JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — In honor of Black history month, we want to shine a light on a young Jacksonville native who is making strides in and out the classroom.

Cameron Marshall is a successful entrepreneur who’s also an author.

As a young entrepreneur, the now 17-year-old is committed to helping others and using his talents to teach his peers about financial literacy.  

Speaking before his peers is something Marshall has been doing for quite some time.

This Junior at Riverside High isn’t your average teen. Marshall enjoys things like investing in the stock market which he’s been doing since he was nine.

“My mom helped motivate me when she introduced me to the finance world,” Marshall said.

Just last year, at 16, he wrote his first book, “Street Cents.”

“My uncle Andre Scurry gave me the inspiration,” he says. 

The book combines street smarts and academic knowledge.

“I just love helping others, especially my peers, help give them guidance, give them hope let them know you don’t have to be in the streets or be a rapper or make it to the pros. you can build wealth through entrepreneurship and business,” he said.

In the seven-chapter book, Marshall guides aspiring entrepreneurs to work towards financial freedom, by providing insights and motivational strategies

“It’s extremely important to learn about financial literacy at an early age. Knowledge is power the more you know, the better and you can educate yourself and make sound investments and start investing on early on to build generational wealth,” Marshall said.

“Streets Cents” has been introduced to Jacksonville students and gained the support from administrators and even politicians. 

Seeing as this is just the beginning for this young Jacksonville native, he said this book is simply his way of giving back to his community.

“I’m blessed to have a lot of help, a lot of support and a lot of guidance from both of my parents, inside the church, inside the school and the community. I’m committed to helping others just as much as others have helped me,” he said. “Success is not just what you earn and what you make, but it’s also what you give back to others.”

Once Marshall graduates from high school next year, he plans on attending college in Florida and majoring in business and finance. He also has plans on releasing another book.