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How “earn money for leisure” changes financial knowledge for the benefit of culture

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Financial literacy has change into a hot topic on social media, but for years it was the preserve of MBA graduates, Ivy League players and the white middle class. Despite good intentions, many black parents were unprepared to show their children about stock options, real estate investing, debt management, and the importance of ownership or life insurance just because they themselves didn’t have access to this information. Even today, many working-class communities of color still lack access to the economic resources available to prestigious institutions and business establishments. But Rashad Bilal and Troy Millings are changing the narrative with a financial podcast that has grown right into a wildly popular, multi-faceted platform changing the face of wealth.

Genesis

Before launching Earn Your Leisure (EYL) in 2019, Bilal and Millings taught financial literacy to public school students in the Bronx, New York. While working as an elementary school physical education teacher, Millings incorporated financial literacy into his lesson plans during summer school. At one point he asked Bilal, a financial advisor, to instruct his students about money. Finally, longtime friends built the set finance curriculum for students. Meanwhile, Bilal had also began constructing a robust social media presence by sharing financial information, and desired to expand his reach by starting a podcast. Naturally, he asked Millings to co-host, and the two began discussing the money games behind sports, entertainment and business, in addition to the latest economic trends. On the show, Bilal and Millings delve into the stories of famous entrepreneurs and famous business owners, comparable to the billionaire Marek KubańczykNBA legend and business titan Shaquille O’Nealand social entrepreneur John Henry.

“There were a lot of business podcasts or business platforms (that gave) a lot of crap and a lot of motivational stuff,” Bilal said BLACK ENTERPRISES. “I really don’t want to hear it. I want to know exactly what’s going on and how did you do it?”

Bilal says that in the first few episodes, Bilal and Millings “did deep into the case studies. This was the original assumption. It was like pop culture mixed with Harvard Business School. He added that “we took case studies like Airbnb and broke them down.”

Strengthening Culture

Their formula worked. Just seven months after launch, EYL has raised over 6,500 subscribers and averaging 20,000 episode views through July 2019. The show has now amassed over 5 million downloads, in addition to a formidable 422,000 YouTube subscribers and 702,000 Instagram followers. Hosts consider their following has grown because they consistently serve disenfranchised markets with content that’s authentic, delicious, and economically empowering.

“We have created our own niche when it comes to the financial literacy space. We approached it differently,” Bilal said. “For years, you had to wear a suit and tie to really be taken seriously and talk about business. And you had to shave your face, (but) we come with beards and hoodies and sneakers and hip-hop lyrics.” He states that “the best marketing tool was simply being yourself.”

Millings says the key to growing the audience was intentionally reaching out to underserved communities which have historically lacked access to financial tools and resources.

“We added value to a community that needed it,” Millings says. “We combined barbershop conversations with Wall Street and it just worked out.”

In addition to the podcast, Bilal and Millings created it Earn money at recreational university, a web based learning platform offering dozens of courses across 35 different industries. They also launched the EYL podcast network, which currently produces and distributes programs including: with Ash Cash and with the investor Ian Dunlap. What’s more, a duo secured the contract with iHeartMedia and Charlamagne Tha God with the groundbreaking podcast network The Black Effect earlier this 12 months.

Implementing games in practice

Bilal and Millings not only bring economic gems and exclusive interviews to a brand new generation; in addition they apply these lessons to their very own lives. For example, Millings says Dunlap has modified the way he saves money.

“I remember when Ian (Dunlap) and I sat down and he told us, ‘Listen, we told you you needed six to eight months of savings to be safe.’ And I remember he said, “No, my new theory is we need 60 months.” And that blew me away,” Millings recalled. “I said, ’60 months? That’s almost five years of savings!” Dunlap, nonetheless, explained that constructing a bigger savings fund is the foundation of generational wealth.

“When you accumulate a certain level of wealth, it should now not be about you, but about your loved ones and the generations that may live without you. And this has now change into my way of pondering,” says the teacher.

Bilal talks similarly about his interview Stairs on Wall Streetstock trader and YouTuber, persuaded him to open a deposit account for his son.

“It’s something I did not have for my son. “I already knew that, but just him talking about how much money he had for his daughter really encouraged me to actually go ahead and put the money into my son’s account,” he said.

“I use everyone we brought to the platform who actually has anything to do with stocks,” says Bilal. “I pick their brains, ask them different questions and learn as much as I can from them offline.”

