John Hope Bryant

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I was honored to join the CNBC SquawkBox team on November 14th, 2025, along my friend Joseph Otting, Executive Chairman & CEO of 100B+ asset Flagstar Bank, to announce our first new investment together.

Flagstar Bank and Truist Bank are both lead investors in the first round of the first CIM-BGV Affordable Housing Impact Fund. City National Bank is also amongst the first group of prominent banks which have made CRA bank investments in Fund I. What we shared on air on CNBC is part of a larger, also just announced major commercial partnership called CIM-BGV Impact Ventures. The first phase of our work is outlined below. It’s time to build.

30B+ asset CIM Group, a leading real estate and infrastructure owner, operator, lender and developer, and Bryant Group Ventures (BGV), founded by influential leader and entrepreneur John Hope Bryant, announced today the launch of CIM-BGV Impact Ventures, an impact-driven partnership to address the immense need for affordable housing and to deliver community and economic value to underserved markets throughout the United States.

The partnership’s CIM-BGV Affordable Housing Impact Fund (AHIF) completed its first closing on October 17, 2025, securing over $250 million in total investment capacity through fund equity and access to loan capacity. This strong start positions the fund to achieve its target within one year, which will enable approximately $1 billion of total capacity for affordable housing investments. Anchor investors include Flagstar Bank and Truist Bank, with additional equity support from City National Bank and other leading financial institutions, signaling strong institutional support for this impact-driven platform.

The AHIF has a deep pipeline of opportunities and expects to commence closing transactions in initial key markets of Southern California, Georgia, the Washington D.C. Metro, New York Metro and Florida within the next few months.

CIM-BGV Impact Ventures combines CIM’s vertically integrated expertise in real estate, credit, and infrastructure investment and operations with Mr. Bryant’s strong track record of business and investment expertise, with a strategic focus on inclusive economic growth and financial empowerment. Over the last 30 years, organizations that Mr. Bryant leads have helped guide more than $4 billion in capital to underserved individuals and communities.

Specifically, the partnership will invest in opportunities that create and preserve affordable multifamily housing in markets across the U.S. primarily through the acquisition of existing properties as well as ground-up development. It plans to deploy capital in markets where CIM and BGV have an existing presence and also where affordability has declined.

The partnership is focused on providing access to programs that support financial literacy education and promote long-term financial security and well-being. It also looks forward to contracting with local vendors for property-related services.

With a focus on affordable housing creation and preservation and community impact initiatives, CIM-BGV Impact Ventures is also designed to offer Community Reinvestment Act (CRA) credit opportunities for U.S. financial institutions.

The initial closing of CIM-BGV Ventures AHIF has drawn strong support from leading financial institutions, whose commitments reflect a shared belief in the power of impact-driven investment to address the affordable housing crisis.

“We’re committed to expanding access to affordable housing and economic opportunities in the communities we serve,” said Kathy Farrell, Head of Truist Asset Finance. “We’re proud to support partners who share our purpose to drive lasting change through investments that empower individuals and strengthen neighborhoods.”

“Too many families across the country are struggling to find stable, affordable housing. We see CRA investments as part of a broader solution, helping communities expand access to housing, stability, and opportunity,” said Joseph Otting, Chairman, President & CEO, Flagstar Bank. “Our investment in the CIM-BGV Affordable Housing Impact Fund is one way we’re working to break down these barriers, supporting a fund guided by a dedicated Community Impact Committee and focused on measurable impact and inclusive economic growth. Earlier this year, we convened nonprofit and community leaders across housing, small business, and underserved communities to help reimagine our CRA engagement—this investment is a direct reflection of that shared vision in action.”

“City National Bank is proud to support the CIM-BGV Affordable Housing Impact Fund as part of our expanded commitment to help address local community needs through innovative partnerships. We view this fund as a strategic opportunity to advance housing stability and promote financial mobility for low-to-moderate income individuals and families, consistent with our focus on driving meaningful impact in the communities we serve,” said Adey Tesfaye, Head of Community Reinvestment, City National Bank.

For more information, visit www.cimbgvimpactventures.com.

About CIM Group

CIM is a community-focused real estate and infrastructure owner, operator, lender and developer. Since 1994, CIM has sought to create value in projects and positively impact the lives of people in communities across the Americas by delivering more than $60 billion of essential real estate and infrastructure projects. CIM’s diverse team of experts applies its broad knowledge and disciplined approach through hands-on management of real assets from due diligence to operations through disposition. CIM strives to make a meaningful difference in the world by executing key environmental, social and governance (ESG) initiatives and enhancing each community in which it invests. For more information, visit www.cimgroup.com.

About Bryant Group Ventures

Bryant Group Ventures (BGV) is the primary business leadership and engagement platform tied to John Hope Bryant Enterprises (JHBE), which is a family of companies, organizations, and associated enterprises founded by entrepreneur and philanthropist John Hope Bryant. As the strategic umbrella for several mission-driven organizations—including Operation HOPE, Bryant Group Advisors, and BG Digital Media, which platforms his highly successful podcast with iHeart Media, his best-selling book series, and Straight Talk Live Video Series with more than 900 million views since 2023, BGV blends purpose with performance to create lasting social and economic change. Through public-private partnerships, thought leadership, and scalable ventures, JHBE and Bryant Group Ventures champion what Bryant calls the “silver rights movement”—the next chapter in the fight for opportunity, ownership, and dignity. Bryant’s associated ventures are responsible for more than $4B in deployed capital in underserved communities nationwide.

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This week’s episode of Money & Wealth was and is especially important – for two reasons. One, Joe Baratta is a new friend of mine and a very, very good man, by my estimations. And secondly, because he happens to run the largest single private equity platform in the world, with more than $1.2 trillion in assets under management, and this fact alone — matters to us all.

Blackstone is widely regarded as the largest private equity firm in the world based on certain industry rankings, particularly the PEI 300 list that measures private equity firms by the amount of private-equity capital raised. In that ranking, Blackstone holds the #1 spot globally.

Blackstone as a whole is the world’s largest alternative investment firm with over $1.2 trillion in assets under management, including private equity, real estate, credit, hedge funds, and other strategies. Most people simple do not understand what ‘private equity’ is, yet alone what it means and how it operates in the world. How it effects individuals, communities, cities and a country. what it means to business and the free enterprise system.

In this episode I sit down with my friend Joe Baratta. Joe is the Global Head of Private Equity at Blackstone, the world’s largest alternative asset manager. Baratta shares his remarkable journey from a modest upbringing in Sacramento to leading one of the most powerful private equity platforms in the world. Together we explore the real meaning of access, aspiration, relationship capital, and to quote our friend Michael Milken, ‘why talent and intelligence is universal, but opportunity is not.’

Additionally, as you listen from beginning to end, you will get the very real sense that Joe Baratta is a real person, who cares deeply about communities, and people. As successful as he is, he is still ‘one of us.’ This was the most inspiring part of our session together.

This episode is both a masterclass in economic empowerment and a reminder that the American Dream still exists, especially when leaders choose to widen the table and share the climb.

Tell your friends about it, and listen intently yourself. Here is a link to the full episode. All things are possible.

John Hope Bryant

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Bryant among 25 distinguished leaders honored for excellence in business, education, public service and health careATLANTA—November 19, 2025 – Operation HOPE is proud to announce that its Founder, Chairman and CEO John Hope Bryant has been named one of U.S. News & World Report’s Best Leaders in Business in 2025. The annual designation recognizes 25 influential leaders across business, education, public service and healthcare who exemplify the leadership qualities Americans value most. Mr. Bryant joins a distinguished group of honorees this year including notable changemakers such as Mark Cuban, Dolly Parton, Sal Khan, Jose Andres, Michael J. Fox, and MacKenzie Scott, among others.

“I am deeply honored to be recognized by U.S. News & World Report alongside so many extraordinary leaders,” said Mr. Bryant. “This distinction affirms the values that guide our work at Operation HOPE – empathy, generosity and belief in the potential of every individual. Our team is committed to expanding financial opportunity, building financial resilience, and helping underserved communities take control of their economic future,” said Mr. Bryant.

Mr. Bryant was selected as a Best Leader based on leadership traits identified in a nationally representative survey conducted by The Harris Poll, including empathy, generosity, and humility. After survey findings were published, visitors to the U.S. News website were invited to nominate leaders they believed embodied those qualities. A panel of expert judges representing diverse industries evaluated submissions and selected 25 honorees.

2025 Best Leaders in Business are:

Dario Amodei, Ph.D., CEO and Co-Founder, Anthropic
John Hope Bryant, Entrepreneur; Founder, Chairman and CEO, Operation HOPE
Mark Cuban, Co-Founder, Mark Cuban Cost Plus Drug Company; Entrepreneur; Star of NBC’s “Shark Tank”
Judy Faulkner, Founder and CEO, Epic Systems
Alison Moore, CEO, Chief
Ron Vachris, President, CEO and Director, Costco Wholesale Corp.

A full list of this year’s honorees can be found here.

Mr. Bryant was recognized alongside fellow recipients on November 18 at a reception in Washington D.C.

About Operation HOPE, Inc.

Since 1992, Operation HOPE has empowered more than 4 million individuals with financial literacy, credit and money management coaching, home ownership, and small business support—advancing “silver rights” to help low- and moderate-income Americans achieve economic dignity. Through its award-winning HOPE Inside model, the organization has helped generate over $4.2 billion in economic activity. We operate in nearly 300 cities serving 1,500 locations throughout the United States. Learn more at OperationHOPE.org.

Contact

Operation HOPE Contact:

Sarah Troutt, Mendel Communications

sarah@mendelcommunications.com

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Last weekend, I joined the EMPIRE Board of Realtists here in Atlanta to celebrate their 65th anniversary. They were kind enough to honor me with an award for leadership and impact, but throughout the night, I was reminded of something important: awards don’t change the world. People do. Communities do. Movements do.

Realtists have been part of such a movement for generations.

For 65 years, the Empire Board, part of the National Association of Real Estate Brokers (NAREB), the oldest Black real estate trade organization in America, has stood on the front lines of what they call “democracy in housing.” Long before it was popular, and long before policymakers caught up, Realtists were fighting to make homeownership possible for families who were told, directly or indirectly, that the American Dream wasn’t meant for them.

What struck me was just how deep and wide this work is, and it’s a constant reminder of why this work matters.

Homeownership is still the first rung of the economic ladder.For many families, the first real asset they ever hold is a mortgage. That one decision, to own instead of rent, often determines whether a family merely survives… or begins to build wealth that can be passed down. You have to understand that for most, a home is more than just a home. It becomes, in a very real sense, stability. Or dignity. Or a seed for a better future for a family born or yet to be born.

But that’s only possible if people have access, information, and fairness.

That’s where Realtists come in, and for more than 30 years, that’s where Operation HOPE comes in. And that’s where our missions intersect.

Financial literacy is the gateway to economic mobility.I’ve said it many times: In America, the color that matters most isn’t Black or white. It’s green.

But you can’t get to green if no one teaches you how money or credit works, or how to think through and navigate the most complicated purchase of your life.

Realtists don’t just sell homes; they translate and demystify systems. They advocate and bring families into rooms where, historically, their names were never called.

In that way, they are cousins to our work at Operation HOPE. We’re all trying to close the same gap: the gap between what people dream and what they can access.

A standing ovation is nice. A standing commitment is better.As the room rose in applause, I didn’t see it as a celebration of me. I saw it as validation of a shared blueprint:

Pair financial coaching with fair housing.
Pair aspiration with access.
Pair dignity with opportunity.
Turn keys into catalysts for hope.

The American Dream was never meant to be the exclusive property of anyone. It was intended to be public domain.

The work continues. And we must continue together.Suppose we want a stronger America, one where families thrive, communities stabilize, and wealth is built instead of wished for. In that case, we must double down on the basics of financial literacy, fair housing, and an unwavering belief that everyone deserves a chance to rise.

So to the EMPIRE Realtists and the entire NAREB family: thank you for the honor. But more importantly, thank you for the work. Thank you for making sure that “democracy in housing” isn’t just a slogan, but a standard.

We have more to build, more historical inequities to address, and more opportunities to unlock for millions of Americans. And we’re just getting started. So join us.

Visit www.operationhope.org to join us in our campaign to transform America through financial literacy and opportunity.

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Recently, I had the privilege of joining some of the brightest entrepreneurs, executives, and community builders at the Power Networking Conference (PNEx) here in Atlanta. Forbes calls PNEx one of the top entrepreneurial conferences in the world, and I agree — it’s somewhere that you want to be.

PNEx has always been about connection, but this year’s theme, Building Intergenerational Networks, hit at the heart of something deeper: wealth that outlives us, and gives freedom, not just income.

Financial Literacy Is InfrastructureFor years, I’ve been saying that financial literacy isn’t a nice-to-have. It’s a must have. It’s our foundation and our core infrastructure.

Just as roads, broadband, and clean water determine whether communities grow or get left behind, so does financial literacy. You cannot participate in an AI-driven economy if you don’t understand money, credit, capital, or ownership. You cannot build generational wealth if your financial life feels like chaos or guesswork.

This is why Operation HOPE has spent decades embedding financial empowerment into the places where people already live, work, worship, and learn.

And why we’ve helped move more than $4.2 billion in capital into neighborhoods the economy has historically ignored.

Networks Are the New SuperpowerBlack entrepreneurs don’t need more inspiration. They need information, access, relationships, capital, and a network strong enough to support real growth. Places like PNEx and HOPE Global Forums create that environment and help facilitate community.

This is how we keep wealth moving through our own communities for longer than a single paycheck.

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When America hits pause, it’s everyday people who pay the price.

The ongoing federal government shutdown has become a financial crisis for millions of families living paycheck to paycheck. Many are missing paydays, seeing critical programs like SNAP delayed, or watching their savings disappear faster than they can rebuild.

That’s why Operation HOPE is stepping in with compassion, structure, and action.

Through our Hope Is On The Way initiative, we’re offering no-cost financial relief services to help stabilize individuals and families impacted by the shutdown.

These services include:

Financial counseling and credit coaching
Emergency budgeting and money management
Help negotiating with creditors
Foreclosure prevention support
Financial education and recovery workshops

We’ve seen this before and we know what to do. From natural disasters to economic disruptions, HOPE has always shown up to help people rebuild not just their finances, but their confidence.

This isn’t about politics. It’s about people.

If you’re one of the millions feeling the strain, know this: you are not alone, and you are not powerless.
Financial dignity means having the tools, the knowledge, and the belief that you can bounce back stronger than before.

HOPE coaches across the country are ready to help you assess your situation, protect your credit, and prepare for the road ahead at no cost.

Call 1-888-388-HOPE or visit OperationHOPE.org to get started.

Because when the system shuts down, HOPE stays open.

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When you’re behind the wheel of a race car moving 160 miles an hour, there’s no room for ego, excuses, or noise. The car doesn’t care who you are, what you’ve built, or how much money you make. It only responds to truth — precision, focus, and respect.

That’s what I mean when I say, “Being in a race car is like Buddhism at 160 miles an hour.” It centers you. It strips everything away until only your discipline, presence, and purpose remain.

Recently, I had the chance to share that experience with my friend Tobi Lütke, the founder and CEO of Shopify, during the Petit Le Mans endurance race at Road Atlanta. We recorded an episode of my podcast, Money & Wealth, right there at the track surrounded by the roar of engines, the smell of rubber, and the hum of excellence in motion.

And what we found was simple: the racetrack and the boardroom speak the same language.

Every Race Team Is a BusinessEach trailer in the paddock is its own LLC — complete with a P&L statement, insurance, sponsors, and supply chains. Racing is entrepreneurship at its purest form: high risk, high focus, high accountability.

As Tobi pointed out, his team of engineers monitors real-time data — telemetry lines moving like heartbeats on a screen — to make instant adjustments. It’s a masterclass in feedback and iteration. That’s something every business can learn from.

“Latency makes everything hard to relate to,” Tobi told me. “The faster you get feedback, the faster you improve.”

Speed, in leadership, doesn’t come from motion alone. It comes from clarity.

The Power of SmoothThere’s an old saying in racing: You can’t win a race in the first corner, but you can lose it there.
It’s a reminder that strategy and patience will always beat panic and speed.

In life and business, we tend to oversteer — jerking the wheel when things feel uncertain. But great drivers, like great leaders, stay smooth. They focus on the long game, on alignment, not chaos. Smooth is fast.

Faith, Focus, and FearIn endurance racing, especially at night, you can’t always see what’s ahead. You have to trust that the road is still there, that your preparation holds, that your team has your back.

That’s faith in motion. It’s the same in business and life. Courage isn’t the absence of fear; it’s what you do in spite of it. When I first got in a race car, I was terrified. But fear is proof of growth. You can’t evolve without being uncomfortable.

Constant ImprovementIn racing, there’s a theoretical “perfect lap” no human will ever achieve. The gap between that and your actual lap time is the sum of your imperfections.

But the beauty of it? You get to go again. Another lap, another chance to improve.

That’s what leadership really is — a loop of learning, feedback, and refinement.

As Tobi said near the end of our conversation:

“Try to do hard things surrounded by friends.”

That’s the essence of leadership. Build something that challenges you, that scares you a little, and that makes you better with every lap.

Listen to the full episode:
Money & Wealth with John Hope Bryant
“The Secrets of Racing with Shopify’s Tobi Lütke” — available now on the Black Effect Podcast Network and iHeartRadio.

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CIM-BGV Impact Ventures’ First Affordable Housing Impact Fund Announces Milestone First Closing of $250M+ in Total Investment Capacity

LOS ANGELES–(BUSINESS WIRE)–CIM Group, a leading real estate and infrastructure owner, operator, lender and developer, and Bryant Group Ventures (BGV), founded by influential leader and entrepreneur John Hope Bryant, announced today the launch of CIM-BGV Impact Ventures, an impact-driven partnership to address the immense need for affordable housing and to deliver community and economic value to underserved markets throughout the United States.

The partnership’s CIM-BGV Affordable Housing Impact Fund (AHIF) completed its first closing on October 17, 2025, securing over $250 million in total investment capacity through fund equity and access to loan capacity. This strong start positions the fund to achieve its target within one year, which will enable approximately $1 billion of total capacity for affordable housing investments. Anchor investors include Flagstar Bank and Truist Bank, with additional equity support from City National Bank and other leading financial institutions, signaling strong institutional support for this impact-driven platform.

For more information, visit www.cimbgvimpactventures.com.

About CIM Group

About Bryant Group Ventures

ContactsMedia Contact
Bill Mendel
Mendel Communications
917-664-1796
bill@mendelcommunications.com

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A Future Built by the CuriousFor years, we’ve been hearing that “artificial intelligence is coming!” For most of us, artificial intelligence, or AI, is a hallmark of science fiction, and even before its popularity in the news cycle for the last five years or so, we’ve already been relying on it heavily in our everyday lives. But the power and extent to which AI has, can, and will affect us haven’t yet been fully embraced.

Artificial Intelligence isn’t coming — it’s here, and likely here to stay.

But, if we’re being honest, there’s a lot of noise floating around surrounding the topic. So I’ll say the quiet part out loud. At this stage, it’s less about machines, robots, and technology replacing people. The moment that we’re in demands that people replace their fears of AI (founded and unfounded alike) with focus.

For the last hundred years, progress has belonged to the industrialists —those with factories, money, and access. The next hundred will belong to the curious — the ones who decide to learn, to adapt, and to build with new tools in their hands.

In my latest episode of Money & Wealth, I talk about what I call The Great AI Rebuild, where I discuss how the entire world is being rewritten, and how every small business, entrepreneur, and dreamer can take part in it.

“Your job won’t be replaced by AI. It’ll be replaced by someone who knows how to use it.”

Understand this, and this is supremely important for younger generations whose cultural value system may differ from many veterans in the workforce, this new era doesn’t require wealth to start — it requires work ethic.

This is the new pick-and-shovel economy. Be the one handing out the tools, not always on the receiving end.

Listen to “Rebuilding the World with AI: Million-Dollar Opportunities Hiding in Plain Sight.” Please share it with someone who needs a reason to stop fearing the future and start building it.

Faith, Freedom, and the Work That’s Still AheadRecently, I joined Ambassador Andrew Young on The Breakfast Club. Any time I sit beside him, I’m reminded just how far we’ve come as a nation and community, and just how far we have to go. As we transition eras and take up causes similar to those of our heroes and sheroes, we must remember that, as inheritors of this legacy, we are called to manage and build on the hard-fought progress won for us. If we don’t take it up, no one else will.

We talked about the legacy of Dr. King, about the unfinished business of economic justice, and about the power of a new generation to lead through ownership, not outrage.

Ambassador Young said something that stayed with me:

“The movement didn’t end with civil rights. It’s still happening — in how we build businesses, how we raise families, how we serve one another.”

He’s right.

Because the next phase of freedom builds on protests and demands for equal opportunity and grows into conversations about ownership and production. It’s about showing our children that leaders can wear a hoodie, run a company, and write checks that change communities, just the same as a man or woman in a suit.

Watch the full conversation on The Breakfast Club.

Elevating Excellence — The 2025 XCEL AwardsLast week, I was deeply honored to receive the 2025 XCEL Award from Black Enterprise, standing alongside leaders I deeply respect: Robert F. Smith , Troy Taylor, Rev. Dr. W. Franklyn Richardson, Larry Fitzgerald Jr., and Dr. George Frazier.

These men embody excellence, purpose, and a true sense of leadership.

“The outstanding individuals selected for XCEL Award recognition represent both extraordinary achievement and undeniably positive impact on behalf of others.” — Earl “Butch” Graves Jr.

Read more about this year’s XCEL honorees.

The Real RebuildWe are actively rebuilding the world. Others are already building. Will you have the courage to participate and create a better future for us all?

The question isn’t whether technology will change your life. It’s whether you’ll let it change your possibilities.

The next generation is watching. Let’s give them something worth inheriting.

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BLACK ENTERPRISE to Present its Highest Honor in Recognition of “The Best of Who We Are” at the XCEL Summit for Men, hosted by FedEx, in Orlando.

BLACK ENTERPRISE, the nation’s premiere Black digital media brand, presented its highest honor in recognition of the achievements of Black men when it presents the XCEL Awards at the 2025 Black Enterprise XCEL Summit for Men on Wednesday, Oct. 15, 2025, in Orlando. FL. The XCEL Summit is a uniquely impactful executive development and corporate leadership conference for men, attracting more than 700 corporate executives, professionals, and business leaders from around the country each year. The XCEL Summit for Men, hosted by FedEx, took place Oct. 15 – 17, 2025, at the Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress in Orlando.

“The outstanding individuals selected for XCEL Award recognition represent both extraordinary achievement and undeniably positive impact on behalf of others, beyond their personal success,” says Black Enterprise CEO Earl “Butch” Graves Jr. “Our 2025 honorees are living, breathing embodiments of what our company’s 55-year commitment to ‘Elevating Excellence’ is all about, setting an empowering and inspiring standard to which future generations may aspire.”

As the founder and CEO of Operation HOPE, John Hope Bryant is the nation’s foremost champion of the “Silver Rights Movement.” Bryant is an American entrepreneur, prominent thought leader, author, philanthropist, and a global authority on financial literacy, economic empowerment, and inclusive capitalism.

Referred to as the “Conscience of Capitalism” by Fortune 500 CEOs, Bryant’s advocacy helped make financial literacy the policy of the United States Federal Government under Presidents George W. Bush and Barack Obama. He also successfully led efforts to rename the U.S. Treasury Annex to the Freedman’s Bank Building, recognizing the unfinished economic work of Abraham Lincoln for freed slaves.

BLACK ENTERPRISE to Present its Highest Honor in Recognition of “The Best of Who We Are” at the XCEL Summit for Men, hosted by FedEx, in Orlando.

Robert F. Smith – As founder, chairman and CEO of Vista Equity Partners, Robert F. Smith has delivered innovative and bold leadership of one of the world’s largest private equity firms. In addition to his extraordinary business leadership, his high-impact philanthropy is making a huge difference in the lives of young people throughout the country.
Troy Taylor - As founder, chairman and CEO of Coca Cola Beverages Florida LLC (Coke Florida), Troy Taylor helms one of the nation’s largest Black-owned companies, the sixth largest Coca Cola bottler in America, and a 2025 US Best Managed Companies Gold Standard Winner, with annual revenues of $2 billion. In addition to his achievements as a business leader, Taylor leverages his business success to uplift and create opportunities for others.
Rev. Dr. W. Franklyn Richardson – For over 50 years of service as Senior Pastor of Mount Vernon, N.Y.’s Grace Baptist Church, Rev. Dr. W. Franklyn Richardson has been a voice for the voiceless, challenging systems that are unjust and unfair, and seeking justice for the marginalized and victimized—demonstrating exemplary leadership as the Chairman of the Board at Virginia Union University, and board chairmanships of the National Action Network and Conference of National Black Churches.
Larry Fitzgerald – After an extraordinary 17-season NFL career, including selection as a member of the NFL 100 All-Time Team, Larry Fitzgerald continues to deliver positive impact as a prolific venture investor, business leader and philanthropist, as founder of the Larry Fitzgerald Foundation and co-founder of Trenches Capital.
Dr. George C. Fraser – Globally recognized motivational speaker and best-selling author George Fraser is one of our nation’s foremost champions of effective and impactful networking. As Founder, Chairman, and CEO of FraserNet Inc., Dr. Fraser leads a global economic development movement for people of African descent.

BLACK ENTERPRISE to Present its Highest Honor in Recognition of “The Best of Who We Are” at the XCEL Summit for Men, hosted by FedEx, in Orlando.

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Additional Findings Show Respondents Continue to be Most Impacted by the Cost of Everyday Goods, yet Maintain a Sense of Optimism for Improvement in their own Financial Situations in the Year AheadATLANTA–Operation HOPE, a national nonprofit dedicated to helping low- and moderate-income Americans thrive in an ever-changing economy, today announced the third quarter 2024 results of The HOPE Insider, a comprehensive nationwide client survey. This quarter’s survey showed that respondents are more hopeful than last quarter about the affordability of homeownership and are overall hopeful that their financial well-being will increase over the next year.

Portrait Of Family Holding Keys To New Home On Moving In DayKey Third Quarter 2024 Findings:Respondents believe homeownership is still an attainable part of the American Dream

Almost two-thirds (64%) of respondents say they believe homeownership is still an attainable part of the American Dream.
There has been a decrease during 2024 among those who say they “considered purchasing a home but found it unaffordable” (from 43% to 36%).
- For those considering purchasing a home, the two biggest barriers are home prices (34%), and not enough money saved for the downpayment (30%).
Half of respondents say they are “somewhat hopeful” or “very hopeful” that housing prices in their community will allow for greater homeownership over the next year, an increase from 42% last quarter.

Cost of housing is slowing down as a personal financial stressor

Respondents who say that “cost of housing” is the most impactful factor in their lives has deceased by 7% since the beginning of the year (from 28% to 21%).
“Costs of everyday goods” and “rising debt levels” continue to outweigh housing as the biggest stressors, at 38% and 28% respectively.
When looking toward the next three months, this trend follows suit: “cost of housing” as the biggest concern has decreased 8% (to 24%) since the beginning of the year.

Despite uncertainty about the broader financial outlook on a national level, individual hope is continuing to trend

Barely a quarter of respondents (24%) report they believe there will be “good times” ahead financially and almost half say they are unsure (49%).
Despite this economic uncertainty, more respondents now than in the beginning of the year say they are somewhat or very hopeful that their own financial well-being will increase over the next 12 months, from 79% to 84%.

Respondents who say they are doing better financially than a year ago are evenly split with those who aren’t

35% of respondents reported being better off financially than they were a year ago, whereas 35% said they are worse off.
Fewer respondents from last quarter say their personal debt levels have increased over the last three months (48% this quarter, down from 53% last quarter).
Almost three-fourths of respondents still consider themselves or their families to be living “paycheck-to-paycheck,” meaning that they are not able to save money or plan for the future (74%).

Credit card debt still seen as most financially stressful factor in their lives

Credit card debt continues to be reported as the most burdensome debt by far, at 35%, with the next being student loans, coming in at 15%.
Auto loans and mortgages are tied for 11%, with personal loans closely following at 10%.

Operation HOPE Client ImpactThe high percentage of respondents reporting that they felt optimistic about their personal financial future despite current challenges and concerns about the broader economy demonstrates the value of the financial wellness coaching and support they receive from Operation HOPE. This optimism is reflected in HOPE’s year-to-date 2024 impact report, showing that through Operation HOPE’s services, clients have experienced an average increase of 40 points in credit scores (of those who saw improvement), a median decrease in debt of $1,934, and a median increase in savings of $1,145.

About The Hope InsiderThe HOPE Insider survey has been conducted quarterly by Operation HOPE’s research team since November of last year. This latest survey, which took place from September 11 to September 22, 2024, was sent to Operation HOPE’s client base of adults, small business owners, and entrepreneurs who have sought the organization’s financial wellness services. More than 1,000 Operation HOPE clients responded, providing key insights into American financial sentiment relating to housing, debt, small business ownership, work and general economic optimism, as Americans navigate the complex challenges of the current economic climate. The survey features a diverse representative set with respondents from all adult age ranges, ethnicities, genders, and household incomes across the U.S. The quarterly survey tracks overall trends, with additional questions to reflect timely issues. Its goal is to gather a broad-based understanding of the sentiment of Operation HOPE clients on a regular basis to better support their needs and to serve as an indicator of the real-time financial and economic concerns of the American public.

About Operation HOPE, Inc.

Since 1992, Operation HOPE has been moving America from civil rights to “silver rights” with the mission of making free enterprise and capitalism work for the underserved—disrupting poverty for millions of low and moderate-income youth and adults across the nation. Through its community uplift model, HOPE Inside, which received the 2016 Innovator of the Year recognition by American Banker magazine, Operation HOPE has served more than 4 million individuals and directed more than $3.2 billion in economic activity into disenfranchised communities—turning check-cashing customers into banking customers, renters into homeowners, small business dreamers into small business owners, minimum wage workers into living wage consumers, and uncertain disaster victims into financially empowered disaster survivors. For more information: OperationHOPE.org. Follow the HOPE conversation on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram or LinkedIn.

ContactsOperation HOPE Contact:
Bill Mendel, Mendel Communications
(917) 664-1796

Originally published on Business Wire

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In the wake of the 2024 presidential election, conversations around economic policy and the nation’s path forward have surged across platforms. This morning, I had the opportunity to join Squawk Box alongside Mick Mulvaney, co-chair of Actum Strategic Advisors and former White House Chief of Staff, for an insightful discussion on the challenges and priorities that lie ahead.

While policy direction may vary under different administrations, one thing remains critical: the need for genuine, inclusive economic growth that bridges the gap between America’s ownership class and the millions who feel disconnected, often left to “rent” their opportunities in life.

Repairing the Ladder of OpportunityDuring our conversation, I emphasized the importance of rebuilding what I refer to as “the ladder of opportunity.” This metaphor represents the pathways through which individuals achieve financial stability, upward mobility, and economic independence. For far too long, communities across America—whether in Erie, PA, or the urban centers housing Black and Brown communities—have felt the weight of stagnant opportunities and systemic financial barriers.

It’s not enough to acknowledge frustration; we must transform it into tangible solutions that help people achieve prosperity. This requires leadership that doesn’t just promise change but actualizes it through policies that promote economic growth, strengthen the middle class, embrace demographic diversity, and tackle both personal and national debt.

A Green Agenda: The True Color of ProgressOne point I repeatedly return to is that our economic future transcends partisan lines. It isn’t black or white, red or blue—it’s green. Economic opportunity is universal, and it’s in the best interest of every American that we repair and fortify the economic ladders that uplift individuals and communities alike.

Financial Literacy: A Simple Yet Powerful SolutionI proposed that financial literacy be a cornerstone initiative for the new administration and Senate. Implementing financial education from kindergarten through college and providing children with savings accounts could create a ripple effect of economic empowerment. Statistics show that children with savings accounts are more likely to graduate from college, setting them on a path to greater financial independence and stability.

This initiative isn’t just about teaching the mechanics of money; it’s about instilling hope and a sense of control over one’s future. It’s about equipping Americans with the tools they need to navigate the economy, make informed decisions, and contribute to a society where prosperity is within reach for everyone, not just a privileged few.

The Road AheadAs we step into this new chapter, let us prioritize solutions that heal our divisions and strengthen our nation from the ground up. Economic growth, financial literacy, and an empowered middle class are not lofty goals—they are achievable steps that will lay the groundwork for a more inclusive, prosperous America.

For a full view of the Squawk Box conversation, click here. To learn more about how Operation HOPE is working to empower communities through financial literacy and economic dignity, visit operationhope.org.

Let’s rebuild the ladder, one step at a time.

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The great “arranger” Quincy Jones – my friend, mentor, and one of the greatest minds and talents of the last 100 years has now joined the angels – he’s been promoted. Typically, I feel sadness when friends of mine pass. But this man LIVED—every moment. The memories and lessons are too long to detail here, but a lot of the success I – and Operation HOPE – have achieved is directly attributable to my relationship with Q.

Memories are ultimately currency – they’re wealth in another format. When I was looking to jumpstart an ambitious program to educate 5 million kids and families about financial literacy (to make smart sexy again), the plan needed entertainers to help advocate for it. I called the only entertainment superstar I knew, and Quincy immediately said, “How can I help?” Like he did for so many others and so many other causes.

He embodied the power of a loving heart, and the world shined brighter because he was here. He poured love into everyone he encountered, and we were all better because of him. We traveled the world together, and now he’s traveling the universe, pouring love into those yet to be born. We love you, Quincy.

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Halloween is a season of transformation—a time when we dress up, play roles, and share both treats and a few harmless tricks. But beyond the costumes and candy, we’re entering a much larger season of change, one defined by artificial intelligence (AI) and its impact on our economy, jobs, and financial lives. At Operation HOPE, we see this transformation as an opportunity to drive inclusive economics—a vision of an economy where everyone participates and benefits, not just a select few. While AI and financial literacy are essential tools for navigating this era, inclusive economics is what ensures that these benefits are widely and fairly distributed.

AI and Inclusive Economics: Building a Future for AllAI is rapidly changing the landscape of work, learning, and opportunity. According to the McKinsey Global Institute, AI could add up to $13 trillion to global GDP by 2030, potentially increasing global GDP by 1.2% annually. However, this growth will be uneven if we don’t take active steps to prepare individuals across all economic backgrounds and skill levels. Here’s where inclusive economics—an approach we emphasize at Operation HOPE—comes in. Inclusive economics ensures that prosperity isn’t concentrated in a few hands but instead spreads widely so that every community shares in the benefits.

Inclusive economics doesn’t mean everyone needs to be a technology expert; it means creating access to economic and educational resources so people are prepared for the opportunities AI brings. Knowledge of basic financial concepts, like budgeting and saving, coupled with a foundational awareness of digital trends, can help everyone find ways to leverage AI for personal and community growth. AI’s potential to drive productivity and economic inclusion can only be fully realized when we prepare people to understand and benefit from these advancements.

Gaining a Career Edge with AI KnowledgeAI can also serve as a powerful asset in the workplace. Those who understand its capabilities and know how to integrate AI into their roles demonstrate leadership and adaptability—qualities that are critical in any career. From entry-level jobs to executive roles, staying informed about AI shows that you’re engaged with the trends shaping our economy, ready to innovate, and open to adapting for future success. In a study from the World Economic Forum, 84% of business leaders report that AI has already enhanced decision-making capabilities in their companies, underscoring how relevant AI knowledge is in today’s workforce. Showing that you’re tech-aware can be a career advantage, and it’s a powerful way to remain at the forefront of your industry.

Building Bridges Across GenerationsLet’s bring these conversations about AI and inclusive economics into our homes and communities. Connecting over AI can be a unique way to build bridges across generations. Ask your children, grandchildren, nieces, or nephews what they know about AI. Chances are, they’re learning about it in school or using it on their devices daily. In return, share what you know about budgeting, saving, and financial literacy. This exchange of ideas enriches everyone involved, combining the excitement of new technology with practical wisdom that will help future generations succeed in a rapidly changing economy.

Leading by Example: Ensuring AI is Just and EquitableAt Operation HOPE, we’re committed to making sure AI doesn’t just create growth for some but opens doors for everyone. That’s why Sam Altman and I co-founded the AI Ethics Council, where leaders across sectors in guiding the development of AI in a way that is equitable, moral, and just, with a particular focus on protecting communities that have historically been left behind. Our goal is to harness AI responsibly, ensuring it supports inclusive economics by driving opportunities accessible to all, not just the well-prepared few.

This commitment to an inclusive economy also means that AI should be used in a way that respects individuals’ rights, privacy, and opportunities. The Council’s work is rooted in creating ethical AI frameworks to protect people and communities as technology advances, working to close gaps rather than widen them.

Join Us at HOPE Global Forums: December 9–11, AtlantaWe invite you to join us this December in Atlanta at the HOPE Global Forums, where we’ll gather leaders, innovators, and changemakers to discuss AI, inclusive economics, and financial empowerment. Together, we’ll explore strategies for using financial literacy and economic understanding to navigate a world increasingly shaped by AI, creating a future that benefits everyone.

Let’s commit to embracing these changes and preparing ourselves and our families for a future filled with more treats than tricks. Join us December 9–11, as we work toward a tech-forward, fair, and inclusive economy for all.

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With Election Day just around the corner, the choices made at the polls will impact everyone’s economic landscape, regardless of political views, race, gender, or income level.

If you missed last week’s live broadcast, Operation HOPE and Dow Jones Smart Money hosted a timely virtual discussion, The Election, the Economy, and Its Impact on Markets. The event featured Mark DeCambre, Editor-in-Chief at MarketWatch, and Jack Otter, Editor-at-Large for Barron’s, with moderation by Marie Beaudette**, Financial Editor at The Wall Street Journal.

Your financial future matters, and no matter the outcome in Washington, Operation HOPE is here to help you build a stronger, more resilient financial future. Our expert financial wellness coaches are ready to support your journey to greater financial empowerment in 2025 and beyond.

Thank you for tuning in to the replay and continuing your financial wellness journey with HOPE. Together, let’s make your financial future bright!

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We’ve been all over the country discussing financial literacy with some of the nation’s finest mayors who are committed to advancing the cause of financial empowerment in their cities. The next step on the tour is St. Louis, Missouri, where I’ll be joined by Mayor Tishaura Jones and Adam L. Layne, Treasurer for the City of St. Louis. Click here to register.

If you’re in the area, I look forward to seeing you there. Before the event, you can purchase my book, Financial Literacy for All, here.

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Financial literacy isn’t a “Black thing” or a “White thing.” It’s not just for the wealthy, and it’s not a crutch only for those struggling. Financial literacy is for everybody. And, crucially, it’s for young people, too.

Every day, I connect with people from all walks of life—CEOs, entrepreneurs, industry leaders, pastors, the grocery store clerk, and the mail carrier. There’s a common thread among them, regardless of background, race, or social status: they all wish they had learned financial literacy sooner. That single skill set, learned early, can transform a life. It gives young people the chance to build wealth, avoid financial pitfalls, and truly realize the promise of the American Dream.

That’s why I’m thrilled to announce the kickoff of HOPE For Young Adults! This virtual event is designed to empower the next generation with the tools to make smart financial choices and build a brighter future. We’re launching with a virtual event on Tuesday, October 29, at 6 pm ET, where we’ll hold an essential panel discussion, “An Open Conversation about Money.” This is a chance to hear real stories from people who’ve been there—their wins, their lessons learned, and the stumbles they overcame on the way to financial success.

Please, spread the word. Invite your sons, daughters, nieces, nephews, grandkids, godchildren—any young person who’s ready to take control of their financial journey. We all want to leave them with a world that’s a little better, and it starts with giving them the knowledge they need today for a brighter tomorrow. Let’s make sure they don’t miss out on this chance.

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ATLANTA–The AI Ethics Council, founded by OpenAI CEO Sam Altman and Operation HOPE CEO John Hope Bryant, announced today that Reid Hoffman (Co-Founder of LinkedIn and Inflection AI and Partner at Greylock) and Van Jones (CNN commentator, Dream Machine Founder, and New York Times best-selling author) have joined as members. Formed in December 2023, the Council brings together an interdisciplinary body of diverse experts, including civil rights activists, HBCU presidents, technology and business leaders, clergy, government officials, and ethicists, to collaborate and set guidelines on ways to ensure that traditionally underrepresented communities have a voice in the evolution of artificial intelligence and to help frame the human and ethical considerations around the technology. Ultimately, the Council also seeks to help determine how AI can be harnessed to create vast economic opportunities, especially for the underserved.

Mr. Hoffman and Mr. Jones join an esteemed group on the Council, which will serve as a leading authority in identifying, advising on, and addressing ethical issues related to AI. In addition to Mr. Altman and Mr. Bryant, founding AI Ethics Council members include:

George T. French, Jr, JD, PhD., President, Clark Atlanta University and Chair of Presidents, United Negro College Fund
Helene D. Gayle, MD, MPH, President, Spelman College
Bernice A. King, JD, M. Div, CEO, The King Center
David A. Thomas, PhD., President, Morehouse College
Angela F. Williams, JD, M. Div, President and CEO, United Way Worldwide
Ambassador Andrew J. Young, Chairman, The Andrew J. Young Foundation, former U.N. Ambassador, former Mayor of Atlanta and civil rights icon

An accomplished entrepreneur, executive, and investor, Mr. Hoffman has played an integral role in building many of today’s leading consumer technology businesses. In 2003, he co-founded LinkedIn, the world’s largest professional networking service, and in 2009, he joined Greylock as a partner. In 2022, Hoffman co-founded Inflection AI, an AI studio that created Pi. He currently serves on the boards of Aurora, Coda, Entrepreneur First, Microsoft, Nauto, and a few early-stage companies. In addition, he serves on several not-for-profit boards, including Kiva, Endeavor, CZ Biohub, New America, Berggruen Institute, Opportunity@Work, the Stanford Institute for Human-Centered AI, and the MacArthur Foundation’s Lever for Change. He is an Aspen Institute Crown Fellow, a Marshall Scholar at Oxford, and a graduate of Stanford University.

Van Jones is a dynamic U.S. media personality, an entrepreneur, and a world-class change maker. Outside of his roles as a CNN contributor, Van has used his resources and connections to improve clean energy solutions, criminal justice reform and racial inclusion in the tech sector. In 2021, Jones was among the first two recipients of Jeff Bezos’ Courage & Civility Award. In 2018, he helped pass the FIRST STEP Act – which the New York Times calls the most substantial breakthrough in criminal justice in a generation. In 2009, he worked in the Obama White House as the Special Advisor for Green Jobs. In 2007, Van was the primary champion of the Green Jobs Act, signed into law by George W. Bush. Most recently, he launched a non-profit organization, Dream Machine Innovation Lab, which aims to equip multicultural communities with the tools to properly harness artificial intelligence and spearhead the future of innovation through AI-focused workshops, networking events, educational programming, and more. Over the past 25 years, Van has founded and led many successful social enterprises, including REFORM Alliance, Ella Baker Center for Human Rights, Color of Change, Green For All, and the Dream.Org. Jones is also an Emmy Award-winning producer and a three-time New York Times best-selling author.

About Operation HOPE, Inc.

An accomplished entrepreneur, executive, and investor, Mr. Hoffman has played an integral role in building many of today’s leading consumer technology businesses. In 2003, he co-founded LinkedIn, the world’s largest professional networking service, and in 2009, he joined Greylock as a partner. In 2022, Hoffman co-founded Inflection AI, an AI studio that created Pi. He currently serves on the boards of Aurora, Coda, Entrepreneur First, Microsoft, Nauto, and a few early stage companies. In addition, he serves on a number of not-for-profit boards including Kiva, Endeavor, CZ Biohub, New America, Berggruen Institute, Opportunity@Work, the Stanford Institute for Human-Centered AI, and the MacArthur Foundation’s Lever for Change. He is an Aspen Institute Crown Fellow, a Marshall Scholar at Oxford, and a graduate of Stanford University.

Van Jones is a dynamic U.S. media personality, an entrepreneur and a world-class change maker. Outside of his roles as a CNN contributor, Van has used his resources and connections to improve clean energy solutions, criminal justice reform and racial inclusion in the tech sector. In 2021, Jones was one of the first two recipients of Jeff Bezos’ Courage & Civility Award. In 2018, he helped pass the FIRST STEP Act – which the New York Times calls the most substantial breakthrough in criminal justice in a generation. In 2009, he worked in the Obama White House as the Special Advisor for Green Jobs. In 2007, Van was the primary champion of the Green Jobs Act, signed into law by George W. Bush. Most recently, he launched a non-profit organization, Dream Machine Innovation Lab, which aims to equip multicultural communities with the tools to properly harness artificial intelligence and spearhead the future of innovation through AI-focused workshops, networking events, educational programming and more. Over the past 25 years, Van has founded and led many successful social enterprises, including REFORM Alliance, Ella Baker Center for Human Rights, Color of Change, Green For All and the Dream.Org. Jones is also an Emmy Award-winning producer and a three-time New York Times best-selling author.

