John Hope Bryant

On February 1st, 2009, in the midst of the worst global economic crisis in recent history, thought leader John Hope Bryant was chosen to speak at the closing session for the Annual Meeting of the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, joining Archbishop Desmond Tutu, Professor Klaus Schwab, founder and chairman of the World Economic Forum, H.R.H. Crown Prince Haakon of Norway and Professor Pekka Himanen of Finland, on the subject of “dignity for all.”

In early 2008, Bryant’s silver rights advocacy inspired the U.S. government to make financial literacy the policy of the U.S. federal government for the first time in our nation’s history.

John Hope Bryant is a philanthropic entrepreneur and businessman, in the business of empowerment. This includes Mr. Bryant’s non-profit work throughout the United States, through Operation HOPE, his global non-profit work led by HOPE Global Initiatives, his vast work in public policy, and his increasing portfolio in “thought leadership.” In August, 2009, Bryant’s new book LOVE LEADERSHIP: The New Way to Lead in a Fear-Based World” (Jossey-Bass), debuted at #8 on the CEO Reads Top 10 Best Seller List.

On January 22nd, 2008, Mr. Bryant was appointed by then President George W. Bush as vice-chairman of the bi-partisan U.S. President’s Advisory Council on Financial Literacy. Vice chairman until January, 2010, Mr. Bryant proudly now serves the historic presidency of the Honorable Barack Obama, 44th President of the United States. In this role Mr. Bryant also serves as chairman of the Under-Served Committee for the U.S. President’s Council. Seeing this crisis in global dimensions, Mr. Bryant also serves on the Global Agenda Council for the World Economic Forum, as an advisor on financial literacy and empowerment.

On June 17th, 2009, Mr. Bryant convened a first-ever HOPE Global Financial Literacy Summit, in Anacostia, just outside of Washington, D.C. The summit was attended by more than 850 delegates from 40 countries and 6 continents, and speakers include Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke, FDIC Chair Sheila Bair, White House Advisor Valerie Jarrett and civil rights icon Ambassador Andrew Young.

Mr. Bryant is the founder, chairman and chief executive officer of Operation HOPE, America’s first non-profit social investment banking organization, now operating in 68 U.S. communities and South Africa, having served more than one million individuals and raised more than $500 million from the private sector to empower the poor.

Former U.S. President Bill Clinton described Mr. Bryant in his recent bestselling book GIVING saying, “John Bryant is a 41 year-old whirlwind of ideas and action. Lean, intense, focused, and completely positive in his belief in the potential of poor people to prosper, with ‘a hand up and not a hand out.’”

A national community leader cited by the past four sitting U.S. presidents for his work to empower low-wealth communities across America, and an active advisor to the past two U.S. presidents, John Hope Bryant is one of the most authoritative and compelling advocates for poverty eradication in America today.
Raised in Compton and South Central Los Angeles, California and homeless for 6 months of his life by age 18, John Hope Bryant is today a businessman and social entrepreneur who has traveled the world tirelessly promoting a sense of hope, self-esteem, dignity, and opportunity for the under-served.

As a co-founder of Global Dignity, John Hope Bryant has conducted Dignity Day teaching sessions with youth and leaders in Canada, Turkey, India, Switzerland, Finland, South Africa and Amman, Jordan with Her Majesty Queen Rania, Archbishop Desmond Tutu, and HRH Crown Prince Haakon of Norway, amongst other countries.

John Hope Bryant is also a businessman, has served on several corporate boards, is author of BANKING ON OUR FUTURE, a book on youth and family financial literacy, is a former goodwill ambassador to the U.S. for the United Nations in Geneva, Switzerland, a partner with former U.S. President Clinton and his foundation in teaching financial literacy and promoting the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC), was selected as a Young Global Leader for the World Economic Forum, and working with HOPE global spokesman Ambassador Andrew Young, is also a leader for a new movement bridging civil rights to silver rights. Mr. Bryant is an internationally respected public speaker.

John Hope Bryant has received more than 400 awards and citations for his work to empower low-wealth communities including the Use Your Life Award by Oprah Winfrey, and was named a “Community Hero” by People Magazine on the 10th anniversary of the worst urban civil unrest in U.S. history. In December, 1994, Mr. Bryant was selected by TIME Magazine for their “America’s 50 Most Promising Leaders of the Future” cover story. Mr. Bryant serves on the CEO Panel for USA Today Newspaper and writes regularly for the Huffington Post.