The future of the Movement

From expanding a web based university to opening a non-public equity firm, the sky is the limit for the EYL brand, and the hosts set themselves ambitious goals.

“We want to grow in the online education space and be the largest online university that can compete with the University of Phoenix,” says Bilal. “I think we have over 9,000 members at EYL University. So we want that number to grow to about 50,000 or 100,000 members.”

He then revealed that he and Millings desired to own a fleet of trucks and 100 properties, open a non-public equity firm, and create a financial literacy curriculum for multiple schools.

“I feel like there’s nothing we can do,” Millings added. “We are ambitious enough to believe we can do anything. And yes, you can see us in some movies, you can see us in some short TV shows. It really is limitless.”

Ultimately, he says, their mission is to return EYL to its roots in education. “One of my passions is to get back to that and spread those seeds to communities that need us.”

has now added Invest Fest to its portfolio. Invest Fest is a three-day conference held in Atlanta designed to offer entrepreneurs with opportunities to develop and network. You can learn more about Invest Fest Here.


This article was originally published on : www.blackenterprise.com
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Business and Finance

David Shands and Donni Wiggins host the “My First Million” conference at ATL

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December is the birth month of David Shands and Donnie Wiggins, friends and business partners. Most people have fun by throwing a celebration. Others imagine it must be catered for. The chosen ones spend the day relaxing in peace and quiet.

Then there’s Shands and Wiggins.

The two decided that the best birthday gift can be to offer individuals with resources for generational wealth through a conference called “My first million”in Atlanta.

It’s a compromise between how their families and family members need to honor them and their desire to proceed to serve others. Shands acknowledges that almost all people won’t understand, and he unapologetically doesn’t expect them to.

“It’s not up to us to convince anyone why we do what we do,” admits Shands.

“I think everyone does what they do for different reasons, and I would just attribute it to a sense of accomplishment that I can’t explain to anyone else.”

He doesn’t need to clarify this to Wiggins because she understands his feelings. Wiggins has had a passion for serving others for so long as she will be able to remember.

“When I was in middle school, there were child sponsorship ads on TV featuring children from third world countries. I was earning money at the time and I asked my mother to send money,” she says BLACK ENTERPRISES.

She recalls how sad she felt for youngsters living in a world with so many opportunities, but at the same time going hungry. Her mother allowed her to send money, and in return she received letters informing her of their progress.

“It was very real to me,” Wiggins says, now admitting she’s undecided the letters were authentic. “I received a letter from the child I sponsored, a photograph and some updates throughout the 12 months. It was such a sense of being overwhelmed and it was something I felt so good about. I didn’t even tell my friends I used to be doing it.”

She carried this sense throughout her life, even when she lost every little thing, including her house, cars, and money. She still found ways to serve and give back, which is the basis of her friendship with Shands.

They each love seeing people at the peak of their potential, and that is what “My First Million” is all about. There can be no higher birthday gift for them than helping others create generational wealth.

What to expect during the “My First Million” conference.

They each built successful seven-figure empires, then train others, write books about it, and launch an acclaimed podcast Social proof.

Now they’re imparting that knowledge through the My First Million conference, an event for aspiring and existing entrepreneurs. Shands and Wiggins need to prove that being profitable is feasible and encourage people to bet on themselves.

“David and I, on paper, are not two people who should have made millions of dollars. Number one, we want (people) to see it,” Wiggins says. “Then we want them to actually get out of that room with practical and actionable steps.”

Both are clear: this just isn’t a motivational conference. This is a conference where people, irrespective of where they’re of their journey, will come away with clarity about their business and what they must be doing as CEOs. Shands and Wiggins want individuals who do not have a transparent marketing strategy or are considering starting a business to also attend the meeting.

“A few areas we will cover are inspiration, information, plan and partnership,” adds Shands. “We will give you 1-2-3 steps because some people get depressed and uninspired. Even if they know what to do, they won’t leave, go home and do it. So we have to really put something into their heads and hearts that they come away with.”

Sign up and enroll for My First Million Here. The conference will happen on December 13 this 12 months. but Shands and Wiggins say it definitely won’t be the last for those who miss it.


