Underwriting support from:
A community collaborative is bringing two respected speakers, Eugene A. Mitchell of New York Life and Margarita "Maggie" Anderson of the Chicago area, to host a Community Conversation Money Matters: Financially Empowering the Black Community. It will take place from 5-8 p.m. on Monday, June 29 at Ottawa Hills High School (2055 Rosewood Ave Grand Rapids, MI 49506). They will lead a candid discussion about what individuals and businesses can do, collectively, to economically empower their community and ensure the sustainability of African American-owned businesses.
This very important community conversation will include a Black business expo where you will be able to sample delicious cuisines from local black businesses, network with, see and learn about other local black businesses you can support in your community. The Grand Rapids Urban League will also be hosting a Career Connection where they will be assisting the community with job placement.
According to the Pew Research Center, the wealth of white households was 13 times higher than that of black households in 2013, up from eight times the wealth in 2010. Black Americans were hit harder by the Great Recession of 2007, largely because much of their wealth was lost in in the housing market collapse, and blacks lost a far greater percent of jobs than whites during the economic downturn.
Mitchell is the visionary, architect and driving force behind New York Life's African American Community Empowerment Plan. His vision is to change the financial landscape of black America by building wealth and creating financial legacies that will help fund dreams of a college education, home ownership, entrepreneurialism and philanthropic endeavors for future generations.
Anderson and her family made history as national media covered their year-long journey in 2009 living exclusively off black businesses. The "Empowerment Experiment" resulted in a landmark study by Northwestern University's Kellogg School of Business, which proved how support of Black businesses can transform black communities and improve the American economy as a whole. She is author of "Our Black Year: One Family's Quest to Buy Black," Founder of The Empowerment Experiment, CEO of Maggie’s List and speaks across the country promoting the importance of supporting black businesses.
New York Life’s African American Market Unit, one of the leading sponsors, will share information on legacy planning and wealth accumulation. New York Life wants to empower and impact communities today so that future generations will be better equipped financially.
This event is bringing together a group of leaders in this city who are passionate about creating the change we wish to see. This community meeting is free and open to all.
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