Mr. Bryant received an Honorary Doctorate Degree of Human Letters from Paul Quinn College of Dallas, Texas and in April, 2008, Bryant completed the Harvard University, John K. Kennedy School of Government, “Global Public Policy and Leadership for the 21st Century” executive education program. Mr. Bryant has received the National Community Service Award both from Spelman College and Livingstone College, both HBCUs.

John Hope Bryant was born on February 6, 1966, at Good Samaritan Hospital in Los Angeles, California, and resides in Los Angeles with his wife Mrs. Sheila Jenine Kennedy Bryant, and their dog “Little Man.”
Chronological Bryant Career Highlight

2009

September 9-11th, 2009, Bryant invited to speak at the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting of the New Champions in Dalian, China, on “preventing an economic backlash post global crisis.”

August 24th, 2009, Bryant’s new book LOVE LEADERSHIP: The New Way to Lead in a Fear-Based World” (Jossey-Bass), debuted at #8 on the CEO Reads Top 10 Best Seller List.

June 17th, 2009, Bryant convened a first ever HOPE Global Financial Literacy Summit in Anacostia, attended by more than 850 delegates from 40 countries and 6 continents, and speakers include Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke, FDIC Chair Sheila Bair, White House Advisor Valerie Jarrett and civil rights icon Ambassador Andrew Young.

June, 2009, Bryant provides lead remarks on financial literacy before annual OECD Forum, Paris, France.

April 15th, 2009, Bryant invited to be a discussion leader on entrepreneurship at the World Economic Forum regional meeting on Latin America, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

March 20th, 2009, Bryant invited to speak at the Nelson Mandela Promise of Leadership Conference, South Africa.

March 5th, 2009, HR1325, a House of Representatives bill inspired by the work of Bryant, Operation HOPE and the U.S. President’s Advisory Council on Financial Literacy, was sponsored and formally introduced by Congresswoman Sheila Jackson-Lee , chairwoman of the House Children’s Caucus.

February 1, 2009, Bryant was asked to join Archbishop Desmond Tutu, and fellow Global Dignity co-founders HRH Crown Prince Haakon of Norway and Professor Pekka Himanen to provide closing remarks for the 2009 Annual Meeting of the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, on the topic of dignity.

January 15, 2009, a Resolution was authored by Congresswoman Diane Watson to be introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives, signed by 20 members of Congress as original authors, recognizing the work of John Hope Bryant and Operation HOPE to raise awareness about the importance of financial and economic literacy in America.

2008

2008, Bryant was appointed a member of the Board of Visitors for Xavier University.

September 26th, 2008, Bryant was a featured panelist on the global CNBC special “What Wins Now – Passion, Power, Purpose or Profit?” at the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting of the New Champions in Tianjin, China.

September, 2008, Bryant was selected to be a member of the Global Agenda Council for the World Economic Forum, Geneva, Switzerland, in the role as the Council expert on financial literacy.

August, 2008, Bryant was honored with a Visionary Leadership Award by the California Black Chamber of Commerce.

April, 2008, Bryant was featured in U.S. News & World Report and The Economist as the new vice chairman of the U.S. President’s Council on Financial Literacy.

April 1-11th, 2008, Bryant was selected by the World Economic Forum and the Forum of Young Global Leaders for the Harvard University, John K. Kennedy School of Government, “Global Public Policy and Leadership for the 21st Century” executive education program in Boston, Massachusetts.

March 4th, 2008, Bryant appointed to a 2-year term on the City of New York Advisory Board for the Office of Financial Empowerment within the City of New York Office of Consumer Affairs, and under New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg’s Administration.

January 23rd-27th, 2008, John Hope Bryant participated as a Young Global Leader at the Annual Meeting of the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland.

January, 2008, Bryant participated as an author in “Islam and the West: Annual Report on the State of Dialogue,” published by the World Economic Forum and issued at Davos, 2008.

January 22nd, 2008, the 43rd President of the United States, George W. Bush, appointed John Hope Bryant to serve a two-year term on the President’s Council on Financial Literacy, created that day by Executive Order at a ceremony at the White House.

January 12th, 2008, John Hope Bryant served as the keynote speaker for the 40th annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. in Chicago, IL, speaking on Dr. King’s Chicago Campaign, and the coming 40th anniversary of Dr. King’s Poor People’s Campaign.