About Operation HOPE, Inc.

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Yesterday, we lost a towering figure—both in presence and in purpose. Today, we reflect not just in sorrow, but in profound gratitude for the life of our brother, Dikembe Mutombo, whose legacy of leadership, service, and empowerment will resonate for generations.

Dikembe’s contributions transcended his professional success, as he used his platform to advocate for the underserved and be a voice for those in need. His commitment to uplifting communities aligns perfectly with our mission as Just Brothers—to identify problems, develop solutions, and act with purpose for a better world. His legacy serves as a powerful reminder of our motto: “Saving Ourselves, Saving Our Communities, Saving Our Future.”

ATLANTA, GA – JANUARY 14: Dikembe Mutombo speaks onstage during the 2016 HOPE Global Forum at Atlanta Marriott Marquis on January 14, 2016 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Marcus Ingram/Getty Images)As we reflect on his impact, we are reminded that his spirit will continue to guide us in our efforts to be modern-day advocates, each of us authorities in our own right, yet united in the fellowship of trust and honor.

Please keep his family in your thoughts as we celebrate the incredible life he led and the indelible mark he left on all of us.

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Originally published in TIME

Grow the table.

In a world of disruption, the traditional approaches to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) are no longer sufficient and have become something to attack. It is time for businesses to embrace a more comprehensive and impactful strategy: something I call Inclusive Economics (IE). This next stage goes beyond ticking boxes and complying with rules and regulations; it is about integrating diversity into the core of our economic systems and for purely good business reasons. For those who have long admired the goals of DEI, IE is the natural evolution, transforming social justice ideals into economic realities.

The history of DEI efforts has been noble and necessary. These initiatives have opened doors, raised awareness, and set benchmarks for inclusion. However, to truly drive change and realize the full potential of these efforts, we must view diversity through the lens of economics. This is where Inclusive Economics comes in, focusing on economic participation and empowerment. It is about ensuring that diverse individuals have real opportunities to contribute to and benefit from the economic systems in which they operate.

The business case for IE is compelling. A diverse and inclusive economy is not only a more just economy but a more prosperous one. By fully integrating diversity into our economic practices, we create a robust and resilient economy capable of innovative growth and sustained success. IE fosters an environment where all individuals, regardless of their background, have the opportunity to succeed and where businesses can thrive by tapping into the full spectrum of human potential.

When people from different backgrounds and experiences come together, they bring distinct perspectives and ideas. This diversity of thought leads to more creative solutions and more effective problem-solving. Companies that embrace IE will find themselves better positioned to innovate, adapt, and grow in an increasingly competitive market.

Studies have shown that diverse teams outperform homogeneous ones. McKinsey & Company’s research consistently finds that companies with greater gender and ethnic diversity in their executive teams are more likely to outperform on profitability. This is not merely correlation but causation. Diverse teams challenge each other, push boundaries, and avoid the pitfalls of groupthink. In a world where the pace of change is faster than ever, the ability to innovate and adapt is critical. IE equips companies with the tools they need to stay ahead of the curve.

Despite the overwhelming evidence supporting the value of DEI, there has been growing pushback against these initiatives. Critics argue that DEI efforts are often performative, costly, and ideologically driven, rather than rooted in practical benefits. Some see DEI as a form of reverse discrimination, suggesting that it unfairly prioritizes certain groups over others. This criticism has led to efforts to disband DEI programs in a growing number of companies and institutions, driven by a belief that these initiatives are divisive and detract from the primary business objectives.

However, Inclusive Economics offers a pathway to address and put aside these concerns. IE is not about imposing quotas or making token gestures. It is about creating genuine economic opportunities for all. It is not charity; it is a strategic business approach that recognizes the value of all human capital. By focusing on economic empowerment rather than symbolic gestures, IE moves beyond the ideological debates that often surround DEI. It reframes the conversation around shared prosperity and the practical benefits of inclusion for everyone involved.

DEI programs which can trace their roots back to the Civil Rights movement in the 1960 were reactive to the social inequities that exist in society. Companies committed significant financial and human resources to unsuccessfully try to fix these problems. In doing so, they unintentionally created a significant backlash from both employees who weren’t included in these programs and by investors who viewed DEI as unnecessary and added expenses that negatively impacted financial performance and returns.

In contrast, Inclusive Economics is proactive, impacts a much wider group of employees, enhances productivity, attracts more customers, and drives revenue growth. As a result, IE efforts increase corporate profitability, stimulate economic activity, increase tax revenues, and strengthen the financial well-being of individuals, companies, communities, and America.

Or said another way, DEI was seen by some as “costing the company money,” and inclusive economics will undoubtedly “make companies more money,” through a simple case of expanded, deepened emerging market engagement. Better employees, better communities, and more customers make for better brands. Inclusive growth. Social justice through an economic lens., as we say here at Operation HOPE.

Inclusive Economics is also a powerful driver of employee engagement and productivity. When employees feel valued and included, they are more motivated and committed to their work. They bring their whole selves to the job, which leads to higher levels of productivity and creativity. IE creates a culture of respect and belonging, where employees are encouraged to share their ideas and perspectives.

This culture of inclusion is particularly important for attracting and retaining top talent. The workforce of the future is more diverse than ever before, and employees are increasingly seeking out companies that reflect their values. Companies that prioritize IE will not only attract the best and brightest talent but will also retain them. By fostering an inclusive environment, businesses can reduce turnover, lower recruitment costs, and build a more stable and committed workforce.

Inclusive Economics is not just about internal dynamics; it is also about external opportunities. A diverse workforce enables companies to better understand and serve a diverse customer base. As the demographics of the world continue to shift, the ability to connect with and serve diverse communities will be a key differentiator for businesses.

By embracing IE, companies can expand their market reach and tap into new customer segments. They can develop products and services that resonate with a broader audience, enhancing their brand and driving growth. This approach is not just about doing the right thing; it is about doing the smart thing. In a globalized economy, diversity is a strategic advantage.

At its core, Inclusive Economics is about achieving social justice through economic empowerment. Social justice for all though an economic lens. It is about creating an economy that works for everyone, not just a select few. By focusing on the economic aspects of diversity, we can drive meaningful change and create a more just and equitable society.

This approach aligns with the broader goals of DEI but goes a step further by directly addressing economic disparities. It recognizes that true equality cannot be achieved without economic opportunity. By empowering diverse individuals economically, we not only improve their lives but also strengthen our communities and our economy.

The case for Inclusive Economics is clear. It is a win-win for businesses and society. By integrating diversity into the fabric of our economic systems, we can drive innovation, enhance productivity, expand market reach, and achieve social justice. It is time for businesses to move beyond traditional DEI initiatives and embrace the power of IE.

By adopting Inclusive Economics, businesses can respond to the criticisms of DEI by demonstrating that inclusion is not about political correctness or ideological battles but about real economic value and opportunity. Let us build a more inclusive, prosperous, and just economy for all.

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Longtime financial literacy advocate joins CBC Chairman Rep. Steven Horsford, Ariel Investments Co-CEO John Rogers, Fearless Fund founder Arian Simone, and Don Lemon for a National Town Hall, in addition to other public appearances and White House events

WASHINGTON D.C. – September 13, 2024 – Operation HOPE Founder, Chairman, and CEO John Hope Bryant had a full agenda at the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC) 2024 Annual Legislative Conference, where he made the case for broader economic inclusion through a series of public appearances and closed-door meetings. Mr. Bryant was a featured speaker Thursday, September 12, 2024, at the CBC National Town Hall, Pathways to Prosperity: Advancing Democracy and Black Economic Opportunity, led by Congressional Black Caucus Chairman Rep. Steven Horsford. The session can be viewed in its entirety HERE.

Immediately following the Town Hall, Mr. Bryant joined U.S. Senator Laphonza Butler for a robust conversation titled “AI and Economic Empowerment in Black Communities”, moderated by ACLU President Deborah Archer.

On Friday, September 13, 2024, Mr. Bryant attended a White House brunch as the guest of President Joseph R. Biden and First Lady Dr. Jill Biden celebrating Black excellence. Mr. Bryant later engaged with White House officials on how financial literacy can broaden economic participation for all Americans. Earlier in the day, Mr. Bryant again joined Congressional Black Caucus Chairman Rep. Steven Horsford for a roundtable discussion on the Black Wealth and Prosperity Agenda.

About Operation HOPE, Inc.

Operation HOPE Contact:

Lalohni Campbell, Per Se Media

(404) 593-7145

Kevin Boucher, Operation HOPE

kevin.boucher@operationhope.org

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On this day, 23 years ago, the world stood still. The events of September 11, 2001, forever changed our country. We witnessed an unimaginable loss, yet in the face of such devastation, the American spirit remained unbroken. We saw ordinary people become heroes, communities unite, and a collective determination to rise above the ashes.

In the aftermath of the attacks, Operation HOPE responded by launching HOPE Coalition America (HCA). HCA was created as a national disaster preparedness and recovery initiative dedicated to helping communities and individuals navigate the financial and personal tolls that often follow in the wake of a crisis. Built on the belief that recovery is a shared effort, HCA brought together a network of trusted partners—ranging from the American Red Cross to local organizations—to provide critical resources, financial counseling, and guidance during times of disaster. This initiative is a testament to what we can accomplish when we come together as one nation, committed to supporting one another in our most vulnerable moments.

At Operation HOPE, we witness this same spirit of resilience every day. We see individuals determined to rebuild their financial lives and restore hope, whether it’s through credit management, small business development, or disaster recovery services. The strength of our country lies in its people, and the efforts of HCA reflect the broader American ethos: we do not face challenges alone. Instead, we face them as a united community—stronger together.

As we pause to remember those we lost on that fateful day, we also honor the bravery, unity, and resilience that emerged from the tragedy. Let us carry forward the lessons of compassion and strength, always remembering that, together, we can rebuild stronger than before.

We remember. We rebuild. We rise.

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Today, in 1963, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. gave his iconic “I Have a Dream” speech on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C. Despite it becoming one of the most revered speeches in American history, it remains much more than a snapshot of history that draws inspiration. It’s a constant reminder of our shared goal and mission as a nation and a perpetual call toward action to make the dream realized.

We are reminded that his vision was not just about racial equality but about economic justice and shared prosperity. Dr. King spoke of a “promissory note” that all Americans were to inherit—a promise of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. Yet, this promise has often been unfulfilled for many, particularly African Americans and other historically disenfranchised groups.

At Operation HOPE, we are committed to ensuring that this promissory note is honored for all through our mission of financial literacy for all. Dr. King understood that true freedom is more than just the absence of oppression; it also includes the presence of opportunity. Economic justice was central to his vision, and today, we continue this work by providing individuals and families with the financial education and resources needed to achieve economic independence and empowerment.

My dear friend and mentor, Ambassador Andrew Young, often reminds me of Dr. King’s dream of an America where prosperity is shared, and everyone has a stake in the nation’s success. I, too, share this dream, and it’s fueled my life’s work. This vision drives our mission at Operation HOPE, where we work to make the American Dream accessible to everyone—regardless of background.

Since our founding, Operation HOPE has empowered over 4 million individuals, helped create or retain more than 40,000 small businesses, and supported communities in building nearly $3.2 billion in new homeowner equity. These achievements not only bring Dr. King’s dream closer to reality but also instill hope and optimism in all who believe in America’s promise.

Our work is about more than just numbers—it’s about people. It’s about inspiring and empowering individuals to take control of their financial futures through financial literacy for all and creating opportunities that benefit their communities.

Operation HOPE and SBA Forge Strategic Alliance to Empower Small Businesses Across America.As we commemorate Dr. King’s speech, let us recognize that his dream was a call to action—a call to build a future where economic justice is a reality for all. With HOPE in action, we are working to ensure that the American Dream is not just an aspiration, but an achievable reality for everyone. We invite you to join us in this mission for shared prosperity. Visit us at www.operationhope.org to learn more.

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For millions of Americans, the dream of homeownership—once a foundational key to building wealth—has become increasingly out of reach. Skyrocketing home prices, stagnant wages, and an outdated mortgage standard have locked countless individuals and families out of this critical pathway to economic stability. At the same time, a widespread lack of financial literacy has further compounded the barriers to homeownership, leaving many without the tools they need to navigate the complexities of the housing market.

But there is hope.

In his latest op-ed for CNBC, “A Path to Sustainable Homeownership and Economic Growth: The Case for a 40-Year Mortgage,” John Hope Bryant presents a bold and timely proposal to revitalize the American Dream. He argues that by revisiting the traditional 30-year mortgage and introducing a 40-year mortgage option—paired with federal subsidies for first-time homebuyers who complete financial literacy training—we can unlock homeownership for millions of Americans, empowering them to build wealth and contribute to the long-term uplift of our economy.

This innovative approach is more than just a solution for today’s housing challenges—it’s a way to ensure that the American Dream remains alive and attainable for future generations. By advancing financial literacy and making homeownership more accessible, we can create a more inclusive, resilient economy that benefits everyone.

Read the below excerpt and then click here to read the op-ed in its entirety:

Homeownership has long symbolized the American Dream, embodying stability, wealth creation, and community investment.

Yet, for millions of Americans, especially younger generations and first-time homebuyers, that dream is slipping away. Rising home prices, stagnant wages, and restrictive mortgage terms have made it increasingly difficult to take that crucial first step onto the property ladder.

To address this, I propose a bold new approach: a 40-year mortgage using the Federal Home Loan Bank (FHLB) system as the framework, with federal subsidies for first-time homebuyers who complete financial literacy training.

This concept combines extended mortgage terms with financial education and targeted subsidies, making homeownership more accessible while driving sustainable economic growth.

Expanding accessibility

The 30-year mortgage has been the American standard for decades, balancing affordable monthly payments with a reasonable repayment period. However, as home prices soar and interest rates rise, particularly in urban areas, even 30-year mortgages can leave many families struggling with unaffordable payments. A 40-year mortgage would lower monthly payments by extending the repayment period and possibly locking in an affordable market rate, making homeownership accessible to a broader segment of the population.

There’s no magic in the 30-year mortgage term — it was born during the Great Depression when life expectancy was also around 60 years. Today, with life expectancy nearing 80 years, a 40-year term aligns better with modern realities.

Critics may argue that a longer mortgage term increases the total interest paid, but the benefits of affordability and access outweigh this drawback. For many, the alternative is indefinite renting, which builds no equity and leaves families vulnerable to rising rents and economic displacement. A 40-year mortgage allows more people to begin building equity sooner, offering a pathway to long-term financial stability and sustained human dignity — a key element of the American Dream. A pathway up the repaired economic aspirational ladder in America.

The FHLB system, a government-sponsored enterprise that provides liquidity to member financial institutions, is the ideal vehicle for implementing this 40-year mortgage plan. By leveraging FHLB’s established infrastructure and network of regional banks, this program can be efficiently rolled out nationwide. The FHLB’s involvement ensures the program is grounded in a robust, federally backed framework, promoting stability in the housing market and tailoring solutions to meet the diverse needs of communities, from rural areas to major urban markets.

To further support first-time homebuyers, I propose federal subsidies for mortgage rates between 3.5% and 4.5% for those who complete certified financial literacy training. Subsidies would be capped at $350,000 for rural mortgages and $1 million for urban markets, reflecting the varying costs of homeownership across the country.

Financial literacy training equips first-time buyers with the skills needed to manage finances effectively, avoid predatory lending, and make informed decisions about homeownership. By tying subsidies to this training, we incentivize responsible borrowing and invest in the financial health of future generations.

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This piece was published in TIME Magazine, where John is a regular contributor. A special thank you to Experian and our Operation HOPE board member, Craig Boundy, for making the data available to us for the groundbreaking HOPE Financial Wellness Index.

In America, where you live can determine how long you live, and the disparity in life expectancy is not solely about access to healthcare or education. It’s intricately tied to something less obvious but profoundly impactful: your neighborhood’s average credit score. According to research from Operation HOPE, people in neighborhoods with an average credit score of 700 or higher can live 10 to 20 years longer than those in areas where the average score is around 580. This stark difference is a powerful indicator of how financial health directly correlates with overall well-being. The findings are clear: financial wellness is a crucial determinant of overall well-being and life expectancy.

A credit score is more than just a number; it’s a measure of financial stability, opportunity, and health. High-credit-score communities tend to have better access to credit, lower interest rates, and more opportunities for homeownership and entrepreneurship. This creates a positive cycle that strengthens the local economy and improves quality of life. Translation: More hope. In contrast, neighborhoods with lower credit scores often struggle with underinvestment, higher crime rates, and poorer health outcomes—issues that are exacerbated by the stress and financial instability that low credit scores represent.

The national average credit score recently hit 695, the highest in 13 years, thanks in part to the financial reprieve provided by the COVID-19 pandemic’s stimulus measures. However, this average masks significant disparities. In states like Mississippi, where the average credit score is as low as 666, the impacts of low financial health are felt most acutely. These communities often lack the resources and opportunities to improve their financial situation, trapping residents in a cycle of poverty and poor health. Mississippi has the lowest credit average and median credit score in America, and Minnesota has the highest in the nation, at 742. And this has a direct effect on one’s level of hope, “how you’re living,” and literally—how long you live.

Specifically, a difference of about 100-150 points in average credit scores between neighborhoods that are geographically close (for example, just 15 minutes apart) can correlate with a 20-year difference in life expectancy. If you live in a 500 credit score neighborhood, you are more likely than not to live to 61 on average, and if you live in a 700 credit score neighborhood that would average life span extends to 81 years on average.

If you live in a 500 credit score neighborhood—whether it be black and white urban, or poor white rural—here’s what you see: a check cashier, next to a payday lender, next to a (car) title lending store, next to a rent to own store, next to liquor store, and a church down the street, trying to make you feel just a little bit better once a week.

This is why we must focus on raising credit scores by an average of 100 points in these underserved communities, whether they are predominantly Black and brown urban areas or white rural ones.

Continue reading here.

Originally published in TIME

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Click here to read the original publication in TIME Magazine

It’s no secret that women struggle to receive the recognition they deserve. This lack of acknowledgment is not just a matter of fairness; it has practical implications for policy and societal attitudes. Women continue to face significant pay gaps, underrepresentation in leadership roles, and societal biases that undermine their contributions and potential.

We are witnessing an ancient habit taking on a new form in the new era Republican attacks on Vice President Kamala Harris as a “DEI candidate” for the Presidency of the United States of America. Harris has climbed to the second highest office of the land following 20 years of public service, having ascended from a district attorney to attorney general of California to United States Senator and now Vice President. Harris’s rise to one of the highest offices in the land is emblematic of both progress and the persistent challenges women face. As the first female, first Black, and first South Asian Vice President, Harris represents the breaking of multiple barriers. Yet her journey and the criticisms she faces often reflect the same biases and resistance that women encounter across various sectors.

Harris has often been the subject of critiques that reduce her achievements to mere outcomes of diversity, equity, and inclusion policies, rather than recognizing her qualifications and contributions. This narrative is not only misleading but also diminishes the value of DEI initiatives that are crucial for creating a more equitable society.

Affirmative action and DEI are not about lowering standards; they are about leveling the playing field. These policies acknowledge that systemic barriers have historically excluded capable individuals from opportunities solely based on their gender, race, or socioeconomic status. By ensuring a diverse and inclusive environment, we tap into the full potential of our population, driving innovation, creativity, and economic growth.

What do these attacks on Harris say to the millions of women and their supporters across the country who are leading their communities and creating economic opportunity? If Harris’s achievements can be dismissed, what about theirs?

To answer that question, it is helpful to understand history, and as an entrepreneur, I believe it helps to focus on economic history. (I come to these views having served as an official and unofficial advisor to both Democratic and Republican administrations.) When Kamala Harris was eight years old, her mother would not have been able to open a bank account, obtain a credit card, or secure a loan without a male co-signer. Her mother, and likewise, your mother, too. No women could at the time. And this was in 1972, not 1872. This reality starkly illustrated the systemic barriers women faced in achieving financial independence and security. Despite these constraints, women have been instrumental in shaping and sustaining the American economy, and yet, their contributions often remain under-appreciated and under-acknowledged.

With the legal barriers to financial independence starting to fall in the 1970s, women began to enter the workforce in greater numbers. The rise of women in professional and academic fields was accelerated by affirmative action policies—originally crafted and created I might add to assist African Americans coming out of the Jim Crow and Civil Rights era and later watered down—and DEI initiatives that sought to rectify historical inequalities. These measures helped to create opportunities for women, enabling them to contribute more significantly to the economy.

Today, women are responsible for approximately 25% of the American GDP. That translates into trillions of dollars of annual economic output for the nation. This figure underscores the critical role women play in the nation’s economic engine. From leading Fortune 500 companies to driving innovation in technology, healthcare, and education, women are indispensable to America’s economic vitality.

Women have been the backbone of America’s economic progress in ways that often go unseen and uncelebrated. That is until a woman like Harris emerges and becomes a high-profile target for ignorance. From single mothers juggling multiple jobs to female entrepreneurs creating jobs and driving local economies, women’s economic contributions are vast and varied.

Studies have shown that companies with diverse leadership teams perform better financially. Women’s perspectives and approaches to problem-solving have led to breakthroughs in numerous fields, from STEM to the arts. Moreover, women disproportionately invest in their families and communities, fostering social stability and growth. Fact is, without women, there would be no men (think about that one, for a moment). And that’s in addition to their economic, scientific and broad societal contributions as noted here.

America would undoubtedly be an also-ran nation without the contributions of women. It is time to recognize and celebrate the pivotal role women have played and continue to play in building and sustaining our nation. Vice President Kamala Harris’s story is a powerful reminder of both how far we have come and the distance yet to travel.

Acknowledging women’s contributions is not just about giving credit where it is due; it is about creating policies and a culture that fully support and empower women. By doing so, we ensure a more just, equitable, and prosperous future for all Americans. It is high time we recognize that women saved America once, and they continue to be its driving force.

Click here to read the original publication in TIME Magazine

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Recently, Operation HOPE kicked off the American Aspiration Tour in Atlanta with Mayor Andre Dickens. The event, held in the City Hall Atrium, hosted several government officials, community leaders, and local residents keen on helping our nation thrive and ensuring that Atlanta and its surrounding citizens are on board with the mandate for financial inclusion in this day and age.

In a candid and impactful fireside chat, Mayor Dickens and Chairman Bryant discussed the power of financial literacy to improve our economy and the lives of local residents. In that same spirit, Chairman Bryant discussed his Business Plan for America and the case for inclusive economics outlined in his newest book, Financial Literacy for All.

Click here to watch 11 Alive’s coverage of the event and click here for the replay of American Aspiration Tour: Atlanta.

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Tune in LIVE this morning, Thursday,July 25, 2024 at 11:15 am ET for the American Aspiration Tour: Atlanta.

This event features a discussion between Mayor Dickens and Operation HOPE CEO John Hope Bryant on the importance of financial literacy as outlined in Mr. Bryant’s bestselling book, Financial Literacy for All, and how it can positively impact the future of Atlanta. As a valued partner of Operation HOPE, we hope you’ll join us for this critical conversation around preparing families for financial flourishing!

Click here to tune in LIVE at 11:00 am ET

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I wish to acknowledge President Biden and his five decades of public service to the people of the United States of America. Throughout his career, President Biden has worked to improve economic opportunity for all Americans and equip them with the tools to prosper in the greatest economy in the world.

This could not have been an easy decision, but Joe Biden promised Americans he would always do what’s right for our country. I know President Biden and First Lady Jill Biden are making this choice with the future of our nation in their hearts. We wish them both happiness and fulfillment in their post-presidential lives, and the wisdom to navigate America through the remainder of his administration.

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Welcome to the American Aspiration Tour: Memphis! Get ready to be inspired and motivated at this in-person event happening at the Cossitt Library – Memphis Public Libraries on Tuesday, July 30, 2024 at 5:00 PM. Don’t miss out on this discussion on the future of Memphis, fueling entrepreneurship, the importance of financial literacy, and a new business plan for America! See you there!

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I am deeply saddened by the shooting that occurred at former President Trump’s rally in Pennsylvania. Our country may have many differences, but violence is never the answer. Our Global Spokesman Ambassador Andrew Young walked side by side with Dr. King, applying nonviolent solutions to our country’s most volatile problems. He also stood next to Dr. King when another senseless act cut his life tragically short. When we recognize our differences are our strength, we accomplish great things. It’s why America remains a beacon of hope and opportunity for the rest of the world. We wish the former President a full and speedy recovery.

John Hope Bryant

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Join us today, July 12th, at 1:00 PM EST to watch Operation HOPE Founder, Chairman, and CEO John Hope Bryant at the Freedman’s Bank Forum givingopening remarks highlighting the legacy of the Freedman’s Bank. He’ll then have a Keynote Fireside Chat with Deputy Secretary Wally Adeyemo followed by a roundtable with the Deputy Secretary, HOPE Coaches, and Clients.

The Freedman’s Bank was established by President Abraham Lincoln and championed by Frederick Douglass as a means of helping newly freed slaves understand and thrive in America’s free market system. The Forum helps connect the mission of Freedman’s Bank to the modern-day financial dignity movement.

In 2016, Chairman Bryant and Operation HOPE inspired the renaming of the Treasury Annex Building in Washington, D.C., to the Freedman’s Bank Building in honor of the institution’s work that now lives on through HOPE.

Operation HOPE will be co-hosting this exciting event at HBCU Shaw University in Raleigh, NC.

Click to view live

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The initiative was launched as part of a “Third Reconstruction” Proposed by Operation HOPE CEO John Hope BryantATLANTA, July 10, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Operation HOPE today announced the formal launch of The Corporate Inclusion Initiative, which aims to level the representational playing field of corporate America by placing well-qualified minority candidates on company boards of directors, ensuring that the boardrooms reflect the ethnic and gender makeup of the country.

Originally announced as part of a “Third Reconstruction” in the Milken Institute Review, the initiative was designed to develop a roster of highly qualified candidates who could be recommended or placed in executive leadership roles for which they were highly suited. The initiative now boasts a confidential roster of nearly 50 candidates representing a broad spectrum of executive experience and backgrounds.

According to the Harvard Law School Forum on Corporate Governance, as of 2022, only 22.2% of Fortune 500 corporate board seats were held by individuals from underrepresented racial and ethnic groups. While this is up from 17.5% in 2020, this percentage lags well behind the demographic makeup of the United States.

By recommending and placing well-qualified candidates from underrepresented ethnic and racial backgrounds on boards of directors, we ensure that the most influential companies and their decision-making are reflective and aware of our country’s diversity – when all voices have a seat at the table, everyone benefits.

How it works:

High-profile members of the Operation HOPE network and community recommend candidates from a wide variety of industries and backgrounds.
After rigorous vetting by the Corporate Inclusion team and review by leadership, the candidates are added to the program.
When necessary or beneficial, candidates are given executive coaching and direction on improving their suitability for board service.
As placement opportunities become available, candidates are recommended for roles in which they are both prepared and well-suited.
Corporate Inclusion serves as a catalyst for placement and an objective advisor to both the candidates and the placement organization, facilitating and assisting as needed.

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For years, I’ve been saying that we need to make smart sexy again, and Tim and Dorian at Make Believe Village took it to heart and took action!

These professional puppeteers and production studio owners have launched a summer program for students teaching them both a creative skill that they can leverage today and in the future, and the knowledge of financial literacy.

This innovative camp used two of my most recent books, Up from Nothing and Financial Literacy for All, as source material for the students’ scripts and to help set the stage for young minds to understand and embrace financial concepts.

Take some time, watch the highlight reel of their work and how they’re advancing the case for financial literacy to a new generation, and be inspired to do more of the same.

Thank you, Make Believe Village, for taking the message to heart and making a change in our communities through the lives of our youth.

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Up from Nothing: The Untold Story of How We (All) Succeed

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Initiated by Open AI CEO Sam Altman and Operation HOPE CEO John Hope Bryant, the group aims to ensure underserved communities can participate in the evolution of AIATLANTA, July 1, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — The AI Ethics Council, founded by Open AI CEO Sam Altman and Operation HOPE CEO John Hope Bryant, held its inaugural meeting on Friday, June 28th in Atlanta. The group, which evolved out of a listening tour that was initiated last spring at Clark Atlanta University that Mr. Altman and Mr. Bryant conducted together, was formed to ensure that traditionally underrepresented communities would have a voice in the evolution of AI overall— to help frame the human and ethical considerations around the technology and vast participation in the economic opportunities of artificial intelligence. The council was announced in December 2023 at the HOPE Global Forums | Annual Meeting in Atlanta.

AI Ethics Council Powered by Operation HOPE will Collaborate with HBCU and Civil Rights Leaders to Help Ensure that All are Protected and have the Opportunity to Participate in the New World of AIAI Ethics Council Powered by Operation HOPE will Collaborate with HBCU and Civil Rights Leaders to Help Ensure that All are Protected and have the Opportunity to Participate in the New World of AIThe AI Ethics Council is an interdisciplinary body of diverse experts designed to become a leading authority in identifying, advising on, and addressing ethical issues related to artificial intelligence and its impact on underserved and historically excluded communities. In addition to Mr. Altman and Mr. Bryant, founding council members include:

George T. French, Jr., JD, PhD., President, Clark Atlanta University and Chair of Presidents, United Negro College Fund
Helene D. Gayle, MD, MPH, President, Spelman College
Bernice A. King, JD, M. Div, CEO, The King Center
David A. Thomas, PhD., President, Morehouse College
Angela F. Williams, JD, M. Div, President and CEO, United Way Worldwide
Ambassador Andrew J. Young, Chairman, The Andrew J. Young Foundation, former U.N. Ambassador, former Mayor of Atlanta and civil rights icon

Additional members representing the technology and community sectors will be announced in the coming months.

At the inaugural meeting, James Hairston, Open AI’s Head of International Policy and Partnerships, briefed members on the current state of AI, including its challenges and opportunities. Mr. Bryant shared that he will be convening a meeting of tech leaders to advance issues important to the council, and announced the Council website will go live July 1, 2024. “I see this website as our first stake in the ground. Its substance will grow, expand, and deepen over time. Transparency will be a hallmark. I encourage all citizens, here and abroad, to get informed and educated around what AI really is and isn’t,” said Mr. Bryant. “As a council, we aim to focus our attention on the needle we can help move: expanding inclusive opportunity around our shared future, for everyone, as it relates to AI.”

AI Ethics Council Powered by Operation HOPE will Collaborate with HBCU and Civil Rights Leaders to Help Ensure that All are Protected and have the Opportunity to Participate in the New World of AIIn addition to Mr. Bryant, Operation HOPE was represented by President and CFO Brian Betts and AI Ethics Council Managing Director Eric Kaplan. Topics the Council discussed included:

The need to focus on technical capacity: How will we develop, grow, evaluate, and test the technical capacity of the system?
How to evaluate safety, reporting, and the capacity of the law to adapt?
What are the processes in place to evaluate AI?
What can be done granularly t get more components of society involved?
How can we prepare for an uncertain/undetermined future with this new tech?
How can AI benefit the world? What are the dangers? How to optimize adoption? How do we encourage equitable participation in the economic and societal benefits?

The AI Ethics Council will form a committee framework, with sub-committees and working groups, through which members will help guide ethical principles for AI. The Council will be initially focused on the intersection of technology and humanity for positive, ethical, and transformative impact generally in economic opportunity for all, finance, education, policy, employment, accessibility, health and healthcare, and sustainability.

The AI Ethics Council will undertake a staged approach to the mission, pursuing impact by leveraging enhanced public visibility and influence, deep tech sector expertise, policy-focused advocacy, partnerships, program development, and active engagement with tech, business, community, government, and other stakeholders. Intended outcomes include:

Establishment of Council and Committees consisting of multidisciplinary experts dedicated to advancing AI ethics, and positive future vision for our world.
Development and dissemination of AI ethics guidelines and best practices.
Engagement of education leaders, community leaders, business leaders and entrepreneurs, government, technologists-for-good, and the public, to foster informed discussions and decisions on AI ethics.
Promotion of ethical AI usage through education and engagement.
Empowerment, inclusion, economic opportunity, and acting where appropriate and where the Council can add value.

An update on the Council’s first-year activities will be shared at the 2024 HOPE Global Forums | Annual Meeting, December 9-11 in Atlanta.

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Chairman Bryant appeared on CNBC’s Squawk Box to discuss the corporate tax plans of 2024 presidential candidates Joe Biden and Donald Trump. President Joe Biden wants to raise the corporate tax rate to 28%, and former President Donald Trump wants to lower it to 20%.

In a conversation with Mick Mulvaney, Actum Strategic Advisors co-chair and former White House chief of staff, Chairman Bryant shared his belief that each candidate should present an articulate plan that explains their increase or decrease in the corproate tax rate. Regardless of the particulars, which likely mostly fall on party lines, Chairman Bryant emphasized the need for the nation to make investments in the economy through infrastructure improvements and empowering the American worker with opportunity and skills training.

Click here to watch the interview. Then, visit OperationHOPE.org to sign up to connect 1-on-1 with a certified financial wellness coach. If you’re looking to make an impact, become a member of The 1865 Project!

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This partnership will enable Esusu renters to access personalized financial coachingHARLEM, N.Y. and ATLANTA, June 06, 2024 — Today, Esusu, an innovative financial technology company committed to renter financial health, announces a significant expansion of its platform through a partnership with Operation HOPE, the nation’s leading nonprofit in financial literacy and economic inclusion. This collaboration introduces personalized financial coaching to renters nationwide, enhancing Esusu’s cutting-edge Renter Financial Health Platform. The platform already features rent reporting and credit building, access to rent relief, comprehensive financial resources and assistance, and a curated marketplace of quality financial products.

According to the National Foundation for Credit Counseling, financial knowledge in the U.S. is most often passed down from family members. This leaves those not born into wealthy families without easy access to valuable financial education. It is challenging to find high-quality, personalized financial coaching outside family advice or generic tools. This is important because people with financial literacy are less likely to struggle to make ends meet or lack emergency savings to cover unexpected expenses.

Through this partnership, Operation HOPE will provide Esusu renters with individualized coaching and group workshops tailored to individual needs. By working with a dedicated coach over several months, Esusu renters can learn proven techniques to reduce debt, increase savings, create budgets, review credit reports, and develop financial action plans.

“Esusu and Operation HOPE are breaking down barriers to critical financial educational resources that help renters work towards financial stability and build generational wealth,” stated Wemimo Abbey and Samir Goel, Co-Founders and Co-CEOs of Esusu. “This foundational partnership stems from our shared vision to bridge the racial wealth gap and enhances our commitment to catalyze economic growth within local communities nationwide.”

Surveys have shown that 77% of Americans feel anxious about their financial situation. Further, renters are seven times more likely than homeowners not to have a credit score, making it nearly impossible to get approved for a home mortgage, access first-time homeownership, or build wealth. Esusu’s Renter Financial Health Platform tackles these issues head on with its holistic approach featuring rent reporting and credit building, and now financial coaching focused on areas of debt management, savings, and more.

Operation HOPE clients who have received financial coaching have seen tangible results:

Average credit score increase of 41 points
Over $1.1K median increase in savings
Over $1.8K median decrease in debt
Over $1B in mortgage funding received

“Financial literacy is the civil rights issue of our time, and this partnership is a great equalizer,” said John Hope Bryant, Founder, Chairman, and CEO of Operation HOPE. “Together with Esusu, we are empowering renters with the knowledge and tools they need to take control of their financial futures and build generational wealth.”

This partnership marks a significant step forward in the mission to provide equitable financial opportunities and foster a more inclusive economy where everyone has the chance to thrive. By combining Esusu’s innovative renter platform with Operation HOPE’s expertise in financial literacy, this collaboration promises to empower renters across the nation.

About Esusu
Esusu is the leading financial technology platform that leverages data solutions to empower residents and improve property performance. Esusu’s rent reporting platform captures rental payment data and reports it to credit bureaus to boost credit scores. This allows renters to build and establish their credit scores while helping property owners mitigate against initiating evictions, powered by differentiated data and insights. Founded in 2018, Esusu reaches over 4 million rental units across all 50 states in the United States. Learn more at www.esusu.com and follow us on Instagram @myesusu and on Twitter @getesusu.

Media Contact:
Small Girls PR
esusu@smallgirlspr.com

About Operation HOPE, Inc.
Since 1992, Operation HOPE has been moving America from civil rights to “Silver Rights” with the mission of making free enterprise and capitalism work for the underserved—disrupting poverty for millions of low and moderate-income youth and adults across the nation. Through its award-winning community uplift model, HOPE Inside, which received the Innovator of the Year recognition by American Banker magazine, Operation HOPE has served more than 4 million individuals and directed more than $4 billion in economic activity into disenfranchised communities—turning check-cashing customers into banking customers, renters into homeowners, small business dreamers into small business owners, minimum wage workers into living wage consumers, and uncertain disaster victims into financially empowered disaster survivors. Operation HOPE recently received Fast Company’s World Changing Ideas Award for driving entrepreneurship as well as its tenth consecutive 4-star charity rating for fiscal management and commitment to transparency and accountability from the prestigious non-profit evaluator, Charity Navigator. Operation HOPE also recently launched The 1865 Project, an initiative designed to help level the economic playing field for underserved Americans. For more information: OperationHOPE.org. Join the HOPE conversation on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn.

Link to original press release

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ATLANTA (MAY 28, 2024) – Operation HOPE, a national nonprofit dedicated to helping low and moderate-income Americans thrive in an ever-changing economy, today announced that renowned technology executive Sarah Friar has joined its Governing Board of Directors (Board). An accomplished business leader, Ms. Friar previously served on the Operation HOPE Global Board of Advisors and brings a diverse range of expertise to the Board, particularly in the areas of ﬁnance, technology, and social impact. Her nomination to the Board was unanimously received.

Most recently, Sarah Friar was chief executive ofﬁcer of Nextdoor, the neighborhood network that connects neighborhood stakeholders, including neighbors, businesses, and public services, online and in real life to build stronger, more vibrant, and resilient neighborhoods. She helped take the company public in 2021 on the NYSE. During Sarah’s ﬁve year tenure, Nextdoor nearly tripled to more than 88M Veriﬁed Neighbors, reaching over 330,000 neighborhoods around the world.

The Operation HOPE Governing Board of Directors provides guidance and support for Operation HOPE in its commitment to provide financial literacy education and economic empowerment for individuals and small business owners living in under-served communities.

Sarah Friar’s dedication to social responsibility aligns closely with the mission of Operation HOPE to empower individuals and communities through financial literacy, entrepreneurship, and economic opportunity,” said Operation HOPE Chairman, Founder, and CEO John Hope Bryant. “Her proven track record of leveraging technology and business acumen to create positive social change makes her an invaluable addition to our board.”

Ms. Friar joins a distinguished Governing Board that consists of some of the country’s top executives in business, banking and the non-profit and NGO sector. She brings a point of view to the Board that includes a wealth of management and high-tech experience and a shared and demonstrated commitment to the mission and values of Operation HOPE.

Ms. Friar grew up in Northern Ireland and earned her MEng in Metallurgy, Economics, and Management from the University of Oxford and her MBA from the Stanford University Graduate School of Business, where she graduated as an Arjay Miller scholar. She holds an honorary doctorate from Ulster University and in 2019 was granted an OBE from Queen Elizabeth II for services to entrepreneurship.

About Operation HOPE, Inc.

Since 1992, Operation HOPE has been moving America from civil rights to “Silver Rights” with the mission of making free enterprise and capitalism work for the underserved—disrupting poverty for millions of low and moderate-income youth and adults across the nation. Through its award-winning community uplift model, HOPE Inside, which received the Innovator of the Year recognition by American Banker magazine, Operation HOPE has served more than 4 million individuals and directed nearly $4 billion in economic activity into disenfranchised communities—turning check-cashing customers into banking customers, renters into homeowners, small business dreamers into small business owners, minimum wage workers into living wage consumers, and uncertain disaster victims into financially empowered disaster survivors. Operation HOPE recently received Fast Company’s World Changing Ideas Award for driving entrepreneurship as well as its eighth consecutive 4-star charity rating for fiscal management and commitment to transparency and accountability from the prestigious non-profit evaluator, Charity Navigator. This year, HOPE also launched The 1865 Project, an initiative designed to help level the economic playing field for underserved Americans. For more information: OperationHOPE.org. Join the conversation on social media at @operationHOPE.

Contact:

Lalohni Campbell, Per/Se Media Group

hello@persemediagroup.com

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Last night, my wife, Chaitra, and I were guests of the President and First Lady at the White House State Dinner honoring Kenyan President William Ruto.

The dinner, held at the White House, was the first state dinner held by a U.S. president for an African head of state in over thirty years. It commemorated the 60th anniversary of formal diplomatic ties with Kenya. Both President Biden and President Ruto affirmed their nations’ commitments to strengthening their ties and looked forward to continued and future collaborations.

In addition to President Biden, they joined former presidents Clinton and Obama, HOPE partners including Walmart CEO Doug McMillon, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell, Pfizer CEO Dr. Albert Bourla, Senator Raphael Warnock, and Mayor Andre Dickens, along with friends of HOPE including Vice President Harris, Secretary of State Anthony Blinken, Rev. Al Sharpton, National Urban League CEO Marc Morial, Sean Penn, LeVar Burton and White House Correspondent April Ryan.

It was an unforgettable evening and a testament to how far the message of HOPE has traveled.

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Chairman John Hope Bryant recently sat down with Brad Smith from Yahoo! Finance to discuss the foundation and framework for building wealth.

Smith highlighted that our nation’s inflationary times can seem to complicate the goal of building generational wealth. However, as Chairman Bryant points out, the foundations of financial literacy remain the same despite the challenging times. The essential foundation boils down to mindset.

“Well, first, you have to address the thing that’s addressing you,” Bryant emphasizes. “If you don’t deal with your money, your money is going to deal with you, and it’s not gonna deal with you in a positive way.”

Next, he suggests that families across America make financial literacy a primary conversation in the home — even to the point that it’s part of the regular, ongoing family conversation.

Check out the rest of the conversation and the article featured on Yahoo! Finance here.

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Chairman John Hope Bryant made another guest appearance on #RolandMartin Unfiltered to discuss his latest book, Financial Literacy for All, with his friend, journalist, and host, Roland Martin.

Throughout the conversation, Chairman Bryant explains why financial literacy is such an important issue for all Americans, especially African Americans and other minorities. In his view, financial literacy is the most important civil rights issue of our generation. If America is to maintain its hegemony and global positioning.

Financial literacy is a critical conversation for all communities, especially African Americans, who have been affected by issues such as slavery, Jim Cow, redlining, and other social, legal, and economic barriers preventing economic elevation. Chairman Bryant encourages the show’s largely African American viewership to pursue financial literacy and make it a part of each family’s regular conversation.

He says that African Americans have thrived and excelled at everything in this country when they’re made aware of the rules and have coaching to know how to play the game. That’s what Operation HOPE and Financial Literacy for All help teach, promote, and explain.

Watch the interview in full here, purchase your copy of Financial Literacy for All, and visit OperationHOPE.org to schedule an appointment with a financial wellbeing coach today.

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My mother, Juanita Murray Smith, was one of a kind. Born to a humble family, she literally came up from nothing. She lived in a shotgun shack with an outhouse attached and learned to save, be industrious, and build a better life. She married my father, Johnny Will Smith, and moved to Los Angeles to create better opportunities for her children. I was born soon after their move.

In Los Angeles, my parents faced many challenges, especially financial ones. My dad could make money but couldn’t keep it, while my mother knew how to save, grow, invest, and build wealth. Unfortunately, my father never sought her help, and we lost everything. Despite these setbacks, my mother continued working hourly jobs, and though my dad died effectively broke, my mother died a millionaire, having worked jobs that paid $15-$18 an hour and doing handicrafts part-time.

She bought and sold seven homes, provided down payments for my brother and sister to buy their first homes, and helped me when I needed it. The most important thing she did for me was telling me she loved me every day of my life. There’s nothing more important than a child being told they are loved. She taught me to love myself and gave me self-esteem, even though she wasn’t always cared for or given the support she deserved.

