AFROTECH Executive is set to close out in Brooklyn, NY. On Sept. 22, the last stop of the multi-city series will focus on wealth, finance, and innovation, including a fireside chat with Northwestern Mutual’s Abim Kolawole on corporate responsibility in closing the wealth gap. Snag your tickets for AFROTECH Executive here. View this post on Instagram A post shared by AFROTECH (@afro.tech)

Retirement isn’t normally a high priority on young workers’ lists. But this 41-year-old single mother not only secured her bag but did so in the biggest way possible. CNBC has the story of Lakisha Simmons, who retired with almost $1 million in her retirement fund ($850,000 to be exact), having worked since she was 14-years-old. Although she comes from a working-class family, Simmons worked as an associate professor at Belmont University in Nashville, TN. Between her full-time job and her side hustles, Simmons was able to bring in $150,000 in 2020. But Simmons had set a goal for herself: retire by the time she was 45-years-old. So, she deployed what’s known as the FIRE Method — “financial independence, retire early” — which is also popularly known as an extreme saving method. Simmons sold her home (to get rid of her mortgage of $2,400/month), cut down on all her expenses (switched to a prepaid cell phone plan, made meals at home), and saved $100,000 in the first year. “Simmons keeps...

There’s a stereotype regarding Black billionaires and Black and wealthy individuals where many believe fortunes mostly come from being musicians, actors or athletes. This sends a message that we cannot obtain wealth outside of these industries, but that’s far from the truth. In fact, there are many Black millionaires in the United States that have found success outside of music, sports and entertainment. Unfortunately, the same cannot be said for the amount of Black billionaires that are too scarce compared to white billionaires who dominate in industries like the tech space. According to Forbes’ 2021 World’s Billionaires List, there are 724 billionaires in America yet only seven of them are Black. That’s just enough to seat at one dining room table since Black billionaires only make up less than one percent of the nation’s billionaire population. This low number comes as no surprise, but it’s an alarming figure that highlights the widening racial wealth gap in this country. Yet...

The past year plus in America has been a glaring reminder of the unfair and unequal conditions that exist in this country, especially for Black Americans. In an effort to change that reality, The Highland Project founder Gabrielle Wyatt wants to create the change she hopes to see for women that look like her. Wyatt shares that The Highland Project — a non-profit organization created to help Black leaders support one another and build power — was founded with a mission to cultivate a coalition of Black women who are leading in various institutions and systems to help generate multi-generational wealth. “As Black women, we are tired of performative activism when real and meaningful policies and practices are needed to close the racial wealth gap,” she said in a press release shared with ESSENCE. “Black women do so much for this country, but our contributions are rarely appreciated and certainly don’t always benefit us.” According to her, her non-profit will reverse this truth...

This new report is calling on change makers to step up to the plate after highlighting gaps in representation, participation and pay for Black workers in America. McKinsey & Company published some eye opening findings in its recent “The Economic state of B lack America: What is and what could be” report. The new study explores the racial gaps and disparities across the nation’s economy. The Economic state of Black America studies five specific economic roles: workers, business owners, savers/investors, consumers, and residents. With this new report, McKinsey wants to provide a comprehensive review of how Black Americans participate and thrive in the economy. The management consulting firm also wants to put a spotlight on the challenges Black Americans face and help imagine what a new future looks like following the coronavirus pandemic. “The way forward is a mix of truth and reconciliation, and it’s really important to tell the full truth,” John Paul Julien, an associate partner at...

Generation Xers are emerging from the pandemic more wealthy and economically stable compared to other generations, specifically millennials. Reuters first reported this along with data collected by the U.S. Federal Reserve showing that members of Generation X saw their wealth jump more during Donald Trump’s presidential term and through the coronavirus pandemic. Generation Xers can be defined as those currently between the ages of 40 and 55; they come after the Baby Boomer generation, and right before Generation Y, also known as Millennials . Generation X hit a major turning point last year when its share of wealth, at 26.9 percent, passed its share of households which is 26.8 percent. But what does this mean? This means that Generation X’s wealth has surpassed the amount of households they account for in our population. Reuters coined Generation X as the ascendant generation because of this. When Trump took over as president in 2017, Generation Xers accounted for 34.6 million...

Car sharing marketplace Turo has forged a partnership with Kiva — a nonprofit that expands financial access to underserved communities — to launch its Turo Seed Initiative and help address America’s wealth gap. According to a news release , the initiative was designed to specifically address wealth inequality in the U.S. as it pertains to traditionally underserved Black communities. Turo has committed $1 million to this initiative, which will offer people — regardless of gender, race, or class — access to interest-free car loans in an effort to provide more wealth-building opportunities. “Our commitment of up to $1 million in funding to address the growing wealth inequality in the United States is not only the right thing to do, but a necessity,” said Turo CEO, Andre Haddad, in a statement . “Traditionally, minority communities have more difficulty procuring fair loans, receiving access to credit, and have been disproportionately impacted by the effects of COVID-19. Kiva and Turo...

Global finance giant Mastercard is furthering its long-standing inclusion efforts to Black Americans across the country with another financial commitment. Last week, the company announced a $500 million investment in Black communities over the next five years that includes products, services, technology and financial support, as well as an increase in concentrated investments that will provide Black-owned businesses and consumers access to affordable finance tools and capital, a press release reports . “This is a time for action. We have an obligation as a corporate citizen to ensure the digital economy is enabled for all, an obligation to be part of the positive change Black communities so rightly need now,” said Ajay Banga, Chief Executive Officer at Mastercard, in a statement . “We are starting in cities across the country with on-the-ground efforts meant to drive out inequities and create the opportunities, connections and resources that will spark economic growth for the long...