2007

November 3rd, 2007, Black Leadership Forum honored Bryant with its 30th Anniversary Lamplighter Award for Entrepreneurial Leadership, in Washington, D.C.

November, 2007, Bryant appointed to the Board of Visitors for Xavier University in New Orleans, Lousiana.

October 13th, 2007, the Association of Black Women Physicians honored Bryant with its Humanitarian Award at its 26th Annual Charity Ball Benefit in Los Angeles, California.

September 4th, 2007, former U.S. President Bill Clinton features John Hope Bryant and Operation HOPE in his best-selling book GIVING.

August 31st, 2007, U.S. President George W. Bush announces the President’s Council on Financial Literacy, a direct outgrowth of an earlier meeting at the White House with John Hope Bryant and Operation HOPE.

May 18th, 2007, John Hope Bryant joined Her Majesty Queen Rania of Jordan, along with Global Dignity co-founders HRH Crown Prince Haakon of Norway and Professor Pekka Himanen for Dignity Day, Jordan just prior to Dignity Day, Jordan. Bryant has also led Dignity Day sessions throughout the world, in the U.S., Canada, Turkey, India, Switzerland and Jordan.

April 27th, 2007, John Hope Bryant featured by Time.com as one of 15 voices, 15 years after the worst riot in U.S. history.

April 25th, 2007, John Hope Bryant joins U.S. President George W. Bush, Treasury Secretary Paulson, Education Secretary Spellings, HUD Secretary Jackson, U.S. Treasurer Cabral and 6 financial literacy experts in the Roosevelt Room of the White House for a first-ever Presidential meeting on financial literacy in America. The President called the meeting in response to a leadership request around financial literacy from Bryant and Operation HOPE.

April 23rd, 2007, John Hope Bryant and Ambassador Andrew Young co-chaired the 15th Anniversary HOPE Bankers Bus Tour, on the 15th anniversary of the Los Angeles riots and the founding of Operation HOPE. More than 500 leaders from government, community and the private sector participate.

February, 2007, John Hope Bryant was profiled by CNN in their “People You Should Know” program with Paula Zahn.

February, 2007, John Hope Bryant was featured on the cover of NV Magazine and Our Weekly Newspaper.

January 23 -28, 2007, John Hope Bryant attends and speaks before the Annual Meeting of the World Economic Forum as a Young Global Leader and co-leads Dignity Day, Davos session with fellow members of the Forum of Young Global Leaders.

January, 2007, John Hope Bryant and Operation HOPE featured in groundbreaking new documentary entitled RWANDA RISING by civil rights icon Ambassador Andrew Young debuted at the Pan-African Film Festival in Los Angeles.

2006

November, 2006, John Hope Bryant leads Dignity Day, Turkey and Dignity Day, India sessions with fellow members of the Forum of Young Global Leaders in Istanbul, Turkey and New Delhi, India, respectively.

On July 17, 2006, John Hope Bryant chaired the ”African Entrepreneurs” session of the VII Leon H. Sullivan Summit in Abuja, Nigeria, attending on behalf of HOPE Global Initiatives.

On May 18, 2006, John Hope Bryant accepted the Business of the Year Award from the Black Business Association of Los Angeles.

On May 3, 2006, John Hope Bryant and District of Columbia Mayor Anthony Williams co-hosted the first ever Anacostia Economic Summit outside of Washington, D.C. The summit was a historic event marking the first time ever that the Chairman of the Federal Reserve (Ben Bernanke) and the President of the World Bank (Paul Wolfowitz) made a public policy speech in an American inner-city, low-wealth community.

On April 15, 2006, John Hope Bryant received the Vanguard (Man of the Year) Award from the Association of Black Harvard Women at Harvard University.

On March 31, 2006, John Hope Bryant and the work of Operation HOPE, in partnership with the New York Stock Exchange, was highlighted by President Bill Clinton at a special meeting of his Clinton Global Initiatives, where Mr. Bryant and Operation HOPE also became a member of Clinton Global Initiative

On March 16, 2006, John Hope Bryant received the Children’s Hero Award from the Say Yes to Children Network, a grassroots non-profit advocacy organization in South Los Angeles, California.

On February 27, 2006, John Hope Bryant and fellow Young Global Leaders HRH Crown Prince of Norway Haakon and Professor Pekka Himanen of Finland co-founded Global Dignity (www.globaldignity.org), a global campaign to defend the right for every human being to lead a dignified and empowered life. Global Dignity is an autonomous, non-profit and non-partisan project linked to the 2020 process of the World Economic Forum’s Young Global Leaders.