Despite not having a high school equivalency, she always strove to better herself. At 62, she marched with 18-year-olds to earn her high school equivalency. From a lineage of resilience—my grandmother owned a shotgun shack, and my great-grandmother was a slave—my mother rose to buy and sell seven homes. Inspired by her, I went on to own 700 homes and founded the largest financial literacy organization in the country. Her determination and wisdom have left a lasting impact on my life and many others.

My mother passed away on September 10, 2023, just before her 89th birthday. We were planning a big celebration for her 90th, which we will now hold in her memory, honoring her incredible life through the Juanita Smith Fund and the work we continue in her name. She left this world with an 854 credit score, a testament to her financial acumen. I know she continues her work from a better place.

I love you, Mommy. Your legacy lives on through me and all who were blessed to know you. Thank you for the calm and confidence you instilled in me, gifts that I cherish every day. You were an incredible woman, mother, lover, and friend. Your impact will be felt for generations to come.

What a woman. What a mother. What a lover. What a friend.

Happy Mother’s Day and you’ll be in my heart forever.

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How do you salute a man who walked amongst the angels? You start by making sure that history accurately reflects his name. This is my modest contribution to the telling of his vital history.

Rev. Dr. Cecil ‘Chip’ Murray changed my life. Life, literally.

He was more than a mentor or a supporter or a good friend to a ‘young man coming up’. He was in every way — particularly during my early evolving years as a young man in the making — my spiritual father.

Rev. Murray and I met originally through my brother and friend Mark Whitlock, now Rev. Mark Whitlock, who leads one of the three largest AME churches in the nation – Reid Temple AME Church in Maryland. Back then he was an executive in the making, first at a property title company, and then a banker at Wells Fargo. But what Mark nor I knew then was that Rev. Murray had already decided, in his spirit, that our lives would both be transformed by a life’s calling. Both rooted in and inspired by him, and his life. Very seldom do you meet someone, that you believe is ‘other worldly’. Someone that you genuinely believe walks their talk, and might even qualify as a saint, on this earth. A true prophet from on high, representing God almighty right here on earth. That there, is one Rev. Dr. Cecil ‘Chip’ Murray.

It is impossible to communicate, in an article, the power and transformational impact that this man had on my life, but I will try, by telling you a couple intimate stories about the man.

When I first showed up at the church, the Rodney King Riots of 1992 had engulfed the city, and everyone important at the time seemed to be sitting in Rev. Murray’s office. This included the governor (the Republican Pete Wilson), the mayor (the legendary democrat Mayor Tom Bradley, also an early mentor of mine), civil rights leader Rev. Jesse Jackson, the Catholic bishop, the Jewish Rabbi, the Muslim Imam and every other who’s-who from the city had crammed into this one man’s office — all seeking his approval and wise counsel. As a young man of 26, who Rev. Murray had reluctantly agreed to mentor, I was invited to come in and take a seat, even though I had zero role nor power nor responsibility. One might say, I was actually in the way. But Rev. Murray saw something in me and invited me in to take a quiet seat in the corner when I showed up at his office, looking for a way to help following the citywide unrest. It was after, and in many ways because of this meeting, that I ultimately founded Operation HOPE.

Rev. Murray told me to take my business skills (and my high contacts in local finance) and put them to work ‘rebuilding our community’. Within the week, on May 5th, 1992, I organized the first Bankers Bus Tour through a still smoldering South Central Los Angeles. The result of this first tour was a commitment from the assembled bankers to fund the rebuilding of Handler’s Pharmacy, a Black owned pharmacy business located at Western Ave and 42nd Street. This was the first commitment to ‘rebuild’ by anyone, and involved leaders from government, community and the private sector. It also focused on a quality that later became my strength and global calling card – outcomes and results. A focus on Ph.D. and Ph.Do, too. I ended up founding Operation HOPE in 1992, with a $61,000 grant requested by then Democratic LA Mayor Tom Bradley to then Republican President George W. Bush. It was an SBA 7J grant, made on a bi-partisan basis. This also became a quality I would find useful for 30 years of ‘getting stuff done.’ On the 10th anniversary of the Rodney King Riots – 22 years ago today, Rev. Murray and First AME Church partnered together to host then US President George W. Bush in South Central Los Angeles to salute the rebuilding, joined by 700 leaders from across the Southern California community, inclusive of both major political parties and all racial groups. Classic Cecil ‘Chip’ Murray.

Today, Operation HOPE is the largest financial literacy coaching, counseling and economic empowerment organization in the nation, with 300 full time HOPE Inside offices in 40+ states, and its partners have invested more than $4.5 billion into our communities, raising credit scores, lowering debt, increasing savings, and creating minority homeowners and small business owners. 1MBB has inspired, created and grown more than 400,000 black businesses since 2020 alone, equal to more than 12% of all black businesses in America. This is the living legacy of Rev. Cecil Murray, which began in 1992.

But Rev. Murray also sparked and inspired something much closer to home. He inspired me, but he directly mobilized my brother and friend Rev. Whitlock to lead his newest church initiative back then – something he boldly called FAME Renaissance. Just some of the results of FAME Renaissance and Dr. Murray’s most trusted senior team, which featured (Rev.) Mark Whitlock, Rev. Dr. Steve Johnson and Peggy Hill, included 300 Jobs for teenagers at Disneyland, every year for 10 years! 3000 jobs, a Fame Renaissance loan fund, a Fame Renaissance venture Capital Fund, a Fame Renaissance Transportation Program transported 1,000 000 people annually, a Fame Renaissance environmental protection program which saved 1.5 billion square acres of water, a Fame Renaissance Commercial Office Building of 75, 000 square feet, a Fame Incubator Program – which trained 1000 entrepreneurs and started 400 small business, a Fame Renaissance Home Loan Program which funded five hundred homes, a FAME Housing had affordable housing projects of 700 units with low to moderate tenants, encompassing seven buildings. And so much more.

Sometimes you run into someone in life, that changes your life, and the world we all live in too. That man, for me, at 26 years old — was one Rev. Dr. Cecil ‘Chip’ Murray.

And this one thing I know, and hope that you now understand this to be true too – his powerful, one-of-a-kind legacy, lives.

John Hope Bryant, founder, Operation HOPE, and spiritual son of Rev. Dr. Cecil ‘Chip’ Murray.

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ATLANTA, April 26, 2024 / — Operation HOPE, a national nonprofit dedicated to fostering entrepreneurship and financial literacy, proudly announces the extension of a landmark Strategic Alliance Memorandum (SAM) signing with the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), underscoring a shared commitment to empower small businesses nationwide. Together, the organizations have set a goal to create, scale and grow minority-owned businesses.

Operation HOPE and SBA Forge Strategic Alliance to Empower Small Businesses Across America.Today’s historic agreement, formalized during a visit to Operation HOPE’s headquarters by Administrator Isabel Casillas Guzman and key SBA officials, signifies a significant milestone in advancing entrepreneurship in America. Against the backdrop of Atlanta’s thriving small business ecosystem, Administrator Guzman and Operation HOPE’s leadership convened to reaffirm their dedication to supporting entrepreneurs, particularly in underserved communities. Under terms of the agreement, both organizations will increase access to SBA’s resource partners, including but not limited to, SCORE, the Small Business Development Centers (SBDCs), Veterans Business Opportunity Centers (VBOCs) and the Women’s Business Centers (WBCs). The SBA will also co-sponsor community-based outreach and education events with Operation HOPE and its initiatives including the 1MBB initiative.

Administrator Guzman emphasized the importance of a sustained partnership, stating, “We’re experiencing a small business boom under the Biden-Harris Administration, with more than 17 million new small business applications filed since the President took office – and this boom is being fueled by women and people of color. Through this strategic alliance with Operation HOPE, the SBA will continue building on this surge of entrepreneurship by working to level the playing field and ensure every entrepreneur has access to the resources and support they need to thrive, create jobs, and grow our economy.”

This sentiment echoes Operation HOPE’s mission to empower individuals, families, and communities through financial literacy and entrepreneurship. By leveraging Operation HOPE’s expertise and nationwide network of clients, the sustained partnership aims to bolster small businesses, particularly among diverse communities, such as African American and Hispanic, seeking to build generational wealth.

“This strategic alliance with the SBA represents a significant step forward in our collective efforts to empower small businesses across America,” said John Hope Bryant, Founder, Chairman and CEO, Operation HOPE. “By working hand in hand with the SBA, we can provide vital resources and support to entrepreneurs, fostering economic opportunity and driving community prosperity for all.”

One of Operation HOPE’s flagship programs, the 1 Million Black Business Initiative (1MBB), has been at the forefront of growing Black entrepreneurship in Americ. With a focus on providing mentorship, training, and access to capital, 1MBB has demonstrated a proven impact in catalyzing the growth of Black-owned businesses across the nation. Since launching in 2020, nearly 400,000 new Black businesses have been started and engaged through the program.

A recent highlight of the partnership’s impact is “Black Coffee,” a thriving upstart that has benefited from the support of the SBA and Operation HOPE. “As a Black entrepreneur, navigating the business landscape can be daunting,” said Marcus Johnson, CEO of Black Coffee. “The support and resources provided by the SBA and Operation HOPE have been instrumental in our growth journey. They not only helped us access capital but also provided invaluable mentorship and guidance, enabling Black Coffee to expand and create meaningful connections in our community.”

Operation HOPE’s alliance with SBA underscores a shared commitment to address the critical needs of small businesses. Through Operation HOPE’s extensive network and the SBA’s expertise in small business development, the partnership aims to provide entrepreneurs with access to quality training, counseling, and financial resources, empowering them to thrive in today’s competitive marketplace.

For more information visit, https://operationhope.org.

About Operation HOPE, Inc.Since 1992, Operation HOPE has been moving America from civil rights to “Silver Rights” with the mission of making free enterprise and capitalism work for the underserved—disrupting poverty for millions of low and moderate-income youth and adults across the nation. Through its award-winning community uplift model, HOPE Inside, which received the Innovator of the Year recognition by American Banker magazine, Operation HOPE has served more than 4 million individuals and directed more than $4 billion in economic activity into disenfranchised communities—turning check-cashing customers into banking customers, renters into homeowners, small business dreamers into small business owners, minimum wage workers into living wage consumers, and uncertain disaster victims into financially empowered disaster survivors. Operation HOPE recently received Fast Company’s World Changing Ideas Award for driving entrepreneurship as well as its tenth consecutive 4-star charity rating for fiscal management and commitment to transparency and accountability from the prestigious non-profit evaluator, Charity Navigator. Operation HOPE also recently launched The 1865 Project, an initiative designed to help level the economic playing field for underserved Americans. For more information: OperationHOPE.org. Join the HOPE conversation on Twitter, Facebook, Instagramand LinkedIn.

Operation HOPE Contacts:Kevin Boucher
kevin.boucher@operationhope.org

Lalohni Campbell
la@persemediagroup.com

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My sister, Arleen Kaye Hayes, recently passed. Arleen was a sweet soul who always communicated such care for our dad, Johnie Will Smith, and me. Our family was hers in her heart and mind. Arleen was about love and embodied it fully. I hope that the world saw that in her. I surely did. And now she is using that special gift in the Heavens, to the right of the Father. She’s been promoted — reconnected with her mom, and our dad.

Rest well, Arleen. I love you.

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WASHINGTON — FEMA and Operation HOPE, an organization that provides free financial information and guidance to people and businesses that are affected by major disasters and emergencies, signed an agreement this week to continue assisting communities in their recoveries. This partnership will enable more effective and efficient recoveries by amplifying the role of nonprofits as key collaborators to help people understand the value in learning about financial recovery.

“Operation HOPE’s mission to expand economic opportunity and promote financial resilience is a critical facet of helping people and communities jumpstart their recoveries. Our partnership has flourished over the past two decades and today’s signing means it will grow even stronger in the coming years,” said FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell. “I am incredibly proud of the support they have given to wildfire survivors in Maui through the formation of the Coalition of the Willing and their continued efforts to empower communities.”

WASHINGTON — FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell (left) and Founder and CEO of Operation HOPE John Hope Bryant (right) sign a memorandum of understanding for further partnership. (FEMA photo)
Operation HOPE has been a key partner in helping wildfire survivors on Maui, including housing assistance to families in need of emergency housing, engaging thousands of residents through community outreach and various free community disaster recovery events, and collaboration with local organizations, including several Native Hawaiian groups.

Some of the joint efforts to help communities across the country recover effectively after an emergency include sharing financial assistance and guidance on recovery best practices, providing information on FEMA mitigation programs and conducting disaster preparedness seminars in Community Disaster Resilience Zones. These services and many others are always provided to individuals, families and businesses free of charge.

WASHINGTON — FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell (left) and Founder and CEO of Operation HOPE John Hope Bryant (right) holding the signed memorandum of agreement. (FEMA photo)
“FEMA is thrilled to continue our longstanding partnership with Operation HOPE. Signing this agreement represents a critical milestone that ensures our organizations’ focus on what matters most: helping people cope with disaster financial shocks and rebuild their homes and lives. This agreement formalizes our joint commitment to equip individuals and families with the financial tools they need to prepare and recover from disasters,” said FEMA Director of Individual Assistance, Frank Matranga.

“We are honored to continue our longstanding partnership with FEMA and thanks to Administrator Criswell for her incredible leadership responding to people in times of unforeseen disasters. We especially applaud the efforts of FEMA during the recent Maui wildfires, and the many public and private sector partners who so readily answered the call,” said John Hope Bryant, Founder and CEO of Operation HOPE. “We are proud to have been associated with FEMA for the past two decades, along with the American Red Cross and so many countless other partners. By joining with other front-line organizations like the members of the National Volunteer Organizations Active in Disaster (NVOAD), we are able to support people with the long-term implications from a disaster, ensuring everyone has an opportunity to rebuild and recover.”

WASHINGTON — FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell (left seated) and Founder and CEO of Operation HOPE John Hope Bryant (right seated) along with representatives from FEMA and Operation HOPE and other financial groups following the memorandum of understanding signing. (FEMA photo)FEMA works with a number of organizations like Operation HOPE to ensure recovery efforts encompass the whole community and help people, including those who are disproportionately affected by disasters, recover and rebuild their lives.

Get ahead of the game and create your EFFAK toolkit with a HOPE financial wellbeing coach today. You don’t have to be caught off guard. Prepare today at www.operationhope.org.

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Tonight, we’re LIVE with Bishop T.D. Jakes, CEO of TDJ Enterprises, on Instagram. We’ll be discussing the state of the economy and the culture at large, my new book Financial Literacy for All, and some practical insights that will help accelerate wealth creation for you and your family.

We’ll see you tonight at 8 pm ET, LIVE on Instagram!

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Yesterday, we launched the next phase of the financial literacy movement with the launch of my latest book, Financial Literacy for All. This book is a blueprint for America that, if followed, will help us ensure our nation’s prosperity for generations to come. It speaks to policy at the local, state, and federal levels, and gives the reader practical steps to advancing their economic freedom and wealth creation. You can purchase your copy here if you haven’t already purchased it.

Thank you all for a strong and impressive showing on the first day of the book launch. I’ve received numerous texts, emails, and phone calls from well-wishers and supporters, and the fast-readers who have already finished the book! You all have helped make it a Best Seller and pushed it to #1 in Economics on Amazon, and we’ll continue climbing high and advancing financial literacy for everybody. The American Dream is still attainable, and you have the power to obtain it.

Check out my recent interview with CNBC’s Last Call with Brian Sullivan, where I explain why this moment is so important for us as a nation and why financial literacy is the civil rights issue of our generation.

Take advantage of Operation HOPE’s financial empowerment services at no cost to you and reclaim your financial life by visiting www.operationhope.org

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Bryant’s 6th book offers Americans a smart, effective approach to understanding money and achieving financial goals

ATLANTA, GA. (APRIL 16, 2024) – Operation HOPE announced today that its Founder, Chairman, and CEO John Hope Bryant has released his sixth book, ‘FINANCIAL LITERACY FOR ALL.’ Upon its April 16th release, the book received high praise, reaching #1 on Amazon for Business Finance, where it remains a best seller. The launch date also coincides with Financial Literacy Month, which focuses on improving financial education across America.

Bryant’s reputation as a leading voice in economic empowerment is backed by his role as the CEO of Operation HOPE, a non-profit organization dedicated to expanding economic opportunity in underserved communities. A portion of the proceeds from book sales will support Operation HOPE’s programming, which focuses on uplifting communities through financial education.

As the best-selling author of ‘Up from Nothing,’ ‘Love Leadership,’ and ‘How the Poor Can Save Capitalism,’ Bryant’s new book will provide a powerful resource for everyday Americans seeking to build a stronger financial future. Part call to action, part inspiration, ‘Financial Literacy for All’ offers a roadmap to increase prosperity for individuals, families, communities, and our nation from one of the nation’s foremost experts.

Using practical tools and tips, the book supports establishing a financial mindset that contributes to success and wealth – rather than debt and struggle – and helps to answer tough financial questions many Americans grapple with daily. Bryant also issues a call to action for public and private sector leaders to help bring financial literacy education to young Americans and working adults while outlining a plan that invites individuals and organizations of every stripe to join the financial self-determination movement.

With an insightful forward by Walmart CEO Doug McMillon, “Financial Literacy for All” addresses pressing issues such as understanding credit, budgeting effectively, and building wealth, all while emphasizing the importance of financial dignity and inclusion. Bryant’s approach empowers readers to navigate the complexities of personal finance with confidence and purpose.

“Fixing income inequality will reignite the American dream, and John takes aim at one of the biggest challenges of our time in Financial Literacy For All. I share John’s optimism that we can help change the world and address our problems with the right skills, tools and knowledge. Drawing on lessons learned from history and his own personal experiences, John creates a powerful business plan for America to drive empowerment through education,” said Jamie Dimon, CEO, JPMorgan Chase.

“If there was ever the right book for the wrong time, it’s this one! Misinformation is at an all-time high and financial literacy is at an all-time low. As a result, regular folks out there are struggling! Thankfully John Hope Bryant, a man I’ve known for years as an incredible entrepreneur and philanthropist, has come through with actual and actionable steps people can take to turn their lives around,” said Charlamagne Tha God, Media Mogul, Bestselling Author, TV and Radio Host.

‘Financial Literacy for All’ is available everywhere today.

About John Hope Bryant

John Hope Bryant is an American entrepreneur, thought leader, and philanthropic executive who is referred to as the “conscience of capitalism” by numerous Fortune 500 CEOs. Bryant is the Founder, Chairman, and ChiefExecutive Ofﬁcer of Operation HOPE, Inc., which is the nation’s largest on-the-ground nonprofit provider of ﬁnancial literacy.

In 2008, Bryant inspired President George W. Bush to make ﬁnancial literacy the ofﬁcial policy of the U.S. federal government. As a result, Bryant was appointed Vice-Chair of the inaugural U.S. President’s Advisory Council on Financial Literacy. In 2016, Bryant inspired U.S. Treasury Secretary Jack Lew to rename the Treasury Annex Building to the Freedman’s Bank Building in honor of the Freedman’s Bank created by President Lincoln, designed to teach newly freed slaves about money. Bryant’s work has been recognized by five U.S. presidents and he has served as an advisor to three sitting U.S. presidents representing both parties. Bryant is a CNBC Contributor, host of the iHeart Radio podcast “Money and Wealth with John Hope Bryant,” a best-selling author of six books, and was selected in 2024 by TIME for the inaugural class of “The Closers” – one of 18 extraordinary global leaders working to close the racial wealth gap. To learn more, visit johnhopebryantholdings.com.

Media Contacts:

Kevin Boucher Lalohni Campbell

kevin.boucher@operationhope.org la@persemediagroup.com

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The site is part of Dow Jones’ broader focus on financial literacy, which aims to empower readers who want to sharpen their financial acumen.

NEW YORK, April 15, 2024 — Dow Jones announced the launch of Dow Jones Smart Money, a comprehensive financial literacy and proficiency resource aimed at providing essential knowledge to the public at no cost. Dow Jones Smart Money content will live on a dedicated site at DowJones.com/SmartMoney and will feature select information and insights from the award-winning publications across Dow Jones, including The Wall Street Journal, Barron’s, Investor’s Business Daily and MarketWatch.

“From beginners to billionaires, equipping people with the resources to tackle everyday financial challenges is at the heart of Dow Jones’s mission,” said Almar Latour, CEO of Dow Jones and Publisher of The Wall Street Journal. “Dow Jones Smart Money seeks to demystify financial topics like credit, interest rates, 401(k)s, and annuities–all with the goal of breaking down barriers and empowering people of all backgrounds with the tools they need to direct their financial future.”

In an ever-changing financial landscape, navigating personal finances can often feel overwhelming. With the largest portfolio of wealth and investing publications in the world, Dow Jones is uniquely positioned to inform the public with trusted, reliable financial and business information. Dow Jones Smart Money will leverage the award-winning reporting from Dow Jones newsrooms to close the gap in financial literacy and ensure that anyone who needs resources to navigate finance topics, can find them with ease and confidence.

This site will continually evolve with timely, relevant content that will assist novice money managers in becoming informed financial decision-makers. Learn more about Dow Jones Smart Money here.

The launch of Dow Jones Smart Money is the latest offering demonstrating the company’s commitment to improving financial literacy for people of all backgrounds.

Last year, Dow Jones joined Operation HOPE’s Financial Literacy for All coalition alongside more than 40 leading organizations that are committed to embedding financial literacy into U.S. schools, workplaces, communities and culture. This fall, the two organizations will partner on several joint initiatives, including live no-cost webinars featuring guest speakers from Dow Jones on key topics of interest in financial literacy and financial preparedness.

Earlier this year, Dow Jones unveiled a partnership with Webull, an online broker for global investors, on an initiative to drive greater financial literacy and empower retail investing decisions. Webull users can access curated selections of articles from The Wall Street Journal available directly within Webull’s app to help them make better educated and informed decisions around their financial goals.

About Dow Jones:Dow Jones is a global provider of news and business information, delivering content to consumers and organizations around the world across multiple formats, including print, digital, mobile and live events. Dow Jones has produced unrivaled quality content for more than 130 years and today has one of the world’s largest news-gathering operations globally. It is home to leading publications and products including the flagship Wall Street Journal, America’s largest newspaper by paid circulation; Barron’s, MarketWatch, Mansion Global, Financial News, Investor’s Business Daily, Factiva, Dow Jones Risk & Compliance, Dow Jones Newswires, OPIS and Chemical Market Analytics. Dow Jones is a division of News Corp (Nasdaq: NWS, NWSA; ASX: NWS, NWSLV).

SOURCE Dow Jones & Company, Inc.

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There have been many people throughout my life who have contributed to my life and my mission and cause for financial literacy. Few carry as much weight as the late Rev. Dr. Cecil “Chip” Murray, former pastor of First A.M.E. of Los Angeles. Reverend Murray was a friend to Los Angeles, and a friend and mentor to me. In the aftermath of the LA Riots in 1992, amidst the hurt and turmoil felt by many and the fires that blazed through the streets in the night, Reverend Murray brought a calming presence that helped us all unite and go forward to a brighter future.

Rev. Murray was an inspiration and contributor to HOPE’s model and vision for economic and community development. When I sought to rebuild the city, I called home and pave a path forward towards the American dream for people in low-to-moderate income communities, it was Reverend Murray who helped me connect the mission from the streets to the suites. It was under his tutelage that I began to learn how our particular brand of activism and community work could have long-lasting and far-reaching implications not just in South Central Los Angeles, but around the country.

We have seen the direct contribution of Rev. Murray in the work of Operation HOPE. That work alone has touched the lives of thousands and continues to inspire and empower thousands more. But I’m not the only one who he mentored, whose life he touched, and who learned from his example what it means to be a leader. When you add up the people he influenced and the souls he embraced and empowered, over a long 94-year span, and the work that they’ve carried on behalf of the people, the total number of lives he’s impacted easily stretches into the millions if not more.

Thank you, Reverend Murray, for your life and your work. Your living was not in vain.

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Today, my dear friend Lance Triggs celebrates 30 years of service to Operation HOPE. Let that sink in for a moment. Three decades, virtually his entire professional life, dedicated to ensuring that everyone, no matter what their background, can fully thrive in today’s everchanging economy. On behalf of me and the entire Operation HOPE family, please join us in saluting a true soldier of the movement for his 30 years of service to the Operation HOPE mission and the underserved communities we serve.

Lance Triggs, who President of Operations, is a very dear friend to me personally, as we have known each other since I was 18 years old. That’s almost 40 years of friendship between us – and I have literally enjoyed each and every year knowing him.

Lance is one of those rare quiet storms, whose fire runs deep and his intelligence and knowledge unquestionable, but he doesn’t need to make a lot of noise about it.

He is a spiritual man who quietly went to divinity school, and who helps countless young people and adults to change their lives, never asking or seeking public credit for himself.

Lance is the HOPE Leader principally responsible for shepherding the success of our One Million Black Business (1MBB) initiative, responsible for creating, scaling, and serving aspiring Black-business owners. Since 2020, with our founding partner Shopify, we have served over 400,000 Black businesses. This is part of Lance Triggs’ legacy. It’s active, its real, and it’s still growing.

I knew both of Lance’s incredible parents. His father was a decorated LAPD (Los Angeles Police Department) officer, and his mother was a dedicated ‘domestic engineer,’ taking care of Lance, his dad, and the household. Both of them — whom Lance absolutely adored growing up in Carson, California — would be so proud of Lance Triggs today. I know that they are. And I know that I am as well.

Lance is my friend, my brother, a key advisor, a HOPE executive, a “silver rights” soldier, and one who will continue to change the world. Thank you, Lance Triggs – for believing in this crazy idea all those years ago and for your steady leadership over the past thirty years. I, and we, salute you, my friend.

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Operation HOPE announced today that “FINANCIAL LITERACY FOR ALL,” the latest book by its Founder and CEO John Hope Bryant, has reached #1 on Amazon for Economics, prior to its April 16, 2024 release. From the best-selling author of “Up from Nothing,” “Love Leadership” and “How the Poor Can Save Capitalism,” this new book delivers a powerful resource for everyday Americans seeking to build a stronger financial future. Part call to action, part inspiration, “Financial Literacy for All” offers a roadmap to increase prosperity for individuals, families, communities, and our nation, from one of the world’s foremost experts.

The book will support establishing a financial mindset that contributes to success and wealth, rather than debt and struggle, and help to answer tough financial questions Americans grapple with daily. The author issues a call to action for public and private sector leaders to help bring financial literacy education to young Americans and working adults while outlining a plan that invites individuals and organizations of every stripe to join this movement for financial self-determination.

Pre-orders are available now through Amazon, Barnes & Noble and, Walmart.

About John Hope BryantJohn Hope Bryant is an American entrepreneur, thought leader, and philanthropic executive referred to as the “conscience of capitalism” by numerous Fortune 500 CEOs. Bryant is the Founder, Chairman, and Chief Executive Ofﬁcer of Operation HOPE, Inc. the nation’s largest on-the-ground nonprofit provider of ﬁnancial literacy.

In 2008, Bryant inspired President George W. Bushto make ﬁnancial literacy the ofﬁcial policy of the U.S. federal government. As a result, Bryant was appointed as Vice-Chair of the inaugural U.S. President’s Advisory Council on Financial Literacy. In 2016, Bryant inspired U.S. Treasury Secretary Jack Lew to rename the Treasury Annex Building to the Freedman’s Bank Building, in honor of the Freedman’s Bank created by President Lincoln, designed to teach newly freed slaves about money. Bryant’s work has been recognized by five U.S. presidents, and he has served as an advisor to three sitting U.S. presidents representing both parties.

Bryant is a CNBC Contributor, host of the iHeart Radio podcast “Money and Wealth with John Hope Bryant“, a best-selling author of six books, and was selected in 2024 by TIME for the inaugural class of “The Closers” – one of 18 extraordinary global leaders working to close the racial wealth gap.

Operation HOPE Contacts:Kevin Boucher, Operation HOPE
Kevin.boucher@operationhope.org

Lalohni Campbell, Per/Se Media Group
la@persemediagroup.com

SOURCE Operation HOPE, Inc.

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On behalf of me and my wife Chaitra, my brother David Darnell Harris and my sister Mara Lamont Hoskin Wright, it is with a deep sense of loss to announce that our mother, the indomitable Juanita Smith, was called home on Sunday morning. While this is a time of sadness for us and everyone who […]

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On September 11, 2001, the world we knew it was over, and our lives were shaken incredibly. Thousands of lives were lost that day, and our nation endured a sorrow unlike any other in recent history. However, what has historically been labeled a “day that will live in infamy” can now become something new — […]

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Financial Literacy Services and Homeownership Support Provided to Families and Aspiring Entrepreneurs at No Cost ATLANTA, Aug. 30, 2023 /PRNewswire/ — Operation HOPE, Westside Future Fund (WFF), and Cadence Bank are excited to announce they have united efforts to enhance essential financial literacy and homeownership support services to the historic Westside communities of Atlanta. This partnership, aimed […]

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Financial coaches are serving in multiple branches across KeyBank’s footprint to provide one-on-one and group financial assistance and access to programming at no cost ATLANTA, August 29, 2023 – KeyBank and Operation HOPE, Inc., a national non-profit dedicated to financial empowerment for underserved communities, recently announced plans to provide access to its HOPE Inside program […]

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Having personally witnessed the heartbreaking devastation caused by the Maui wildfires, my heart aches for each and every individual affected. As a frequent traveler to this beautiful island, I am committed to standing by your side during this difficult time. As the CEO of Operation HOPE, my team and I are committed to providing immediate […]

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If you’re going to be a winner, you must first win in the area of your mind. Your mindset matters! So what kind of mindset are you operating from? In one of my top-selling books, “Up from Nothing: The Untold Story of How We Can All Succeed,” I outline how there are three mindsets you […]

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Sometimes, the giants in our lives are the ones we know through stories, laughter, and the legacy they leave behind. My interactions with Mr. Clarence Avant have been many, albeit mainly through the lenses of my dear mentors and friends, the legendary Quincy Jones and the inimitable Ambassador Andrew Young. They introduced me to the […]

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Discover the change we’ve ignited. Our latest graphic unveils the incredible strides we’ve made together in transforming lives in the last year. Every number is a story, a breakthrough, a changed life, and transformation. Want to be part of this ripple effect? Dive into The 1865 Project. By donating to Operation HOPE, you’re not just […]

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Every day we ask people to make investments in us. The same is true regardless of if you’re a doctor, lawyer, stay-at-home parent, teacher, preacher, bus driver, or business analyst. No matter who you are or what you do, we’re asking people to take a chance on us to help us grow and develop some […]

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My family and I are heartbroken over the horrific destruction and loss of life in Maui and the big island. We are in this special place on a writing retreat (currently safe), and deeply saddened to witness firsthand the terrible impact this natural disaster is having. Our HOPE Inside Disaster team stands ready with our […]

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Operation HOPE and I are on a mission to transform America and put the American Dream back into the hands of the people. With that mission comes a comprehensive vision that I believe will fundamentally transform the very fabric of our nation. However, this isn’t the first time America has undergone radical reconstruction efforts to […]

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If you talk about money and finance long enough, eventually, you’ll hear something that sounds a little like this: “Insurance is a scam! They take my money every month for something that hasn’t even happened and might never happen!” Well, if you’re a pessimist and always see the glass half-empty, I can understand this. However, […]

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It all begins and ends in the mind. Remember this — no matter whether you believe you can or you believe you cannot — you’re right! It’s up to you to decide what the future holds. Success is attained through hard work, consistency, and execution. But it first must be strategically conceived and carried in […]

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ATLANTA (August 1, 2023) – Operation HOPE, the nation’s leading nonprofit in financial literacy and economic inclusion, announced today that they have again been listed on the Atlanta Business Chronicle’s Fastest Growing Companies Pacesetters list. Moving up to #42 on the list, Operation HOPE is the only nonprofit listed among 100 private companies in Atlanta […]

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“When I agreed to serve as National Vice Chair of No Labels I did so in order to help advance our shared values – specifically to advocate for bipartisan legislation supporting access to financial literacy for all Americans, which I believe is a civil rights issue for this generation and essential for the freedom and […]

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In the tapestry of American history, few voices resonate as powerfully as that of Frederick Douglass. His impassioned speech, “What to the Slave is the Fourth of July?”, exposed the deep-rooted contradiction of celebrating freedom while denying it to enslaved individuals. Today, as we reflect on the meaning and reality of freedom synonymous with the […]

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Financial dignity isn’t just an American issue — it’s a global one. For centuries, this issue has sparked revolution, wars, and social movements all with the aim of of expanding opportunity and sharing the wealth among the the many rather than the few. Last week, I spent time in Cannes, France at the Cannes […]

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At Operation HOPE, we have always believed that everyone plays a role in building a more inclusive and equitable economic future. Over thirty years ago, I stood in the streets of South-Central Los Angeles and watched the city I called home set ablaze with anger, hurt and confusion. I realized then what I hold deeply in my […]

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Chairman John Hope Bryant sat down with Diane Brady, Assistant Managing Editor for Forbes, to discuss HOPE’s work and the importance of the moment we’re in. One of the major themes Chairman Bryant emphasized was the need for Americans to think of themselves as part of a national community with a need to compete globally […]

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Recently, I joined Bloomberg radio host Barry Ritholtz on the podcast Masters in Business to discuss the importance — and power — of financial literacy, not just for our low-to-moderate income neighbors but for all people on their path to success, particularly the marginalized. Airing over Memorial Day weekend, this episode led the charts as the #1 trending episode on […]

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Recently there’s been a lot of buzz around AI and its implications for our lives and society. The reality is that this isn’t just a trending topic that will soon fade to black. AI is already a key part of our lives and is here to stay. The question now becomes, “What do we do […]

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ATLANTA (May 25, 2023) – Operation HOPE, the nation’s leading non-profit dedicated to financial empowerment for underserved communities, today announced the continued growth of its 1 Million Black Business (1MBB) initiative, which was one of the winners of Fast Company’s 2023 ‘World Changing Ideas’ Awards. In the first quarter of 2023, 1MBB signed up, engaged, and supported 88,644* new Black businesses. Community stakeholder partners also committed to starting an additional 22,825 businesses, continuing the program’s momentum in reaching its goal to stand up one million new businesses by 2030. Access to 1MBB is offered at no cost to participants.

To date, 1MBB has signed up, engaged and supported more than 257,000 businesses, which accounts for nearly 5% of all Black-owned businesses in the US. With the support of financial partners, 1MBB has also secured over $26 Million dollars in small business loans to 369 Black businesses across the country. This includes e-commerce retailers who have leveraged the Shopify platform to reach new customers online. In addition to Shopify, program partners include the U.S. Small Business Administration, Truist, Wells Fargo, and the NFL, to name a few.

“1MBB’s mission to build Black businesses is not simply about selling products and services —it’s designed to help families create a legacy that uplifts and transforms communities,” said John Hope Bryant, Founder, Chairman and CEO of Operation HOPE. “That means providing access to the coaching and capital that allows them to take advantage of new enterprise models— and sustain their businesses over the long haul. This is a game-changing movement.”

The 1MBB initiative includes personalized coaching and entrepreneurship training (ETP) by certified financial coaches via webinars and workshops. Participants also gain access to a coalition of prominent groups in accounting, legal, e-commerce, technology and marketing. In addition to coaching on credit and money management. Participants represent a diverse set of industries ranging from apparel and consumer goods to education and health services.

“Discovering 1MBB through Operation HOPE was literally the best thing that has ever happened to me,” said Alexia J. Hogan, Founder and CEO of Mental Health Over Everything. “There’s truly no program that even comes close to what Operation HOPE has provided and I’m so grateful that it exists. My business is thriving because of 1MBB.” Hogan’s e-commerce storefront provides quality apparel and self-care tools powered by 1MBB founding partner Shopify.

According to the US Dept of Labor, 45% of new businesses fail within the first five years. Data also reveals that the likelihood of failure is disproportionately higher for Black-owned businesses.

As 1MBB continues to expand, more Black entrepreneurs will be equipped with the tools and resources needed to create, scale and sustain their enterprise. The initiative is aligned with Operation HOPE’s broader mission to promote financial inclusion and dignity, aimed at empowering the underserved of America.

To learn more about this initiative, visit HOPE1MBB.org. *Note to media: numbers reported above do not include 1MBB impact, engagement and support in partnership with the SBA’s small business commitment in their US districts.

About 1MBB

Launched in October 2020 with the support of founding partner Shopify, 1MBB aims to remove traditional hurdles to for aspiring Black business owners. Through ongoing partnerships, 1MBB will continue to offer tools for business growth such as technology and resources, educational programs, and funding. To learn more about 1MBB, visit HOPE1mbb.org.

About Operation HOPE, Inc.

Since 1992, Operation HOPE has been moving America from civil rights to “silver rights” with the mission of making free enterprise and capitalism work for the underserved—disrupting poverty for millions of low and moderate-income youth and adults across the nation. Through our community uplift model, HOPE Inside, which received the 2016 Innovator of the Year recognition by American Banker magazine, Operation HOPE has served more than 4 million individuals and directed more than $3.2 billion in economic activity into disenfranchised communities—turning check-cashing customers into banking customers, renters into homeowners, small business dreamers into small business owners, minimum wage workers into living wage consumers, and uncertain disaster victims into financially empowered disaster survivors. For more information: OperationHOPE.org. Follow the HOPE conversation on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.

Media Contact:

Lalohni Campbell

(404) 593-7145

LA@persemediagroup.com

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Altman engages with Atlanta’s Black business leaders, public officials, and HBCU students.

ATLANTA (May 15, 2023) – Operation HOPE recently partnered with Clark Atlanta University (CAU) to host two events focused on “The Future of Artificial Intelligence” with Sam Altman, Open AI Founder and ChatGPT Creator. The conversations were led by Operation HOPE Founder, Chairman, and CEO John Hope Bryant and featured the President of Clark Atlanta University, Dr. George T. French, Jr.

Held on CAU’s campus, the first event provided Atlanta’s most prominent Black leaders from the public and private sectors an opportunity to engage with Altman and discuss pressing issues around artificial intelligence (AI). The second discussion gave local HBCU and Atlanta-based college students the same opportunity.

Altman, a billionaire tech pioneer, shared how he believes AI can positively impact lives and create new economic opportunities for communities of color, particularly among students at Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). The standing-room-only event included representatives from government, technology, non-profit, education, and the creative industries.

In 2015, Altman co-founded OpenAI, a nonprofit artificial intelligence research and deployment company with the stated mission “to ensure that artificial general intelligence – highly autonomous systems that outperform humans at most economically valuable work — benefits all of humanity.” In partnership with Operation HOPE, serial entrepreneur Altman has committed to making AI a force for good by stimulating economic growth, increasing productivity at lower costs, and stimulating job creation.

“The promise of an economic boost via machine learning is understandably seductive, but if we want to ensure AI technology has a positive impact, we must all be engaged early on. With proper policy oversight, I believe it can transform the future of the underserved,” said Operation HOPE Chairman, Founder, and CEO John Hope Bryant. “The purpose of this discussion is to discover new ways to leverage AI to win in key areas of economic opportunity such as education, housing, employment, and credit. If it can revolutionize business, it can do the same for our communities.”

“Getting this right by figuring out the new society that we want to build and how we want to integrate AI technology is one of the most important questions of our time,” Altman said. “I’m excited to have this discussion with a diverse group of people so that we can build something that humanity as a whole wants and needs.”

Throughout the event, Altman and Bryant demystified AI and how modern digital technology is revolutionizing the way today’s businesses compete and operate. By putting AI and data at the center of their capabilities, companies are redefining how they create, capture, and share value—and are achieving impressive growth as a result. During the Q&A session, they also discussed how government agencies can address AI policies that will lead to more equitable outcomes.

Altman is an American entrepreneur, angel investor, co-founder of Hydrazine Capital, former president of Y Combinator, founder and former CEO of Loopt, and co-founder and CEO of OpenAI. He was also one of TIME Magazine’s 100 Most Influential People of 2023.

According to recent research by IBM, more than one in three businesses were using AI technology in 2022. The report also notes that the adoption rate is exponential, with 42% currently considering incorporating AI into their business processes. Other research suggests that although the public sector is lagging, an increasing number of government agencies are considering or starting to use AI to improve operational efficiencies and decision-making. (McKinsey, 2020)

About Operation HOPE, Inc.

Since 1992, Operation HOPE has been moving America from civil rights to “silver rights” with the mission of making free enterprise and capitalism work for everyone—disrupting poverty for millions of low and moderate-income youth and adults across the nation. In 2023, Operation HOPE was named to Fast Company’s World Changing Ideas Award for pursuing innovation for good. Through its community uplift model, HOPE Inside, which received the Innovator of the Year recognition by American Banker magazine, Operation HOPE has served more than 4 million individuals and directed more than $3.2 billion in economic activity into disenfranchised communities—turning check-cashing customers into banking customers, renters into homeowners, small business dreamers into small business owners, minimum wage workers into living wage consumers, and uncertain disaster victims into financially empowered disaster survivors. Operation HOPE recently received its eighth consecutive 4-star charity rating for fiscal management and commitment to transparency and accountability from the prestigious non-profit evaluator, Charity Navigator. For more information: OperationHOPE.org. Join the conversation on social media at @operationHOPE.

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In a ceremony earlier this week, Ambassador Andrew Young accepted the World Jurist Association’s highest honor, the World Peace and Liberty Award in Spain. He stood by the King of Spain as he gave him this prestigious award.

“I’m ready to keep on keeping on,” said Ambassador Young, 91.

The ceremony was live-streamed on YouTube, and you can view it here.

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Sam Altman’s visit to Atlanta immediately following his visit to the White House was poetic, intentional, and full of symbolism. AI technology will fundamentally change society and may happen much quicker than most realize. That’s why the tech billionaire founder of OpenAI and the creator of ChatGPT met with the Biden White House to discuss the technology and its need for regulation. Then, he hopped on a plane and came to Atlanta to visit the Clark Atlanta University campus to discuss the technology with local community leaders and to hear their thoughts and concerns regarding its development and potential use cases.

Altman’s intentionality is reflective of the careful dance that he and his organization are choreographing to get the rollout and introduction of this technology as close to right as possible. In the same way that the car replaced the horse and buggy, many of the jobs global citizens hold could be replaced by AI innovation in as few as five years.

Sam and I joined CNBC’s “Squawk Box” to discuss his visit, which was the kick-off to a nationwide listening session tour, and his belief that there’s a need for government regulation and community understanding and support to ensure that ChatGPT and other AI technologies are used for the good of humanity and not to its detriment.

If you’re interested in conversations like these or want to learn how to use AI as a tool for your business rather than a disruptor to your financial life, connect with an Operation HOPE coach today. Visit us at www.operationhope.org.

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You and I are not alone in pursuing a better, more just, and more equitable future for our world. Last week at the Milken Institute proved that by convening more than 3,500 thought leaders, social and cultural influencers, and industry titans to share their insights, wisdom, and resources to help bend the arc of morality back towards justice.

I had the pleasure of sharing with colleagues and friends the many successes that we have enjoyed at Operation HOPE in our pursuit to empower the nation with financial dignity through financial literacy with our various programs. The first panel I spoke on was entitled “The FinTech Movement: Social Economic Mobility Strategies.” Moderated by Nicole Valentine, FinTech Director, Center for Financial Markets at Milken Institute, I and my co-panelists discussed ways to close the wealth gap in banking deserts in the U.S. and across the globe, and explored the various ways that organizations, like Operation HOPE, and fintech founders are creating solutions that reach the unbanked, underbanked, undercapitalized and underestimated.

Listen to the Milken Podcast Here

Retired Major League Baseball great Alex Rodriguez also shared a panel together during the conference to discuss the ripple effects of the lack of financial literacy in Black and Brown communities and how we can help combat it. During the closed session entitled “Swinging for the Fences: Innovation for Increasing Financial Fluency in America”, Rodriguez, our moderator Emily Musil Church, Senior Director of the Center for Strategic Philanthropy at the Milken Institute and I explored how multi-sector collaboration can best build on existing efforts to bring financial fluency to Americans who need it most.

If you’re looking for more impactful and transformational conversations, I want to invite you to our upcoming HOPE Global Forums and Annual Meeting taking place later this year in Atlanta, GA. Click here to request an invitation and I’ll see you there!

