with knowledge about the financial system of the future. Shawn “JAY-Z” Carter and Jack Dorsey are funding The Bitcoin Academy, a series of classes for residents of Marcy Houses, where Jay grew up.

Sign up
Student Testimonials
“I learned that knowledge really is power when you know what to do with it.”
Melissa Thompson
“The classes are good, I’m learning a lot, and I’m going to keep coming every Monday and Wednesday.”
Annette Whiteside
“I’m loving the information being presented to the class. It’s awesome.”
Cynthia Ashley
“I really appreciate this seminar with The Bitcoin Academy, because it brings people who are not aware of their community, their family, together here.”
Anthony Ortiz
“It’s been a really fun, hands-on experience, that I have been able to participate in and learn with my fellow neighbors.”
Mariela Regalado
“Most people pay up to $80,000 a year for this education. To get this knowledge for free was a truly transformative experience.”
Jimmy Barrios

Fellowship
Program

Fellowship
Program

Fellowship Highlights

The fellowship program identifies exceptional candidates, committed to personal growth and community impact, and equips them for a future in the dynamic world of Bitcoin. Through global conference attendance, personalized mentorship from top professionals, and access to an extensive high-level network, fellows enhance their knowledge base and expedite their progress. Augmenting these experiences, their professional personas are elevated through a tailored range of personal presentation materials, demonstrating the program’s commitment to nurturing versatile leaders.

Sign up
Jimmy
One of eight children, Jimmy is a first generation college graduate. Upon receiving his bachelors in Mathematics and Economics from Lafayette College, Jimmy went on to be a Financial Consultant at EY.
Hear about their experience
Mariela
First-generation college student, immigrant, and mother. Her passion is in serving her community in any way possible, which is why she currently serves as a college counselor.
Hear about their experience

The vision for Bitcoin is that it doesn’t have barriers, but lack of access to financial education is a barrier. It’s still hard to use for everyday necessities. Plus, people need devices and data plans.

This program aims to provide education, empower the community with knowledge, and get rid of some of the barriers so that residents can learn more about Bitcoin specifically and finance in general.

The Bitcoin Academy is currently focused on Marcy Houses, but we hope to expand to other neighborhoods soon.

Sign up for classes
  • Classes will be offered online and in person from June 22 through September 7. All Marcy residents are welcome.
  • In-person classes will take place two evenings per week and dinner will be served.
  • Those participating in the program will receive MiFi devices and a one-year limited data plan, plus smartphones if needed. Residents may keep the devices.
  • This initiative is made possible by personal grants from Jay and Jack, with on-the-ground support from Block and the Shawn Carter Foundation.

The Bitcoin Academy: Summer 2022 Recap

Engagement:

This program aims to provide education, empower the community with knowledge, and get rid of some of the barriers so that residents can learn more about Bitcoin specifically and finance in general.

Online Education:

Recordings of past classes are exclusively available to Marcy residents who signed up online, plus 14 additional video tutorials on topics such as Bitcoin Vocabulary, Crypto Scams & A Security Mindset, and Taxes 101.

Sample Classes:

Taught in person, recorded and available online to anyone from Marcy who registered with The Bitcoin Academy.

  • Wealth Building and Assets
  • Why Decentralization Matters
  • Staying Safe from Scammers
  • Bitcoin & Taxes
  • Careers in Crypto

Connectivity:

The Academy distributed approximately 100 MiFi devices to students with a one-year limited data plan. Smartphones were also given to students who needed one. This hardware distribution was made possible by collaboration with T-Mobile.

Teens & Tweens:

In addition to adult classes, we hosted a half-day Saturday session for twenty-five Marcy kids aged 11-17 called “The Bitcoin Academy: Future Edition.”

Student Portraits

No items found.
No items found.

Get in touch

hello@thebitcoinacademy.compress@thebitcoinacademy.com
Copyright © 2023

Get in touch

hello@thebitcoinacademy.compress@thebitcoinacademy.compress@thebitcoinacademy.com
Copyright © 2025