On January 24-29, 2006, John Hope Bryant participated as a Young Global Leader and speaker before the Annual Meeting of the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland.

On January 14, 2006, John Hope Bryant received the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Excellence in Leadership Award at the 38th Annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Awards Dinner marking the 77th birthday of the late Dr. King, in Chicago, Illinois. The national award is presented to those “who best embody the ideals of the late civil rights icon and who are keeping King’s dream alive through their example.”

On January 11, 2006, John Hope Bryant and Jack McGuire, president of the American Red Cross, signed a national memorandum of agreement signaling a partnership that vertically integrates and brings together the critical response work of the American Red Cross, with the second-stage emergency economic disaster preparedness, response and recovery work of Operation HOPE’s HOPE Coalition America.

2005

On December 16, 2005, John Hope Bryant and U.S. Office of Thrift Supervision Director John Reich announced a provisional change in the federal Community Reinvestment Act (CRA) law, at the request of Mr. Bryant and Operation HOPE, allowing and authorizing “credit for emergency disaster financial counseling” under CRA for thrifts (OTS approved) and state and federally chartered banks (OCC and FDIC approved), for all victims of Hurricane Katrina and Rita, irrespective of income or location throughout the nation.

On December 8, 2005, John Hope Bryant and U.S. Small Business Administrator Hector Barreto announced in New Orleans, Louisiana Project Restore HOPE/Small Business to aide the small business community in recovery throughout the Gulf Coast region.

On November 18, 2005, John Hope Bryant, Ambassador Andrew Young and Louisiana Governor Kathleen Blanco announced Project Restore HOPE/Gulf Coast Recovery, to aid the victims of Hurricane Katrina in her state.

On October 4, 2005, John Hope Bryant announced Project Restore HOPE, inclusive of a national call center and partnerships with government, community and the private-sector, in response to Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, and launching the nation’s first second-stage emergency economic disaster response and recovery initiative for disaster victims.

In September, 2005, John Hope Bryant created and introduced America’s first Emergency Financial First Aid Kit (EFFAK), which is now FEMA federal government document #532, available to all Americans through the federal government at no charge.

September 15-17t, 2005, John Hope Bryant participated as a delegate of the inaugural meeting of the Clinton Global Initiative in New York City, New York.

June 24-27, 2005, John Hope Bryant participated as a newly appointed member, and as well spoke at the Inaugural Summit of the Forum of Young Global Leaders, Zermatt, Switzerland, an affiliate of the World Economic Forum.

On May 25, 2005, John Hope Bryant testified on financial literacy “best practices” before the U.S. Financial Literacy and Education Commission at the Department of the Treasury, where he introduced his proposal for a “silver rights movement” in America.

On May 20-22, 2005, John Hope Bryant attended the World Economic Forum regional meeting at the Dead Sea, Jordan (Middle East) as a Young Global Leader delegate for the World Economic Forum.

On April 12, 2005, John Hope Bryant, Ambassador Andrew Young, principal aide to the late Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr, and civil rights icon Dr. Dorothy Height, along with leaders from government, community and the private sector, co-hosted “A Day of HOPE with Andrew Young” at the Andrew Young School of Policy Studies at Georgia State University, Atlanta, Georgia, and called for the dawning of a new movement in 21st century America, “from civil rights to silver rights.” John Hope Bryant is the principal author of the Silver Rights Movement.

2004

On October 18, 2004, the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland nominated John Hope Bryant as one of 237 young leaders selected from around the world to serve as a member of the Forum of Young Global Leaders, chaired by Her Majesty Queen Rania of Jordan. Bryant has subsequently attended and spoken at World Economic Forum regional meetings in Jordan, South Africa, Turkey, India and the Annual Meeting in Davos, Switzerland.

On September 27, 2004, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and Citizen Corps publicly announced their endorsement and co-branding of the Emergency Financial First Aid Kit, or EFFAK, created and pioneered by John Hope Bryant and Operation HOPE.

On September 27, 2004, John Hope Bryant received the President’s Volunteer Service Award for Lifetime Achievement, in recognition of his charitable activities, and his contribution of more than 4,000 hours towards public service. This is the highest award possible for lifetime public service by the President.