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| Last week, Fast Company announced that it awarded Operation HOPE the World Changing Ideas Award in the Enduring Impact category. The World Changing Ideas Awards honor products, concepts, companies, policies, and designs that are pursuing innovation for good.“Operation HOPE is honored to be recognized by Fast Company for creating an idea that can— and will – change the world for the better,” said John Hope Bryant, Operation HOPE Founder, Chairman and CEO. “Through 1MBB, we are devising new ways to help Black business owners defy the odds, improve their overall financial wellness and ultimately build generational wealth. It’s no small task, but the data shows that we are making a true impact.”Data-centered impact and advocacy have become the center piece of our work. We are proud to announce that we have secured $26,230,275 in small business loans for Black-owned businesses enrolled in the One Million Black Business (1MBB) program and have enrolled and engaged 88,644 new Black-owned businesses through 1MBB, increasing the total number of businesses served to 257,731 since its October 2020 launch. |

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| Just shy of the one year anniversary of HOPE’s inaugural Crypto Summit and on the eve of the organization’s 31st birthday, Chairman John Hope Bryant, the Founder and CEO of Operation HOPE and Dr. George French, Jr., president of Clark Atlanta University, hosted tech billionaire, CEO of OpenAI, and founder of ChatGPT, Sam Altman for the first in a series of global listening sessions called “The Future of Artificial Intelligence”. These talks are designed to introduce different communities to the new technology Altman pioneered that will likely shift the global socioeconomic landscape. Keeping with HOPE’s belief in extending the table of opportunity and inviting others into the conversation, Chairman Bryant opened the floor to community members to ask questions to Altman directly, raise thoughts for consideration, and express excitement for the possible future ahead. In turn, he responded honestly, thoughtfully, and candidly with an open heart and mind.Notable guests included members of the Atlanta City Council, Congressman Kwanza Hall, Ambassador Andrew Young, Atlanta Public Schools superintendent Lisa Herring, newly inaugurated president of Spelman College, Helene Gayle, members of the King and Ferrisfamilies, Dr. Michael Lomax, president of the United Negro College Fund (UNCF), CNN Chief Medical Correspondent Dr. Sanjay Gupta, City of Atlanta Senior Tech Advisor Donald Beamer, and a host of other notable community leaders from metro Atlanta.Click here to read a summary of the events from Axios. |

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Historic Black church joins Operation HOPE’s 1 Million Black Businesses Initiative (1MBB) and makes partnership pledge during National Financial Literacy MonthATLANTA (April 27, 2023) – In partnership with Operation HOPE, Reid Community Development Corporation and Reid Temple AME Church hosted its “Faith-BasedSmall Business Summit” onApril 21, 2023. More than 100 entrepreneurs from the Christian Business Network as well as other aspiring entrepreneurs from Prince George’s County attended. The Summit included a roundtable discussion followed by a “Coalition of the Willing” pledge to create 900 new businesses by 2030 as part of Operation HOPE’s groundbreaking 1 Million Black Businesses Initiative (1MBB).

Roundtable participants included:

John Hope Bryant, Founder, Chairman, and CEO of Operation HOPE
Jonathan Butler, Director, Office of Central Services for Prince George’s County
Senator Ben Cardin, Senior US senator for Maryland
Mark A. Lawrence, Founder of Inncuvate
B. Doyle Mitchell, President & CEO, of Industrial Bank
Rev. Dr. Mark E. Whitlock, Jr., Pastor Reid Temple AME Church (Panel Narrator)

The summit convened a diverse mix of entrepreneurs to discuss a collective plan for business success. The agenda included how to gain access to education, funding and other resources needed to start, grow and scale a business, participants were able to network and collaborate with industry leaders and the 1MBB network. During the event, Bryant also noted the significance of the Freedman’s Savings Bank, which was created in 1865 to provide access to capital for newly freed Black Americans following the US Civil War.

“We are incredibly grateful for the support of Reid CDC, which has a longstanding history of advocating for economic empowerment,” said John Hope Bryant, Founder, Chairman and CEO of Operation HOPE. “Pastor Whitlock and the Reid family are living examples of the saying, ‘Give and it will be given to you.’ Our 1MBB partnership will make a significant impact on the community and help uplift all who are engaged in this effort.”

“After many years of prayer, negotiating and fundraising, we are blessed to see the fruits of our labor at this Faith-based Business Summit. We believe that Operation HOPE is the right partner to achieve our goals,” said Reverend Dr. Mark Whitlock, Reid AME. “We want our community to thrive and, by collaborating with HOPE and the 1MBB team, we remain committed to providing access to the right tools and resources that ensure financial empowerment for all.”

“Our commitment has only grown stronger through the years,” said B. Doyle Mitchell, Jr., President/CEO of Industrial Bank. “We stand poised to bring our unwavering commitment of delivering products and services that educate and help to build generational wealth to the communities we serve.”

–more–

About Operation HOPE, Inc.

Since 1992, Operation HOPE has been moving America from civil rights to “silver rights” with the mission of making free enterprise and capitalism work for everyone—disrupting poverty for millions of low and moderate-income youth and adults across the nation. Through its community uplift model, HOPE Inside, which received the 2016 Innovator of the Year recognition by American Banker magazine, Operation HOPE has served more than 4 million individuals and directed more than $3.2 billion in economic activity into disenfranchised communities—turning check-cashing customers into banking customers, renters into homeowners, small business dreamers into small business owners, minimum wage workers into living wage consumers, and uncertain disaster victims into financially empowered disaster survivors. Operation HOPE recently received its eighth consecutive 4-star charity rating for fiscal management and commitment to transparency and accountability by the prestigious non-profit evaluator, Charity Navigator. For more information: OperationHOPE.org. Join the conversation on social media at @operationHOPE.

About Reid CDC

Reid CDC is a faith-based social entrepreneurship and economic development corporation that serves Prince Georges County and the surrounding metropolitan area. Established in 1994, the 501c (3) has provided training and development services for business owners and the local workforce at the grassroots level for more than 18 years. Reid CDC was birthed from the vision of Reid Temple A.M.E. Church’s Pastor, The Rev. Dr. Lee P. Washington, for an empowered At-Large Church and his passion for the people of God to live holistic prosperous lives.

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404-593-7145

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Today we lost a true legend, Harry Belafonte. His passing is a great loss not only to his family and friends but to the entire world. Harry was more than just a singer and actor; he was a civil rights activist, a humanitarian, and a philanthropist. He was a man who dedicated his life to making the world a better place for everyone.

I had the privlege of meeting Mr. Belafonte through my mentor Ambassador Young, and was struck by his unwavering commitment to social justice and his deep empathy for those who were suffering. He was a true friend of the Civil Rights Movement, and wholeheartedely supported Dr. King and Ambassador Young in their endeavors, and by extension, the Silver Rights Movement that Operation HOPE spearheads today.

Harry Belafonte was a truly a national treasure; not because of his fame, but because of his courage and commitment to making the world a better place. He was a shining example of what it means to use your platform for good, to speak truth to power, and to fight for what is right.

As we honor the life and legacy of Harry Belafonte, let us also be inspired by his example. Let us use our platforms, no matter how big or small, to speak truth to power and to fight for a more just and equitable society. Let us be bold and courageous like Harry, and let us work to create a world where everyone has the opportunity to achieve their dreams.

Rest in peace, Harry Belafonte. You will always be a shining star in our Walk of Fame.

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The beauty of the American Dream is that we are offered the opportunity to pursue life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. But what good is the opportunity if you’re unable to enjoy the fruits of them with safety, security, and general peace of mind?

Yesterday, I and several other Black men and women, each leaders and influencers of change in our own right, representing organizations dedicated to the uplift of our community, including Just Brothers, 100 Black Men of Atlanta, Atlanta Business League, Atlanta Black Chamber and Atlanta Black Clergy, stood behind and beside Atlanta mayor Andre Dickens in support of the new training facility that will be built to support the city’s police and fire fighters.

There has been a lot of tumult over this new development within our city, and it’s not without merit. Thanks to social media and community advocates, the world has been able to see the truth about police brutality when it rears its head. We’ve learned a great deal about the overpolicing of Black neighborhoods which naturally result in more arrests and unnecessary deaths at the hands of cops. However, with our prophet voice, we have to make sure that we make a call for change for those outside the community and those within the community. What we need is police reform, not police abolition. Building this training facility will help us go in that direction.

Atlanta is the moral capitol of the nation, and is the perfect place to demonstrate what positive policing and community partnership look like. We have to be practical as well as principled in our response to police violence against citizens. Our communities still need police because our communities still need safety. It is our responsibility to help keep our neighborhoods free from violent crime through mentorship, advocating for common sense gun laws, and pushing for economic freedom. While we do our part, we need to rely on those who have sworn an oath to protect and to serve—and keep them accountable to do it the right way. It is impossible to enjoy the fruits of our labor if we’re dead or incapacitated due to gun violence, theft and robbery, or other violent crimes.

This training facility will, with the help of our elected officials, who we believe to have our best interest at heart, and with the aid of the community, usher in a new era of positive policing where officers are accountable to and responsible for all of the people they serve—including all Black people, regardless of their socioeconomic status or perceived value to the masses. We are all God’s children and deserving of love, protection, security, and the opportunity to improve our lives.

I’d also like to thank the speakers who lent their voices in support of Mayor Dickens and this initiative, of which I am proud to have been included.

I understand how this is difficult for some, but it is a positive step in the right direction. I welcome those who care about our neighborhoods and the future of Atlanta, and Black America at large, to join the conversation and help push for progress. We can’t do it alone, and we can’t sit on the sidelines idly wait for someone to do something.

Something must be done, and this is one of those steps in the right direction.

Love and light.

John Hope Bryant

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America is a nation built on ideals and ideas. Among the highest of those is the promise of the right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. We call this the American Dream. Yet, millions of Americans are left out and live what could be called the American Nightmare. However, there have always been brave men and women who speak out against injustice and call the nation back to its highest self.

Today, Operation HOPE is at the forefront of one of the most defining issues of our generation—financial dignity through financial literacy. We aren’t the first to fight for this cause, and we most certainly won’t be the last. But we are sounding alarm, raising awareness, and leading with action in this phase, which I’m calling the Third Reconstruction.

During this Third Reconstruction we’re not asking for our right to be, nor are we asking to get a seat at the table. We’re calling on all Americans everywhere, especially those who have historically been left out of economic progress, to make their own chairs and tables, while we call on the establishment to lengthen the table. We’re not calling on America’s citizens to ask for a handout, we’re simply giving people a hand up. We’re not asking for entitlement checks, we’re working to create opportunity so that our communities can begin writing the checks ourselves.

Check out the video below where I explain my vision, then head to OperationHOPE.org, FL4A.org, and HOPE1MBB.org to help out and make this vision become a greater reality than it is today.

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This week I had the pleasure of joining Clark Atlanta University (CAU) and PNC Bank for the launch of their National Center for Entrepreneurship, and the first of a speaker series that I’ll be leading at the school where I serve as both the institution’s first Entrepreneur in Residency and a member of the Board of Directors.

To kick off the series, I gave a historical review of The Freedman’s Bank which helps contextualize Operation HOPE’s work and our various initiatives including Financial Literacy for All (FL4A) and One Million Black Businesses (1MBB). I shared my vision for the future and my fundamental belief that Black entrepreneurs hold the key to transforming our communities through ownership and improved financial wellness. The event was indeed a celebration of my, CAU, and PNC’s shared commitment to advancing Black entrepreneurship and brought together nearly 100 students, alumni, business experts and community leaders.

As CAU School of Business’ first Entrepreneurship Scholar in Residence, one of my chief aims is to serve as an incubator and inspiration for developing the next generation of leaders at the Historically Black College and University (HBCU). What better place to inspire some of the best and brightest of our community to consider ownership and entrepreneurship as potential paths for their lives?

During my residency, I will lead an ongoing speaker series on a range of topics such as managing financial risk, negotiating deals, and the importance of FICO scores, among others. It’s crucial and vital to this Third Reconstruction period that we provide our students, at every level, with the tools, exposure, and resources they need to succeed and have a solid foundation on which to launch and grow in their financial journey.

Dynamic partnerships, like the ones between CAU, PNC, and myself (and Operation HOPE by extension) show how we can all do our parts to help uplift our community and ensure success and wealth are expectations for the generations to come—if they work hard for it and are given the opportunity to succeed.

I’d like to thank President French of Clark Atlanta University and Dr. Sylvanus Udoka, Dean of Clark Atlanta University School of Business, for their leadership and belief in our mission. I’d also like to thank longstanding HOPE partner, PNC Bank, and their leadership, headed by PNC Bank’s President, Chairman, and CEO, William Demchak.

Stay tuned for more and stay in the light!

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Originally published by Black Enterprise

Launched in October 2020, Operation HOPE‘s 1 Million Black Businesses initiative (1MBB) Initiative is making great headway with its streak of impressive growth and action-driven impact.

Today, there is a disconnect between policymakers and organizations who serve on the frontlines to support Black entrepreneurs. In an effort to improve outcomes, HOPE seeks to serve as a Sherpa to help connect the dots in many ways, including teaming up with the city of Charlotte, North Carolina.

As reported by WCNC, the city and HOPE “plans to provide tools and resources to these small business owners so they know how to form a winning path toward expansion. This partnership takes Charlotte Black businesses, who were also less likely to receive prime city contracts as of last year, in a hopeful direction.

“As a city, we truly believe in the power of diversity and inclusion, and fully support our small and minority-owned businesses,” Charlotte District 2 City Council Member Malcolm Graham said, per WCNC. “We know we can do more to build up our small business climate, especially in areas that have been traditionally underrepresented by city government. In partnership with Operation HOPE, we’re excited to create meaningful impact and leverage 1MBB in Charlotte.”

This move is just part of the Initiative’s aim to start, grow, and scale one million Black businesses by 2030 to provide a successful path to wealth creation for the Black community. Participants can take advantage of coaching and educational services, access to expert volunteers and more.

According to Smart Asset, Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia recently ranked second among the top 15 places for Black entrepreneurs—Black-owned businesses make up 27.59% of all businesses in the area. However, a previous Charlotte study shows disparity high for Black businesses.

The Charlotte Observer previously reported on census data from 2021 that showed more than 3,000 minority-owned businesses and around 3,500 women-owned businesses in Charlotte. The city also had more than 13,000 non-minority-owned businesses at the time, according to the data.

“We are grateful to the Mayor and leaders throughout the City of Charlotte for taking action to help build entrepreneurship and fuel economic prosperity for every community,” Operation HOPE founder, chairman, and CEO John Hope Bryant said. “Together, we will support existing and aspiring entrepreneurs–through education, access to resources and capital—to reach our goal of creating one million new Black business owners by 2030.”

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It’s Financial Literacy Month! And we’re kicking the month off with a new partnership announcement for HOPE’s 1 Million Black Businesses (1MBB) initiative. Recently, we launched our partnership with the City of Charlotte to help empower local entrepreneurs in our effort to create 1 million new Black businesses by 2030.

According to a local report, at the height of the pandemic, 85% of Black-owned businesses closed their doors. Now, with the support of the city and through our collaboration with Shopify, Operation HOPE is helping to restore hope to a community in search of self-determination and true economic empowerment.

Catch the news story here.

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Today marks the anniversary of the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

Dr. King’s dream was to achieve social and economic justice for all, and his vision of a world free of discrimination and poverty still resonates with us today. Although his life was cut short, due to hatred, misguidance, and cultural confusion, his legacy continues to inspire us to work towards building a better world, especially for the poor, middle class, and invisible class.

After years of leading the Civil Rights Movement, Dr. King began to pivot his focus towards economic inclusion and empowerment, which I call the Silver Rights Movement. He understood that achieving social justice was incomplete without economic justice. He recognized that poverty was a significant barrier to true freedom and the American Dream. He believed that access to economic opportunity was crucial to achieving true equality. Sadly, his work in this area was left unfinished.

Today, organizations like Operation HOPE have taken up the baton in the fight for economic inclusion and empowerment. Through programs like the 1MBB initiative, the Atlanta Child Savings Account (CSA) program, and HOPE’s credit and money management, homeownership, and small business development programs, Operation HOPE is working to advance Dr. King’s vision of economic justice, regardless of race, color, or political affiliation.

The 1MBB initiative, which stands for One Million Black Business Initiative, aims to create one million new Black-owned businesses over the next ten years. This ambitious initiative is designed to provide Black entrepreneurs with access to the tools and resources they need to start and grow successful businesses. By promoting economic opportunity and entrepreneurship within the Black community, Operation HOPE is helping to create a more equitable and prosperous society.

The Atlanta Child Savings Account program is another example of Operation HOPE’s commitment to economic inclusion. This program provides every child born in Atlanta with a $1000 savings account to help them start building wealth from an early age. By giving children and families the tools they need to save and invest in their future, Operation HOPE is working to break the cycle of poverty and create a more financially secure community.

In addition to these programs, Operation HOPE’s flagship programs—credit and money management, homeownership, and small business development services— are all aimed at empowering individuals and communities to achieve economic success. By providing access to financial education, credit coaching, and other resources, Operation HOPE is helping to build a more financially literate and stable society.

Agents of ill-will may have taken the life of the Dreamer, but they’ll never be able to kill the Dream, so long as people like you and me continue to carry on the work and raise awareness and consciousness about financial literacy. Although there is still much work to be done, we can take heart in the progress that has been made and the continued commitment to achieving Dr. King’s vision of a more just and equitable world. On this anniversary of his assassination, let us recommit ourselves to the work of building a better future for all.

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Operation HOPE, Inc., the nation’s largest non-profit dedicated to financial empowerment for underserved communities, today announced that Tim Crockett will join its Senior Leadership team as Chief Risk and Security Officer, effective immediately.

Tim Crockett joins Operation HOPE as New Chief Risk and Security Officer.Crockett has over 25 years of experience designing and providing security and risk management solutions. With a distinguished career that began in the military, Crockett has provided support in the areas of threat and vulnerability assessments, implementation of safety, and security and risk management systems for projects around the world.

“Crockett’s experience in risk management and security will be of immense value to our team as he helps to ensure HOPE has the right people, processes and technology in place to thrive,” said Brian Betts, Operation HOPE President and Chief Financial Officer. “Having a seasoned leader like Crockett to provide advice, insight, and business guidance will help us to reach more stakeholders and serve more communities.”

For two years beginning in 2002, Crockett worked to train personnel at CNN to operate in hostile environments and co-coordinating all their field safety and security requirements throughout the second Gulf War. He attended the first U.S. Department of Defense media training course and made recommendations to the P.A.O (Public Affairs Office/officer) personnel at the Pentagon to better tailor the course to help prepare embedded journalists for the dangers of covering the war. Tim continues to work with news teams throughout the globe today, providing them with ongoing safety and security advice and support in high-risk situations.

Crockett was SVP of Business Operations for a global travel assistance company, Healix International, where he led a small team supporting business development and client support. Prior to joining Healix, Crockett was the Senior Director of Global Security Operations for a major news and media network for nearly 14 years and held various leadership positions for Security Risk Management companies both in the US and for a leading UK security company.

Crockett has given presentations on safety and security training in several forums in the media, humanitarian (NGO) and energy sectors, including the Media Leaders meeting at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland in 2005. Prior to joining HOPE, he held the position of Chairperson for the Media & Entertainment Working Group for OSAC, a department within the US Department of State. He has been honored by the Royal Television Society, the Overseas Press Club of America, a Golden Eagle Award, and he won Peabody Awards for his roles in CNN’s ‘Terror on Tape’ series and ’72 Hours Under Fire.’

About Operation HOPE, Inc.Since 1992, Operation HOPE has been moving America from civil rights to “silver rights” with the mission of making free enterprise and capitalism work for the underserved—disrupting poverty for millions of low and moderate-income youth and adults across the nation. Through its community uplift model, HOPE Inside, which received the 2016 Innovator of the Year recognition by American Banker magazine, Operation HOPE has served more than 4 million individuals and directed more than $3.2 billion in economic activity into disenfranchised communities—turning check-cashing customers into banking customers, renters into homeowners, small business dreamers into small business owners, minimum wage workers into living wage consumers, and uncertain disaster victims into financially empowered disaster survivors. Operation HOPE recently received its eighth consecutive 4-star charity rating for fiscal management and commitment to transparency and accountability from the prestigious non-profit evaluator, Charity Navigator. For more information: OperationHOPE.org. Join the conversation on social media at @operationhope.

Media ContactLalohni Campbell for Operation HOPE
la@persemediagroup.com

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For decades, women have been told to stay in their place – to keep quiet, stay at home, and let men handle the important things. But the truth is, a woman’s place is wherever she wants it to be. It’s time to break down the barriers to true equity and acknowledge that women belong in the same places as men – in the workplace, in leadership roles, and in all areas of society.

The fight for gender equality has come a long way, but there is still a long way to go. According to a recent report by the World Economic Forum, it will take another 100 years to close the global gender pay gap. Women make up only 6.6% of Fortune 500 CEOs and only 25% of government roles worldwide. These statistics are shocking, but they also highlight the progress that needs to be made.

It’s time to challenge the status quo and inspire change on the ground level. This needs to be done not just in words, but in action. Transformation must begin with moving past the symbolic wins and into substantial change. We need to support and empower women to take on leadership roles in all sectors of society. Women bring unique perspectives and experiences to the table, and when thy are given the opportunity to lead, everyone benefits. In fact, studies have shown that companies with more women in leadership positions have higher profits and are more innovative.

But it’s not just about the workplace – true equity means breaking down societal expectations and stereotypes about what women should and shouldn’t do. Women should feel empowered to pursue any career or life path they choose, without fear of judgment or discrimination. And it’s up to all of us to create a world where that is possible.

So how do we get there? It starts with challenging our own biases and assumptions about gender roles. We need to recognize and celebrate the diverse contributions that women make to society, from the home to the boardroom. We need to create policies and programs that support women in the workplace, like paid family leave and affordable childcare. And we need to ensure that women have equal access to education, mentorship, and opportunities for advancement.

The journey to true equity may be a long one, but it’s worth the effort. When we break down the barriers that hold women back, we create a world that is better for everyone. Let’s work together to make that vision a reality.

Sign up with Operation HOPE to begin exploring what new places you, or a woman you know, can begin exploring through entrepreneurship, homeownership, or with an improved credit score. Visit OperationHOPE.org or HOPE1MBB.org to get started today!

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I often say that history doesn’t feel like history when you’re in the middle of it. But wisdom gleaned from the past helps us understand just how historic the moment we’re in really is. That is part of the reason why I’m proud to announce that I have been named National Vice Chair of No Labels, a movement bringing the nation’s top bipartisan leaders together to find workable solutions to America’s most pressing issues.

No Labels and I invite you to celebrate this milestone appointment today, Thursday, March 30th at 5:30 PM ET, via Zoom. RSVP here.

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Join me tonight on CNBC’s “Last Call” for an invigorating discussion on current financial events, the state of the economy, and how it affects the everyday American. Tune in at 7:25 PM ET and join us for the live discussion. Be sure to sign up with Operation HOPE at www.operationhope.org to get access to your free financial wellness coach, today.

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John Hope Bryant, Anthony Scaramucci of SkyBridge Capital, and Vanity Fair contributing editor Bethany McClean joined CNBC’s Brian Sullivan and ‘Last Call’ to discuss who was responsible for the collapse of Silicon Valley Bank. Chairman Bryant shared that the blame is shared among many, but a deeper, larger problem is that many in the nation don’t understand the basics of banking, how the system works, and what fundamentally contributed to the collapse.

Watch the full interview here and let us know your thoughts.

A statement on partner banks $30B pledge to First Republic

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We are proud of the eight Operation HOPE partners – JPMorgan Chase, Bank of America, Wells Fargo, Truist, U.S. Bank, PNC, Citigroup – which are placing deposits in First Republic Bank, another of our key partners. Our Chairman and CEO, John Hope Bryant, served as Chair of First Republic’s Community Advisory Board during the entirety of the pandemic, and can attest to their commitment to serving communities in time of need. We applaud the efforts of our partners to ensure financial stability, while continuing their important work to provide banking services and financial education for all. This is another example of the private sector demonstrating leadership in addressing a public need—a stable banking system.The post A statement on partner banks $30B pledge to First Republic appeared first on John Hope Bryant.

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Legislators Honor HOPE’s Thirty Year Commitment to Empowering Underserved Communities Through Financial Literacy and Entrepreneurship

ATLANTA— On Thursday, March 16, Operation HOPE’s Founder, Chairman and CEO, John Hope Bryant was presented a Resolution in the House Chamber during the 2023 Georgia Legislative Session. State Representative Dexter Sharper applauded Bryant for his ongoing efforts to empower underserved communities through financial literacy and other programs to help build generational wealth. Bryant was also recognized as an American entrepreneur, thought leader, and philanthropist. He was joined by family members and the HOPE leadership team.

Operation HOPE’s mission is to disrupt poverty for millions of low- and moderate-income families across the nation with a focus on financial dignity and inclusion. The Atlanta-based organization provides communities with free credit and money management education and one-on-one credit counseling with a trained, experienced individual financial coach. Outreach also equips young people and adults with financial tools and education to secure a better future.

The Resolution commending Bryant recognizes his three decades of service, including but not limited, to establishing the 1 Million Black Business Initiative (1MBB) to increase Black entrepreneurship and Financial Literacy for All (FL4A), a collaborative education effort, which is supported by Fortune 500 companies nationwide. Bryant has been referred to as the Conscience of Capitalism by the CEOs 4 of Delta Air Lines, Walmart, First Republic Bank, and countless other businesses.

“John Hope Bryant is a person of magnanimous strengths with an unimpeachable reputation for integrity, intelligence, fairness, and kindness,” Representative Sharper notes in the resolution. “It is abundantly fitting and proper that the outstanding accomplishments of this remarkable and distinguished Georgian be appropriately recognized.”

Operation HOPE is now the largest financial literacy organization in America with more than 200 HOPE Inside offices in 46 states, and Promise Homes became the largest minority-controlled single family home rental company in the nation. Collectively, Bryant’s organizations have provided more than $3.5 billion in capital 14 for the underserved over the past 30 years.

“It’s truly an honor to be recognized by Representative Sharper and members of the House today. This is meaningful work and I intend to continue serving as many individuals and families as possible – especially our youth,” said Bryant. “I look forward to working with other leaders in the public and private sector to help educate, uplift and change outcomes for our communities.”

In addition to being honored by organizations across the state for his influential impact on the community, five former United States presidents have recognized Bryant’s work. He has served as an advisor to three sitting United States presidents from both political parties and continues to advise business leaders across a variety of industries. During the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, Bryant was called upon by US Treasury officials to help design, develop, and launch the Payroll Protection Program, which helped countless American small businesses and entrepreneurs survive.

About Operation HOPE, Inc.

Media Contact:

Lalohni Campbell, for HOPE

404-593-7145, la@persemediagroup.com

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Join me tonight at 7 pm ET on CNBC’s “Last Call” as I weigh in on the current state of the economy. Listen in and join the conversation on my Twitter at @johnhopebryant.

If you want to get ahead of the game and get on good financial footing, visit OperationHOPE.org and sign up with one of my financial wellbeing coaches today.

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I was honored to join NBC, CNBC and MSNBC leadership and some of Stephanie Ruhle’s circle of support in Manhattan last night as she and they celebrated her one year anniversary of and for the 11th Hour on MSNBC.

Notable amongst notable attendees was my friend Rashida Jones, president of MSNBC and the person who most supported the show’s creation and launch. She could not be prouder, and neither could I. Stephanie is one of those rare individuals who is actually who she presents herself to be — and works harder than everyone else around her. Translation: she deserves to win.

Around the table at the 11th Hour with Stephanie Ruhle Stephanie Ruhle is the one who told me that real leaders should always — when they see outside talent that others do not see — be willing to ‘expand the table, and add a chair.’ That’s Stephanie, right there. Always trying to find ways to expand the table of opportunity for all involved. And all perspectives. Even when she passionately disagrees with them, she still wants them heard. And respected.

I also know the Stephanie that gives back, such as the countless times she has answered the call from me and my team at Operation HOPE, to come and join us at one of our HOPE Global Forum Annual Meetings, or other gatherings of importance — where we need her credibility and her voice.

Stephanie Ruhle interviewing successful businessman and Atlanta Hawks Principal Owner Tony Ressler at the HOPE Global Forum in 2018. If I had just one description for Stephanie, it is her commitment to leaning in. Even when she doesn’t know how the experiment is going to turn out. If she believes — then she is there with you 100%. That’s called authenticity in leadership in my book.

And so, we join her colleagues and friends in congratulating Stephanie on her one year anniversary of her great show called the 11th Hour, with Stephanie Ruhle. Which by the way is wholly appropriate as a title — because she is always burning the midnight oil in search of the truth, and certainly through — the 11th hour.

Kudos and congratulations Stephanie. We here at Operation HOPE are proud of you friend. Keep charging. We have much work to do, and a world to change.

Let’s go…

John Hope Bryant, founder, Operation HOPE

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This week is very special because it’s the week we celebrate the 91st birthday of a truly remarkable human being, my dear friend and mentor, Ambassador Andrew Young. Words cannot adequately express my admiration and gratitude for this great man, who has played such an integral role in shaping our country’s history and inspiring future generations.

Ambassador Young has lived a life of service to others, from his work as a civil rights leader and lieutenant to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., to his tenure as a mayor of the city of Atlanta, to his time as a congressman, and a U.S. ambassador to the United Nations. He has been a tireless advocate for justice and equality, and his legacy continues to inspire people around the world.

On a personal note, Ambassador Young has been a mentor, a friend, and a true hero. He has always been there to offer guidance and support, and I am constantly amazed by his wisdom, his kindness, and his unwavering commitment to making the world a better place. His legacy of leadership and service is a constant source of inspiration for me and for everyone at Operation HOPE.

Ambassador Young has been a true blessing to our organization, and we are proud and honored to be in his social justice, moral, and spiritual lineage. His leadership and vision have helped shape our mission to empower underserved communities and promote financial dignity for all. We are grateful that he has lent us his voice to amplify our message, his shoulders on which we stand, and his giant heart to help us achieve our goals. For that, we are forever grateful.

To our hero, we pray that your day was filled with love, joy, and happiness. May you continue to inspire us all with your leadership, your vision, and your unwavering commitment to justice and equality. And may you continue to be a beacon of hope for future generations.

Happy birthday, Ambassador Young. We are all blessed to know you, and we look forward to celebrating many more birthdays with you in the years to come.

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The White House introduced their budget for congressional approve this week and there’s a lot in it to dissect. I recently joined CNBC’s Brian Sullivan on the new show “Last Call” alongside New York Post business reporter Lydia Moynihan and Mick Mulvaney, former OMB director and former White House chief of staff.

The budget calls for nearly $7 trillion dollars in spending. Many see it as continued “war on COVID” era level spending which should cease due to the price tag. I, however, see it as the Biden Administration’s vision for what investments they’d make in America if they had a clear path to passage.

I believe that we haven’t given enough time for the policy’s that will benefit Americans the most to play out. I also believe that we as a nation are choosing to have short-term and selective memory concerning the looming financial crisis we faced as a result of the pandemic.

Check out my lively first conversation on “Last Call” here and let me know your opinions below.

If you’d like to learn more about balanced budgets and creating a plan for your personal financial future get in touch with a Operation HOPE financial wellbeing coach today at www.operationhope.org

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This past Sunday I spent time with Dr. Ben Chavis, one of the engineers and unsung heroes of the Civil Rights Movement of the 50s and 60s. At his invitation, I came to Selma, Alabama to commemorate Bloody Sunday and the march from Selma to Montgomery, a non-violent protest to fight for African American voting rights.

While we reflected on the history and impact of the occasion for which we gathered, we both remarked that it seemed that Selma had been forgotten about and left in the past. It prompted a conversation about what the future could look like for Selma, and the African American community as a whole if we rally together and make the important investments into our communities — like Selma — to create longterm, sustainable change and begin the journey towards growing and passing on generational wealth, and not generational poverty.

Check out our conversation here.

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Company Aims to Increase Diversity in the Restaurant Industry by Offering Financial Discounts, Expanded Recruitment Efforts, Educational and Mentorship Opportunities for Underrepresented GroupsPASADENA, Calif.— Wetzel’s Pretzels (Wetzel’s) is aiming to make franchise ownership more accessible for women and ethnic minorities. Through the creation of its Wetzel’s Pretzels Access to Equity Program, the brand strives to create a pathway to ownership, providing financial discounts, as well as educational and mentorship opportunities to underrepresented candidates from all backgrounds. The program launch, coupled with the brand’s targeted recruitment efforts, showcases its commitment to inclusion for all qualified candidates.

Wetzel’s Pretzels Access to Equity InitiativePowered by the vision of Jennifer Schuler, Wetzel’s first female CEO, the initiative seeks to eliminate barriers and provide prospective franchisees with access to capital. By bridging the gap, the nation’s snacking leader strives to support aspiring purveyors of pretzel happiness to achieve their American dream of business ownership and build generational wealth.

“While our pretzels are a delicious treat, they represent something bigger to our franchisees, and that is a dream of entrepreneurship coming to fruition,” said Schuler. “We’ve been hard at work designing this program to both level the playing field and elevate conversations within our system and across the industry about diversity and inclusion. Our franchisees make it possible to ‘Bring Pretzels to the People,’ so our top priority is providing them with the connections to capital, education and support they need to succeed.”

The Access to Equity Program strives to provide participants with the tools and resources needed to achieve long-term success. Brandy Taylor, Wetzel’s Pretzels Senior Development Manager, led the process to identify likeminded partners and service providers, offering candidates access to the three Cs: capital, content and community.

Capital: At its base, the Access to Equity Program offers a financial discount of 25% off the initial Wetzel’s franchise fee to qualified individuals who self-identify as female or as an ethnic minority. Wetzel’s is also pledging to reduce upfront equity costs and increase access to financing, through partnerships with lenders, such as: AmPac Business Capital, Urban Strategies Inc. (USI), Capital Impact Partners, Sterns Bank, GetFranchiseCapital.com, National Development Council (NDC) and CDC Small Business Finance. Similarly, the brand also connects candidates with its insurance partner, The Viti Companies, providing fair and equitable rates on business insurance.

Content: To supplement on-the-job training, Wetzel’s has partnered with Operation HOPE and Start Small Think Big to provide business education, access to professional services and financial counseling that can help put participants on the path to small business ownership.

“We’re proud to partner with Wetzel’s to support and elevate aspiring female and minority entrepreneurs, helping to make business ownership attainable and blaze a trail for future leaders of underrepresented communities,” said Lance Triggs, Executive Vice President at Operation HOPE. “Operation HOPE’s 1MBB program was uniquely designed to meet the needs of dreamers who are ready to launch and grow. Our team is here to support them every step of the way.”

Community: Wetzel’s believes in the importance of building a strong community where owners can share best practices, learn, and grow together. To that end, the program includes a mentorship component, where participants are paired with existing owners, allowing them to ask questions, gain insights and have access to experts with rich brand and industry knowledge.

The newly launched initiative has been immediately effective in impacting change, welcoming its first franchise partner, Daintry McFadden, into the program and providing her a pathway toward restaurant ownership. With experience in small business management, QSR operations and a background in finance, McFadden’s goal had always been entrepreneurship. The Access to Equity Program provided her with the resources needed to become a business owner, as she prepares to open her own Wetzel’s Pretzels bakery at Macy’s Oakbrook Center Mall early this year.

“I’m so thankful to the Wetzel’s team for their incredible support in making this longtime dream of restaurant ownership a reality,” said McFadden.

Wetzel’s focus on inclusion and thoughtful program creation is turning heads across the restaurant industry. Most recently, the brand was named to Entrepreneur’s 50 Franchise Companies Doing the Most to Champion Diversity List.

“Historically there’s been an inequality among those who’ve obtained managerial and ownership roles and those who have not,” said Schuler. “Our goal is to foster a more inviting environment here at Wetzel’s with ownership that reflects the diverse tapestry of the communities where we live and work. We hope our focus on this important issue will inspire others across the restaurant industry, and beyond, to join us.”

Every element of the program, including its logo, was designed with an inclusive perspective and the company was honored to work with illustrator Danielle Coke in the creation. Founder of Oh Happy Dani, a lifestyle brand available at Target, and creator of the popular Instagram account @ohhappydani, Coke uses art to illuminate social justice issues and encourage hope. Her passion for advocacy has led to partnerships with Fortune 500 companies like Adobe, The Home Depot, Dell and Meta, collaborations with nonprofits, such as the NAACP and The Boys and Girls Clubs of America, as well as several community organizations in her hometown of Atlanta.

“The Access to Equity Program is such an incredible and intentional initiative, and I wanted to honor that by doing an illustration that highlighted the program’s desire to promote equity and inclusion for franchisees,” said Coke.

For additional information about the Wetzel’s franchise opportunity, visit wetzelsfranchising.com.

About Wetzel’s PretzelsProviding a fun, fresh take on soft pretzels, Wetzel’s Pretzels was founded in 1994 by Bill Phelps and Rick Wetzel in Pasadena, California. Drawing fans to its mouthwatering, portable snacks that are hand-rolled, baked fresh and served hot from the oven, word quickly spread about the delicious West Coast brand. Today, Wetzel’s Pretzels has grown to more than 370 bakeries, including premier locations like Disney Springs® at Walt Disney World® Resort, Downtown Disney® District at Disneyland® Resort and Universal CityWalk, continuing to cultivate fanatics around the world with its SoCal vibes and “gram-worthy” snacks. Its cult-like following includes famous fans like Ben Affleck, Billie Eilish, Jimmy Kimmel, Kim Kardashian and Meghan Trainor. As the nation’s leading pretzel chain, the franchise has received numerous accolades, most recently being named to Franchise Business Review’s 2023 Top Food Franchises and Entrepreneur’s Top 50 Franchise Companies Doing the Most to Champion Diversity lists. Jennifer Schuler, the brand’s first female CEO, was also recognized by Nation’s Restaurant News as one of the “Most Influential CEOs in the Restaurant Industry” and Kim Freer was named to Entrepreneur’s Top 50 Franchise CMO Gamechangers list.

SOURCE Wetzel’s Pretzels

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Selma, Alabama should be a global tourist destination. But it’s not. In fact, it’s nearly falling apart.

I don’t say that to be crass or cruel. I’m saying it to reveal the sad, hard truth that an important city in our nation’s story of the African American struggle for civil and human rights, exists in a condition that betrays its historical gravitas and near-sacredness. I’m saying this to sound the alarm to show that financial literacy reaches far beyond the hopes and dreams of our individual persons or families. Our communities need it, if for no other reason than to have the means or financial know-how to preserve our rich history and pass it on to the next generation.

Alabama Media GroupThis past Sunday, I visited Selma to cross the Edmund Pettus Bridge with President Biden and my friend, Rev. Dr. Bernice King to commemorate Bloody Sunday. It was an honor to be present, and I was deeply moved. I was reminded of all of the progress we’ve made in the last fifty years and in the same breath reminded that there is further to go.

There are major investments that can and should be made in cities like Selma, just as well as in the major cities across America. Despite the type and level of investment that should be made, I believe that we can all agree that financial literacy is the best and most impactful first investment that can be made in a community.

Check out my latest video to hear more on my thoughts:

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Although Black History Month is over, it’s important to continue reflecting on the many innovations and advancements that Black leaders have made throughout history. From Madame C.J. Walker, who became the first self-made female millionaire in America, to Mark Dean, who co-invented the IBM personal computer, Black people have always been at the forefront of innovation and creativity.

Mark Dean, co-inventor of the IBM personal computerBut innovation isn’t just about having access to the latest technology or resources. In fact, some of the most innovative solutions have come from individuals who had to do the most with the least. This is a mindset that has been ingrained in the Black community for generations. We have had to be resourceful and find creative ways to overcome obstacles and achieve our goals.

As Black people, many of us know what it’s like to make something out of nothing. We know how to turn challenges into opportunities. And we know how to create something that is truly unique and groundbreaking. This skill, however, is not unique to just the African American community. It’s a shared factor among all resilient cultures and is part of the fabric of our shared American identity.

Innovation and creativity are not just buzzwords. They are essential components of success in today’s fast-paced and ever-changing workplace. According to a recent study by McKinsey & Company, companies with diverse workforces are more innovative and have a higher likelihood of outperforming their competitors.

So how can you foster a culture of innovation in your workplace? Here are a few tips:

1 Encourage collaboration: Innovation thrives in an environment where people feel comfortable sharing their ideas and collaborating with one another. Encourage your team to work together and provide them with opportunities to share their ideas.

2 Embrace failure: Innovation often involves taking risks and trying new things. Encourage your team to embrace failure as a learning opportunity and celebrate their successes, no matter how small.

3 Prioritize diversity and inclusion: As mentioned earlier, diverse teams are more innovative. Prioritize diversity and inclusion in your hiring and promotion practices. Not only does this promote sustainable culture and change, but it brings in a multitude of voices and viewpoints which yield better results

As we begin celebrating the creativity and the achievements of women this month, I am reminded of the words of Maya Angelou: “We may encounter many defeats, but we must not be defeated.” Let us continue to innovate and create, even in the face of adversity, but let us strive to create a space where everyone can become creative and innovative from a place of abundance.

In closing, I challenge you to embrace the spirit of innovation and creativity in your own life and in your workplace. For those without the largest resources on shoestring budgets, continue do the most with the least and create something truly remarkable. For those who have already accumulated the tools and resources to do something magical — do that, and do it boldly, as we spread opportunity to those around us, equally.

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Here’s the truth. You’ve got to work hard and hustle to achieve your aspirations.

There’s no way around it. There’s no way over it. There’s no way under it. The only way forward is to go through it.

I was reminded of that on a recent visit to NextDoor to see their CEO and my dear friend, Sarah Friar. We were discussing resiliency and she mentioned that she had never met a more resilient person than the owner of the security company that’s contracted for the building. His name is Daniel Youngblood.

Daniel Youngblood and IDaniel wakes up around 2 AM every day to get ready for work. Once he leaves home he faces a 2 hour commute. He works his shift, has a 2 hour commute back home, spends time with his family, and is in bed by 7 PM to repeat the cycle another day.

Impressed? Well there’s more.

He’s been doing it for 20 years.

Daniel has made the sacrifices necessary to make the life that he wants to live become a reality. And he’s done it consistently. He didn’t say it was hard and stopped. He didn’t try to get NextDoor to move closer to him. He’s found a way to do what it takes to make it happen. And that’s the same type of hustle and grind we all need to have to make it every day.

Sarah Friar and I at the New York Stock Exchange, with VC Investor Bill Gurley in the background (2021)It’s that type of grit and tenacity that has propelled me to success as both a nonprofit and private sector leader. I takes “no’s” for vitamins every morning. It helps me continue pushing for a “yes”, even if I have to create it myself.

Friends, you can’t subtract your dreams. You have to sign on the dotted line yourself and put in the work and the effort. That’s just the truth. But you don’t have to do it alone. You can always do it in community with other people to help you, support you, encourage you, and help you find the path that works best for you.

Operation HOPE can be that partner and advocate in your journey towards the best version of you; the most financial empowered version of you, so that you can build and dream without the stresses of making ends meet just to survive.

Check us out at www.operationhope.org and get connected with a financial wellness coach today. Then click here or below to watch my latest “Straight Talk” where I discuss the nature of resiliency and it’s connection to success.

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Operation HOPE hosts roundtable discussion in DC on advancing Black entrepreneurship with SBA and leaders from the public & private sectors. (Pictured L-R) Wally Adeyemo –US Treasury; John Hope Bryant –Operation HOPE; Stephanie E. DeVane– National Urban League; Ron Busby–U.S. Black Chamber of Commerce; Administrator Guzman–SBA; Keisha Lance-Bottoms – White House; Lenwood V. Long, Sr.–African American Alliance; Rasheeda Operation HOPE CEO John Hope Bryant Joins SBA Administrator Isabella Guzman and U.S. Deputy Secretary of the Treasury Wally Adeyemo to Lead Roundtable Discussion with Black Leaders on Advancing Black Entrepreneurship

ATLANTA, March 1, 2023 /PRNewswire/ — Operation HOPE, Inc., the nation’s largest non-profit dedicated to financial empowerment for underserved communities, joined Administrator Isabella Casillas Guzman, head of the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), and US Deputy Secretary of the Treasury (Treasury) Wally Adeyemo, to lead a roundtable discussion focused on advancing Black entrepreneurship. Several prominent leaders from the public and private sectors also participated, including White House Senior Advisor for Public Engagement, former Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms.

The roundtable also recognized the anniversary of the founding of the Freedman’s Savings Bank by President Abraham Lincoln on March 3, 1865, which was commissioned to help formerly enslaved Black Americans participate in the free enterprise system. At the suggestion of John Hope Bryant, Founder, Chairman and CEO of Operation HOPE the Treasury Annex building was renamed in 2015.