This article was originally published on : www.blackenterprise.com
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Business and Finance

Operation HOPE on the occasion of the 10th annual world forum

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Operation HOPE Inc. takes over Atlanta for the biggest game in the country dedicated to financial literacy and economic empowerment, Saporta reports.

The HOPE Global Forums (HGF) Annual Meeting 2024 strengthens the crucial link between financial education, innovation and community upliftment in hopes of finding solutions to the problems that stifle challenges around the world.

Organized by Operation HOPE founder John Hope Bryant, together with co-chairs Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens and U.S. Ambassador Andrew Young, the forums, to be held December Sep 11 at the Signia Hotel, will have fun its 10th anniversary with three days of engagement discussions, observations and forward-looking presentations.

Under the theme “The Future,” Hope Bryant says attendees are looking forward to a “powerful moment in history.”

“Over the past decade, we’ve brought together great minds with daring ideas, servant leaders with voices for change, and other people committed to a brand new vision of the world as we realize it. “‘The Future’ is a clear call to action for leaders to help ensure prosperity in every corner of society,” he said.

The extensive program includes influential and well-known speakers who address business, philanthropy, government and civil society. Confirmed speakers include White House correspondent Francesca Chambers, media specialist Van Jones and BET Media Group president and CEO Scott M. Mills.

“John Hope Bryant and his team have been doing this for ten years, and every year HGF raises the bar,” Young said. “Discussions about the FUTURE are important not only for civil dialogue; they are also essential to bridging the economic divide and solving some of today’s most important problems.”

Atlanta is predicted to welcome greater than 5,200 delegates representing greater than 40 countries.

“I have long said that Atlanta is a group project, and through our partnership with HOPE Global Forums, we are inviting the world to join the conversation,” Dickens mentioned. “From home ownership and entrepreneurship to youth engagement and financial education, HGF will offer bold and innovative ideas to ensure a bright future for all.”

It coincided with the organization’s annual meeting launched one other path to enhance financial knowledge with HOPE scholarships. With three tiers of scholarships – HOPE Lite, HOPE Classic and HOPE Silver – clients could have access to free financial coaching and academic resources.


This article was originally published on : www.blackenterprise.com
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Business and Finance

New Orleans’ black business district is marked by history

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New Orleans, Black Business Disctrict


New Orleans has given a historic monument to a Black business district closed for interstate construction.

The marker was a project fulfilled by in response to the initiative of Plessy and Ferguson. Founded by descendants of men involved within the Plessy v. Ferguson case that legalized segregation within the United States, the organization worked with other community groups to put a marker under the Claiborne Viaduct.

Before the upheaval, Black New Orleanians could find stores owned by other members of their community on Claiborne Avenue. Racial discrimination originally limited the power to buy on the famous Canal Street. Given this, blacks as an alternative flocked to the realm to purchase every little thing from groceries to funeral arrangements.

This mall was home to many Black-owned businesses, and emerging and established entrepreneurs had arrange shop for generations. Consisting of pharmacies, theaters, studios and more, it helped maintain a vibrant black culture in the realm. It reigned because the most important street of Black New Orleans from the 1830s to the Seventies.

The street once featured a picturesque cover of oak trees surrounding bustling businesses. However, its decline began with the expansion of roads within the southern state. The first casualty was the oak trees that were cut all the way down to make way for the development of Interstate 10, and shortly thereafter, the district’s thriving entrepreneurs suffered an identical fate.

Many residents do not forget that they didn’t know in regards to the upcoming investment until the trees began falling. Raynard Sanders, a historian and executive director of the Claiborne Avenue History Project, remembered the “devastation” felt by the community.

“It was devastation for those of us who were here,” Sanders told the news outlet. “I was walking to school and they were cutting down oak trees. We had no warning.”

Despite its eventual decline, the district stays an integral a part of Black New Orleans entrepreneurship. Now the town will physically resemble a historic center where Black business owners could thrive. They celebrated the revealing of the statue in true New Orleans style with a second line that danced down Claiborne Avenue.

“The significance of this sign is to commemorate the businesses, beautiful trees and beautiful people that thrived in this area before the bridge was built, and to save the people who still stand proud and gather under the bridge,” also said Keith Plessy, a descendant of Homer Plessy’ ego.

The growth of local black businesses continues. Patrons and owners alike hope to evoke the spirit of Claiborne’s original entrepreneurs, empowering the community.


This article was originally published on : www.blackenterprise.com
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