On June 13, 2004, John Hope Bryant became a Presidential appointee when U.S. President George W. Bush appointed him to a 4-year term on the non-partisan U.S. Community Development Advisory Board for the CDFI Fund at the U.S. Department of the Treasury.

On June 1, 2004, John Hope Bryant served as a featured speaker on behalf of Operation HOPE, Inc. for the first ever national conference of the White House Office of Faith-Based and Community-Based Initiatives, on two separate panels, namely “Community Development Successful Partnerships” and the “Foundations and Corporations Forum.”

On May 8, 2004, John Hope Bryant gave the commencement speech before the 132nd graduating class of Paul Quinn College of Dallas, Texas, where John Hope Bryant was awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Human Letters.

2003

In 2003, John Hope Bryant and Operation HOPE created the Emergency Financial First Aid Kit (EFFAK), now an official federal government document (FEMA document #532) available at no cost to all Americans.

In July, 2003, edition of Black Enterprise Magazine, John Hope Bryant featured as one of nine leaders for the African-American community for the 21st Century.

In June, 2003, John Hope Bryant was selected to testify before the U.S. House Committee on Financial Services in the first ever hearings on financial literacy and the un-banked.

On June 5, 2003, Federal Reserve Chairman Alan Greenspan, Operation HOPE Chairman John Hope Bryant and President J. Alfred Broaddus of the Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond, co-taught a Banking on Our Future financial literacy session at John Philip Sousa Middle School in South East Washington, D.C., highlighting the national importance of financial literacy in our economy and amongst the nation’s youth.

April-May, 2003, John Hope Bryant conducted a national tour featuring Banking on Our Future program co-teaching sessions with presidents of the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston, Chicago, St. Louis,. Richmond, Dallas and Cleveland respectively, as well as the Chairman of the Federal Reserve System Chairman Alan Greenspan.

In January, 2003, John Hope Bryant was selected by L.A. Focus Magazine as one of the 30 Most Influential Blacks in Los Angeles

2002

On October 15, 2002, John Hope Bryant served as a participant in the White House Conference on Minority Homeownership.

In June, 2002, John Hope Bryant was selected by Savoy Magazine as part of their cover story on the Power 100, as one of three national community leaders to watch.

On May 7, 2003, John Hope Bryant was selected by Oprah Winfrey and the Oprah’s Angel Foundation to receive the Use Your Life Award, along with a $100,000 gift, donated to the work of Operation HOPE in Chicago, on the Oprah Winfrey Show.

On April 29, 2002, John Hope Bryant hosted U.S. President George W. Bush, Jr. in South Central Los Angeles as his guest, on the occasion of the 10th anniversary of the worst urban civil unrest in U.S. history.

On April 25, 2002, John Hope Bryant announced a partnership between Operation HOPE and former U.S. President William Jefferson Clinton to educate every child in Harlem, New York in economic literacy.

On April 18, 2002, John Hope Bryant signed a memorandum of agreement with the FDIC on behalf of Operation HOPE, creating a partnership to educate the whole family in economic literacy.

2001

In September, 2001, in response to 9/11, John Hope Bryant founded HOPE Coalition America as America’s “economic Red Cross.” Today HCA is the lead national partner for FEMA and the Department of Homeland Security for emergency volunteer economic disaster preparedness, response and recovery. The American Red Cross is also a national partner with HCA.

HCA’s response to Hurricane Katrina alone provided emergency economic counseling and economic triage services to more than 50,000 Katrina victims, made $500,000 direct homeownership compassion grants, assisted Katrina victims in receiving more than $12 million in federal tax refunds and EITC payments, and recruited in excess of 1,500 professional HOPE Corps volunteers to assist victims.

On July 23, 2001, John Hope Bryant was assigned a special consultancy with UNCTAD, Geneva, Switzerland, to help develop a unique and vital global micro-finance marketplace.

On June 20, 2001, John Hope Bryant was selected by the Bush Administration to serve as a panel participant for the U.S. Labor Department -- 21st Century Workforce Summit, held in Washington, DC.

On May 18, 2001, John Hope Bryant was selected by the United Nations to serve as a delegate, speaker and co-leader of an official State of California delegation to the UNCTAD III Global Conference on Least Developed Countries, held in Brussels, Belgium.

2000

On June 29, 2000, John Hope Bryant was selected to participate as a forum chairman for the White House Community Empowerment Conference held in Columbus, Ohio.