“The Freedman’s Bureau Act was the original small business program for formerly enslaved Black Americans, connecting assets – 40 acres and a mule – with capital and financial education through the Freedman’s Bank,” said Chairman Bryant. “At Operation HOPE, we are building on this legacy, having created 185,000 new Black businesses since 2020 under our 1 Million Black Business Initiative, of which the SBA has been a significant partner. We are grateful to Administrator Guzman and her team for their ongoing support.”

During the discussion, Bryant also highlighted data from the HOPE Financial Wellness Index, which reveals the disparities between neighborhoods located just five miles apart in the DC Metro area. By creating a path to sustainable entrepreneurship and increasing engagement in the no-cost HOPE 1MBB Initiative, the organization seeks to improve the overall financial wellness of Black communities. Participants agreed that the need for continued partnership between the federal government, private organizations, and community leadership can improve economic outcomes for all.

Additional roundtable participants included:

Kendall Corley, Deputy Chief of Staff, U.S. Small Business Administration
Rasheeda S. Liberty, Chair, Council of Presidents, National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC)
Lenwood V. Long, Sr., President & CEO, African American Alliance of CDFI CEOs
Ron Busby, President & CEO, U.S. Black Chamber of Commerce
Stephanie E. DeVane, Vice President, Entrepreneurship & Business Development, National Urban League

“Yesterday’s convening brought top economic leaders from the Biden-Harris Administration together with some of America’s most important Black voices and civil society organizations to listen, strategize and advance solutions to close racial inequities that have limited our economy for centuries,” said Administrator Guzman. “This Administration is working tirelessly to deliver a long-promised economic transformation for Black Americans that dates back at least 150 years to the founding of Freedman’s Savings Bank by Congress. We must aspire to the ideals of that historic act and ensure pathways to prosperity through business ownership and capital access are open to all.”

“Freedman’s Bank was founded with the idea that our nation can, and will, live up to its promise of equality – which includes an economy that works for all Americans,” said Deputy Secretary of the Treasury Wally Adeyemo.

On the heels of Black history month, the discussion also provided the opportunity to map an actionable plan that widens the path to Black business ownership— a proven strategy for increasing wealth and creating new jobs.

Click here for the full release.

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What if I told you that if you raise credit scores 100 points on average, neighborhood by neighborhood across America, you stabilize the nation? Well, as odd as it sounds, I mean it.

At Operation HOPE we launched the HOPE Community Credit Score Index powered by data from Experian, which mapped credit scores by zip code, clear across America. The findings were extraordinary. here are a couple of the big findings:

Communities with below 600 credit scores tend to have very high ‘violent crimes per 1K residents’ ratios.
Communities with below 600 credit scores tend to have low home ownership rates and low rates of high school graduations.
Communities with below 600 credit scores tend to have a life expectancy of 15-20 years less, than communities with above 700 credit scores — even if these communities are only minutes from each other!

In Washington, DC we compared two communities within 13 miles of each other, and the data just jumps off the page.

But what is equally compelling, is how our HOPE Financial Coaches in our growing network of HOPE Inside locations, are making a difference in the lives of everyday, working class people. This includes raising credit scores 50 points or more in six months, lowering consumer debt $2,000 to $3,000 in a year, and helping to increase savings by $500 to $1,000, and more.

Sign on to our HOPE Community Credit Score Index and find out what your communities credit score is.

Tell me your zip code, and we will tell you how you’re living.

John Hope Bryant

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ATLANTA – March 1, 2023 – Operation HOPE, Inc., the nation’s largest non-profit dedicated to financial empowerment for underserved communities, joined Administrator Isabella Casillas Guzman, head of the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), and US Deputy Secretary of the Treasury (Treasury) Wally Adeyemo, to lead a roundtable discussion focused on advancing Black entrepreneurship. Several prominent leaders from the public and private sectors also participated, including White House Senior Advisor for Public Engagement, former Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms.

(Pictured L-R) Wally Adeyemo –US Treasury; John Hope Bryant –Operation HOPE; Stephanie E. DeVane– National Urban League; Ron Busby–U.S. Black Chamber of Commerce; Administrator Guzman–SBA; Keisha Lance-Bottoms – White House; Lenwood V. Long, Sr.–African American Alliance; Rasheeda S. Liberty– National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC); Kendall Corley–SBA.The roundtable also recognized the anniversary of the founding of the Freedman’s Savings Bank by President Abraham Lincoln on March 3, 1865, which was commissioned to help formerly enslaved Black Americans participate in the free enterprise system. At the suggestion of John Hope Bryant, Founder, Chairman and CEO of Operation HOPE the Treasury Annex building was renamed in 2015.

During the discussion, Bryant also highlighted data from the HOPE Financial Wellness Index, which reveals the disparities between neighborhoods located just five miles apart in the DC Metro area. By creating a path to sustainable entrepreneurship and increasing engagement in the no-cost HOPE 1MBB Initiative, the organization seeks to improve the overall financial wellness of Black communities. Participants agreed that the need for continued partnership between the federal government, private organizations, and community leadership can improve economic outcomes for all.

Additional roundtable participants included:

Kendall Corley, Deputy Chief of Staff, U.S. Small Business Administration
Rasheeda S. Liberty, Chair, Council of Presidents, National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC)
Lenwood V. Long, Sr., President & CEO, African American Alliance of CDFI CEOs
Ron Busby, President & CEO, U.S. Black Chamber of Commerce
Stephanie E. DeVane, Vice President, Entrepreneurship & Business Development, National Urban League

“Freedman’s Bank was founded with the idea that our nation can, and will, live up toits promise of equality – which includes an economy that works for all Americans,” said Deputy Secretary of the Treasury Wally Adeyemo.

On the heels of Black history month, the discussion also provided the opportunity to map an actionable plan that widens the path to Black business ownership— a proven strategy to increasing wealth and creating new jobs.

About Operation HOPE, Inc.

Since 1992, Operation HOPE has been moving America from civil rights to “silver rights” with the mission of making free enterprise and capitalism work for the underserved—disrupting poverty for millions of low and moderate-income youth and adults across the nation. Through its community uplift model, HOPE Inside, which received the 2016 Innovator of the Year recognition by American Banker magazine, Operation HOPE has served more than 4 million individuals and directed more than $3.2 billion in economic activity into disenfranchised communities—turning check-cashing customers into banking customers, renters into homeowners, small business dreamers into small business owners, minimum wage workers into living wage consumers, and uncertain disaster victims into financially empowered disaster survivors. Operation HOPE recently received its eighth consecutive 4-star charity rating for fiscal management and commitment to transparency and accountability from the prestigious non-profit evaluator, Charity Navigator. For more information: OperationHOPE.org. Join the conversation on social media at @operationhope.

About the U.S. Small Business Administration

The U.S. Small Business Administration helps power the American dream of business ownership. As the only go-to resource and voice for small businesses backed by the strength of the federal government, the SBA empowers entrepreneurs and small business owners with the resources and support they need to start, grow, expand their businesses, or recover from a declared disaster. It delivers services through an extensive network of SBA field offices and partnerships with public and private organizations. To learn more, visit www.sba.gov.

Media Contact

Lalohni Campbell

Per/Se Media Group, for Operation HOPE

la@persemediagroup.com

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Sadness.

Because of weather, I was not be able to make it back to Atlanta, Ga, in time for my dear friend Tommy Dortch, Jr’s memorial home going at New Birth Church, as led and organized by our friend Reverend Jamal Bryant. Thankful to Rev. Bryant and the church for organizing and managing all of this for the Dortch family, and the memorial service could not have been more dignified.

I am deeply disappointed that I could not bend the universe, the weather, and airline flight schedules into compliance, to get me there from the west coast. The family knew that I did all that I could, to be present.

But the irony is, I was actually with the two groups of leaders in a rain socked Los Angeles that Tommy Dortch liked a great deal, and that I know he would have faith would continue his ‘good work’ and legacy; Attorney Ben Crump, who received a well deserved NAACP Image Award for his work and activism, and the African American Wells Fargo leadership family. Wells Fargo was also the major sponsor for the entire NAACP Awards program in Los Angeles this year.

Both Attorney Crump, and the leadership of Wells, were amongst the giving leaders where I last saw, and had the pleasure of spending quality time with our Tommy, at public events…

And so, as much as I deeply mourn the loss of my friend and one of our true giving leaders, and that I knew I could not be there at New Birth in person, to look the family in their heart, and to hug their soul with a little of my and our healing-intended love notes — I got the message from and through Attorney Crump and my Wells Fargo extended family and friends. The work, continues. Now let’s get at it, in Thomas Dortch Jr’s honor.

Just as soon as the tears stop, I guarantee you — the work to help and to empower OTHERS — unseen and unheard — will continue.

Now the Lion sleeps. But his Pride, awakes now, in his place. Every living day.

And then you can also ask yourself, ‘what can you do…,’ for someone else. That was the question that Tommy Dortch Jr, chairman of 100 Black Men of America — asked himself every morning that he woke up.

Love and respect, and healing extended — to Mrs. Carole Dortch, Tommy Dortch III, and the entire Dortch family.

It’s time to go. It’s time, to get (back) to work. Helping. Others. Just like Tommy would have wanted. Just — like he LIVED, his very full life. Selfless.

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Introducing, my friend US Treasury Deputy Secretary Wally Adeyamo. This is walking Black History. He is the highest ranking person of African decent in the history of the US Treasury Department, and he’s the US official that unethical foreign leaders around the world (you can fill in the blanks here) fear the most, as the department that handles U.S. sanctions reports to him.

He is also the man who, along with Amias Moore Gerety from US Treasury, helped to shepherd my recommendation to then US Treasury Secretary Jack Lew to rename the then U.S. Treasury Annex Building to the Freedman’s Bank Building, in honor of the former slaves who placed every dollar they have into this bank following the Civil War.

The renaming of the Freedman’s Bank also inspired the Freedman’s Bank Forum, which continues to be organized and sponsored by the U.S. Department of the Treasury.

Recently I was honored to join Deputy Secretary Adeyamo as he toured Atlanta, Ga, and met with leaders here, including U.S. Senator Jon Ossoff, Atlanta Chamber CEO Katie Kirkpatrick, civil rights icon Ambassador Andrew Young, and many more.

Here’s more about my friend. Adewale “Wally” Adeyemo (born May 20, 1981) is a Nigerian-American government official serving as the United States deputy secretary of the treasury.[1] He was the first president of the Obama Foundation and also served during the Obama administration as the deputy national security advisor for international economics from 2015 to 2016 and deputy director of the National Economic Council.[2][3]

U.S. Senator Jon Ossoff, Atlanta Chamber CEO Katie Kirpatrick and US Deputy Secretary Wally Adeyamo during Atlanta visit. On March 26, 2021, Wally Adeyemo was sworn in as Deputy Secretary of the Treasury, with Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen also making a historic mark as the nation’s first woman Treasury Secretary.

He has been at the center of many of the country’s major economic policy decisions since the 2008 Financial Crisis and has worked in organizations across the public, private, and non-profit sectors to build a stronger and fairer economy.

As Deputy Secretary, Adeyemo serves as the Treasury Department’s number two official and chief operating officer. Adeyemo has taken a leading role in Treasury’s national security, economic inequality, and pandemic-related economic recovery work, while supporting the Secretary in driving the Department’s fundamental mission: promoting economic growth and ensuring the financial security of the United States.

This is Adeyemo’s second tour at the Treasury Department. His first began in the early days of the Obama Administration, during the depths of the Great Recession. Rising through a variety of leadership roles at Treasury, Adeyemo became Senior Advisor and Deputy Chief of Staff under Secretary Tim Geithner and Secretary Jack Lew, as well as chief negotiator for the Trans-Pacific Partnership’s provisions on macroeconomic policy.

From 2015 to 2017, Adeyemo served in the Obama White House as Deputy National Security Adviser for International Economics and Deputy Director of the National Economic Council. Adeyemo was responsible for coordinating the policymaking process related to international finance, trade and investment, energy, and environmental issues. He also served as President Obama’s representative to the G7 and G20.

Adeyemo also served as the first Chief of Staff of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, which was founded after the financial crisis to protect Americans from unfair, deceptive, or abusive consumer financial practices. Adeyemo helped build out the Bureau’s initial executive leadership team and served as a member of its executive committee.

After leaving government in 2017, Adeyemo served as the first president of the Obama Foundation, where he worked with the former president and first lady to help them continue giving back to the country as private citizens. Adeyemo also served as a Senior Advisor at the Center for Strategic and International Studies and at BlackRock.

Adeyemo was previously a member of the Aspen Strategy Group, which promotes widespread economic opportunity and the competitiveness of America. He also served on the boards of Demos, a New York-based think tank focused on social, political, and economic equity issues; the Golden State Opportunity Foundation, which works to provide financial security to low-income working people throughout California; and Just Homes, a faith-based affordable housing initiative based in Washington, DC.

Born in Ibadan, Nigeria, Adeyemo immigrated to California’s Inland Empire as young child with his parents, an educator and a nurse. He attended the University of California, Berkeley and Yale Law School.

Ambassador Andrew Young and community leaders gather at a Quest Communications Community Solar Roundtable in Atlanta to host Deputy Secretary Adeyamo. Adeyamo tours the National Center for Civil & Human Rights, Atlanta. The post The Most Powerful Black Man Ever – at the U.S. Treasury Department appeared first on John Hope Bryant.

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Recently a popular finance and entrepreneurship coaching personality has come under fire for statements regarding his approach to reaching his largely young, African American audience. Many from the Black community have raised concerns that his beliefs about his target audience and his actions demonstrate a lack of care, and have deemed them to be reductionist and a form of pandering at best.

Charlamagne Tha God, co-host of the popular radio show “The Breakfast Club” and HOPE Global Forums speaker, weighed in on the topic and cautioned listeners to check the source of their financial information and their character before becoming a follower. I’m proud that he and Forbes author, Jennifer Magley, listed me and Operation HOPE as credible, trustworthy sources for financial literacy, dignity, and empowerment.

This work requires approachability and authenticity. In this digital age, it’s becoming increasingly difficult to hide who you are and your beliefs. Who you are will show and the world will see it. This movement is built on meeting people where they are so we can get them where they want to go. And we’ll continue to do so.

Check out the Forbes article here and Charlamagne’s comments here.

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As the CEO of Operation HOPE, I often talk to business owners, aspiring entrepreneurs, and individuals about the difference between “getting money” and “building wealth.” I’ve learned that one of the first steps for anyone facing a financial challenge – a person who genuinely wants to create new beginning – is getting them into the right frame of mind. Financial problems can be stressful… causing anxiety, depression and a host of mixed emotions. But for those who are committed to taking control of their financial situation, there is HOPE. No matter your age or what may feel like insurmountable circumstances, remember that you can “begin again.”

At the start of the new year, many of us set New Year’s resolutions for ourselves. Unfortunately, it is all too common for these resolutions to fall by the wayside as we encounter challenges and setbacks. This can be discouraging, but it is important to remember that falling short of our goals is not a failure. Rather, it is an opportunity to press reset and achieve your true destiny.

When it comes to taking control of our finances perseverance is key. It is easy to become discouraged and give up when things don’t go according to plan, But those who truly succeed are the ones who acquire the mental fortitude to pick themselves up and keep going. This doesn’t mean that you should keep pushing forward blindly; it is important to take a step back and assess what went wrong and how you can do things differently moving forward. But never, ever give up.

So, what can you do to “begin again” when you find yourself falling short of your goals? Here are a few suggestions:

Reflect & Assess: Take some time to be honest with yourself about what led to your setback. What could you have done differently? What did you learn from the experience? Is this a pattern of behavior that can be corrected alone, or do you need to partner with a more experienced professional to find a resolution? When you know better, you can do better.
Get back to basics: Sometimes, it’s easy to get caught up in grandiose plans and forget the basics. Take a moment to honestly reflect on your choices. Have you been living a bit too large? As you begin again, shift your time and attention to the simple things in life — especially when it comes to your relationship with money.
Find inspiration and support: Surround yourself with people who inspire you and provide the support needed to keep going and thrive. This could include friends, family, or a mentor. Remember the old African proverb— “If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.”

To begin again may not be easy, but with perseverance, reflection, and the right support, you can overcome any obstacle and reach your goals. Remember that your success is not about your past failures, but rather how you got up after the fall. It’s all up to you. We all deserve a chance to right size our current situation. New beginnings await!

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If you are a current or aspiring inventor or entrepreneur looking for new paths to success and would you like to learn from innovators and experts about how to expand your opportunities, then won’t want to miss the United States Patent and Trademark Office’s (USPTO) 2023 Black Innovation and Entrepreneurship Program, part three: Learning from leading Black innovators, on February 24 from 2-4:30 p.m. ET.

I’ll be giving a talk about what Operation HOPE is doing to empower entrepreneurs and others seeking financial dignity. The program will also feature a host of other guest speakers , including:

Dr. Tye Caldwell, CEO and Co-founder of ShearShare
Isfahan Chambers-Harris, Ph.D., Founder and CEO, Alodia Hair Care
Mary Foster, Ph.D., Professor of Management, Earl G. Graves School of Business and Management, Morgan State University
Johnny Graham, Ph.D., Associate and Regional Director, Howard University and PNC National Center for Entrepreneurship
LaKisha Greenwade, Founder and CEO, Wearable Tech Ventures
Tiffany House, Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Program Commercialization Analyst, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)
Lonnie Johnson, CEO and Founder of Johnson Research & Development Company, Inc.; NIHF Inductee
Erin Horne McKinney, National Executive Director, Howard University and PNC National Center for Entrepreneurship
Tope Mitchell, Ph.D., CEO and Co-founder, Reflekt Me
Judith Norman, Founder and Executive Producer, StartHER TV

Register today to attend online or in person at the Morgan State University Earl G. Graves School of Business and Management.

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Today we mourn the loss of a dear friend, ally, and advocate of Operation HOPE and underserved communities and people, everywhere —Mr. Thomas Dortch, Jr. If you were in a person in need, Thomas Dortch Jr., was always there, to help. Always.

Tommy Dortch, as he was known by close friends and associates, had never met a stranger. His firm commitment and belief in the uplift of his community was evident in the way he spent his time, shared his talent, and and gave his energy throughout, his entire life. Even when he was not feeling his best, he always gave his best, to and for others. This is the Tommy Dortch that I knew.

As the president and CEO of several important companies, organizations and important community based leadership initiatives, he exemplified excellence in entrepreneurship and social leadership, and community good, and served as a model for what hard work and opportunity yield in the lives of those who want more out of life. To that end, he shared his talents and insights with our organization as well as so many others, including but 100 Black Men of America, Just Brothers, Clark Atlanta University, and so many others.

He served on Operation HOPE’s Southeastern Regional Board of Advisors and on the Coordinating Committee for Just Brothers, an organization designed for the collective progress and accountability for Black men in Atlanta working towards personal and communal improvement. He also served as the national Chair for 100 Black Men of America and was a proud supporter of HBCUs and their work through the National Black College Alumni Hall of Fame.

Tommy will be missed by all who knew him. His impact felt, by those who were helped by him. And there will be a vast leadership vacuum, in spaces and places where he stood and committed to making a difference.

He has left an indelible mark on the Atlanta community, and represents true Black History, for a nation of aspiring dreamers and achievers.

He will be remembered as a pillar, and will be noted nationally as a picture of the potential that we all have as Americans, especially in the African American community. He was a dreamer, with a shovel in his hands.

Let’s salute Tommy’s life, with a day on, instead of a day off, on his birthday. It’s time to get to work. Building a sustainable legacy, on the roots and foundation of his belief garden. A belief made real, in all of us.

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This morning I appeared on CNBC’s SquawkBox to discuss the pulse and feelings of small business owners across America. It’s no secret that inflation is high, unemployment is at a less than desirable rate, and we are dealing with the fallout of pandemic-era slush that was used to keep the economy moving. Despite all of those factors, America’s small business community remains resilient and optimistic about the future.

During this period of economic uncertainty, Operation HOPE has been helping to raise credit scores, reduce debt, and create opportunity through entrepreneurship, especially in the Black community through HOPE’s 1 Million Black Businesses (1MBB) initiative. We are seeing in real time people using the foundations of our small business development program and pairing it with their hopes, desires, and dreams to get to a better financial place for the future.

It is my belief that promoting these types of measures and focusing on the expanded field of play in small business area will set us up for a brighter future and a roadmap for wealth creation for those historically left out in the years to come.

Watch the full segment here: https://www.cnbc.com/video/2023/02/16/small-businesses-are-feeling-optimistic-in-todays-economy-says-operation-hope-ceo.html

Let me know your thoughts in the comments below.

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Congratulations to the Kansas City Chiefs on their Super Bowl win tonight! It was a fun game to watch.

The Super Bowl is always a great night, but all year round Operation HOPE and the NFL’s Inspire Change initiative are out there in the community, on the ground, making change happen with and for those who may never experience the magic of a Super Bowl game. But together, the NFL Inspire Change and Operation HOPE are creating individual Super Bowl winner experiences for families and individuals nationwide. Every. Day.

Inspire Change, Operation HOPE helping provide pathway to economic advancementThe NFL is proud to join organizations like Operation HOPE in reducing barriers to opportunity and helping provide a pathway to economic advancement. Join NFL players, clubs, and the league in learning more about how we can extend financial inclusion, economic equity, and achieve equality for all. It takes all of us end racism.

League contributes $6.5 million to more than 20 organizations who are driving measurable change in their communities, renews grants for all 32 NFL Clubs to further combat the ‘digital divide’

NFL nears $250 million commitment with more than $244 million in contributions since 2017

NEW YORK (May 25, 2022) – As part of the NFL’s Inspire Change social justice initiative, the league today announced renewals of 21 national grant partners, totaling $6.5 million in donations.

Inspire Change showcases the collaborative efforts of players, clubs, and the League to create positive change in communities across the country. Since 2017, the NFL family has provided more than $244 million to 37 national grant partners and hundreds of grassroots organizations across the country, nearing its 10-year, $250 million commitment to social justice efforts. This includes more than 1,800 Inspire Change matching grants provided by the NFL Foundation to current NFL players and Legends for nonprofits of their choice to help reduce barriers to opportunity.

The 21 renewed grants were recently approved by the Player-Owner Social Justice Working Group, which is comprised of a 10-member panel of players, Legends and team owners. Grants are awarded to nonprofit organizations creating measurable change across the four pillars of Inspire Change, which include education, economic advancement, police-community relations and criminal justice reform.

“The NFL is proud to renew its commitment to these 21 organizations as they continue to drive positive change in communities nationwide,” said Anna Isaacson, NFL Senior Vice President, Social Responsibility. “The greater societal needs that these organizations serve represent the core tenets behind Inspire Change, and their meaningful work and measurable impact continue to inspire the NFL in its ongoing quest for social justice.”

The specific impact these 21 grant partners have made in their communities include advocacy to end mass incarceration and offering tuition-free educational resources; wraparound services for youth battling homelessness; various mentorship programs and re-entry services; fighting to end cash bail and pre-trial detention; addressing “three-strikes” laws; and financial empowerment services.

The Player-Owner Social Justice Working Group also renewed its commitment to address the “digital divide,” a longstanding barrier to internet and technology access in the U.S. exacerbated due to the COVID-19 pandemic and disproportionately impacting communities of color. Specifically, the Working Group approved an additional $480,000 in funding allocated to NFL clubs – $15,000 per club – to further their work with local nonprofits to help alleviate the “digital divide” in areas that need it most.

“Our vision is to create a stronger, more inclusive economy—and by extension, society through financial empowerment – and financial dignity. Think of the difference our programs make in people’s lives as they improve their FICO scores by 100 points or more. Think about the impact on families and communities as more people and more local businesses succeed. And consider the new investments and jobs that come to communities where people are financially secure and young people have the skills to be productive. We are proud to partner with the NFL as part of the Inspire Change initiative to bring meaningful impact to our communities and advance the critical dialogue on social justice taking place nationally.” – JOHN HOPE BRYANT, Operation HOPE Founder, Chairman, and Chief Executive Officer.

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THE CHAVIS CHRONICLES is a thought-provoking half-hour television series that features interviews with newsmakers, celebrities, and significant figures from the fields of politics, medicine, science, activism, education, and entertainment. Legendary civil rights leader and program host, Dr. Benjamin F. Chavis, Jr. takes a deep dive, going beyond the headlines to provider greater understanding of news and trends.

Currently more than 300 Public Television stations across the United States broadcast THE CHAVIS CHRONICLES Season 3. The 26-episode series showcases distinct views from change-makers around the world. The weekly public affairs program delivers intelligent and thought-provoking discussions that affect the general public.

In this season, Kenneth Kelly, Chairman and CEO of First Independence Bankheadquartered in Detroit, Michigan discusses the black banking industry and how Wells Fargo finances undercapitalized black-owned banks. Wells Fargo’s $50 million investment in First Independence Bank exemplifies their commitment to communities of color. Other fascinating discussions addressed First Independence Bank’s entry into Minneapolis following George Floyd’s passing.

Chairman Kelly is a widely respected expert on federal banking regulations. After a 27-year career with the Southern Company, a large utility company based in Atlanta, Georgia, he was admitted into the State of Alabama Engineering Hall of Fame.

John Hope Bryant is also a guest of the show. Bryant is the co-founder of Global Dignity and the creator, Chairman, and CEO of Operation HOPE, Inc. He is also the CEO of Bryant Group Ventures and The Promise Home Company. Chairman Bryant has been recognized by the last five US presidents and called upon as an advisor by the previous three administrations. Bryant has received numerous honors and citations for his achievements, including “Innovator of the Year” from The American Bankers Association in 2016, “The World’s 10 Top CEOs” (honorable mention), and “50 for the Future” from Time Magazine. “How the Poor Can Save Capitalism” and “Love Leadership” are two of his best-selling books.

In this season, John Hope Bryant discusses his Operation HOPE Mission, which aims to end poverty, transform the banking industry to say “yes,” and raise credit ratings so that more black people may access credit.

Read the complete article here.

Follow all of John Hope Bryant’s action, organizations, companies and special announcements – here.

Let’s go…

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This week we unveiled our 214th HOPE Inside location just outside of Atlanta in DeKalb County, in partnership with Citizen Trust Bank, the largest black bank in the Atlanta area. we currently have 230 locations open and operating nationwide (we soft opened this branch a few months ago and already have results to report), in 46 states.

The launch was fantastic, and I was honored to join amongst others, my friend Cynthia Day, CEO of Citizens Trust Bank — a black bank which now sits at 800M+ in assets. And what most people don’t know is that Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr’s father – Daddy King – served on the board of directors of CTB for 40 years.

It is a bank steeped in civil rights history, and now we believe that they will be a powerful part of silver rights history also.

Here is an approximate 50 minute video of the HOPE Inside office rollout. ATLANTA, Feb. 9, 2023 /PRNewswire/ — Citizens Trust Bank (CTB) and Operation HOPE today announced an expanded, transformational partnership, including a collaborative program HOPE Inside coaching, that connects deserving Citizens Trust Bank customers to one-on-one debt counseling, financial coaching, education, and Citizens Trust Bank (CTB) solutions, part of the bank’s commitment to bring access and solutions to build better lives and communities.

Citizens Trust Bank and Operation HOPE will expand their community-based approach to financial wellness to provide more people with the education, insights, and tools that will empower and build better lives for all. To achieve this goal, Citizens Trust Bank and Operation HOPE have entered into a partnership that will expand and transform access to HOPE Inside coaching, bringing in-person and virtual financial coaching, educational content, and solutions to the Citizens Trust Bank, Panola Financial Center.

“For over 100 years Citizens Trust Bank has been guided by the founding principle to promote financial stability and business development in our communities,” said Cynthia N. Day, President and Chief Executive Officer, Citizens Trust Bank. “It is abundantly clear that legacy and impact have their place. We remain committed to working with amazing partners, like Operation HOPE, to uplift community citizens while upholding our legacy of making meaningful impact for generations in the markets we serve and beyond.”, said Day.

Citizens Trust Bank and Operation HOPE’s expanded partnership includes:

Transforming and expanding the HOPE Inside coaching program to be community-based and impact-focused, encompassing hub location serving communities across the Citizens Trust Bank Atlanta market.
Collaborating to further the Citizens Trust Bank employee wellness platform with HOPE coaching and CTB programming.
Becoming a Member of HOPE to build consumer and business financial capacity and sustainability.

“This is a bold undertaking, I am so honored to have Citizens Trust Bank’s commitment to helping Operation HOPE transform lives, shift mindsets and help small business owners realize their dreams,” said Operation HOPE Founder, Chairman, and CEO, John Hope Bryant. “The leading voices behind Citizens Trust Bank believed in this vision since its inception. Through their continued support over the next two years, we will strengthen communities through financial literacy and economic empowerment together.”

To learn more, go to www.ctbconnect.com or visit an Operation HOPE financial coach in Atlanta at the Citizens Trust Bank, Panola financial center location.

In celebration of the partnership and HOPE Inside resources in the community, Citizens Trust Bank hosted a special partner reception on Wednesday, February 8, 2023 at the Panola Financial Center in Stonecrest, Georgia. Along with Operation HOPE Founder, John H. Bryant, DeKalb County leaders as well as The City of Stonecrest Mayor, Jazzmin Cobble and Councilman Robert Turner, District 2 were in attendance.

The event was pre-recorded and will be shared on the Bank’s Facebook and YouTube social platforms.

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Since 2016, Fulton Bank has made a substantial number of low- to moderate-income home loans through its partnership with Operation HOPE

Founders Note: I keep saying that home ownership is the number one way to build wealth, and with a homeownership rate in the low 40% range, Black America is way behind.

And so, when Operation HOPE and Fulton Bank partnered together to stand up a group of HOPE Inside locations, and became intention about framing programs and organizational leadership around increasing Black homeownership, I was thrilled. And now, we have some of the results of that collaboration. See announcement below for details.

LANCASTER, Pa. & ATLANTA, January 23, 2023–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Operation HOPE recently recognized Fulton Bank, a subsidiary of Fulton Financial Corporation (NASDAQ: FULT), for providing nearly $1 billion in loans to low- and moderate-income homebuyers over the past seven years.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230123005683/en/

“We’re pleased to partner with organizations like Fulton Bank that understand the importance of home ownership in empowering our communities,” said John Hope Bryant, Founder, Chairman and CEO of Operation HOPE. “We honored Fulton Bank for their commitment to increasing social mobility at our recent HOPE Global Forum, the largest gathering of its kind, dedicated to expanding financial inclusion for everyone.”

In 2016, Fulton Bank began collaborating with Operation HOPE, a leading non-profit focused on financial literacy and economic inclusion. Fulton Bank participates in the Closing Cost Assistance Program, which provides grants to buyers to help with the up-front costs of purchasing a home. Fulton also sponsors Operation HOPE financial wellness coaches in six cities throughout its footprint. The coaches provide free education to consumers, focusing on improving their credit and preparing them for the financial aspects of home ownership.

Fulton Bank has helped facilitate more than $968 million in loans to more than 5,700 homebuyers under the Closing Cost Assistance Program, and that cumulative total is on track to hit $1 billion in loans in 2023. In addition to homebuyer loans, the bank has donated more than $8 million in grants to make purchasing a home more affordable for low and moderate-income buyers.

“Fulton Bank’s purpose is to change lives for the better, and one of the best ways we can do that is by helping people achieve the dream of homeownership,” said William “Smokey” Glover, Executive Vice President and Director of Fair and Responsible Banking for Fulton Bank. “We are grateful for our collaboration with Operation HOPE, which enables us to provide valuable financial education along with financing. Both elements are critical to set homebuyers on a path to success.”

Operation HOPE recognized Fulton Bank for their ongoing collaboration at the 9th Annual HOPE Global Forums in Atlanta in December, which included nearly 5,000 delegates and attained more than 1 million views online.

About Operation HOPE, Inc.

About Fulton Bank, N.A.

Headquartered in Lancaster, Pa., Fulton Bank is a premier community bank in the Mid-Atlantic region. As a subsidiary of Fulton Financial Corporation, a $26 billion financial services holding company, Fulton Bank offers a broad array of products and services at more than 200 financial centers across Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Maryland, Delaware, and Virginia. At Fulton Bank, we seek to change lives for the better by building strong customer relationships, providing significant community support and empowering more than 3,300 employees to do the same. Through the Fulton Forward® initiative, we’re helping build vibrant communities. Learn more at www.FultonBank.com. Fulton Bank, N.A., Member FDIC, Equal Housing Lender.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230123005683/en/

Contacts

Operation HOPE:
Lalohni Campbell
(404) 593-7145

Fulton Bank:
Steve Trapnell
(717) 291-2739

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The organization I founded 30+ years ago is absolutely on fire — with scaled mission, results and most of all outcomes. They are on a serious mission of Silver Rights, opportunity for all, and what I have come to term a 3rd Reconstruction. And my team has never been stronger. Could not be prouder of them.

And so, when you ask me what my birthday was like, or what I wanted most for my birthday — the answer is the same: this 2022 Operation HOPE Performance Report.

Please take a moment to read through it, and hopefully you will be as inspired by it as I was.

Nearly $1 billion in mortgages provided to low- and- moderate income homebuyers through partnership with Fulton Bank

Over 169,000 Black businesses supported through partnership with Shopify

Milestone 200th HOPE Inside location opened with Wells Fargo CEO Charlie Scharf

February 07, 2023 10:00 AM Eastern Standard Time

ATLANTA–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Operation HOPE, a national nonprofit dedicating to helping low-and moderate-income Americans thrive in an ever-changing economy, announced its top-line results for 2022. Celebrating its 30th year, Operation HOPE continued its impressive streak of growth by expanding its national footprint of HOPE Inside locations, growing its portfolio of top-tier partner organizations, and serving a record number of clients.

Recognized as American Banker’s “Innovation of the Year” in 2016, Operation HOPE uses its HOPE Inside locations to deliver no-charge financial coaching to individuals in the community or at work. Key results from 2022 include:

HOPE Inside locations increased by 33%, finishing at a total of 217 offices, up from 147 at the end of 2021. As a result, Operation HOPE:
- Delivered 182,779 financial coaching services to more than 40,600 individual clients.
- Raised client credit scores by an average of 42 points, with 20% of clients seeing an increase between 51-99 points.
- Reduced median client debt by $1,944.
- Increased median client savings by $1,100.
Announced that nearly $1 billion in mortgages had been secured for low- and moderate-income homebuyers through its partnership with Fulton Bank.
Supported 169,087 unique Black-owned businesses through its HOPE Inside network and 1 Million Black Businesses (1MBB) initiative partners. This accounts for approximately 5% of all Black-owned businesses in the U.S. New 2022 1MBB partners committed to the creation of an additional 200,000 Black-owned businesses.
Wells Fargo announced plans to introduce HOPE Inside centers in 20 markets that will serve as many as 150 Wells Fargo branches and their surrounding communities across the U.S. by the end of 2023.
Operation HOPE opened its milestone 200th HOPE Inside location in Stone Mountain, GA as part of this partnership, which was attended by Wells Fargo CEO Charlie Scharf and Operation HOPE Chairman and CEO John Hope Bryant.
Building on the success of its first-of-its-kind Financial Wellness Index with Experian, Operation HOPE utilized this data to build a Community Credit Score Index. The Index highlights high- and low-credit score zip codes in the same city by showcasing discrepancies in earnings, social mobility, housing, education and longevity.
The HOPE Global Forums conducted a “special edition” Crypto Summit with U.S. Comptroller of the Currency Michael Hsu in May as well as its flagship Annual Meeting in December, which featured record in-person attendance.Combined, the meetings were watched by more than 6.2 million viewers in over 40 countries around the world.
Bank of America and Operation HOPE announced at the HOPE Global Forums Annual Meeting that they will offer free financial counseling in 180 financial centers in 17 U.S. markets starting in 2023.
Also at the HOPE Global Forums Annual Meeting, Vinebrook Homes announced it was expanding its partnership with Operation HOPE to include a five-year, $1 million commitment to provide its residents across the U.S. with resources and programs to help achieve financial freedom.
Under the leadership of Co-Chair’s Doug McMillon, CEO of Walmart, and Mr. Bryant, the 10-year Financial Literacy for All Initiative (FL4A) continued to gain momentum, with top-tier organizations such as General Motors, Hershey, Dow Jones, Tyson Foods and Synchrony joining the movement to embed financial literacy into American culture.
In April, Financial Literacy for All was invited to ring the Nasdaq Opening Bell as part of Financial Literacy Month. Mr. Bryant did the honors in his role as Co-Chair.
At the recent World Economic Forum in Davos, Dow Jones CEO Almar Latour co-hosted a breakfast at the Wall Street Journal house with Mr. McMillon and Mr. Bryant as part of their Financial Literacy for All commitment.

A full Annual Report highlighting Operation HOPE’s impacts will be available at the end of February. Read the complete summary press release around this report out here.

About Operation HOPE, Inc.

Since 1992, Operation HOPE has been moving America from civil rights to “silver rights” with the mission of making free enterprise and capitalism work for the underserved—disrupting poverty for millions of low and moderate-income youth and adults across the nation. Through its community uplift model, HOPE Inside, which received the 2016 Innovator of the Year recognition by American Banker magazine, Operation HOPE has served more than 4 million individuals and directed more than $3.2 billion in economic activity into disenfranchised communities—turning check-cashing customers into banking customers, renters into homeowners, small business dreamers into small business owners, minimum wage workers into living wage consumers, and uncertain disaster victims into financially empowered disaster survivors. For more information: OperationHOPE.org. Follow the HOPE conversation on Twitter.

ContactsOperation HOPE:
Bill Mendel, Mendel Communications
(917) 664-1796

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I was honored to join my friend and MSNBC 11th Hour Anchor Stephanie Ruhle for a special Friday night segment on the State of our America.

We dived into a lot of important topics, and were focused on solutions, and resolving our conflicts, and not complaining and pointing fingers and blame and fear.

I was asked to speak to Florida Governor DiSantis’ decision to ban African-American Studies, and I said what I believe to be common sense — it’s silly, and short sighted. You can watch my full interview on this topic above, but the short version is we should want our children educated on the full history of this country — and not just the parts we are comfortable with.

To be clear, my grandfather on my dad’s side was a slave, and a sharecropper. He gave his service for free to this nation. His story deserved to be told. Needs to be told.

My great grandfather on my mother’s side was also a slave. Her mother owns a shotgun shack, and my mother Ms. Juanita Smith owned seven homes. I owned 700 homes. This is not accidental. It’s role modeling.

All of this – both bad news and good – informs the texture of our lives and strengthens the culture of America. All of this, deserves (needs) to be shared.

One of the reasons I founded Operation HOPE and continue to run it as the nation’s leading provider of financial literacy and financial inclusion for the underserved, is I believe that the untapped potential of the nation’s underserved is needed — for future economic growth and American stability. It and they matter to American GDP.

America cannot be the world’s largest economy unless we have everyone contributing to it. That means we need Black Americans, amongst other marginalized groups — to be fully integrated into the economy, finally. And we need to know the whole back story, to understand why.

John Hope Bryant, founder, Operation HOPE

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Sometimes seemingly simple discussions, mean much more.

This session with MSNBC Anchor Stephanie Ruhle last Friday on ‘Netflix passwords’ was one of those times, and discussions. This was about our values, actually, and ‘what we value.’

This conversation got real deep, real quick. Check it out, and share it with friends. There’s even a quick financial literacy lesson embedded here also.

John Hope Bryant , founder, Operation HOPE

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John Hope bryant, founder, Operation HOPE and Ed Bastian, CEO, Delta Airlines, at Delta Town Hall.Sometimes, you experience magic in a bottle. That is the essence of the partnership between Operation HOPE and Delta Airlines. Operation HOPE is honored to have been selected to be the national financial wellness coaching partner for all 80,000+ Delta Airline employees.

This partnership began through a friendship. An enduring friendship between the CEO of Delta Airlines Ed Bastian and myself. That friendship turned into a vision and a dream to help others. That dream transformed into a powerful program designed to assist at least every working class employee within Delta to have the stability and the financial dignity that each of them deserved. The result of this dream was HOPE Inside the Workplace.

In the midst of the pandemic, we together launched a results oriented, innovative program rooted in empowerment and critical support for a company’s most important asset — its human capital. It’s people.

And so, with the help of Joanne Smith, chief people officer within Delta Airlines, we rolled out the HOPE Inside the Workplace model in a more than 10 locations nationwide, so that confidential, one on one financial coaching and counseling was available to each and every employee that needed it.

Testimonials and results for employees and their families began to pour in and we knew we were beginning to make a difference. Delta Airlines became a charter member of the Financial Literacy for All Initiative, and soon become a best in class example of Financial literacy inside the workplace too.

Beginning this month it was announced, eligible employees can earn up to $1,000 from Delta to fuel their emergency savings when they complete a financial education/coaching program and contribute to an emergency savings account. This new program, created in partnership with financial advisory organization Operation HOPE and workplace provider Fidelity Investments, aims to help Delta employees strengthen their financial well-being by addressing a common challenge seen nationwide.

“At Delta, we know that physical, emotional, social and financial health are essential for our people to be at their best,” said Delta CEO Ed Bastian. “This investment in the financial well-being of our employees is a practical solution to a common challenge. With stronger financial literacy and the peace of mind of a safety net, our team can worry less and focus on the goals that matter most to them.”

ADDRESSING A COMMON CHALLENGE Research shows that financial stressors affect not only people’s wallets, but also their overall well-being. One-third of U.S. households cannot come up with $400 cash to cover an emergency expense, according to the Federal Reserve. More than half of Americans lack the funds to cover a $1,000 emergency, according to a survey by Bankrate.

To help address this, Delta has engaged Operation HOPE and Fidelity Investments to provide personal financial coaching models and a simple savings solution to Delta’s diverse team of employees. Both organizations are focused on helping individuals improve their financial situation, while supporting them on the pathway to achieving their personal financial goals and aspirations.

And so, it has begun. A new journey into the art and science of financial well-being for employees everywhere.

A journey that is beginning here, at a great American airline — Delta. And as a result of a great friendship. Doing well and doing good at scale, is possible.

Ed Bastian and John Hope Bryant at the Delta Airlines Leadership Event in January, 2023 at Mercedes Benz Stadium. Each qualifying Delta Airlines employee will receive up to $1,000 in an emergency savings account after completing financial coaching through Operation HOPE. Funds for employees will be held with and through Fidelity Investments.

Let’s go…

John Hope Bryant, founder, Operation HOPE

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Today, Tyre Nichols was celebrated by his family, friends, loved ones, and concerned citizens who advocate for peace, justice, and equity. His life was taken tragically and prematurely, but his spirit speaks to us as a nation and a community, calling us to put aside petty differences and embrace life to the fullest.

Social justice stood at the forefront of today’s celebration, second only to honoring Tyre’s life and his impact on those who knew him. As such, Operation HOPE remains committed to the cause of social justice through an economic lens. Together, we can help ensure that communities —and those who live in them—have the opportunity to thrive without the threat of violence.

We are honored to have had representation from the HOPE family at today’s services and extend our deepest sympathies to the family.

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This week I was invited to join President Joe Biden’s Cabinet Member for Small Business, U.S. SBA Administrator Isabella Guzman, U.S. Treasury Deputy Secretary Wally Adayamo, Gene Sperling, Senior Advisor to the President of the United States and NEC Deputy Director Bharat Ramamurti from the Biden Administration, and U.S. Senator John Hickenlooper, for an intimate roundtable discussion on small business and economic policy at the White House.

John Hope Bryant, Treasury Deputy Secretary Wally Adeyamo and U.S. SBA Administrator Isabella GuzmanThe discussion was rich and robust and engaging, with Administration officials both offering their view(s) on important policy considerations, current realities, and future plans, and also listening.

Senior Advisor to the President Gene Sperling and John Hope BryantJohn Hope Bryant and U.S. Senator John HickenlooperThere were approximately six outside guests to the discussion, as outside expert advisors in their respective areas of leadership, including myself representing Operation HOPE, and all voices were heard.

I of course cannot say specifically what was discussed in the meeting (that is up to the Administration to publish a read out on, etc), but what I can say is that 1) the Administration has made major strides in advancing access to capital to and for small business, including through CDFIs, 2) there is now an infrastructure, focus and formal process to advance this agenda for small business within the Administration, 3) they are open to listening and supportive of sound ideas, and 4) good things are planned and I believe, pending.

