Building Strong Financial Foundations: Credit 101 with Sabra Keshaw

On March 8th the Anchored Girls gathered for an empowering and practical financial literacy session focused on one of the most important pillars of personal finance, credit. The workshop, Credit 101, was led by Sabra Keshaw, Vice President of Impressia Bank, who brought both expertise and real-world insight to the conversation.

Sabra opened the session by helping participants understand a simple but often misunderstood truth: credit is not just about borrowing money it is about building trust. She explained that a credit profile tells a story about financial habits, responsibility, and reliability. For young women preparing to navigate adulthood, careers, and entrepreneurship, learning how to shape that story early can open doors to opportunities such as home ownership, business funding, and financial independence.

During the session, Sabra walked the Anchored Girls through the key components that influence a credit score. She emphasized the importance of paying bills on time, maintaining low credit utilization, and building a consistent credit history. Participants learned how small financial decisions—such as missing a payment or maxing out a credit card—can have long-term consequences. Conversely, disciplined habits, even with small credit limits, can steadily strengthen a credit profile over time.

One of the most engaging parts of the session came when the girls began asking thoughtful questions about real-life situations—how to start building credit, what to do after a mistake, and how to stay financially disciplined. Sabra welcomed the curiosity and leaned into the conversation, making complex financial concepts relatable and easy to understand.

By the end of the session, the energy in the room was clear. The girls had gained not only knowledge but confidence. In fact, they were so inspired by the conversation that they made Sabra promise she would return for another session to continue the discussion. It was a lighthearted but powerful moment that reflected how impactful the experience had been.

The Credit 101 workshop was more than a financial lesson; it was an investment in the future of the Anchored Girls. Through Sabra’s guidance, participants left with a clearer understanding of how to build and protect their financial reputation.

At its core, the session reinforced a powerful message: when young women understand their finances, they gain the power to shape their own economic future. And if the girls have their way, this will only be the beginning of many more conversations with Sabra about building strong financial foundations.