On April 5, 2000, John Hope Bryant was amongst a select group of leaders from the fields of business, technology, education and the non-profit arena asked to join President Clinton at the White House Conference on the New Economy.

1999

In October, 1999, John Hope Bryant was selected by the Los Angeles Times as one the Top 103 Most Influential People (in Los Angeles).

On June 21, 1999, John Hope Bryant served as a panel participant with then U.S. Vice President Al Gore on the occasion of Family Reunion 8: Family and Community (Policy) Conference, in Nashville, Tennessee.

In June, 1999, John Hope Bryant was appointed a consultant and special advisor to UNCTAD, Geneva, Switzerland.

In May of 1999, at the invitation of the Clinton Administration, John Hope Bryant served as a delegate on the U.S. Presidential Mission to the V African-African American Summit in Accra, Ghana, as well as a Summit speaker.

1998

In 1998, John Hope Bryant participated as a delegate, speaker, and a key member of the planning group for the UNCTAD Partners for Development Summit; Tri-Partite Meeting on Micro-finance, as hosted by the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development, and held November 9-10, 1998, Lyon, France.

On May 4, 1998, John Hope Bryant became the first African-American in history to be knighted by German nobility and the royal House of Lippe.

In May, 1998, John Hope Bryant was appointed the first ever United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) Goodwill Ambassador for Partners for Development to the United States of America.

1997

In 1997, John Hope Bryant participated as a delegate and panel participant in the IV African-African American Summit, focused on economics, health and education, and founded by Dr. Leon H. Sullivan, in Johannesburg, South Africa, and Harare, Zimbabwe.

In May, 1997, John Hope Bryant was selected by Town & Country Magazine as one of the 25 individuals in the country that represented “The New Breed of Philanthropic Leaders” in America.

1996

In April, 1996, John Hope Bryant founded Banking on Our Future, today the leading urban delivery system for financial literacy education across America. HOPE has educated more than 200,000 low-wealth youth in financial literacy to date. Operational in more than 700 schools and community based organizations throughout the United States, Banking on Our Future is fueled by more than 3,000 professional HOPE Corps volunteers from banking, credit unions and financial services.

On March 18, 1996, John Hope Bryant was selected by the Los Angeles Business Journal as one their 40 Under Forty.

In January, 1996, John Hope Bryant was selected by Swing Magazine as One of the 30 Most Powerful Twentysomethings in America.

1995

In August, 1995, John Hope Bryant co-founded and subsequently served as the first president of The New Leaders organization, a group comprised principally of African-American professionals in Los Angeles, inspired by the life and legacy of former Los Angeles Mayor Tom Bradley to “do something” for their community.

In August, 1995, John Hope Bryant was selected by Black Enterprise Magazine as One of 25 Future Leaders to Watch.

In June of 1995, United States President Bill Clinton invited John Hope Bryant to be a panel participant in the White House Pacific Rim Economic Conference, held in Portland, Oregon.

1994

In 1994, John Hope Bryant founded the first in a national network of inner-city banking centers, called HOPE Centers, serving low-wealth communities. Located nationwide and soon Harlem, New York, HOPE Centers empower individuals by converting check cashing customers into banking customers, renters into homeowners, small business dreamers into small business owners, minimum wage workers into living wage workers, and the economically uneducated into the financially literate. In 2002, HOPE became the first non-profit in history to build a bank branch and sell it to a bank.

John Hope Bryant participated in the 19th Japanese External Trade Organization, Export to Japan Program, as a guest of the Japanese Government.

1992

On May 4th, 1992, immediately following the worst urban riot and civil unrest in U.S. history, the Rodney King Riots of April 29th, 1992, and inspired by his pastor and spiritual father the Reverend Dr. Cecil “Chip” Murray, John Hope Bryant founded Operation HOPE as America’s first non-profit social investment banking organization. HOPE was founded as a partnership between government, community and the private sector, or the three-legged stool of HOPE.

HOPE was organized in the backdrop of a Bryant organized Bankers Bus Tour, which took 18 leaders from government, community but most of all the private sector on a tour of the areas impacted by the riots, under the theory “you don’t lend where you have never been.” Bryant understood that the principle problem following the riots was not a sense of love nor hate, but rather indifference. The HOPE Bankers Bus Tour sought to bridge that sense of difference with a sense of enlightened self-interest and overall opportunity. These are the values that continued to drive HOPE in years to follow.