Of course, our shared history is all around us at the White House and connected Old Executive Office Building on the White House Campus. And one of the rooms we had the honor to ‘hold’ in, leading up to the meeting, was the conference room where Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr (and my mentor Rev. Andrew J. Young) met with President Lyndon Johnson and Vice President Humphrey, where they mapped out plans for the 1965 Voting Rights Act legislation.

John Hope Bryant, founder of Operation HOPE

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John Hope Bryant in transit from Paris, to Zurich, SwitzerlandI had quite an adventure getting from Atlanta to Davos, Switzerland last week, preparing to speak at the Wall Street Journal House on our Financial Literacy for All Initiative, where I also attended the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting 2023, in Davos. But I finally made it on Tuesday, January 17th, 2023. It was just like, old times.

My first time in Davos, was 2004, when I first traveled there at an inaugural member of the first class of the Forum of Young Global Leaders. I remember the first call I received from Professor Klaus Schwab, asking me what I thought about his vision for the then newly formed Forum of Young Global Leaders, later to be called YGLs.

I was honored to join fellow YGLs, who have now become lifelong friends, like HRH Crown Prince Haakon of Norway, and Professor Pekka Himanen of Finland. Together we did a lot of good together, including the founding of Global Dignity, which expanded its work to more than 80 countries.

It was through the World Economic Forum, that I first became a global citizen. Attending the regional meetings of the Forum, on most every continent of the world, helped me to gain a better understanding, of most parts of the world. And their cultures. I have now traveled more than 100 countries, and at least a quarter of them were the direct result of my involvement with the Forum meetings.

Returning to Davos, more than a dozen years later, felt exactly as it did when I first entered the hall for the first time, almost 20 years ago.

The Financial Literacy for All Initiative

This time in Davos, my precise mission was different. Doug McMillon, CEO of Walmart and myself now co-chair a powerful new initiative designed to embed financial literacy into the business plan of all major businesses, education and society. It’s called the Financial Literacy for All Initiative.

I was honored to be invited by Almar Latour, CEO of Dow Jones and Publisher of the Wall Street Journal, to help lead an important roundtable conversation at the WSJ House in Davos. And that we did — Almar Latour, Doug McMillon and myself. And it was strong.

A special thank you to other FL4ALL members in attendance, including founding member Dan Schulman, CEO of PayPal, who has been a super strong supporter of our mission, vision and work from the very start.

We will be announcing our newest slate of Members for FL4ALL in coming weeks and months, including many that joined during the week at Davos. And so, the work and a new generation of collective action continues. It is possible to do well and do good too.

Let’s go…

John Hope Bryant

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Davos 2023 was one for the record books.

It was an honor to join with other major global leaders and influencers of industry, commerce, and change in an ongoing discussion on our world, its economies, and the people they affect at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland. The powerful, outsized, increasingly transformational work of Operation HOPE was at the forefront of many of my discussions, and I and others in the U.S. delegation engaged key CEOs and global leaders about the work and mission of Financial Literacy for All.

I had a chance to lead a substantive discussion with my friend and Financial Literacy for All co-chair, Doug McMillon, CEO of Walmart, and our host Dow Jones CEO Almar Latour (they own Wall Street Journal) around Financial Literacy being ‘embedded’ into business infrastructure. We impressed upon them the urgency of this issue, and strongly believe that financial literacy is the civil rights issue of our generation in the U.S., and around the world.

We are advancing the Silver Rights Movement globally, and the vision of a Third Reconstruction in America — a new era of and for Opportunity for All. Please remember, when you have a chance to show up, and to be a vessel that represents OTHERS, who are not in the room — don’t miss it. Love is work. It’s time for us all, to lean in and to do ‘the work’ that real progress requires.

Let’s go…

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Today we honor the legacy of a great man whose mission was larger than his life and whose work endures even today. We laud Dr. King’s philosophy of nonviolent activism and promote his ideals of equality and love; however, his methods garnered the dislike and ire of many. According to the last Gallup poll conducted prior to his death, 63% of Americans had an unfavorable view of the Atlanta-born civil rights champion and hero.

More than anything, this fact demonstrates that sometimes standing on the side of right can look and feel like being wrong if we are guided by the wrong measure of importance. Undoubtedly, Dr. King would have preferred the unwavering praise and admiration of his colleagues, peers, and the nation that he sacrificed his life for. However, he ascribed to a higher calling and greater way of living than the world around him and he disregarded the opinions of others. He was pure in his intentions and relentless in his pursuit.

Dr. King was by no means a perfect man, but he was certainly regal in his approach toward his work and in his responsibility as a leader. This majestic lens of leadership was not inspired by the many great leaders he studied in the hallowed halls of his alma mater, Morehouse College, nor did it come from the many potentates and world leaders he encountered in his lifetime. He took a page out of the book he lived by and preached and followed the example of Christ.

As a Christian, Dr. King led with his faith and was guided by moral principles which positively affect us all, regardless of our religious affiliation or doctrinal creed. He did not rule as a tyrant, nor did he command like a dictator. Rather, he invited everyone to the table to discuss, strategize, plan, and review. This type of leadership inspires change and causes us to ask “How can I be better today than I was yesterday? How does the work that I pursue today make a difference in the world tomorrow?”

In honor of one of the greatest Americans who ever lived, challenge yourself to examine the foundation and source of your leadership approach and how you measure success. Regardless of the praise you receive and the criticisms you may draw, have you committed yourself to the work of being a moral leader? Are your markers of success in line with that of a King who seeks to benefit the masses over the few, or that of a tyrant who is only concerned with their personal gain? The answer lies in the choices you make and the culture you create at home, at work, and at school.

Choose to lead with strong moral leadership and a success model that is not dependent on how exclusive you can be. Rather, seek to bring as many people to the table as possible, help others create extra chairs, and let us eat the table of brotherhood and sisterhood, as we all seek to discover the King in us all.

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Georgia Trend announced this month that entrepreneur, philanthropist and businessman John Hope Bryant has been named to its 2023 Most Influential Georgians List.

The 2023 Most Influential Georgians List celebrates 100 Georgians who are leading by example and improving lives through business. This is Georgia Trend’s 25th annual list, and Bryant’s second time being honored among several notable politicians, presidents, CEOs, and economic development leaders across the state.

John Hope Bryant is the Founder, Chairman, and CEO of Atlanta-based Operation HOPE, Inc., a leading national non-profit dedicated to financial literacy and economic empowerment. Operation HOPE serves over 4 million people and directed more than $3.2 billion in economic activity into disenfranchised communities.

He is also the Founder, Chairman, and CEO of Bryant Group Ventures, and Founder and Principal of The Promise Homes Company, which is the largest minority-controlled owner of single-family rental homes in the United States.

Bryant has served as a member of the President’s Advisory Council on Financial Literacy under President George W. Bush and President Barack Obama. At the recommendation of Mr. Bryant, U.S. Treasury Secretary Jack Lew renamedthe former U.S. Treasury Annex Building the Freedman’s Bank Building.

“A long time ago, I decided to commit myself to matters that would better the lives of other people. I am grateful to Georgia Trend for recognizing my contributions and plan to continue building,” said Bryant. “Georgia is not only the global headquarters for Operation HOPE, but also the place my family calls home. I am humbled and honored to be included on this list with so many great leaders and changemakers—many of whom are colleagues and friends.”

Operation HOPE promotes social justice for ethnically diverse individuals through an economic lens. Within the past year, HOPE has experienced incredible growth and expansion with a focus on diverse communities that are typically underserved. With currently 200 HOPE Inside locations across the country, John Hope Bryant and his team of certified coaches, will continue to support the wider community through programs, partnerships, and initiatives.

Georgia Trend’s list of influential leaders is gathered by the staff who looks for people that represent the best of leadership, service, character, and influence.

About Operation HOPE, Inc.Since 1992, Operation HOPE has been moving America from civil rights to “silver rights” with the mission of making free enterprise and capitalism work for the underserved—disrupting poverty for millions of low and moderate-income youth and adults across the nation. Through our community uplift model, HOPE Inside, which received the 2016 Innovator of the Year recognition by American Banker magazine, Operation HOPE has served more than 4 million individuals and directed more than $3.2 billion in economic activity into disenfranchised communities—turning check-cashing customers into banking customers, renters into homeowners, small business dreamers into small business owners, minimum wage workers into living wage consumers, and uncertain disaster victims into financially empowered disaster survivors. For more information: OperationHOPE.org. Follow the HOPE conversation on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.

Media Contact:Lalohni Campbell, for Operation HOPE
404-593-7145
la@persemediagroup.com

SOURCE Operation HOPE, Inc.

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Transaction Is Second Multimillion Dollar Investment to Expand and Enhance Portfolio of Single-Family Rental Homes Benefitting Low- and Moderate-Income Individuals

December 12, 2022 08:00 AM Eastern Standard Time

ATLANTA–(BUSINESS WIRE)–The Promise Homes Company, the largest minority-led manager of institutional-quality, single-family residential rental homes in the United States, announced today that First Republic Bank, a leading private bank and wealth management company, has made a preferred equity investment in the company.

“We are honored to be furthering our relationship with First Republic Bank, a true leader in investing in communities, as we work hard to bring financial dignity to residents and maintain a high level of stable occupancy in our portfolio.”Tweet this

The proceeds will be used for expanding Promise Homes’ property portfolio, recapitalizing its existing portfolio as well as continuing to build out operations and general corporate purposes, all of which support low- and moderate-income individuals and communities.

This is the second multimillion dollar investment by First Republic Bank into Promise Homes, following a June 2021 preferred equity investmentthat helped expand the services, amenities and maintenance provided to the residents of Promise Homes.

“Our commitment to providing a quality home, financial and credit education and contribute to small, local businesses, especially those that are minority-owned, continues to meet Promise Homes and First Republic’s goals,” said John Hope Bryant, Founder and Chairman of The Promise Homes Company. “We are honored to be furthering our relationship with First Republic Bank, a true leader in investing in communities, as we work hard to bring financial dignity to residents and maintain a high level of stable occupancy in our portfolio.”

Read the original Businesswire Release here.

About Promise Homes

Launched in May 2017, The Promise Homes Company is the largest minority-led manager of institutional-quality, single-family residential rental property in the United States, with a focus on working-class and middle-class communities. Promise Homes offers its residents quality housing at affordable prices as well as financial empowerment and assistance that would position them financially to eventually own a home. Promise Homes also contracts with local, minority-owned businesses for property maintenance services, thereby creating local, sustainable jobs in the communities where it invests. Promise Homes was founded by John Hope Bryant, an entrepreneur, author, philanthropist, and prominent thought leader on financial inclusion, economic empowerment and financial dignity. For more information, please visit http://www.thepromisehomescompany.com.

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VineBrook Homes announced yesterday it is expanding its partnership with Operation HOPE to include a five-year, $1 millioncommitment to provide its residents across the U.S. with resources and programs to help achieve financial freedom. The announcement took place during the 9th Annual HOPE Global Forums, the largest gathering in the world on behalf of empowering underserved communities. VineBrook launched its partnership with Operation HOPE in November 2021. Through this partnership, VineBrook provides its residents with no-cost access to Operation HOPE’s award-winning virtual workshops, learning sessions, and certified one-on-one financial coaching to help improve their FICO score, manage their budget and debts, grow long-term savings, and pursue wealth creation. This commitment will expand the dedicated Operation HOPE resources needed to help increase participation in the available programs for VineBrook residents.

“Our partnership with VineBrook Homes, like our other partners in the single family rental industry, has empowered residents across the U.S. with the knowledge and tools they need to strengthen their financial foundation – and their future,” said John Hope Bryant, Founder, Chairman and CEO of Operation HOPE. “Expanding this partnership will provide additional coaches so that residents can deepen their engagement with the resources and curriculum that, in turn, can help them build generational wealth.”

“When I first met John and learned about Operation HOPE, I was inspired and wanted to incorporate it into the offering we provide VineBrook residents,” said Dana Sprong, Co-Founder and Managing Partner of VineBrook Homes. “I’ve been impressed by the successful results we have achieved together, see tremendous potential to assist even more people going forward, and am thrilled to announce this expanded partnership.”

VineBrook’s partnership with Operation HOPE seeks to help residents attain financial wellbeing by providing access to the tools they need to achieve their financial goals, whether that means improving their credit, starting a business, saving for retirement, or becoming homeowners. Since the partnership’s launch, Operation HOPE has worked with more than 200 VineBrook residents, resulting in all participants improving their credit scores, increasing their savings and reducing household debt by nearly $500 per month.

“Resident satisfaction and support are top priorities at VineBrook, and the programs we offer in partnership with Operation HOPE are consistently among the most popular benefits we provide,” said Ryan McGarry, Chief Operating Officer of VineBrook Homes. “VineBrook’s homes for lease are some of the most affordable homes within our markets, are well-within GSE guidelines for affordability, and align with resident budgets as one of their single largest expenses. Our partnership with the purpose-driven Operation HOPE team and their commitment to financial literacy is a powerful combination that will further aid our communities in achieving their diverse financial goals.”

About VineBrook Homes, LLC

VineBrook Homes is an internally managed real estate company specializing in acquiring, renovating and leasing single family homes. Unlike other providers, VineBrook takes a different approach in the growing Single Family Rental Home industry, focusing on affordability and value for our residents. Since our commencement in 2007, we have quickly become one of the largest providers of quality homes with a variety of housing options offered.

Our highly trained and experienced staff is dedicated to providing the best experience to current and future residents, while being a good citizen in our communities. Our core values of hard work, integrity, communication and execution have helped build a recognized brand known for quality and long-term resident satisfaction.

We are proud to provide the many benefits of single-family home living in great neighborhoods, with ample space, storage, yards, privacy, security, and professional management at a reasonable price. Most importantly, our success in the single-family rental home business would be nothing if it weren’t for our fantastic residents, and we work every day to provide the best service possible to meet their needs. For more information, please visit www.VineBrookHomes.com.

About Operation HOPE, Inc.

Since 1992, Operation HOPE has been moving America from civil rights to “silver rights” with the mission of making free enterprise and capitalism work for the underserved—disrupting poverty for millions of low- and moderate-income youth and adults across the nation. Through its community uplift model, HOPE Inside, which received the 2016 Innovator of the Year recognition by American Banker magazine, Operation HOPE has served more than 4 million individuals and directed more than $3.2 billion in economic activity into disenfranchised communities—turning check-cashing customers into banking customers, renters into homeowners, small business dreamers into small business owners, minimum wage workers into living wage consumers, and uncertain disaster victims into financially empowered disaster survivors. For more information: OperationHOPE.org. Follow the HOPE conversation on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.

Media Contacts:Matthew Beck, for VineBrook Homes Lalohni Campbell, for Operation HOPE
mbeck@unboxedcommunications.com LA@persemediagroup.com

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As the year ended up for 2022, and during our 30th anniversary HOPE Global Forum December, 2022, the Operation HOPE family and 1MBB (One Million New Black Business Initiative) leadership team were super proud to announce a benchmark achievement, 2 years into the 1MBB partnership: 155,000 new Black Businesses have been stood up and supported since launch!

In a world where there are only a little more than 3 million black businesses in the nation in total, adding more than 150,000 (or about 5% of the total) is a big deal. And we have only just begun.

A special thank you to our partner Shopify, who made a $130 million, 10 year commitment to support 1MBB back in 2020, in the aftermath of George Floyd. And other large companies, including a major commitment from Truist (Bank) for $20 million, followed.

Operation HOPE also signed a comprehensive leadership agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration, and SBA Administrator Isabella Guzman, towards the end of 2022, which directly supported special initiatives such as 1MBB and Financial Literacy for All (FL4ALL).

This comprehensive article from Black Enterprise Magazine spells out the details best, but we are on the move.

A special thank you to Lance Triggs, our president for all HOPE Programs, who leads this important initiative for me and us, along with backup support provided by Joann Lewis Massey.

Follow Operation HOPE and 1MBB for more information and updates. And if you aspire to be in business yourself, sign up at 1MBB today. all you have to invest is your time.

John Hope Bryant, founder, Operation HOPE

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Originally published by Derek Dingle, Black Enterprise

Roughly 30 years ago, South Central Los Angeles went up in flames.

Several days of rioting sparked on April 29, 1992, in response to the acquittal of four white policemen tied to the brutal beating of Rodney King, an unarmed Black motorist, a year earlier. The vicious beating was caught on film and eventually aired on networks for the entire nation to witness. Within hours of the announcement of the acquittal from the jury—which did not have a single Black juror—Los Angeles was engulfed in one of the worst civil disruptions in American history: with 50 people killed, more than 2,300 injured and about 1,100 damaged buildings at the cost of about $1 billion. Among its most devastated communities: South Central L.A.

ATLANTA, GEORGIA – DECEMBER 13: Bank of America Head of Community Banking Christine Channels and Operation HOPE Chairman & CEO John Hope Bryant speak on stage during the 9th Annual HOPE Global Forums at the Hyatt Regency Atlanta on December 13, 2022 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Derek White/Getty Images for Operation HOPE, Inc.)From those ashes rose an organization committed to economic empowerment and social justice. That thrust was voiced by enterprising John Hope Bryant when he founded Operation HOPE Inc. on May 5 of that year to change the status of legions locked in poverty. He began his campaign to move “from civil rights in the streets to silver rights in the suites” with a Bankers Bus tour to encourage investment within low-income communities by taking a small group of financial executives throughout distressed areas of L.A, Washington, D.C., and Atlanta, among other urban hubs.

Over the past three decades, Bryant has built the largest nonprofit dedicated to financial education and building partnerships with some of the nation’s financial services leviathans to meet its mission: Helping the poor and disenfranchised gain pathways to opportunity and wealth.

A few weeks ago, I attended the Annual Hope Global Forums held at the Hyatt Regency Atlanta in the ballroom where Martin Luther King, Jr. launched the final campaign of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference in 1967, months before an assassin’s bullet slew the civil rights leader. It was the first in-person gathering since the pandemic and two years after the slaying of George Floyd by Minneapolis police officers—this time, the act of police misconduct was captured on video via cell phone, viewed throughout the globe in real-time, and initiated a renewed call for an end to systemic discrimination and a series of corporate equity pledges.

This year’s event not only celebrated Operation HOPE’s three decades of achievements of serving more than 4 million individuals and directing more than $3.2 billion in economic activity into underserved communities nationwide, but it also sought to set the wealth agenda for Black Americans for 2023—and beyond. The Forum boasted roughly 5,000 delegates from 40 countries and included more than 1 million online viewers. Bryant asserts that the largest event of its kind has been designed “to reimagine the global economy, so the benefits and opportunities of free enterprise are extended to everyone.”

As with previous forums, it presented an eclectic group of powerhouse speakers such as civil rights legend Ambassador Andrew Young, Bishop T.D. Jakes, rapper-entrepreneur Killer Mike, SBA AdministratorIsabella Casillas Guzman, MSNBC President Rashida Jones, Delta Airlines CEO Ed Bastien, former Chief of Staff for Donald Trump, Mick Mulvaney, NASCAR President Steve Phelps, NBA Hall of Famer and entrepreneur Grant Hill, and U.S. Sen. Raphael Warnock (D-GA), who had recently won a full term after defeating Republican and former Dallas Cowboys running back Herschel Walker in a contentious run-off election.

Under the theme, “Bridging The Divide, “this year’s forum focused on finding solutions through wealth-building strategies, inclusive economics, and across-the-board equitable access. “The next move is about opportunity. The first Reconstruction in the 1800s focused on freedom. The second Reconstruction in the 1960s was about access. The third Reconstruction—2020 to 2030—will be about opportunity,” Bryant told the audience in the jam-packed ballroom. “You’re living in a moment of history.”

“Homeownership is the No. 1 way to build wealth”That quote from Bryant summed up the wealth-building discussion—and for good reason. The yawning homeownership divide between Black and white families is now wider than it was more than 60 years ago, according to US Census Data. In 2022, 74.6% of white households owned homes versus 45.3% of Black households, a gap of more than 29 points. In 1960, the white homeownership rate was 65%, compared to the Black rate at 38%, a 27-point gap—before the 1968 Fair Housing Act and other civil rights legislation were enacted to remedy housing discrimination and create equitable opportunities.

During the opening plenary, Bryant interviewed Kristy Fercho, Wells Fargo’s Head of Diverse Segments, Representation and Inclusion, about the expansion of Black homeownership. Without further elaboration, Bryant mentioned that Wells Fargo, a long-time sponsor, “has a complicated history” and that he has held conversations with its CEO Charles W. Scharf about the bank’s corrective action in recent years.

Fercho maintains the main reasons she agreed to join the bank in 2021, a year after the George Floyd tragedy: “I want to put more Blacks in homes. Homeownership is still the single largest purchase we will make [and] still the best pathway we have to generational wealth.” Fercho says she has taken the lead in the development and execution of the bank’s $150 million program to help roughly 60,000 Black customers refinance their homes and reduce their mortgage rates.

Among the commitments Fercho announced was the creation of 120 new HOPE Inside locations to offer financial education services to enable community members to boost savings, improve credit scores, and shrink debt to convert more renters into homeowners.

Operation HOPE currently has 200 such locations that provide financial counseling at various branches and workplaces of banking and corporate partners, including Bank of America, Truist, Synchrony, Delta, and UPS, among scores of others.

To meet the homeownership mandate, Bank of America has also pledged Operation Hope to provide free financial counseling in 180 financial centers across 17 U.S. markets.

Bryant also brought together business leaders to discuss financial education’s value and ensure that youth—from K-college—can learn about money matters as an academic requirement. Walmart President and CEO Doug McMillon serves as Financial Literacy For All co-chair, which Bryant launched as a joint initiative with the big box retailer, Bank of America, Disney, and other corporations.

Strengthening Black businessesOperation HOPE announced the continued expansion of its 1 Million Black Business (1MBB) initiative and has supported more than 155,000 unique businesses through its HOPE Inside network and 1MBB partners. According to the soon-to-be-released 1MBB 2022 Impact Report, the program has helped about 5% of all Black-owned businesses in the U.S. thus far.

Through its alliance with Shopify, Operation Hope launched the initiative in October 2020 to help create and support up to 1 million new Black-owned businesses by 2030. Shopify committed resources valued at approximately $130 million. In addition, Operation HOPE has built a coalition of more than 60 other corporate, government, and private partners, including SBA, the NFL, MasterCard, Comcast, and Clark Atlanta University.

The Forum also featured the second annual 1MBB Pitch Competition, featuring four innovative Black entrepreneurs who shared their personal and business journeys for the opportunity to win a total of $50,000. Operation Hope and Shopify developed the competition, with PayPal as its title sponsor.

Following a nationwide competition, the 2nd annual 1MBB pitch finalists were Kalene McElveen, owner of Tastefull Vegan Frozen Desserts, which took first-place honors with a $2,500 grant from Shopify and $15,000 from PayPal; Jazmin Richards, founder and CEO of BLK Sunflowers. A candle manufacturer, which gained second place and a $2,500 grant from Shopify and $10,000 from PayPal; Joshua Dixon, founder and designer of apparel maker Admire Wear, who won a $2,500 grant from Shopify and $8,000 from PayPal; and Stacy Howell, owner of Woodhouse Spa, who took home a $2,500 grant from Shopify and $7,000 from PayPal.

In Bryant’s conversation with Jakes, the senior pastor of the Dallas-based megachurch Potters House applauded the need to launch and support Black entrepreneurial endeavors. Still, he asserted the need for Black firms to scale up for greater impact as viable employment and investment sources.

“One of the problems with our businesses is that they have two to three employees at most. They’re so busy doing the work, they’re not thinking about the business,” says Jakes. “I have to strategize the business. I have to integrate the business. They don’t understand the difference between busyness and business.”

Bryant and Operation HOPE will continue emphasizing the most vital plank for the next wealth agenda: Opportunity.

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Originally Published by CNBC, Frank Holland: Read Here

Preaching a message of financial education and financial freedom, John Hope Bryant is galvanizing America’s top business leaders in the battle for “silver rights,” a term he coined to describe the economic empowerment of minority and low-income communities.

“I don’t know about you, but I’m sick and tired of being sick and tired,” Bryant said earlier this month during the HOPE Global Forums, an annual meeting for his nonprofit Operation HOPE. “Our goal is that by the time your kids grow up, financial literacy is in school — kindergarten through college — as a requirement so that everyone learns the language of money.”

To that end, Operation HOPE in 2021 launched Financial Literacy for All, a joint initiative with businesses such as Walmart, Bank of America, Disney and many others.

Walmart president and CEO Doug McMillon, co-chair of Financial Literacy for All and other initiative partners Delta Air Lines CEO Ed Bastian, PayPal president and CEO Dan Schulman, billionaire investor Tony Ressler and civil rights icon and former U.S. Ambassador Andrew Young were among the business leaders joining Bryant on stage at the HOPE Global Forums in Atlanta to talk about silver rights and the power of financial literacy.

Financial literacy is ‘a foundational issue’During a panel at the Hope Global Forums in Atlanta, Operation Hope founder and CEO John Hope Bryant, far right, speaks with (left to right) Dan Schulman, president and CEO of PayPal; Tony Ressler, executive chair of Ares Management and principal owner of the Atlanta Hawks; and Doug McMillon, president and CEO of Walmart.“We want all of our associates to understand how to manage their money,” McMillon said during an exclusive interview with CNBC at the HOPE Global Forums. “John Hope Bryant and I have come together to form Financial Literacy for All to take on financial education.

“We think it’s a foundational issue for families and for our country.”

On CNBC’s “Squawk Box,” ahead of the forums, Bryant described the event as “like the Davos for the working class, for the empowerment of the poor and the underserved.”

“We have the energy of making the economy work for all,” he said. “A lot of the attendees, the 4,000 delegates, are working-class folks with too much month at the end of their money.”

Operation HOPE is focused on wealth inequality in the Black community and communities of color, and narrowing that gap. As of the second quarter of 2022, the average white family had $1.27 million in wealth; compared to $316,000 for the average Black family and $291,000 for the average Hispanic family, according to the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis.

Average family wealth in the U.S. in 2022 Q2, by race and ethnicity

| Black | $316K | | Hispanic | $291K | | White | $1.27M |

Note: Data published Nov. 29, 2022Chart: Gabriel Cortes / CNBCSource:The Federal Reserve Bank of St. LouisThe nonprofit is also committed to creating 1 million new Black-owned businesses by 2030. Doing so is another avenue for economic empowerment and wealth creation.

Bryant said during the event that silver rights must be the next step in the civil rights and the global social justice movement which sparked after the killing of George Floyd.

“Social justice through an economic lens, you can do well and do good at the same time.”

‘In order to be something, we often need to see it first’With a possible recession looming, it’s important to demystify money issues and encourage financial readiness, Troy Millings and financial advisor Rashad Bilal of the “Earn Your Leisure” podcast told forum attendees. The duo have more than 1 million followers on Instagram, many of them new investors in the Black and brown communities.

“In order to be something, we often need to see it first,” Millings said. “When people see us creating brokerage accounts and investing in entrepreneurship and creating businesses, they look at it like this is an opportunity and we can do it.

“The mission is to educate people, but also show them how to do it.”

They encouraged a long-term perspective on the value of financial knowledge.

“Look five years, 10 years, 20 years from now,” Bilal said. “That’s going to stop you from spending money frivolously, that’s going to make you have emergency funds, that’s going to force you to save money for your retirement and your children’s education.”

During a fireside chat with Bryant, Bishop T.D. Jakes, senior pastor at Dallas-based megachurch The Potter’s House , discussed the need for faith leaders to be prominent voices in both the civil rights and silver rights movement.

Jakes is a strong advocate for real estate investing, especially for younger Black Americans.

“Home ownership is my Bible,” Jakes told CNBC before the fireside chat. “You can accrue wealth in an appreciating asset.”

“The problem in our community is we are consuming depreciating assets,” he said. “The young people today are not interested in home ownership because they want mobility.

“We are not trying to fix you so you are immobilized, we are trying to fix you so you are empowered economically and aggregate wealth to pass to your children.”

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Originally published by Maria Saporta, Saporta Report

The ninth annual HOPE Global Forum in Atlanta did not disappoint.

Once again, top business, civic and government leaders convened in Atlanta to share best practices of how to reduce poverty in lower-income communities and how to stimulate new economic wealth among those who need it most.

It is no accident that the Forum is held in Atlanta.

John Hope Bryant, founder and CEO of Operation HOPE, officially moved the nonprofit’s headquarters from Los Angeles to Atlanta in 2016.

Operation HOPE celebrating its 30th anniversary. (Poster at the Forum.)

But in reality, Bryant’s relationship with Atlanta dates back to 2009, when Bryant met former Atlanta Mayor Andrew Young in a meeting with then-Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa. After the meeting, Young told him he needed to move to Atlanta, the cradle of the Civil Rights movement.

A friendship and a partnership were formed, which led to Bryant moving more and more of Operation HOPE’s brain trust to Atlanta.

Operation HOPE is celebrating its 30th anniversary, and it’s hard to imagine the nonprofit being based anywhere else but Atlanta.

There were so many highlights from the 2022 Forum, which was held from Sunday, Dec. 11 to Tuesday, Dec. 13 at the Hyatt Regency Atlanta. It started on Sunday night with a conversation between U.S. Sen. Raphael Warnock, who had just been re-elected. Warnock recalled getting to know Bryant 12 years ago when they started working on creating a HOPE Inside financial literacy center at Ebenezer Baptist Church, where Warnock was the senior pastor.

“It’s very important for our financial institutions to work for everybody,” Warnock told the attendees, adding that he is focused on protecting consumers from scams and exorbitant fees from finance companies.

John Hope Bryant with U.S. Sen. Raphael Warnock. (Photo by Maria Saporta.)

Bryant, who has been a friend to both Democratic and Republican administrations, admitted he voted for Warnock. “You are the right man at the right time,” he told the senator. “There was no other choice.”

Throughout the conference, a prevailing theme was how Atlanta is well-positioned to be the launchpad for improving the economic wellbeing of those most in need. As Bryant is fond of saying, it’s civil rights and silver rights.

Young spoke of how in the 1940s and 1950s, there were more Black PhDs in Atlanta than anywhere in the world. Martin Luther King Jr. helped make Atlanta the home base of the Civil Rights movement – highlighting the need for economic integration in addition to protesting social segregation.

“Martin said you need to get to know some white folks,” said Young, who worked alongside King. “We need to tell them what we are doing and get them to work with us for social change.”

Left to right: Radio host Charlamagne Tha God; Tony Ressler, John Hope Bryant, Killer Mike, Tip “T.I.” Harris and former Atlanta Mayor Andy Young. (Photo by Maria Saporta.)

In Atlanta, a close relationship developed between the business community and the Civil Rights movement.

Benjamin Chavis Jr., a civil rights leader, said civil rights and silver rights have been “co-joined” since the beginning. And that continues with Atlanta-based Delta Air Lines and its leadership.

Ed Bastian, CEO of Delta, spoke about how the airline has partnered with Operation HOPE to improve the financial wellbeing of its 90,000 employees. It started with helping them improve their credit scores. But that wasn’t enough.

“Around 64 percent of the people in this country cannot put their hands on $400 to pay for a crisis. People are living paycheck to paycheck,” said Bastian, who found out a large portion of his employees were in the same boat. Delta has now set aside $1,000 per employee to help them through an emergency.

Delta CEO Ed Bastian confers with Andrew Young before going on stage at the 2022 Global HOPE Forum. (Photo by Maria Saporta.)

“The financial safety net comes with responsibility,” said Bastian of the program that will roll out in January. “We don’t just give them $1,000. They have to take financial coaching.”

To that, Chavis pointed to Bastian: “We need all the CEOs to be like this guy – not just a verbal commitment but a financial commitment. It’s about social justice, environmental justice and financial justice.”

Throughout the Forum, Bryant shined the spotlight on companies that were living up to that promise.

Among the speakers was Reba Dominski, an executive with U.S. Bank, which has pledged to invest $100 billion in community reinvestment over the next five years. “It’s the largest commitment by a bank in history,” Bryant observed.

The Forum almost always has folks on the program who are outside the box. This year, it was Mick Mulvaney, former chief of staff for President Donald Trump.

“It took a lot of courage for Mick Mulvaney to fly into the moral capital of America,” Bryant said of Atlanta.

In a conversation with Fortune CEO Alan Murray, Mulvaney talked bluntly about his resignation on Jan. 6, 2021.

Mick Mulvaney, now with CBS News, in conversation with Fortune CEO Alan Murray. (Photo by Maria Saporta.)

“I quit a job because my boss didn’t live up to my expectations as a leader,” Mulvaney said. “The president needed to be a leader.”

Mulvaney then told the audience that the U.S. primary system “is absolutely broken,” pointing to the election of U.S. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene as proof. “There’s a need for primary reform.”

One of the more inspiring conversations during the three days was a conversation between Bryant and Bishop T.D. Jakes, who is based in Texas but has real estate investments in Atlanta, specifically at the now-closed Fort McPherson.

“You have to be able to form unlikely alliances,” Jakes said, referring to the relationship between Blacks and whites as well as Jews and Christians during the Civil Rights Movement.

John Hope Bryant makes Bishop T.D. Jakes laugh during 2022 Global HOPE Forum. (Photo by Maria Saporta.)

Now, at 65, Jakes is paying attention.

“I was raised by a dying father. He got sick when I was 10, and he died when I was 16. He taught me that every breath is precious,” said Jakes, who urged everyone to not waste a moment. “We are the people we’ve been waiting on.”

Then, he spoke of the flawed displacement theory. “I don’t want to replace anybody,” Jakes said. “I don’t want your seat at the table. I just want a seat next to you. If you don’t give us a seat, we will build a new table.”

Jakes didn’t stop there. “It’s not just democracy that’s at stake. Human survival is a stake. The same air that the Chinese breathe, we breathe. We have one planet,” Jakes said. “We are about to be extinct if we don’t come together as a species and bridge a divide. We are one race – the human race…. It’s going to take all of us to preserve [our environment.] We have got to become more focused on our survival as a species.”

Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens hugs Karyn Greer of WSB-TV, one of the emcees at the Forum. (Photo by Maria Saporta.)

Dan Schulman, president and CEO of PayPal, also shared how he has tried to reduce the financial stress among his employees. “We gave everybody in the company equity, and we wrapped it all in a financial literacy program,” Schulman said. “Attrition dropped by 60 percent. The idea that purpose and profits are at odds with each other is ridiculous.”

Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens took to the stage, where he talked about expanding a program started by his predecessor – child savings accounts. He understood the need for improving credit scores by reading Bryant’s book eight years ago.

Bryant said people living in neighborhoods with a credit score in the 500s have a life expectancy of 61 while 700 credit score communities have a life expectancy of 81. The goal is to improve the credit scores of people in poor communities – urban and rural – and to spark wealth creation by supporting entrepreneurs and home ownership.

Then, Dickens and Bryant talked about how Atlanta can be an example for the rest of the nation.

“I wanted to root this work in Atlanta,” Bryant said. “I want Atlanta to be a model city.”

Dickens agreed saying the sentiment harks back to the teachings of Martin Luther King Jr. “He wanted the inclusion of everyone having financial freedom,” the mayor said.

After the talk, the mayor elaborated on having Operation HOPE based in the city.

“With Atlanta being the headquarters of civil rights, this is carrying that legacy even further – making the City of Atlanta being a model city,” Dickens said. “I really think the City of Atlanta is special.”

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CNBC’s Frank Holland discusses the importance of financial literacy at the HOPE Global Forums with the Walmart CEO Doug McMillon, faith leader and entrepreneur Bishop T.D. Jakes, financial influencers “Earn Your Leisure” and myself.

WATCH CNBC INTERVIEW HERE

My good friend and co-chair for Financial Literacy for All, Doug McMillon, spoke on the value and virtue of the HOPE Global Forums and our collective movement to bring financial literacy to the everyday American to help fuel access to the American Dream. We are committed to embedding financial dignity through financial literacy into American culture.

Bishop T.D. Jakes, who was a featured speaker at this year’s HOPE Global Forum discussed the importance of homeownership across generations. Despite a growing trend among young adults to become digital nomads, Bishop Jakes emphasized how owning a home is still a foundational aspect of of building wealth in America.

Troy Millings and Rashad Bilal, co-CEOs of burgeoning media empire, Earn Your Leisure, are heavy hitters in what many call “the culture”. In order for us to reach the masses with financial literacy it requires voices to translate the message from the “suites” to the “streets.

We are working to help the middle class access the American Dream in its fullness and empowering those at the bottom of the economic pyramid regain and develop their financial dignity.

Join the movement today at www.operationhope.org and www.fl4a.org. You can view the HOPE Global Forums in its entirety on our YouTube channel.

WATCH CNBC INTERVIEW HERE

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After much anticipation and excitement, nearly 5,000 delegates representing 40 countries and multiple generations, gathered in-person and virtually for the 2022 HOPE Global Forum and Annual meeting under the theme “Bridging the Divide.”

Christine Channels, Head of Community Banking and Consumer Governance and Emerging Markets for Bank of America speaking with Chairman John Hope BryantThis year’s HOPE Global Forums was the first fully in-person experience since 2019. There was a palpable enthusiasm among delegates to learn, connect, and hear from some of the nation’s leading thought leaders and subject matter experts. Additionally, many of Operation HOPE’s partners, including Bank of America, Wells Fargo, U.S. Bank, and Truist, made a show of support for HOPE’s work and mission, with a few making public HOPE commitments to further power our work.

Kristy Fercho, Wells Fargo Head of Diverse Segments, Representation and Inclusion, provided a partner spotlight with HOPE Founder, John Hope Bryant.Bank of America made a $5 million commitment to Operation HOPE to help amplify programming and outreach. This includes offering free financial counseling in 180 financial centers in 17 U.S. markets starting in 2023.

Wells Fargo Head of Diverse Segments, Representation and Inclusion, Kristy Fercho announced that the longtime HOPE partner has committed to opening 120 new HOPE Inside locations, to impact more communities across America with financial literacy and empowerment.

This year’s speaker lineup featured an all-star lineup of dynamic women and men representing a diverse cross-section of sectors and industries whose voices carry weight in policy, the market, and culture.

Speakers included:

Walmart CEO Doug McMillon
PayPal CEO Dan Schulman
Delta Air Lines CEO Ed Bastian
Bishop T.D. Jakes
NASCAR President Steve Phelps
Pfizer Chairman and CEO Dr. Albert Bourla
Artist, Entrepreneur & Activist Tip “T.I.” Harris
U.S. Senator Hon. Raphael Warnock
MSNBC President Rashida Jones
27th Administrator of the U.S. Small Business Administration Isabella Casillas Guzman

1MBB Pitch Competition ParticipantsA highlight of the Forum and a delegate-favorite was the the second annual One Million Black Businesses Initiative (1MBB) Pitch Competition, powered by Operation HOPE, Shopify and sponsored by PayPal.

Four innovative Black entrepreneurs shared their personal stories and business journeys for the opportunity to win a total of $50,000.

Following a competitive pre-qualifying process, the 2nd annual 1MBB pitch finalists were:

Kalene McElveen, owner of Tastefull Vegan Frozen Desserts, won the Pitch Competition, a $2,500 grant and was awarded $15,000 from Shopify.
Jazmin Richards, founder and CE) of BLK Sunflower, won a $2,500 grant and was awarded $10,000 from Shopify.
Joshua Dixon, founder and designer of Admire Wear won a $2,500 grant and as awarded $8,000 from Shopify.
Stacy Howell, owner of Woodhouse Spa won a $2,500 grant and was awarded $7,000 from Shopify.

A special thank you to HOPE Global Forums’ sponsors, which include Wells Fargo, Truist, and Huntington Bank, among others.

You can rewatch, share, and discuss your favorite moments from this year’s HOPE Global Forums directly from the official HOPE Global Forums website, YouTube, or our Facebook.

If you would like to make a gift of support to Operation HOPE to help power the work behind the Forums, feel free to do so here or using the button below.

Thank you for your participation in this year’s HOPE Global Forums and Annual Meeting. We look forward to seeing you and a friend next year!

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Bank of America and Operation HOPE announced today they will offer free financial counseling in 180 financial centers in 17 U.S. markets starting in 2023. The Operation HOPE program, known as HOPE Inside, offers in-person financial health coaching sessions to help individuals build savings, improve FICO (credit) scores, and decrease debt.

Introduced initially in four financial centers in Atlanta and Los Angeles, the program will now expand to additional centers in those markets along with centers in Baltimore, Boston and Northern Massachusetts, Brooklyn, Charlotte, Chicago, Dallas, Detroit, Houston, Miami, Northern New Jersey, Philadelphia, Phoenix, San Antonio, San Francisco and Washington D.C. Bank of America plans to add more markets to the HOPE Inside program in the future as well.

ATLANTA, GEORGIA – DECEMBER 13: Bank of America Head of Community Banking Christine Channels and Operation HOPE Chairman & CEO John Hope Bryant speak on stage during the 9th Annual HOPE Global Forums at the Hyatt Regency Atlanta on December 13, 2022 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Derek White/Getty Images for Operation HOPE, Inc.)“We know that these are challenging times, as both communities and consumers are dealing with economic stress and potential financial instability,” said Aron Levine, President of Preferred Banking at Bank of America. “Good financial health is the foundation for strong, sustainable communities and our partnership with HOPE Inside helps us deliver on our commitment to ensuring more young people, adults and communities have access to the tools and education to build a solid financial future.”

Through the partnership, Bank of America financial center employees refer clients to a professional Operation HOPE financial well-being coach to provide comprehensive monthly credit and money management counseling at no cost. Counseling will be available in both English and Spanish at most locations.

The program has shown significant results. As of the second quarter of 2022, HOPE Inside has provided more than 2,700 counselling services based on Bank of America referrals. The program has also delivered more than 300 financial education workshops. On average, participating clients improved their FICO scores by 21 points, increased their yearly savings by $4,313 and reduced their annual debt by $837.

ATLANTA, GEORGIA – DECEMBER 13: Bank of America Head of Community Banking Christine Channels and Operation HOPE Chairman & CEO John Hope Bryant speak on stage during the 9th Annual HOPE Global Forums at the Hyatt Regency Atlanta on December 13, 2022 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Derek White/Getty Images for Operation HOPE, Inc.)“Bank of America and HOPE Inside have already had a real, measurable impact on the financial health of so many individuals,” said John Hope Bryant, Founder, Chairman and CEO, Operation HOPE, Inc. “The expansion of HOPE Inside is proof that empowering individuals with the knowledge and resources to navigate financial planning can have significant positive results for individuals, families, and communities.”

Christine Channels, head of Community Banking and Consumer Governance at Bank of America, adds, “HOPE Inside is just one part of Bank of America’s Community Banking approach, which focuses on helping individuals, families and small businesses begin successful financial journeys with products, services and initiatives that ultimately increase their economic resilience.”

Bank of America also offers financial education online through Better Money Habits, a proprietary site that provides tools and content on topics including credit building; budgeting; savings and money management; and home buying. To learn more about Bank of America’s Community Banking offerings, visit our website at about.bankofamerica.com.

Originally published here >>> https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/bofa-to-offer-free-financial-counseling-in-17-us-markets-through-operation-hope-helping-americans-improve-financial-health-during-a-challenging-time-301701670.html

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Operation HOPE, the nation’s leading non-profit dedicated to financial empowerment for underserved communities, today announced that its groundbreaking 1 Million Black Business (1MBB) initiative has supported more than 155,000 unique businesses to date through its HOPE Inside network and 1MBB partners.

According to the 1MBB 2022 Impact Report, which will be released in Q1 2023, this accounts for approximately 5% of all Black-owned businesses in the U.S.

Launched in October 2020, Operation HOPE and lead partner Shopify established 1MBB to help create and support up to one million new Black-owned businesses by 2030, according to a release.

Shopify committed resources to the initiative valued at approximately $130 million. In addition, Operation HOPE has signed a coalition of more than 60 other corporate, governmental and private partners that have committed to support the effort. This includes the U.S. Small Business Administration, Truist, First Horizon, Wells Fargo, the NFL, MasterCard, Comcast, iHeart Radio, Aprio, Clark Atlanta University, New Birth Missionary Baptist Church, Reid AME Community Development Corporation, Fraternities Kappa Alpha Psi, Phi Beta Sigma and municipality partners including the cities of Birmingham, Memphis, Jackson, St. Louis, Los Angeles, Kansas City, Charlotte, Salisbury and Montgomery, among others.

The no-cost program helps Black entrepreneurs acquire the knowledge, skills and access to resources required to start, scale and grow their businesses. Through 1MBB, Black business owners have the opportunity to sign up for Operation HOPE’s award-winning model of community uplift, financial literacy and education – HOPE Inside – and upon graduation, Shopify has committed to providing aspiring Black entrepreneurs education, programming and resources to help launch or expand their businesses. Other 1MBB partners have also committed to providing in-kind services and support for these business owners.

