This NFL Star Turned Financial Educator Shares His Guide to Financial Freedom – Essence

From the brilliant lights of the NFL to the hallways of the Ivy League, Brandon Copeland at all times defied expectations.

A former linebacker who spent greater than a decade playing within the NFL, Copeland now takes on a special sort of challenge: teaching financial literacy. In his recent book, Copeland wants to share her knowledge of monetary independence with on a regular basis people, especially Black communities where financial education is commonly inaccessible.

Born in Baltimore, Md., Copeland began his journey from the football field to the classroom early. The grandson of an NFL player who also juggled multiple jobs, Copeland grew up seeing firsthand the importance of monetary stability outside of skilled sports. He says, “With all those different perspectives, it made me come into the league and think, ‘I have to use this as much as it uses me.’”

He continues, “I learned a lot about money in the league and realized there are a lot of people who will never be able to walk into a Baltimore Ravens or Detroit Lions locker room and have access to those types of people and conversations, so what can I do to make sure that the younger version of me doesn’t have to be elite athletically to get the information that I deserve.”

But what sets Copeland apart isn’t just his NFL profession or his time as a professor on the University of Pennsylvania — it’s his commitment to democratizing access to financial information, a mission that earned him a spot on the Forbes and NFLPA lists.

Now, with the discharge of , Copeland brings his holistic approach to financial freedom to the masses, giving readers practical advice on how to manage their money, invest correctly, and plan for the longer term. His work comes at a critical time, especially for black Americans, who, according to a 2021 McKinsey reportthey own just one.5% of the country’s wealth, despite the fact that they constitute 13% of the population.

Copeland’s transition from skilled athlete to financial educator wasn’t a coincidence. Early in his profession, he realized that many athletes, especially black athletes, often walk away from the sport financially unprepared for what would come next. His key to staying financially disciplined? “It was pretending I didn’t have any,” he shares. “I literally don’t count a dollar until it hits my bank account.”

During his NFL profession, Copeland saved and invested most of his earnings. His disciplined approach wasn’t nearly accumulating wealth—it was about making a sustainable future. “So many of us, especially in the black community, don’t know what questions to ask when it comes to our finances. I knew I had to do something to change that.”

Financial education is a subject Copeland loves and sees as a pressing need in black communities. As a professor at Penn, Copeland teaches “Life 101,” a course that covers every part from managing a 401(k) to budgeting and investing, helping students construct the financial foundation they’ll need throughout their lives. His book builds on that work, offering practical advice for anyone who wants to take control of their money and, ultimately, their future.

“If you have a dollar in your account, you’re an investor,” he says. “What I mean once I say that’s, if I actually have a dollar and I resolve to put it under my mattress, that’s a 0% return. If I resolve to put it in a daily checking account at a credit union, that could be a 0.01% return. If I put it in a high-yield savings account, 4-5% return. If I put it in a stock market index fund, the S&P 500 or something like that, I’m taking a look at a 9-10% return per yr. Real estate gives you something different. But briefly, if you may have a dollar, by investing it, you’re going to create some sort of return in your money.

According to 2022 Federal Reserve Reportthe median wealth of white households is greater than five times that of black households. This gap is fueled by systemic inequalities in income, property ownership, and education — but Copeland believes access to financial education can start to close it.

“The biggest problem is that financial education isn’t taught early enough in our communities,” she explains. “We know how to hustle, but we don’t learn how to make that money work for us over time.” She emphasizes that financial independence isn’t about limiting all the fun of life, but about correctly navigating opportunities to thrive.

His philosophy of “monetizing your passion” is clear in each his teaching and his personal life. From startups to real estate investing, Copeland has mastered the art of turning hobbies and side hustles into multiple streams of income. “I try to double-click on the things I already spend my time on and take a look at the things I like and see how I can put more effort into them,” he says. “Because if you can monetize the things you like, you can spend less time doing the things you don’t.”

This approach reflects a broader trend amongst black entrepreneurs, with the National Bureau of Economic Research reporting a rise within the variety of black business start-ups, which increased by 38% throughout the pandemic.

Despite these gains, African Americans still face significant challenges when it comes to constructing wealth. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, 35% of black households live in property povertymeaning they don’t have enough net value to survive on the poverty level for 3 months without income. Copeland is committed to addressing these disparities head on, equipping her readers with the tools and techniques they need to get ahead.

One key message is to understand that everyone seems to be an investor, no matter income level. “Whether you have a dollar or a million, you make decisions every day about what to do with your money,” Copeland says. He encourages readers to shift their mindset from fear to growth, investing in ways that can repay in the long term relatively than chasing quick wins.

For Copeland, that approach also includes estate planning—an often neglected but crucial element in black communities. He points out that top-profile cases just like the death of Chadwick Boseman, who died with no will, underscore the necessity for more conversations about constructing a legacy. Without proper planning, the wealth you create could be eroded by taxes and legal battles. “We need to be aware of the legacy that we leave behind,” he says, a message that resonates deeply in communities where wealth transfer has historically been a struggle.

While the book is filled with financial advice, its deepest message is about achieving balance. Copeland sees financial freedom as a part of a broader pursuit of mental and emotional well-being. “Money can be a source of stress or a tool for freedom,” he explains. His goal is to help people feel empowered by their financial decisions, not overwhelmed by them.

Research shows that financial stress primarily affects black Americans. Pew Research Center Survey found that 54% of black adults worry about paying bills, compared to just 39% of their white counterparts. This financial anxiety can take a toll on mental health, and Copeland’s holistic approach goals to alleviate that. “If you’re not investing, you’re always going to have to work to earn money. You have to find a point in time where you can do that.” His advice is practical, urging people to prioritize each earning and saving, but never lose sight of living fully in the current.

Brandon Copeland isn’t just one other former athlete trying to capitalize on his fame. He’s a person on a mission to uplift his community by breaking down barriers to financial literacy. This is greater than only a guide to wealth; it’s a manifesto for creating lasting change.

“I was in the spotlight, and there are so many people that you literally spend money on to impress… No, I’m not going to waste money trying to put bottles out at the club just to be seen,” Copeland says, emphasizing the importance of prioritizing long-term financial goals over short-term impressiveness.

Through his book, teaching, and advocacy, Copeland is laying the muse for a future during which financial literacy is the rule, not the exception, for Black Americans.