“I have consistently espoused that ‘silver rights’ is the ‘civil rights’ issue of this generation. Operation HOPE’s bold 1MBB initiative is equipping entrepreneurs with what they need to create and sustain a viable business,” said John Hope Bryant, Founder, Chairman and CEO of Operation HOPE. “1MBB offers a real, actionable approach to tackling financial disparities and building stronger communities. The data shows that we are having a true impact and empowering Black businesses.”

“Operation HOPE, 1MBB, and Shopify gave me the ability to build and launch a beautiful, easy-to-manage website with no prior experience along with the capital from my first loan to acquire the things I needed to continue to grow my business,” said Jazmin Richards, Founder & CEO, BlkSunflower.com.

“Operation HOPE and 1MBB also provided me with amazing coaches and resources that help set BlkSunflower up for success. With the resources and coaching, especially access to funding, and business development tools, I now know that I am supported and the sky is the limit.”

To date, 1MBB has achieved the following results: Onboarded more than 30,000 hours of professional services including accounting, legal, e-commerce strategy and marketing advice services from 1MBB partners to support Black business owners. * Established a strategic alliance with the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), which includes the support of municipal partners and civic and community leaders in more than 200 U.S. cities, to help raise awareness of tools and resources available to underserved communities through the SBA. * Activated nearly 100 certified financial wellness and small business coaches to provide one-on-one sessions to source, train, certify and support program participants via virtual webinars and in-person events. * Expanded national efforts to recruit new small business owners* through various business trade groups, Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), as well as members of the ‘Divine 9’ National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC).

Research from the latest HOPE Minority Small Business Index reveals that Black entrepreneurs remain optimistic despite recent inflation, hikes in interest rates, and supply chain disruptions. Through the 1MBB initiative, removing barriers to business success such as mentorship, risk tolerance, lack of technological innovation, digital strategies and limited access to capital can help improve outcomes.

Originally published by Black Enterprise

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It’s the final day of HOPE Global Forums and what a dynamic and impactful two days it has been. Today promises to be just as informative, inspiring, and a total-team rally for financial inclusion. We’ll be hearing from Bishop T.D. Jakes, Tony Ressler, Doug McMillion, Dan Schulman, Rashad Balil and Troy Millings from Earn Your Leisure and so much more!

Below you’ll find today’s lineup. Tune in LIVE on Facebook and join the conversation today!

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Operation HOPE, the nation’s leader in financial literacy and economic inclusion, and I, are proud to announce that the 9th Annual HOPE Global Forums will return to Atlanta, GA December 11-13, 2022. This year’s event – the Annual Meeting of the HOPE Global Forums – is themed “Bridging the Divide.” The goal of the meeting is to galvanize thought and action around building an economy that works for everyone, particularly underserved communities. The HOPE Global Forums annual meeting is now the largest gathering in the world dedicated to empowering poor and underserved communities and coincides with the non-profit’s 30th anniversary celebration.

My co-chair, Ambassador Andrew Young, HOPE Global Spokesman, Civil Rights Icon and Chairman of the Andrew Young Foundation, and I will host nearly 5,000 delegates representing government, community and private sectors for three days of discussions, ideas and action with the option for in-person or virtual attendance.

With the theme “Bridging the Divide,” the Operation HOPE Annual Meeting will examine the issues of the day through four tracks: Bridging: The Wealth Divide, Bridging: The Cultural Disconnect, Bridging: The Opportunity Gap, Bridging: The Wellbeing Deficiency. Various special announcements are expected, including new partnerships and programming for 2023.

The 2022 Annual Meeting will be hosted in the historic Hyatt Regency ballroom where Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. held his final Southern Christian Leadership Conference focused on the Poor People’s Campaign, which demanded economic and human rights for Americans of diverse backgrounds in 1968. Likewise, the HOPE Annual Meeting seeks to create ‘social justice through an economic lens.’

“Our Annual Meeting is the most important gathering in the world for leaders committed to building an economy where the benefits and opportunities of free enterprise can be extended to everyone,” said Operation HOPE Founder, Chairman and CEO John Hope Bryant. “We’ll engage individuals and organizations in conversations to demonstrate that doing well and doing good are not mutually exclusive— that you can grow the table, add a seat and improve your bottom line in the process.”

With live and pre-recorded segments as well as break-out rooms for extended dialogue and questions, the 2022 HOPE Global Forum agenda includes a dynamic ‘who’s who’ list of global leaders representing a diverse mix of industries. Confirmed panelists include:

Walmart CEO, Doug McMillon
PayPal CEO, Dan Schulman
Delta Air Lines CEO, Ed Bastian
The Potter’s House, Bishop T.D. Jakes
NASCAR President, Steve Phelps
Pfizer Chairman and CEO, Dr. Albert Bourla
Artist, Entrepreneur & Activist, Tip “T.I.” Harris
U.S. Senator, Hon. Raphael Warnock
MSNBC President, Rashida Jones
27th Administrator of the U.S. Small Business Administration, Isabella Casillas Guzman
RISE CEO, Diahann Billings-Burford
Co-Founder and Exec. Chairman Ares Management, Tony Ressler
Edelman U.S. CEO, Lisa Osbourne Ross
NBA Hall of Famer & Founder Hill Ventures, Grant Hill
Chairman and CEO iHeartMedia, Inc., Bob Pittman
Mayor of Atlanta, Andre Dickens
Former White House Chief of Staff, Mick Mulvaney
TIME President, Keith Grossman
Fortune CEO, Alan Murray
Earn Your Leisure Co-CEOs, Rashad Balil & Troy Millings
President & CEO, National Newspaper Publishers Association, Dr. Benjamin F. Chavis
Acting Comptroller of the Currency, Michael Hsu
Cross River Founder, President & CEO, Gilles Gade

HOPE Global Forums’ sponsors include Wells Fargo, Truist, and Huntington Bank, among others.

Since 2013, over 1,700 commitments have been gathered for new and existing empowerment programs and services, volunteerism and mentorship. These commitments have allowed Operation HOPE to serve over 115,000 youth and adults around the world. All HOPE Global Forum participants are charged to commit to an action that will further the Forum’s purpose.

Interested participants can register for the 2022 meeting here. Global influencers and community leaders are invited to host a Watch Party online. Operation HOPE will also post recorded segments following the events and panel discussions. Guests are encouraged to adhere to ongoing COVID-19 protocols, as outlined by the CDC

For more information about The 2022 HOPE Global Forum, including a detailed agenda, please visit: HopeGlobalForums.org. Join the conversation on all social media platforms using #HGF22

Reposted from Valdosta Daily Times

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Building a sustainable movement is hard work, but finding a way to continue the unfinished work of the Freedman’s Bank of 1865 (a bank chartered by President Abraham Lincoln, and run by businessman and freedom fighter Frederick Douglass, with a mission to ‘teach freed slaves about money…’) was the only pathway forward for me and Operation HOPE.

And so, we set out, about this very work, first founding Operation HOPE on May 5th, 1992, immediately following the civil unrest of 1992 in South Central Los Angeles, and then we launched the HOPE Inside network of offices in earnest around 2014. And then came the spiritual calling of George Floyd, in 2020, and the work of ‘social justice through an economic lens’ surged here at Operation HOPE.

Today we stand at more than 200 HOPE Inside locations nationwide, in more than 45 states. And one of our most important partnerships is with First Horizon Bank, and their CEO Bryan Jordan.

Today we are proud to say that HOPE Inside now represents approximately 10% of all First Horizon Bank branches throughout their system.

They have been a great partner, and through them we have forged a great partnership with Memphis Mayor Strickland, and through our offices — countless homeowners, small business owners and new entrepreneurs from underserved communities.

Our goal is 1,000 HOPE Inside locations nationwide by 2025.

John Hope Bryant, founder, Operation HOPE

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December, 2022, concludes my third consecutive year as chairman of the Community Advisory Board of and for First Republic Bank, the 25th largest bank in the United States, and I could not be prouder of the institution, nor my association with it.

Like my own head-down, get-it-done work ethic, they are always working.

Working for their clients.

Working for their communities.

And they were aided in the latter regard, by the esteemed leadership and contributions of my fellow Community Advisory Board Members, including faith Bautista, president and CEO of the National Asian American Coalition and National Diversity Coalition, and Ann Houston, founder and CEO of Opportunity Communities.

And also Susan Ifill, COO of NeighborWorks America, and Janice Jensen, president and CEO of Habitat for Humanity East Bay/Silicon Valley.

And supporting the board has been Rosana Han and the entire group team there at the bank. Doing a super job.

And the leadership for community reinvestment began and continues, at the top — from founder and Executive Chairman James Herbert, II, to newly announced president and CEO Michael J. Roffler

But at the end of the day, the work has led to impressive results for the community and bank alike, and they include…

The Community Advisory Board was formed in Oct 2016 to guide the Bank’s CRA and financial literacy strategies.

• Five inaugural members of the Board with deep expertise ranging from affordable housing, economic development, financial empowerment, and community coalition building. They each contribute great diversity in background and geographic markets.

• Over the last six years, the CAB has provided critical guidance on FRB’s key strategy initiatives, such as Eagle Community lending, COVID-19 pandemic response, PPP, CAB grant program, virtual volunteering, and supporting social justice and DEI efforts.

• The board and its members serve as community ambassadors for FRB in front of the community and regulatory agencies. Telling and helping to translate the Bank’s story to the underserved community.

• Today, FRB’s TA has exceeded $200 billion and its commitment to the community has grown commensurately.

We are all proud to be part of the Bank’s efforts to do the right thing and fulfil its corporate social responsibilities in a meaningful and impactful manner. And I am proud, to have served as chairman during such a pivotal time, during and through the worse pandemic to hit America in 125 years (since the Spanish Flu).

I look forward to continuing to help the Bank further its commitment and support to the underserved communities, as I plan to remain on the board going forward, turning the chairmanship reins over to another worthwhile leader, soon to be announced.

The full FRB Sustainability Report can be found here.

We all can make a meaningful difference. Let’s go be about it.

John Hope Bryant, founder, Operation HOPE

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The American Dream as we know it today didn’t just come by happenstance. It came by intention, thought, and design. It requires a fundamental understanding of the rules and the system in which the Dream is contained.

Black people in America have historically been denied access to participation in the system that produces the American Dream and makes it obtainable for all citizens. On the latest episode of Black Enterprise‘s “Beyond the Hype”, I discuss what I call the Third Reconstruction which creates a framework for Black America to get in the game, move beyond surviving and get to thriving.

Wealth is something that’s obtainable for every citizen of the United States. Despite all of her issues, America is the best place in the world to grow and thrive economically. Here, we have freedom to pursue life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. However, many of us come from communities that don’t foster a healthy environment to make that dream become a reality. After centuries of being broken, beaten, and abused, African Americans are first in need of some hope and dignity. But aspiration isn’t enough. Mentorship, access to opportunity, and jobs are fundamental to the Third Reconstruction which is a blueprint for our future. Then, we can pivot to homeownership and small business creation which creates a cascading effect of goodness throughout our communities and ultimately the nation.

Check out the podcast below and let me know what you think.

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Nutrition and Wellness Expert, Chaitra Bryant becomes Board Chair of the National Minority Health Association to Reduce Health Inequities. David Dalton becomes Chairman Emeritus.

OWINGS MILLS, Md. – October 5, 2022 — The National Minority Health Association (NMHA), with national campaigns and programs to bring about health equity, has elected Chaitra Bryant as Board Chair, succeeding David Dalton, who becomes Chairman Emeritus.

Mrs. Bryant is an accomplished business leader and investor who assumes the leadership of the board of directors as NMHA accelerates its growth and mission of health equity after an $11.1M HRSA COVID-19 grant to reduce vaccine hesitancy in underserved communities.

Since founding 360 Wellness Collective Inc. and The Art of Wellness (a division of Chaitra, Inc.), she has spent the past 20 years serving as a wellness expert to executives and organizations at home and abroad, including National Jewish Health, Detroit East Health Services, and UPS®. Her services include “360-degree” healthy lifestyle coaching; career development; co-developing preventive care programs.

Mrs. Bryant’s passion is to help people live their best lives, asevidenced by her leadership of the Bryant Family Foundation, which she co-founded. In her new role as Board Chair, she will leverage her expertise, connections, and skills to “reach, touch, and bring healthy living to even more people,” according to Burgess Harrison, NMHA Executive Director.

In an accompanying announcement, the NMHA board has also recognized his many years of commitment and distinguished service by appointing David Dalton, as Chairman Emeritus. The Board extends its deepest appreciation to Dr. Dalton for his dedication as a founder of the National Minority Health Association, and who has provided untiring service to the association and the people of the nation and beyond. In this role, Dr. Dalton will continue to offer expertise and provide his guidance in a volunteer capacity to the board from time to time and as needed on issues related to the health of underserved and minority communities.

About the National Minority Health Association

The National Minority Health Association was founded in 1988 by Dr. David L. Dalton, Chairman, and CEO of UNIVEC, INC.. Recently, the NMHA administered an $11.1M HRSA grant to reduce COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy and deploys new programs that focus on patient-centered, value-based care, reduce costs, and improve outcomes for minorities and underserved communities, all in its mission to bring about health equity for all. To learn more, please visit www.theNMHA.org.

Twitter: @thenmha
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thenmha
Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/company/nmha

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Today we celebrate the 88th birthday of a lady who not only brought me into the world — her example, set the stage for how I live my life, for the totality of my life. the first lesson she taught me, was the power of love. Love and discipline shall I say.

The number one thing I remember about growing up and how mom raised me, was that she told me she loved me every single day. Nothing is more powerful, than a child being told that they are loved.

From this small but powerful pouring into my life, I also created this core, foundational quote for the organization I founded, Operation HOPE.

“There is a difference between being broke and being poor, being broke is a temporary economic condition, but being poor is a disabling frame of mind, and a depressed condition of your spirit, but you must vow to never, ever be poor again.”

Because of my mother, I knew who I was, and I knew that I had value, and I knew that this internal value of mine, had nothing to do with how much money was in my pockets, as a child or no. She poured into me, self esteem. I cannot express, how powerful this one thing — self esteem — can be to the core of an individual. And Ms. Juanita Smith made mine bulletproof as a child. Thank you mom.

My mother raised me in love and support, and she backed my very first business, when she loaned me $40 to start my first business — the Neighborhood Candy Shop —- when I was 9 years old in Compton, California. She has been backed me ever since. She traveled around the world with me, and she has attended every event that I ever organized.

It would be a vast understatement to say that my mother, Ms. Juanita Smith, was my ultimate venture capitalist backer.

I am who I am today, because of her undeniable love and confidence — poured into me, at scale, by my mother. A debt. An investment. Which I can never repay. But I can say, thank you! And happy birthday mommy!

From brother Dave ‘Donnie’ Harris, sis Mara ‘Montie’ Hoskins, Chaitra and me.

John Hope Bryant, Son

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Ambassador Andrew J. Young, John Hope Bryant and Alan Murray, CEO, FortuneEarlier today, I joined my mentor and friend, civil rights icon, former Atlanta mayor, former congressman and former United Nations Ambassador Andrew J. Young, whose also the global spokesman for Operation HOPE, on stage for the Fortune Magazine Impact Initiative meeting in Atlanta, Georgia, in a rich discussion led by Fortune CEO Alan Murray (a good man).

The discussion today centered about the positive and necessary role of CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility) and ESG (Environment, Social and Governance) in business, and some of the biggest and most prominent corporations in the world showed up, at a very senior level.

Civil rights icon Ambassador Andrew J. Young and John Hope Bryant of Operation HOPEWe focused on what business could do, to be a force for good in the world, and the audience got it.

We told the story of leadership from the Coca Cola Company, who in the 1960’s stood up for Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. When he won the Nobel Peace Prize in Norway, but Atlanta leaders did not want to honor him. There was resentment, and they didn’t like the change that he was advocating for.

But Robert Woodruff, then the retired CEO of Coca Cola, called a meeting with city business leadership in his office, and told them that as then one of the world’s largest global supply chain companies, ‘Coca Cola could live without Atlanta, but Atlanta could not live without Coca Cola.’

He told them that Dr. King won the most important award in the world, and if Atlanta didn’t want to honor him, they would move out of Atlanta. And he reminded the assembled business leaders, that most of them were also vendors of Coca Cola. Miraculously, the business leaders sold out the ballroom for the event soon after, honoring Dr. King and the movement. Coca Cola used their balance sheet and clout, to back a civil rights cause. And that support, of black America, ultimately translated into the entire black community — here and in Africa — supporting Coca Cola products for decades. To this day, actually.

And today you have similar examples, in Ed Bastian, CEO of Delta Airlines, who has built one of the best airlines in the world, and consistently stands up for what’s right. And UPS, and Tony Ressler and the Atlanta Hawks, and so many others.

The legacy continues, and Atlanta is today, the 10th largest economy in the United States. Providing once again, that you can do well and do good at the same time.

John Hope Bryant, founder, Operation HOPE, Inc.

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We recently opened our 200th HOPE Inside location with Wells Fargo in DeKalb County, Ga. The HOPE Inside Network is ‘America’s financial coach’ and the nation’s private banker for the underserved. The CEO of Wells Fargo joined us for the opening and the bank has ordered 120+ additional locations, as has Bank of America (not yet announced), US Bank, and countless others. Truist Bank has committed that more than half of their branches will become HOPE Inside associated. We are also the HOPE Inside the Workplace partner for Delta Airlines employees nationwide, and UPS.

In 2022 we stood up a first-ever HOPE Community Credit Score Index, powered by Experian and their national data, which is a powerful, data-driven national-to-local framework to measure everything — down to the zip code level. Here is a link to our original announcement. The data is game changing. We can now measure community health, block-by-block, with financial metrics.

As but one example, while the African American community tends to be amongst the most hard-working and aspirational in America, because either we were outright denied liberty, or simply because no one bothered to teach us how this credit, access to capital, business, wealth creation and capitalist system works (i.e. the failure of the Freedman’s Bank in 1865), African-Americans (1) have today the lowest overall credit scores in America by race, (2) the highest percentage of any group below 620 credit score (as baseline for basic mainstream access of credit and capital), and thus, not surprisingly, (3) the highest declination rates for all mainstream credit borrowers. And so yes, we have to update and refine the banking and financial system, but we also need to teach people the rules of the game, at scale.

John Hope Bryant in front of the Freedman’s Bank Building, Washington, D.c., which he inspired Treasury Secretary Jack Lew to rename in January, 2016. When the Emancipation Proclamation was signed in 1863, the Black community owned a total of 0.5 percent of the total wealth of the United States. … More than 150 years later, that number has barely budged–-Blacks still own only about 1 percent of wealth in the United States.

And here is yet another shocking data point that we discovered when looking at African-American communities with low credit scores — we tend to live about 20 years shorter lives (61 years old on average vs. 81 years or more in high credit score neighborhoods). That means we pay into the Social Security System our entire lives, and yet most of us will never be able to use the benefit.

Moreover, the neighborhoods with the highest correlations of crime, low education levels, high unemployment levels, low levels of small business creation, one-parent families, etc — are sub-600 credit score communities; be they poor black and brown urban, or white and poor rural. We believe that we have finally cracked the code on how to put struggling communities back together and on a road to sustained prosperity for all.

Two zip codes in Chicago tell a powerful story through our HOPE Index data, of the stark differences in America. These two rich and poor neighborhoods are about a 12-minute drive from each other, but could not be more strikingly different.

The good news is the proven work of Operation HOPE is also moving these important Index numbers in the right direction in, and for, our communities; increasing credit scores 50 points or more, reducing debt by more than $2600.00, and increasing savings by $400 or more, within the first year for someone making about $48,000. That’s game changing for their lives, and for a city. We are literally creating ‘contributing citizenship,’ on a sustainable basis.

On the leadership front we stood up the Financial Literacy for All Initiative, now co-chaired by Doug McMillon, CEO of Walmart and myself, to embed financial literacy into the culture and ‘business plan’ of America, and American business. More than 50 Fortune 200 companies are already committed in less than a year, along with the Commissioners of the NFL and NBA.

Finally, we have spearheaded a 10-year initiative to create one million new black businesses in America, by 2030. It’s called 1MBB, and is backed by a $130 million commitment from Shopify. We just signed a national agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration to power 1MBB.

And we have done all of this while maintaining the highest level of financial integrity of and for the organization, including a very rare 4 Star Charity Navigator Rating (the highest possible), with only 7% of all nonprofit organizations in the country achieving this prestigious rating consecutively. Close to 90 cents or every dollar goes to empower underserved communities and individuals.

Operation HOPE will become America’s financial coach, and the private banker for the underserved nationwide, both urban and rural, with a goal of having 1,000 HOPE Inside locations by 2025, and unleashing untapped human capital potential at scale. For the benefit of all.

John Hope Bryant, founder, Operation HOPE

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DALLAS, November 22, 2022–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Creative Media & Community Trust Corporation (NASDAQ: CMCT and TASE: CMCT-L) announced today that John Hope Bryant has been appointed to its Board of Directors.

Mr. Bryant is chairman and chief executive officer of Bryant Group Ventures and The Promise Homes Company (“TPHC”), the largest for-profit minority-controlled owner of institutional-quality, single-family residential rental homes in the U.S. Bryant founded TPHC as a start-up idea in the summer of 2017, and, by the summer of 2021, it had become the largest minority controlled single family home rental company in the nation. Further, Mr. Bryant has served as a director of Nextdoor Holdings, Inc. since November 2021 and currently serves on its Nominating, Corporate Governance, and Corporate Responsibility Committee.

Mr. Bryant is also the Founder, Chairman, and Chief Executive Officer of Operation HOPE, Inc., the largest not-for-profit and best-in-class provider of financial literacy, financial inclusion, and economic empowerment tools and services in the United States for youth and adults. He has served as an advisor to three sitting U.S. presidents from both political parties.

Mr. Bryant is a founding member of Clinton Global Initiative and a member of the World Economic Forum’s “The Forum of Young Global Leaders.” In addition, he hosts a national podcast series on iHeart and is a regular guest on CNBC’s Squawk Box, a columnist for Bloomberg Opinion and a contributor to Huffington Post and Black Enterprise.

John Hope Bryant and Shaul Kuba, co-founder, CIM GroupABOUT CMCT

Creative Media & Community Trust Corporation (“CMCT”) is a real estate investment trust that seeks to own, operate and develop premier multifamily and creative office assets in vibrant and emerging communities throughout the United States. CMCT is a leader in creative office, acquiring and developing properties catering to rapidly growing industries such as technology, media and entertainment. CMCT seeks to apply the expertise of CIM to the acquisition, development, and operation of top-tier multifamily properties situated in dynamic markets with similar business and employment characteristics to its creative office investments. CMCT also owns one hotel in Northern California and a lending platform that originates loans under the Small Business Administration (“SBA”)’s 7(a) loan program. CMCT is operated by affiliates of CIM Group, L.P., a vertically-integrated owner and operator of real assets with multi-disciplinary expertise and in-house research, acquisition, credit analysis, development, finance, leasing, and onsite property management capabilities. (www.creativemediacommunity.com).

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We believe that the 3rd Reconstruction is about Opportunity.

Powering a 3rd Reconstruction vision, Operation HOPE has implemented a 10-year strategy to raise the economic energy and economic oportunity for the bottom 50% of American society, led by the growing HOPE Inside Network. There are over 200 on the ground HOPE Inside locations in most American states today.

Financial Literacy for All Initiative, the new HOPE Community Credit Index and the growing HOPE Inside Network.

We recently opened our 200th HOPE Inside location with Wells Fargo in DeKalb County, Ga. The HOPE Inside Network is ‘America’s financial coach.’

And then we stood up a first ever HOPE Community Credit Score Index, powered by Experian and their national data, which is a powerful, data driven national to local framework to measure everything, down to the level of the zip code. Here is a link to our original announcement.

Chicago area financial health comparison by zip code, compliments of the HOPE Community Credit IndexAnd we also stood up the Financial Literacy for All Initiative, co-chaired by Doug McMillon, CEO of Walmart and myself, to embed financial literacy into the culture and ‘business plan’ of America, and American business.

Currently Financial Literacy for All includes more than 50 of America’s leading Fortune 200 brands, and its growing.

The 400 Year Old African-American Journey

Reflecting on my own African-American community, and where we sit currently around financial readiness and economic opportunity for all — I have come to the conclusion that while we have all the required intelligence, the work ethic, and the enterprise to build real wealth, and to lead in business, these attributes alone are not enough.

As I outlined in my bestselling book The Memo, while the African American community tend to be amongst the most hard working and aspirational in America, because either we were outright denied liberty, or simply because no one bothered to teach us how this credit, capital access, business and capitalist system works (i.e. the failure of the Freedman’s Bank in 1865), African-Americans have been largely left out of the American wealth building system. We know how to make money, but no one bothered to each us how to build wealth. No one taught us basic financial literacy.

As a result, today I believe that approximately half of African-Americans are locked out of the free enterprise system, and with that, locked out of mainstream access to credit and capital

About 54% of Black Americans report having no credit or a poor to fair credit score, which is considered to be any score below 640, according to a recent survey of 5,000 U.S. adults by Credit Sesame. About 41% of Hispanic Americans report falling into this category as well. Source: CNBC. Jan 28, 2021

Taken on its face, the data suggests that African-Americans have (1) the lowest overall credit scores in America by race, (2) the highest percentage by race below the 620 credit score threshhold (a baseline for basic mainstream access of credit and capital), and as a result, not surprisingly, (3) we have the highest decline rate for credit borrowings. it impacts everything. Let’s look at Memphis data, as but one example.

And here is yet another shocking data point that we found when looking at African American communities with low credit scores (below 600 or so); we tend to live about 20 years shorter lives (61 years old on average vs 81 years or more), if we live in a low credit score zip code.

That means we pay into the Social Security System our entire lives, and yet most of us will never even use or see the benefits of it in our golden years. In underserved areas, we tend to die on, average, well before the 65 year old utilization period for Social Security.

Moreover, the neighborhoods with the highest correlations of crime, low education levels, high unemployment levels, low levels of small business creation, one parent families, etc — are sub-600 credit score communities; be they poor black and brown urban, or white and poor rural. We believe that we have finally cracked the code, on how to put struggling communities back together, and on a road to sustained prosperity for all.

And so yes, we have to update and refine the banking and financial system, and deal with racism and biases, but we also need to teach people the rules of the game, at scale. We need a civil rights agenda, and a silver rights agenda also.

The good news here is, the proven work of Operation HOPE are also moving these important Index numbers in the right direction in and for our communities; increasing credit scores 50 points or more, reducing debt by more than $2600.00, and increasing savings by $400 or more, within the first year for someone making about $48,000. That’s game changing for their lives, and for a city. We are literally helping to create ‘contributing citizenship,’ on a sustainable basis.

We are making the case, for a new emerging market American story. One written by us, for us, benefiting us all. Operation HOPE will do its part, but we need all of your support as we do.

With HOPE

John Hope Bryant, founder, Operation HOPE

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Mayor Andre Dickens led a group of Atlanta’s most prestigious public, community and business leaders this week, as CIM Group announced the groundbreaking for the new Centennial Yards development in our city. The $6 billion Centennial Yards development represents the largest private sector investment in Atlanta, since the founding of Atlanta itself. And as Atlanta […]

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There’s no shortage of genius and creativity in the Black community. It’s simply missing opportunity! The New Black Wall Street in Stonecrest, Georgia is helping to give just that with their new innovative space that honors Black Wall Street, which was brutally attacked in 1921 and left a thriving Black community decimated. During my tour […]

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This morning, Kevin O’Leary and I appeared on CNBC’s Squawk Box to discuss the midterm elections’ impact on small businesses. The economy is one of the biggest issues on voters’ minds this election cycle and for good reason. Households across America are feeling the effects of inflation on their wallets and purses and are desperate for […]

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Recently, I visited Memphis to be with my good friends Mayor Jim Strickland and head of the Small Business Administration (SBA), Administrator Isabella Guzman. This was the latest stop on the SBA’s nation-wide tour promoting the Strategic Alliance Memorandum (SAM). The memorandum is geared toward promoting the development of entrepreneurial potential within the Black community. […]

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Personal Note from John Hope Bryant My history and background with Truist, and its leadership, is deeply personal to me. I remember my early meetings with Bill Rogers, the company CEO, where he was the first large bank to agree to support the model in 1-3 of their area bank branches. That worked, and so […]

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Who do you call, when you want to change the world? Mrs. Mary Ehrsam is who. She has been my global travel-the-world-for-HOPE companion, including South Africa (she and I have been there together more than 35 times each) and Morocco (we opened offices in South Africa and had a special initiative in Morocco) and more […]

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For years I’ve been saying that 700 Credit Score Communities don’t riot. That has always been the case, but up until now, it’s purely been anecdotal. Today, Operation HOPE is filling in the gaps with research-based evidence that proves our assertions and the model of our work with the new HOPE Community Credit Score Index, […]

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Wall Street evaluates their performance quarter by quarter. But what if we could evaluate the financial health of our communities corner by corner? Today I joined CNBC’s Squawk Box to discuss HOPE’s new Community Credit Score Index and how its data can help the nation focus its attention on the areas that need financial […]

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Milestone Expansion of HOPE Inside’s Financial Coaching Model for Underserved Communities Coincides with Today’s Annual U.S. Treasury Freedman’s Bank Forum ATLANTA—October 4, 2022 – Operation HOPE, Inc., the nation’s largest non-profit dedicated to financial empowerment for underserved communities, today announced that it has established its 200th HOPE Inside office location. This coincides with the U.S. Treasury […]

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I was honored to join Rev. Jamal Bryant, Pastor of New Birth Church in Greater Atlanta, for his announcement to support the 1MBB movement with a commitment of 1,500 new black businesses from the church, by 2030. While there, and with the blessing of Rev. Bryant, I asked the congregation — ‘what kind of bird […]

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I am proud and pleased to travel — over my weekend — to Chicago, IL to join other thought leaders and builders, to speak before Chicago City Treasurer Melissa Conyears-Ervin’s Financial Empowerment Summit, October 1, 2022, from 10am-3pm. This topic, for those who follow me, know that I have always thought this issue important — […]

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I was thrilled to travel to Washington, DC yesterday to sign an important national Memorandum of Agreement between Operation HOPE and the 150,000+ strong Kappa Alpha Psi fraternity to advance the mandate of and for 1MBB, or our 1 Million new Black Business Initiative. Kappa Alpha Psi has committed to helping to create and stand […]

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The Promise Homes Company, the largest minority-led manager of institutional-quality, single-family residential rental homes in the United States, announced today that it has paid more than $3.5 million to minority-owned repair and maintenance companies and contractors through its Promise Homes Minority Vendor Program since the program ramped up in 2019. This represents a total of […]

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This week I had the pleasure of sitting down for a casual dinner with a new friend, Mr. Steve Phelps, President of NASCAR. This man is the definition of a quiet storm. Doing big things, and calling very little attention to himself in the process. We welcome Steve Phelps to our Operation HOPE Global Board […]

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Last Friday I had a special opportunity to speak at the headquarters of the largest retailer in the world, Walmart, at their well know Friday ‘Family’ meeting. Speaking in conversation with Doug McMillon, CEO of Walmart and my co-chair of Financial Literacy for All, Meeting with Walmart associates during their Friday Afternoon Meeting was a […]

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30 years ago this past May 5th, 2022, Operation HOPE was founded in South Central Los Angeles, California. This month I am proud to share than we have hit the 200th HOPE Inside location nationwide. Our plan call for 1,000 locations, and the embedding of the model into the American banking system itself. In 2016, […]

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Operation HOPE isn on the move, and I am honored to lead it. Leadership means thinking global, and acting local. And acting local is precisely what we are doing every day at Operation HOPE. One of the ways we operationalize our vision, is through the expansion of the HOPE Inside network. I was honored to […]

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It just never, ever gets old. When a current respected former U.S. President, calls your name. I remember the first time it happened, with a man I respected —- then President George H.W. Bush, at the White House. But he didn’t know me, and I didn’t know him. He had heard of my work in […]

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Clubs are a pretty exciting thing to be a part of, and there are many types. There are country clubs, bridge clubs, sports clubs, nightclubs, and even clubs for RPGs like Dungeons and Dragons. All of the aforementioned clubs have their own rules, members, criteria for joining, and so on. But the one thing that […]

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I’ve always been surrounded by the love and support of my mother. She has always believed in me and has never steered me wrong. My mother jokingly tells me that she’s never told me “no” before (something I lovingly disagree with her about smile), but that’s because she always told me “yes” to the good […]

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Recently there’s been a shakeup in the music industry with artists Kelis and Beyonce. On the surface the appears to be about credit and respect. But underneath the veneer, you’ll see that it’s really a discussion of business and intellectual property. Emotions from one party blinded them to a very big reality that many people […]

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This year Operation HOPE is celebrating 30 years of impact and empowerment through financial literacy for communities around America. As HOPE and I continue reflecting on how far we’ve come, we become more motivated to continue on this path because there’s so much to achieve. This video from the early 2000s is a reminder that […]

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This week I appeared on MSNBC’s “Squawk Box” alongside Tom Farley, former NYSE president and current CEO of Far Peak, to discuss whether new spending out of Washington D.C. will help or hurt the U.S. economy. I believe our government is taking a bold approach to addressing infrastructure issues and long-term challenges that we’ve kicked down […]

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Over the weekend, we lost a giant in the world of sports, the legendary and incomparable Bill Russell. Bill Russell’s legacy extends far beyond the basketball court. At a time when we hear NBA players being told to “shut up and dribble,” we know that Bill didn’t prescribe to this philosophy. He was an all-star […]

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We’re in the midst of what I call the Third Reconstruction. This era will see an explosion of financial literacy and economic opportunity for all, especially for African Americans, the unbanked, and the underserved. For far too long, millions of Americans have been pushed out of our nation’s economic system, leaving them to find ways […]

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The simple answer here is, I don’t. But I do lovingly critique my own community, as I do own family, and everyone and everything I love. Because I want them to be better. I want them all to succeed. Even the Bible suggests ‘you cannot grow without constructive friction.’ Only through constructive friction, do you […]

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As I had said since the day I founded Operation HOPE following the Rodney King Riots of April 29th, 1992, “there is difference between being broke and being poor. Being broke is a temporary economic condition, but being poor is a disabling state of mind, and a depressed condition of your spirit, but we must […]

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The work I lead at Operation HOPE is not just part of my life’s mission. It’s also an extension of my life and touches my family’s history, and likely yours too. So, it’s deeply personal. Every morning, I think about the countless unnamed Americans, many of whom are the descendants of enslaved Africans forcibly brought […]

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It’s amazing what you can see when you simply just open your eyes and pay attention. We’re often distracted by this fad or the next, and our attention is constantly being pulled in so many different directions. However, if you pause and recognize the subtle shifts around you you’ll get a preview of what’s to […]

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Over the weekend Black Enterprise published an article featuring the awards and recognition I’ve recently received from various organizations and publications. I’m honored to be acknowledged by these organizations for my life’s work regarding financial dignity and my approach to moral leadership that I believe can help transform our nation and our world. Most recently […]

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The Operation HOPE community mourns the loss of a Tulsa-area hero and fellow soldier in the fight for financial equity and economic opportunity, Ms. Sherry Yvonne Smith. Sherry Smith was the chamber president and CEO of the Tulsa-based Black Wall Street Chamber of Commerce. The non-profit’s mission is dedicated to promoting the sound economic well-being […]

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We’ve got to cut it out. The infighting and bickering, the culture wars, and deep division have long exceeded their expiration date. It’s time for us to wake up and reclaim our place in the world as the ultimate symbol of hope, unity, and progress. It’s time for us to get back to who we […]

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If you live in certain parts of the country, having a motor vehicle is practically a necessity! Many of us choose our cars based on their power, style, and speed. But how much do you factor in the true cost of owning the vehicle like gas consumption, maintenance, existing mileage of the car if it’s […]

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I was deeply honored to join my good friend Bishop T.D. Jakes and his wife Mrs. Serita Jakes recently at the Museum of the Bible in Washington, DC, as he was honored with the Museum’s prestigious ‘Blessing of the Elders’ Award. I was asked to formally introduce Bishop Jakes and to present the award, and […]

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On this day, in 1865, General Gordon Granger arrived to Galveston, Texas with a band of Union soldiers to deliver a message — all enslaved Americans of African descent were declared free by proclamation and executive order of the President of the United States. This day is commemorated and memorialized as Juneteenth, the day that the […]

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The success of any organization or endeavor rises and falls on its leadership. It’s paramount. Without it, the collective finds itself without identity, focus, and direction and is fundamentally in disarray. The price and appreciation for leadership is severely undervalued almost as much as it’s misunderstood. Far too many people look at leaders and envy […]

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I am extremely proud to share that my amazing and brilliant wife Mrs. Chaitra Dalton Bryant has been appointed to the board of directors for the National Minority Health Association, which I believe was a very good decision on that part. In addition to being just a solid, genuinely good person who also has excellent […]

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Millions of Americans find themselves waking up to rapidly changing financial news that leaves them with more questions than answers. Crypto appears to be crashing, investment portfolios are in disarray, and inflation is putting a strain on pockets nationwide. The economic landscape of our nation and the world at large is shifting at an alarming […]

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Today I appeared on CNBC’s Squawk Box with Kevin O’Leary and we discussed a very hot topic that likely affects you or someone you know directly. President Biden has proposed that the federal government forgive up to $10K of federally backed student loan debt for eligible citizens. In my discussion today I likened this potential […]

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In the 23 years since Columbine, 10 years since Sandy Hook, and four years since Parkland, our federal government has done almost nothing to prevent this type of tragedy from happening over and over… and over again. It is a uniquely American problem. This doesn’t happen anywhere else in the world. And it has […]

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I was recently in London, passing through security, and something mind-boggling happened. I made it through in what felt like a record time of about 8 minutes. As impressive as that is, that wasn’t the part that shocked me and made me think twice. It was the fact that this was done without interfacing with […]

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Conference Aims to Encourage Companies to Sign Investor Bill of Rights and Launch First Cryptocurrency Financial Literacy Curriculum May 23 — Last week, Operation HOPE hosted a Cryptocurrency + Digital Assets Summit that gathered a distinguished group of leaders from the regulatory community and digital finance space to examine the role of digital assets in today’s economy. Themed “The Crypto […]

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Monday morning was — well — magical. While I was in London on business, my senior team at Operation HOPE was assembled with Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens, former Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms, Atlanta Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Lisa Herring, and leaders from throughout the city — for the soft launch of the new HOPE Children’s […]

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Today we jumpstarted the financial futures of hundreds of kindergartners in Atlanta with the official launch of the HOPE Child Savings Program! Through a partnership with Operation HOPE, Citibank, the City of Atlanta, and Atlanta Public Schools, each kindergarten student in the district will receive a $50 seed investment in their newly launched college savings […]

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This week on the Building The Good Life podcast, I’m joined by my friend and partner in the cause for silver rights, Jed York, CEO of San Francisco 49ers. In this episode, Jed shares some first-hand knowledge regarding sports and social injustices, why he’s invested in spreading financial literacy, and his approach and philosophy on team building. […]

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On the occasion of the 30th anniversary of the founding of Operation HOPE, the largest nonprofit financial inclusion organization in America, and on the eve of the successful recapitalization of The Promise Homes Company, the largest in its category, and which I founded just under 5 years ago in June 2017, I am resetting everything […]

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These are times for transformational changes, at all levels of society. Including global governments. I was pleased to accept an invitation to speak at the 2022 World Government Summit held recently in Dubai, in the Middle East. Organizations that I built from the ground up, notably Operation HOPE, Bryant Group Ventures and The Promise Homes […]

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It is rate that you meet someone you admire, and they do nothing but confirm what you thought you knew to begin with — or better. And that is precisely what I feel about my mentor Ambassador Andrew J. Young, and also how I feel now about my friend Bishop T.D. Jakes. He’s the real […]

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I was proud to join Bloomberg’s Carol Massar, who served as moderator, and Marcus Shaw, CEO, ALT Finance, which seeks to advance inclusion on Wall Street using the mostly untapped power of HBCUs to do it, on a special panel framed around ‘Measuring the Movement’ at the recent Bloomberg Equality Summit in New York City. […]

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On our 30th anniversary, Operation HOPE has lots to celebrate and to appreciate. But there is also a lot of unfinished work left to do, and we are about all of it. With approximately 190 HOPE Inside locations operating to date, in approximately 40 states, we are presently the largest nonprofit financial literacy coaching and […]

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Thirty years ago, from the ashes of a smoldering city impacted by violence and despair a beacon of hope emerged for the poor, the forgotten, and the disenfranchised: Operation HOPE. From its inception, HOPE has always been a source of inspiration for the potential that lies in every person, city, and community that’s uplifted with […]

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Last week, Operation HOPE hosted a community bus tour in Los Angeles to commemorate the 30th anniversary of the LA Riots. The riots, which were the major catalyst for the birth of Operation HOPE, stemmed from a mixture of racial tension and police brutality. However, the bus tour and press conference served as a point […]

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On the eve of me personally paying seven figures in taxes to the federal and the Georgia state government, I found myself standing over potholes in my broader neighborhood the size of a small car, and large enough to take off a wheel. And this visual example of public sector neglect also left me wondering […]

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The place where immense history took place for African Americans in the nation following the Civil War, is Clark Atlanta University (CAU). The place that stood up the first Black business school in the American South following the American Civil War. The place that made way for the first female dormitory in the late 1800s. […]

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Madam Secretary of State, the Honorable Madeleine Albright, you will be dearly missed. I was honored to receive the Distinguished Citizen Award, side by side with you, from The Commonwealth Club in San Francisco. @chaitradalton Bryant and I were deeply honored to spend some quality time talking with you and sharing memory making together. And likewise, I was touched to once again be in your presence with our friend Mark Updegrove, at the Lyndon Johnson Presidential Library.

Thank you for your service the the country, and our world. For being a role model to women, and men, everywhere. Thank you for making the Presidency of President Clinton even better.

Just. For being you. You will be missed. Your mark, has been made. You not only made history, but you lived it. And the world will never forget you.

Secretary Madeleine Albright has been Promoted. Gone on, to a better place. To the right of the Father.

The Operation HOPE family sends our deepest condolences to the family, and friends everywhere.

John Hope Bryant

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Operation HOPE is proud to announce that Wells Fargo is the latest banking partner to join us in our ongoing fight to provide economic empowerment through financial literacy to communities across the country. The bank is opening the first of many Wells Fargo-sponsored HOPE Inside locations in Stone Mountain, Georgia next month.

The HOPE Inside locations will be housed in underserved communities that have historically been ill-affected by the banking industry. These latest developments are part of Wells Fargo’s 10-year Banking Inclusion Initiative which aims to provide an abundance of resources to adults who are not currently active particiapants in the banking financial system.

To read more about this development check out this article by the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, “Wells Fargo creating ‘HOPE’ centers to support minority communities”.

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I’m happy to announce that my book, “Up from Nothing: The Untold Story of How We (All) Succeed”, made it to BookAuthority’s Best Economy Books of All Time:
https://bookauthority.org/books/best-economy-books?t=zkqzz3&s=award&book=1523090359

BookAuthority collects and ranks the best books in the world, and it is a great honor to get this kind of recognition. Thank you for all your support!

The book is available for purchase on Amazon.

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Join me, Operation HOPE, and other member partners of Financial Literacy for All (FL4A) this morning at 9:15 AM ET for the ringing of the bell at the Nasdaq headquarters in New York.

I am honored to represent Operation HOPE and FL4A during the ceremony as we kick off Financial Literacy Month! Tune in live on Bloomberg, CNBC, Fox Business, or click here for the live feed.

See you in a few hours, and happy Financial Literacy Month!

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This week I was honored to join the leaders and supporters of and from the Harlem YMCA for their 2022 Gala. The 50th bai Achievers in Industry gala was hosted by CBS Los Angeles anchor DeMarco Morgan.

While receiving the Leo B. Marsh Memorial Award, I was excited to announce a spontaneous $1,000 cash grant, and a $25,000 valued in-kind grant through our 1MBB platform to help Tabitha Ferdinand to create an eCommerce business for existing candle making her.

In an effort to encourage other successful African-American business leaders to become philanthropic leaders, joining established corporate leaders, in support of the Harlem and NYC YMCA, I announced the new Chaitra Dalton Bryant Scholarship. The commitment is for this to become an annual $2500.00 scholarship to support a deserving young leader from the Harlem YMCA, supported by our new Bryant Family Foundation. Chaitra lived in Manhattan for 18 years, and today still owns a rental residence in Harlem.

If you live in Manhattan or Harlem, and want to support a good cause, the NYC and Harlem YMCA checks all of those boxes. To be inspired by the Harlem YMCAs rich history, read this.

This is my Up From Nothing story. Read the book, and when you are ready, contact my team at Operation HOPE to begin building your own story. And subscribe to my new weekly podcast on iHeart called BUILDING the Good Life.

Onward and with HOPE,

John Hope Bryant

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In November, 2021, and early December, 2022, it was announced that the City of Atlanta had unanimously approved a vote to donate $2 million to Operation HOPE to create Child Savings Accounts for low wealth Kindergarten students of Atlanta Public Schools. This was an initiative of then Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms, subsequently approved by the Atlanta City Council.

Building on this, in 2022 and moving forward, the Operation HOPE family are looking forward to working closely with new Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens, as he frames out his larger vision for the City, and for our Atlanta. HOPE will follow Mayor Dickens and APS Superintendent Lisa Herring’s lead going forward as we root this work within the APS system.

Operation HOPE and Atlanta Public School are now fully engaged in advancing this decade long initiative to create ‘stakeholder citizens’ of and from our young people, at scale.

Full details and updates will follow from the direct partners in this initiative, both Operation HOPE and APS, but one of the aspects of the program is the encouragement of private sector donations to match the City’s commitment to create $50 Savings Accounts, as well as the new possibility of a matching $50 Investment Account. And this is where my wife Chaitra Dalton Bryant and I thought we could help, encourage others to lean in and to help.

Hopefully to inspire others to move and to engage, the Bryant Family Foundation has committed $12,500 to underwrite and pay for additional Children Savings (Bank) Accounts. Our new grant will provide for 250 additional Children’s Savings Accounts.

The best is yet to come. Stay tuned for more.

John Hope Bryant and Chaitra Dalton Bryant

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Join me virtually tomorrow, March 22, for the Bloomberg Equality Summit where I’ll be speaking.

In its fifth year, the Bloomberg Equality Summit will convene leaders to discuss the progress on pledges, policies and programs that are creating a more equitable workplace and society. This year’s theme is Measuring the Movement: Accountability in Action. The dual shocks of the Covid-19 pandemic and a profound reckoning on race sparked a global movement. Rallying calls for change quickly shifted to calls for racial and economic equity. And now, nearly two years later, greater calls for measurement and accountability. The push to create a more equitable workplace and society at large is being driven by various stakeholders – each with their own list of priorities. Investors want intentionality, employees want empathy and accountability, consumers want change.

I, many of my colleagues and other special guests and subject matter experts, will spend the nenxt two days discussing different approaches and methodologies for pushing our society and the world towards equity and equality in various sectors. I will be speaking on a panel tomorrow morning at 11:50 AM EDT on AltFinance and HBCUs. During the session we’ll be discussing and exploring efforts to boost diverse representation in the alternative investment industry via Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs).

Click here to register for the Summit and learn more about the event here.

I look forward to seeing you tomorrow.

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As featured in Black Enterprise. After a lot of hard work, building The Promise Homes Company from a bold vision but a modest start up, started and run literally out of my and my then managing directors spare bedroom in June of 2017, the company is now positioned for great things.

At the end of 2021, and after 4+ years of growth, the Promise Homes Company could legitimately say that it was the largest minority controlled owner of single family residential rental homes in America.

In December, 2021, the Promise Homes Company successfully secured a recapitalization of the business for growth, allowing the company, and me, to pay off its institutional lenders, including City National Bank and Freddie Mac, and its founding individual investors Tony Ressler and Michael Arougheti.

An example of a Promise Homes Co. home for rent. To be clear, without Tony and Michael, ‘believing’ in my dream, there would not have been one. So it was hugely satisfying for me, to be able to repay their initial investment fully, with agreed interest. No favors. No cut corners. Just good business — with a positive purpose attached.

The journey for Promise Homes in those early years was simple — blocking, tackling, identifying and solving problems, performing, producing results — and driving the company forward. And the team did that.

Beyond performing on our baseline company results, I am proud of what we have done to advance an out of the box social impact model. One that includes financial literacy for residents, contracts for minority vendors, and genuine opportunities for individuals to move from mere renters, to owners of their own affordable home.

One particularly proud stat/fact is this: more than 50% of all Promise Promises Company contracts for vendors — be there plumbers, electricians, roofers, landscapers, painters etc — are minority and women owned small businesses!

Some of the original team members, and outside advisors to me. And now the Promise Homes Company is reset for future growth, and looking forward to all of that. A special thank you to team members such as Mrs. Jackie Williams, who was there with me and the company — from the start. And remains with us and the growing team today.

As to the recapitalization itself, I cannot say enough, and thank enough, the special team at Deutsche Bank, led by my friend John Bartling, vice chairman, and his team including Mahesh Srinivasan and Shafin Fattah. Real pros, who also care deeply about humanity, for sure.

And here we go. The best is yet to come.

John Hope Bryant, Principal

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Entrepreneurship in Atlanta, Georgia is on the rise. It is also a new way to achieve a level of modern day progress, in a city use to making history. Or as we call it here at Operation HOPE, ‘social justice through an economic lens.’ from civil rights, to silver rights too.

Atlanta played a key role in stabilizing the America we know today, as it was the location of the key final battle of the American Civil War. This freedom from slavery for black Americans, was the foundation for the 1st Reconstruction.

Atlanta then played host to the leaders and leadership of the American Civil Rights movement, including the likes of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr, Congressman John Lewis, and Ambassador Andrew Young, as they fault for our ability to move from the fields to the factories, and access — for all. this was the 2nd Reconstruction.

Today, Atlanta stands on the leading edge of yet another movement for the future of people, what we call a 3rd Reconstruction. ‘Social justice through an economic lens.’ And a movement as much in the business suites, as marching in the streets, will be led by Atlanta’s emerging class of Black business people and Black entrepreneurs. Building on a strong legacy of Black Entrepreneurship that came before — leaders like Herman Russell, Madam CJ Walker and so many others.

Today, RICE (the Russell Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship) and Operation HOPE are here to help, amongst others.

Operation HOPE, the organization I founded in 1992, immediately following the Rodney King Riots in a Los Angeles, operates more than 180 HOPE Inside offices across 49 states throughout the country, focused on financial literacy and financial coaching for the underserved.

Most recently HOPE launched 1MBB (the 1 Million New Black Business Initiative), backed by a $130 million, 10 year commitment from Shopify.

RICE, founded in the spirit of leading black entrepreneur and pioneer Herman Russell, and developed under the vision of his children, most notably Jerome Russell, has already established itself as the leading Black business incubator in the ATL. And it is helping, to make Atlanta ‘better.’

Jerome Russell, Herman Russell, Donata Russell Major and Michael Russell.

RICE is led by Jay Bailey, who once also led the Atlanta offices for Operation HOPE. But for this important new initiative, he has driven key growth all on his own steam.

Mori Russell, represents some of the next generation of business and civic minded leaders within the Russell Family. Seen here at the Russell Center. Thanks to sacrifices made by 20th century leaders and their outsized leadership during their times, Atlanta is today the unrivaled moral capital of America, and admired for such around the world.

Herman Russell, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Ralph Abernathy and Andrew J. Young, meeting at Mr. Russell’s home during the civil rights movement. Today, in 2022, Atlanta is also the 10th largest economy in the United States, and the only international city in the South, and growing. — thanks to outsized 20th and 21st century transitional leaders, such as Ambassador Andrew J. Young, the Operation HOPE Global Spokesman and Honorary Chairman, who helped to frame the city as a place for international investment, business, and life.

And now Atlanta has a chance to create a little more unique history — a gateway for a new form of freedom called self-determination, and not just for Black America, but for all of America.

Freedom through self determination. Freedom, through economics, ownership, small business and entrepreneurship.

The new color in Atlanta, is not white, black, white, brown or yellow — it’s green. As in the color of U.S. currency. Once again, Atlanta is on the move.

Let’s go…

John Hope Bryant. Entrepreneur.

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PLEASE WATCH AND SHARE.

Americans — or at least low wealth, working class and minority Americans — are signaling that they are willing, on balance, to share a proportionate amount of personal financial pain, this time in the form of higher gas prices, if it means denying critical financial resources to Russia, as it invades Ukraine.

Operation HOPE fielded a spot survey of our small business and minority small business clients to gauge their sentiments on inflation, job creation and their overall state of business today. The results, were in some ways — inspiring. Some of the interesting results, after just a couple of hours of the survey being in the field from our HOPE Research & Impact Institute, include the following trends.

Here is one short testimonial from one of those minority small business owners, and his view on both inflation, and gas price hikes in particular:

Jewel Thomas, Owner, M.J. Lawn Service in Atlanta, Ga. And here’s a bit of ‘bonus’ good news: thanks in particular to a true commitment from corporate leaders to ushering in a new era of ‘social justice through an economic lens,’ and more so, thanks to the grit of African-American aspiring ‘builders’ themselves, the nation experienced a 38% increase in new black owned small businesses in the last year, alone.

This is the biggest increase in nearly two decades, and the largest jump of any category in new business creation in the nation, period. Operation HOPE and our partners are doing our part to advance black business creation, though our 1MBB (1 Million New Black Business Initiative), powered by a 10 year commitment from Shopify and others.

This is the Silver Rights Movement. And you can, do well and do good too.

John Hope Bryant, entrepreneur, founder of Operation HOPE

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Meet Mr. Tony Ressler. Those who know him, probably would acknowledge him as the principal owner of the Atlanta Hawks. Or maybe they know him as the 400th wealthiest man in the world, and the husband of Hollywood star and powerhouse Ms. Jami Gertz.

Tony Ressler, Principal Owner, Steve Koonin, president of the Atlanta Hawks backstage at State Farm Arena.

As one who gives back, I have seen him write a check to Operation HOPE, and to the Russell Center for Innovation & Entrepreneurship, and to educational institutions focused on the black community in particular, and underserved communities in general. He and others inspired me to found Financial Literacy 4 All (FL4A), our movement to embed financial literacy into the heart of business in this country, and to make financial literacy the civil rights issue of this generation, in addition of course to the re-affirmation of the right to vote.

I have seen Tony’s heart, time and time again. But I am equally as impressed with his head. How he thinks. And what he does, when he thinks. How he moves through the world.

I know Tony Ressler to be what I would call, ‘a fair minded capitalist.’ Fair, balanced, equatable and open. And leaned into social justice, as is possible, in and through the lens of business. Just the kind of leader the world needs in the era of Silver Rights.

Now, as compassionate and reasoned as all of this sounds, this description is not to be confused with someone using sympathy in the place of a rational business plan. Tony Ressler needs you to make sense when you talk to him. He needs to be assured that he’s not throwing good money after bad, or simply just flushing capital down the toilet. Or worse, waisting his time. There is a place for charity, he would say, but in the middle of a serious business deal, is not that place. With these ground rules in place, Tony is all in.

Do what you will with ‘your profits,’ he would say, but let’s make sure we ‘make some (profits) first.’ But the point here is this ~ you can at least reach Tony. He is accessible, and he is interested. And when it comes to advancing the prospects of and for the nation’s underserved, he is all about that. Passionate about it, even.

Tony Ressler, presenting his vision on Centinenial Yards at the Gathering Spot in Atlanta, Ga., for Black entrepreneurs and Black community leaders. Tony and I have spoken of an additional, new type of social justice in the 21st century. He would describe it as ‘massive education, access to low cost good credit, access to real investment capital, and access to opportunities — at scale.’ I would describe it as ‘social justice through an economic lens,’ but we are both saying the exact same thing. The new color is green.

And Tony Ressler does much more than talk and listen. When he thinks something makes sense, he acts. And I have seen him write the business check, too.

I don’t have the liberty to share what he has done with and for other Black entrepreneurs and Black business people, but I can briefly share what he has done for me. He saw something and someone he believed in, and he backed that person’s idea with capital, and his own credibility. That for me, was the beginning of a dream called The Promise Homes Company.

It began as a simple idea, in June, 2017, and with a lot of hustle and hard work, four years later it emerged as the largest minority controlled owner of single family rental homes in America. And it’s still growing. In December, 2021, The Promise Homes Company was responsible for the largest capital access raise for a Black business in a decade, according to Black Enterprise. And yes, we secured the second substantial 200M capital raise on our own energy, but I was only able to secure that first founding capital raise – the one that founded the company – because Tony Ressler and Michael Arougheti decided to believe in me. And back it with their own check.

This is Black History Month, and rightfully so, we have been shining a light on the many accomplishments of noted and noteworthy African-American leaders, all month long in February, 2022. This should continue unabated.

But there are also leaders, who helped to make it possible, for leaders in development to show, shine, perform and grow. These ‘other leaders,’ have been been around us, since the beginning of time really. They often are not household names, and more often than not do not require attention or public acclaim; but this should not be confused with the substance of the leader themselves, nor their contribution.

As relates to the Black American experience, some of these same leaders were yes, white, and they were right there in the trenches of that day, with the founders of the NAACP, and the National Urban League, as but two examples, more than 100 years ago.

There were also white and Jewish leaders, supporting the righteous cause fo the American Civil Rights Movement of the 1960s. Supporting my personal hero, civil rights icon Ambassador Andrew J. Young, and his friend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

And there is a new bread fo these leaders, here with us today, in this era of what I call the 3rd Reconstruction (circa 2020-2030), and they are providing resources, thought leadership, and taking on propositional risk, as part of a new movement to advance what I refer to as ‘social justice through an economic lens.’

One such leader, is a dear friend of mine, who goes by the name of Tony Ressler.

Sometimes your Black History Month heroes – aren’t Black. Mr. Tony Ressler is just one of those kind of people.

John Hope Bryant. Entrepreneur.

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Introducing the FIRST (Harley Davidson inspired) LiveWire One, sold and delivered in Georgia To underscore my belief in and support for the Harley Davidson brand (we are working on a powerful partnership together with them for Operation HOPE, so stay tuned for more there), I was excited to report that I am the first official purchaser of a Livewire One branded motorcycle in the State of Georgia. Purchased through their online process with home delivery made possible through Falcon Fury Harley Davidson, in Conyers, Georgia.

I thought I would never warm to electric automotive technology, but I also wanted to be responsible when it came to the environment — so I thought I would at least consider the options. And after investigating the Harley Davidson inspired eBike, called the LiveWire, and then test driving one, I must admit — I am hooked. I will post test ride content as I get into the bike more fully, but the short version is more torque, more power, more elegance of experience, more sustainability for our planet — and more smiles, for the person under the helmet.

A special thank you to Kevin Trebe from LiveWire (online), Jerrell Whitfield, my sales representative at Falcon Fury Harley Davidson, along with the rest of the Falcon Fury team including Jamie and Anthony. Thank you.

Soon, it’s time to ride!

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ATLANTA (CBS46) — Black Americans have worked for centuries to close the wealth gap partially formed by racial discrimination.

But some recent data shows the U.S. continues to grow more unequal.

In the heart of Atlanta is a non-profit birthed to create change among underserved communities.

John Hope Bryant says before launching Operation HOPE, he experienced homelessness. But from a young age, he always had a drive to succeed.

He had been working to create a path to build wealth, since he was a kid growing up in Compton, Ca.

“A banker came in my classroom and taught financial literacy when I was nine years old,” Bryant said. “I raised my hand, I said ‘excuse me sir, what do you do for a living and how’d you get rich legally?”’

The banker told Bryant he helped finance entrepreneurs and that became the moment Bryant was determined to help others be financially responsible in life.

In the 1990’s Bryant said he experienced financial hardships. But by the time he was 26, he founded Operation HOPE with a small loan from himself.

“We’re like the Starbucks of financial inclusion,” Bryant said. “We get your credit score up, get your debt down, get your savings up, so we can get you qualified, so that the bank can tell you ‘yes’ for your dreams.”

For the past 30 years, the non-profit has worked to disrupt poverty and empower low and moderate income youth and adults through free financial literacy.

“I believe other than the right to vote, there’s nothing more consequential that changes the quality of your life and your nature of social justice and your ability to be free, than financial literacy acted upon in your life,” Bryant said.

Recent data from the Pew Research Center shows the difference in median household incomes between White and Black Americans has remained steady for nearly 50 years.

“I think there’s two to three percent gross domestic product locked in our communities, waiting to be born.”

With goals to help others build wealth, Bryant launched an initiative to birth one million Black-owned businesses in the U.S. by 2030.

“The vision here is to really pour us into the future, in one generation” Bryant said.

Operation HOPE teamed up with Shopify, a leading global commerce company providing funds and resources to help small businesses succeed.

“We’re going to get you a website, we’re going to get you a domain name, all free,” Bryant said. “We’re going to give you a small business contrary of accountants, bankers, insurance, marketing, to get that infrastructure or bones of your business up so you know what you’re doing.”

With the desire to create an economic infrastructure for African Americans for the first time ever, Bryant says he is building future entrepreneurs.

“It’s not on my giveback it’s my leave behind,” Bryant said. “It’s the institutional infrastructure that we never had an economic infrastructure that demands respect.”

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There are no ways to adequately describe a man with conviction. He is so busy doing, executing on his beliefs, that he makes little to no noise of or about himself, as he cuts through the challenges before him. Such is the man the world refers to as Michael Arougheti.

Michael and I met casually, but our bond as brothers and friends, early on, was anything but – casual. He joined my board of directors for Operation HOPE, and later I joined his board, for a new publicly traded company called Ares Commercial Real Estate REIT. I tried my best to help him with his endeavors and dreams, and he (and his wife Nelly Bly) certainly leaned into mine. He tipped the scale of HOPE for me, on several occasions. and I will never, forget that — that conviction, of one Michael Arougheti.

Helping me was certainly not his job, nor his calling or his role in life, but he never once made me feel like I was secondary to what was his primary. Whenever I called on Michael, he was there. And call on him, I did often.

I remember clearly, the many times I pushed him to have the company he led, Ares Management, to support Operation HOPE, but the timing back then was not right. So Michael and his super talented author,wife Nelly (Bly) decided to do it personally, themselves.

And without betraying their confidences, let me just say that what Michael and Nelly did for HOPE, and at the time they did it, was extraordinary. And kind. And material, at that time, to our very survival. And the thing is, they did it so — casually.

They made a major commitment to the work of my life, but they did it without fanfare, without press release, and without any desire for their own recognition. But they did it. And they have done it for far too many other organizations to name.

And then they did it again, one day at one of our HOPE Global Forum, watching a pitch competition of young Black and Brown business owners in the making. They didn’t just fill the air with kind platitudes, they filled our bank account with the very resources we needed to go from surviving to thriving, to winning.

They did this three times. Three. Separate. Times. And if I didn’t say this here, now, I guess no one would ever know. Certainly, Michael and Nelly would never say an external word. They did it, because that’s simply who they are. Convicted. People, of deep convictions.

And then the friendship came. And our family has been enriched, spiritually and emotionally, from that bond, the most. Love and authenticity tends to have that effect on people.

And when I launched my dream for The Promise Homes Company, there was Michael Arougheti once again, making the first real commitment to our start-up dream. And let me just say this — it was meaningful. And when Michael Arougheti committed, that gave license to Tony Ressler, his co-founder at Ares Management, that he could do the same. And he did. Together, personally, they both became the financial backers for the founding of my Promise Homes Company dream. That was June, 2017. A dream planted, but not much more.

Michael didn’t stop there. He helped me assemble a team, and he introduced me to the language and structure and approach that I would need to implement, to make this new venture successful. And then he met with me weekly, for close to four years, making himself fully available to my dream, treating it like it was his own. Treating me, like I was his own. Just life family.

Block by block amd piece by piece, we pulled the institutional fabric together that we now call The Promise Homes Company. Yes, I did the work, and I did a great deal of the building, but everything has a start. A beginning. A sponsor. A key support beam. And Michael Arougheti, was all of that. For me. And I will never forget it.

Together, we built The Promise Homes Company into the largest Black controlled owner of singles family residential rental homes in the country, with $150 million in assets.

And thanks to that early vote of confidence, and the early stage founding capital from Michael Arougheti and Tony Ressler in early 2017, last late last year, in December, 2021, the company itself – standing on its own now – secured it’s own $200 million credit facility: Now reportedly the largest capital raise for a Black owned company in a decade, according to Black Enterprise.

Michael is not an obviously emotional person, to the outside world. He’s sort of a walking brain, and I am pretty sure he has a genius IQ. But every time I speak with my friend Tony Ressler, I also feel and see the heart of Michael Arougheti, because Michael introduced me to Tony. And that was no accident either.

You see, these men of conviction are different. They are most only concerned with the outcome, not the credit. But today, I wanted to give just that — credit.

Thank you Michael Arougheti. Because of what you did to help elevate me and my dreams, with Operation HOPE, and then later with the Promise Homes Company, you too — get celebrated as a part of Black History Month.

John Hope Bryant. Entrepreneur.

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Bill Yarbro had a college degree in social work, and from the time I met him, until my last interaction with him as he reached out to me to help yet someone else to ‘life themselves up,’ he absolutely lived up to his life’s work — nurturing, linking and lifting other people up.

This is worthy of note: not one time, in a 25+ year relationship, did Bill ever call or contact me, when it was about him. It was always, about what he could do for others. What a man. What, a man.

And that was the theme of each and every speaker that had something to say or share — about our friend Bill Yarbro — at the recently planned memorial of him and his amazing life, as put together and organized, by his dear friend, and mine, Brad Johnson.

Held at Brad’s history Post & Beam Restaurant in Leimert Park, Los Angeles, it was like a family reunion. But there Bill Yarbro goes again — bringing folks ‘back together,’ in love. Even in death. Bill got ‘the band back together again.’ The TNL (The New Leaders) band, that is.

The New Leaders organization was a group of young 20 and 30 something’s in Los Angeles, in the 1980s and 1990s, inspired by then L.A, Mayor Tom Bradley to go out and ‘become the change we wanted to see in the world.‘ and that, many of the TNL members did in the three decades since.

But one man, kept us straight and everything moving forward and on constant steady ground throughout — and that man was one William ‘Bill’ Yarbro. The ma we memorialized this weekend.

And so, TNL emerged again on a February afternoon in 2022, inspired by the unending gathering power — the ‘social work’ — of our friend Bill Yarbro. And even in Bill’s moment of rest, he seems to still be organizing the leaders, to lead also.

So thank you Bill, for bringing together Brad Johnson and his wife Linda, and Rose Catherine Pinkney and myself, and Rachael Doff and the likes of Kevin Ross and Andrea Jackson, and Mrs. Denita Willoughby and Najee Ali, and countless others.

This much magic about Bill Yarbro we know —he has a convening and gathering power like few others.

Rest well good brother. Rest well. Job well done. You have been Promoted. Gone on, to a better place. A place, possibly, now worthy of your good heart and good spirit.

With HOPE, Light and Love.

John Hope Bryant. A Friend.

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A special commendation to my brother and friend Tommy Dortch, Jr, who was recently honored by the Atlanta Business Chronicle with their Lifetime Achievement Award. And boy, does he deserve the recognition.

Tommy and I work together as part of the Coordinating Committee of and for the Just Brothers organization, and on a board for Operation HOPE, and advancing 100 Black Men of America, and 100 Black Men of Atlanta, and the HOPE Global Forum, and advancing the Andrew Young Foundation and Andrew Young legacy, where he speaks — every year, and soon, at Clark Atlanta University (more on that later).

But this is only part of how Tommy Dortch Jr leans in. He’s everywhere – from HBCUs, to black business chambers, to international engagement in the Caribbean islands, to writing checks out of his own pockets, to advance causes of merit in our community. And again, this is merely part of the story.

Chaitra Dalton Bryant and I were honored to come out and spend some time with him last week, saluting him along with countless others, as he received this much needed recognition from the Atlanta Business Chronicle.

Wherever there is a need in our community, or a gap of and for leadership, Tommy Dortch Jr is there, trying to fill it.

So. Well. Deserved. If you are not following the work of Tommy Dortch, Jr, then you should be. He is a leader in what I refer to, as the new Silver Rights Movement, or ‘social justice through an economic lens,’ and this brother is putting points on the board — every game day (meaning, every. Day).

Onward and with HOPE

John Hope Bryant

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John Hope Bryant with pro race instructor Jean Francois Brunot at Homestead Miami Speedway. This week I was surprised for my birthday week by my wife with a day of intense (think happy face under the race helmet) automotive race training at Homestead Miami Speedway with ANSA Motorsports, in one of their KTM X Bow GT4, a purpose built race car from KTM. She knows, how to make this man smile.

To say that this was a brilliant time and experience, would be an understatement. The principal of ANSA Motorsports, Mr. Alain Nadal, took me out first on a on a ride along in a standard KTM X Bow, and I literally thought the car (and driver) was defying the laws of physics, and gravity, in that car. I just could not believe a car could do that.

And then I finally slid into the drivers cockpit seat of the more powerful GT4 car, and after some initial jitters, it all began to make sense. It all, clicked. The car was brilliant. And after a while, I realized that I wasn’t a half bad driver in the car either, clocking a 1:38 lap time, and a technical 1:37 lap time (this video will be published next week) respectively.

After an intense day of testing and training, not only did I emerge with a full face helmet smile, but also sold on this amazing, one of a kind, full carbon fiber, super lightweight, aerodynamic, purpose built GT4 class racecar. KTM really did a fantastic job here building a quality platform.

A special thank you to the entire crew that supported me this week on track, my family, and all the loved ones and friends who continue to root me on.

Live your best life, and live it to the fullest. It’s the only one we’ve got.

Onward and with HOPE,

John Hope Bryant

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Today, February 6, 2022, is my birthday. Honored to have circled the sun one more time, and lived life to the fullest while doing it. Giving, hopefully, at least as much as I took, along the way.

Traditionally the individual celebrating their birthday receives gifts from family members and friends, as a display of love and appreciation for the life they’ve lived. That said, I see giving, as getting too.

For whatever reason, I have always looked for ways to give back to the world in which we live, back into the community, and back to those important to me, to commemorate another year blessed to be alive.

I also recognize that I didn’t get here, on my own. I’ve had a LOT of help. And in the place where I spend the majority of my time, in my main philanthropic organization, Operation HOPE — now the largest financial literacy, economic inclusion organization of its kind in the nation today — my senior team of leaders there have been committed to me and the organization’s work for in some cases, close to 30 years. And have never asked for anything, for themselves.

And they have, each of them helped to build it into the globally recognized and respected powerhouse organization for empowerment and change that it is today, helping millions to change their own lives, one person at a time.

I also recognized that individuals working at such a nonprofit organization, as they have nobly chosen to do, will not ever offer them commercial, private sector benefits, including profit sharing, ownership equity, or even the generous performance-based financial bonuses that are available to other executives in the private sector.

So, I decided to do a little something personally and individually, to help level the playing field a little.

After concluding an important business transaction in my private business enterprise, at Bryant Group Ventures, I decided to translate and to transfer some of my commercial, private sector success, to and for members of my philanthropic team, that have helped me and the organization to succeed so unselfishly, along the way.

The first part of my giving back involved a recent $2.5 million charitable contribution from me and my new family Foundation to Operation HOPE the organization. We made sure that approximately half of this financial contribution was reserved for, and touched the lives of, each and every one of the hundreds of employees at Operation HOPE; from the receptionist and administrative assistants to the HOPE Financial Coaches to my dedicated team including the amazing Tina Fair, my Executive Assistant.

Some employees received a Rainy Day Fund contribution to help them weather unexpected emergency expenses that always come up in life. Others received a special financial gift tied to their tenure at HOPE, and still, others received a not-so-insubstantial investment account contribution, to do and to manage as they like after the gift was made. The rest of the donation will go to support 1MBB, Financial Literacy 4 All, the Operation HOPE Endowment, and general support, as directed by our president and CFO Brian Betts. Again, this is from me, personally, to the organization.

My second and final act here was designed to pour a little personal love and personal appreciation, over a group of leaders and friends within Operation HOPE, who have sacrificed more than I can adequately describe here; to advance the work, and to also help me get that work done. They include Rachael Doff, Rod McGrew, Lance Triggs, Mary Hagerty Ehrsam, Jena Roscoe, Brian Betts, Kevin Boucher and SirJames Buchanon.

Whether that meant a text requiring a response at midnight, or work over the weekends, a phone call at 11pm on a Saturday night, or simply doing what it took to protect and to honor the work, without even having to be asked. Simply, amazing…their dedication. That particular group, I decided to do something else, a little extra for.

These are folks I call my ‘Ride or Die’ group, or my Fab 5 + 3 group. Some of them can be found in the historic HOPE photo below. One of many that than 30 years of commitment and service, this year.

They are not all who go beyond the call of duty for Operation HOPE to be sure, but they do represent that ‘ride or die’ can do, committed spirit, without question, along with another invaluable and tenured executive leader, Elaine Hungenberg, head of HOPE’s Research and Impact Institute. I am and have been deeply honored, to have them with me alongside me for this wild and rewarding ride, of service. To others.

And so, this year my wife, Chaitra Dalton Bryant and I, on the occasion of my birthday — gave these loved ones a special personal gift from us individually (again, not tied to the organization or its resources in any way, just to be 100% clear), in simply special recognition of their extraordinary contributions, and service, to the vision and mission of Operation HOPE.

Break out your handkerchiefs and tissue paper, and join in the love…..below.

This is, my Happy Birthday Wish Gift, to my team.

A special thank you to Tony Marzullo, and his crack team at Gas Motorcars in Atlanta, led by Ben Everest, for working like crazy people, for close to a month, across the country, to make all of this happen for my people.

Happy 30th Anniversary, Operation HOPE.

John Hope Bryant, Entrepreneur.

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You’ll often hear me say that America is not just a place. Instead, she’s an idea. Although many people listen to me, not many really hear what I’m saying. America, as we know her, was founded with progress and achievement in mind. She’s a testament to the inherently resilient nature of humanity and our undying will to improve our condition and way of life — not for ourselves only, but also for each succeeding generation.

With all of her flaws and dark histories, America is still the most incredible place on the planet to be born, live, and exercise the opportunity for growth and change. Dr. King understood this intimately. That’s why he gave his life in the pursuit of helping her realize her full potential. Being a prophetic visionary of epic proportions, Dr. King saw her beauty and wanted to preserve the powerful symbol of hope and uplift that America had come to symbolize to people around the world. He knew that America is the product of a dream in which ALL citizens should be welcome to participate.

While the dream was in and of itself good, it was also fractured and fundamentally flawed. Capitalism had exploited those at the bottom of the economic pyramid. The rich were getting richer, while the poor were only becoming poorer. Our nation’s citizens were not allowed equal access to the American dream for reasons as shallow as skin color and ethnic origin. As this new idea of equality drew global prominence, Dr. King used his right as a human being as well as his privilege as an American citizen to call for the nation to wake up from its slumber, realize its shortcomings, and collectively begin to dream again, with the truth of love centered at its core. Then, and only then, could we all participate and make the dream a reality.

As a dreamer who embodied the heart and soul of America, Dr. King offered an upgraded and improved version of the American dream, which called for equity, economic opportunity, financial literacy, and empowerment to be offered to all, without prejudice. He didn’t just talk about the dream; he lived it.

Toward the end of Dr. King’s life he began to redirect his attention from civil rights to what I call “silver rights,” or economic freedom. His commitment to a vision of financial wellness and generational wealth for Black families is part of the impetus that led me to embark on two different, yet similar, journeys that have affected me greatly and are celebrating major milestones this year. First, Dr. King’s work is a major inspiration to me launching Operation HOPE nearly thirty years ago. Both then and now, we forged ahead with the mission of eradicating poverty through financial literacy. The second was my acquisition of The Promise Homes Company, which helps empower families to begin their generational wealth building journey with the most important purchase a person can make — real estate.

Today, I am living out my purpose, actualizing the dreams of my forefathers, realizing the promise of America, and proving that her original ideas are not without merit. Because of Dr. King’s enduring legacy, I’m afforded the opportunity to actively participate in the economy, and my company, The Promise Homes Company, celebrates the historic close on a $200 million institutional debt facility from the global investment management firm Barings, making it one of the ten largest capital raises for a Black-owned company over the last decade. These types of investments and wealth creation opportunities allow me to pay it forward and positively affect the world around me in order to bend the universe’s moral arc towards justice.

I am blessed and honored to follow in his footsteps, lead with moral integrity, and demonstrate that you can “Do well by doing good.”

When we embrace and live out the dream, as Dr. King did– and apply his vision for moral leadership and equity to the American dream– we come closer to creating a better world, cultivating a more just society, and empowering lasting change in our communities.

Dare to live the dream, and begin to live your own.

Happy Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, and may we all continue to embrace and embody his spirit of radical change and generosity– one day at a time.

John Hope Bryant

Founder, Chairman, and CEO of Operation HOPE

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A few weeks ago, I had the honor of joining the 2021 Freedman’s Bank Forum with US Vice President @kamalaharris and US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen and the Honorable Susan Rice, to Treasury Deputy Secretary Wally Adeyamo. It was a historic moment.

@operationhopehq and I worked together with Secretary Jack Lew to rename the building to Freedman’s Bank Building in 2015. Then in 2016, we launched the first Forum with US Treasury — again a historic moment.

This is #silverrights. Onward. Upward.

Thank you @potus and the Biden Administration for your work in Atlanta this week. This matters

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Truist, Operation HOPE offer no-cost financial education to help build secure futures

CHARLOTTE, N.C., Dec. 22, 2021 /PRNewswire/ — Truist Financial Corporation (NYSE: TFC) today announced that HOPE Inside financial wellness coaches are now available for 600 Truist branches, a significant milestone in the company’s partnership with Operation HOPE.

In April 2021, Truist announced an investment in Operation HOPE of $20 million for financial education and support of significant initiatives, including the creation of 1 million Black-owned businesses (1MBB) by 2030.

The Operation HOPE Inside coaches offer financial expertise to help solve everyday financial challenges. Coaches offer one-on-one sessions and group workshops with clients on a variety of important topics, including access to mainstream credit, behaviors that accelerate savings, debt reduction, entrepreneurship, and homeownership.

“Truist is committed to supporting our clients’ financial journeys, and Operation HOPE’s mission aligns with our aim to help all who want to improve their financial health,” said Chief Retail Community Banking Officer Brant Standridge. “This is another step to reaching more people with financial coaching that will help them build stronger financial futures and better lives, especially for those who have not always looked to banks for care and support.”

As part of the HOPE Inside coaching model, clients can access and work with coaches in-person and virtually. Aligning coaches with clients virtually has enabled Truist and Operation HOPE to further expand and scale their impact across Truist markets, allowing additional access and flexibility for our clients and communities.

Reaching this milestone and drawing closer to the partnership goal reflects Truist’s purpose to inspire and build better lives and communities. Accomplishments include:

Expanding to 30 coaches who serve communities through 600 Truist branches.
Nearly 8,000 Truist clients and community members supported by an Operation HOPE Inside coach in 2021.
Nearly 175,000 financial empowerment services, including group education and disaster relief services, offered through the partnership since 2013.
Majority of clients working with Operation HOPE coaches in 2021 saw a positive impact to their credit score, increased their savings, or reduced debt.¹

“I am proud of the impactful work we’ve accomplished through our partnership with Truist,” said Operation HOPE Founder, CEO and Chairman John Hope Bryant. “I believe we are sitting in a moment in history, and organizations like Truist are meeting the moment in a substantive way. Since we announced this partnership in the spring, we’ve been able to expand and provide financial literacy to more communities, more families and more individuals — financial well-being at scale. We’re excited to continue the momentum in 2022 and beyond.”

Coaches are available across a broad portion of the Truist footprint, including the recent expansion markets of Charlotte, N.C.; Jacksonville, Fla.; Philadelphia, Pa.; Virginia Beach, Va.; and Nashville, Tenn. Truist aims to have coaches available in additional markets as part of the continued expansion to serve 1,000 branches by 2024. To find coach locations, click here.

About Truist

Truist Financial Corporation is a purpose-driven financial services company committed to inspiring and building better lives and communities. Formed by the historic merger of equals of BB&T and SunTrust, Truist has leading market share in many high-growth markets in the country. The company offers a wide range of services including retail, small business and commercial banking; asset management; capital markets; commercial real estate; corporate and institutional banking; insurance; mortgage; payments; specialized lending; and wealth management. Headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina, Truist is a top 10 U.S. commercial bank with total assets of $530 billion as of September 30, 2021. Truist Bank, Member FDIC. Learn more at Truist.com.

About Operation HOPE

Since 1992, Operation HOPE has been moving America from civil rights to “silver rights” with the mission of making free enterprise and capitalism work for everyone — disrupting poverty for millions of low- and moderate-income individuals and families across the nation. Through its community uplift model, HOPE Inside, which was recognized as “Innovator of the Year” recognition by American Banker magazine, Operation HOPE has served more than 4 million individuals and directed more than $3.2 billion in economic activity into disenfranchised communities — turning check-cashing customers into banking customers, renters into homeowners, small-business dreamers into small-business owners, minimum-wage workers into living-wage consumers, and uncertain disaster victims into financially empowered survivors.

For more information: www.OperationHOPE.org. Follow the HOPE conversation on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.

¹ 2021 HOPE Inside Partner Reports

SOURCE Truist Financial Corporation

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The Bryant Family — Chaitra Dalton Bryant and I, along with our beautiful extended family, led by our Matriarch, Ms. Juanita Smith, sends you deep love, much light, healing, and wishes of the most aspirational success you can imagine for yourself in 2022 and beyond.

Let this new year, become a reset and personal software upgrade on your entire life. Decide, this day, to live your best life.

My reset countdown starts now. What about you?

I pick a Word every year (I have been doing this for two decades now), that symbolizes my hustle, grind and FOCUS for that year.

My Words for 2022 are twofold and complimentary:

1) Stability.

2) BUILD.

More on both of these words later, when I unpack their meaning in my life even more.

Okay, let’s go….

John Hope Bryant, Entrepreneur.

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During this giving season, I hope that you will consider contributing to the USC John Hope Bryant Endowed Scholarship Fund. (JHB Scholarship). As you know, I believe access to education is paramount. As student loan debt continues to rise, advanced degrees are out of reach for so many Americans. The cost of college continues to climb, which means student loans do, too. And, as I’ve talked about in the past, student loan debt can negatively impact borrowers’ lives years after school. Together we can change that.

All donations go towards reducing the burden of tuition and student debt for students studying social work at USC. Ever since the inaugural student, Daniel Soto, received his award in 2005, we have been awarding the JHB Scholarship annually.

I recently received a note from Sona Hovsepian, MSW ’11. I’m grateful that the Bryant Scholarship enabled her to dedicate more time to pursue her degree. Now, as a seasoned LCSW and health science specialist at the local, state, and national level, Sona is also a researcher focused on Veterans with serious mental illness, substance use disorders, and a history of homelessness. In her own words:

“The support of the Bryant Scholarship goes above and beyond its monetary contribution; it allowed me to reduce my work hours in order to complete my graduate studies while still supporting my family and raising our daughter. One step at a time, I have been utilizing my education to make change in the world we all live in. Thank you, John Hope Bryant, for believing in education, for providing an opportunity to learn, and for creating a better future for all of us.” – Sona Hovsepian, LCSW

The sky’s the limit for people like Sona. She’s got a winning mindset!

Think about all of the costs that go along with tuition and fees: four years of textbooks, room and board, meals (students have to eat, too!) and transportation to get to and from class.

Post-secondary education is not a one size fits all. But the benefits are undeniable. Higher education graduates are more gainfully employed, tend to be healthier and more active citizens who give back to the community. This is a win-win for us all. I hope you will click the link below to support.

SUPPORT THE BRYANT ENDOWMENT SCHOLARSHIP FUND

Every gift, every dollar, makes every difference.

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Operation HOPE was honored to be selected to manage the new Kids Bank Account Program for the City of Atlanta, through Atlanta Public Schools, working in close collaboration with Dr. Lisa Herring, Superintendent of Atlanta Public Schools.

The program, led into existing by Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms, will continue for years to come. Well beyond the period funded by the City.

It only made sense to me that Operation HOPE, the largest financial literacy and financial inclusion organization for the underserved in the nation, headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, would put a marker down and commit to lead this critical work in our home city — the moral capitol of America, and the home of civil rights. Now, silver rights too.

This is personal to me. I am in many ways, the young man standing in the middle of the lead photograph in this piece. He reminds me of the 9 year old me, who got his first financial literacy course through a Home Economic class, which doesn’t exist for the most part anymore in public schools.

It was Compton, California, and the banker standing in front of me, made no sense to me, whatsoever. But, when he told me how money really worked, and that he was ‘a banker, who financed entrepreneurs,’ I was hooked. All in on my future. I am a successful entrepreneur to this day, largely because of that early investment from my mother, my school and this volunteer banker, when I was 9. I started my first bank account, and I opened my very first business. But I got lucky. I was the exception in my community, not the rule.

But hopefully, this young man and his entire generation, will have many more viable options presented to him than I had when I was his age — largely because of this new program.

Recently, Operation HOPE was appointed as the guardian of a new program, initially funded by the City of Atlanta, that was designed to provide Kids Bank Accounts.

Awarded $2 million from the City, in a unanimous vote of support from the Atlanta City Council (a special thank you, to each of the City Council Members, also), Operation HOPE was charged to create and manage Kids Accounts for all low income children entering Kindergarten, in and through Atlanta Public Schools.

The award from the City allows Operation HOPE to open $50 bank accounts for every participating low income young person in Kindergarten, but HOPE plans to go further. Our own commitment will last longer than the City has funded — a full decade, through 2030, as part of our overall 3rd Reconstruction work.

Working with our banking and other private sector and foundation partners, we also plan to raise funds to match the City’s $50 per bank account funding, adding an additional investment option. We will also teach financial literacy and business and entrepreneurship skills in APS, and will work to expand the program to include all kindergarten kids, and additional grades within the APS system.

This work is personal to me. And it’s part of a larger tapestry designed to help upgrade the software of humanity, from the inside out. It is also social justice, through an economic lens. This is the next phase of community development, from the bottom up.

We get this right, and we will, and within our lifetime Atlanta will experience a renaissance of new homeownerships, small business owners, entrepreneurs, tax payers, voters and citizens — all leaned in on Atlanta’s continued, sustainable growth.

All coming, from these kindergartners and young students, who we are investing in — now. Let’s go.

John Hope Bryant, founder, Operation HOPE

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We’re in the final weeks of 2021 and I want to help set you up for success in 2022 and beyond. What will be crucial for that success is a changed perspective and a renewed mindset. We must change our thinking. Not should, but we must. It’s imperative.

We know very well the long-term effects and the social ills that plague us because of slavery’s long shadow. We continue to reconcile with that every day and seek justice in every area that we’ve been affected. But each one of us has to ask ourselves the question, “What is our response to the challenges that the past has brought to our present?” Will we lay down and accept what life has dealt us or will we take the reins of our life and overcome as generations have before us.

It’s time out for excuses. There’s too much work to be done and too much greatness inside each of us to idly sit by and become perpetual victims of the past.

Check out my video below and offer your feedback in the comments.

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People often try to write off history as something far in the past that has little to no effect on our present-day realities, but that’s far from true. Many of our social conditions, and modern conveniences and practices, like our transportation system, homeownership, and the practice of tipping have deep roots in the past that’s less than honorable. While we can’t change the past we can acknowledge its effects on our lives and society as a whole and collaborate on how we can work to overcome the challenges that they offer today.

For hundreds of years, Black Americans were forced into an unfair and immoral version of capitalism called slavery. Day in and day out slaves used their intelligence, strength, and talents to build wealth for others, but never benefiting themselves. Decades upon decades of socio-economic deprivation created a culture of surviving versus thriving in many, if not most, African American communities. While it can be argued that this the norm for many, I refuse to believe that that’s the way it has to be.

It’s time for us as a community to upgrade our business plan. For so long we were relegated to industries that benefited others using intangible gifts that others couldn’t take away, like our ability to create and modify culture through the arts, sports, and entertainment. But now it’s time for us to leverage the moment that we’re in and pursue pathways that are open and available and pave the way towards overwhelming success, like science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.

The world is ever-evolving and there will always be a need for athletes, singers, entertainers, and the like. But we want to see more doctors, inventors, and engineers who will show other Black boys and girls that their genius is unlimited and can be harnessed to create generational wealth and success.

Check out my latest video below to find out what steps we can take to upgrade our business plan:

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John Hope Bryant: Recent Episodes