John Hope Bryant

Huffington Post ~ Solving Poverty: Fighting Blight and Poverty with Credit Scores

John Hope Bryant

Bestselling business leadership author and philanthropic entrepreneur

In the 50 years since the civil rights movement and Dr. King's dream, one problem (racism) has been replaced or at least matched by another -- poverty. Urban poverty, rural poverty, and poverty that hits blacks, whites, browns and others alike. As I have said previously in the Huffington Post, poverty is the new racism. If you are poor, everything pretty much sucks.

The old model of racism was based on race and the color line. The new model of racism is rooted in class and poverty. The old racism was obvious in signs that read White Only, from the southern states in the U.S. to South Africa. The new racism is more obvious in Misery Row.

Whether it is a feature on a boulevard in an urban city or a rural town, or whether it is at the entrance of a military base, the Misery Row looks pretty much the same. Predatory check cashers, next to rent to own stores, payday lending stores, title lending stores, and liquor stores.

One group of financial predators takes advantage of your financial problems and misfortune, while another associated group benefits by helping you to forget you actually have any.

Read, comment and share the complete article here.

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Bloomberg Businessweek Archives: IF BILL GATES WERE BLACK...

Companies & Industries

If Bill Gates Were Black...

This is still one of my favorite articles.  As appropriate now, as when it was first published in Bloomberg Businessweek.  Share, comment, reflect, and let me know what you think.

It's time for a new movement.

If Bill Gates were black, it would be less important that President Barack Obama is black. This is no slight to President Obama. It is an acknowledgment that while the route to success has changed, for too many in the black and minority community, their game plan has not.

For much of the past century, African Americans pursued social justice through government intervention, the ballot box, and ultimately elective office. While the number of black mayors and elected officials in this country is impressive, the number of black entrepreneurs is not. As a result, job creation in underserved communities, and among the black middle class, is stagnant.

The main driver of freedom in the world today is not the vote but access to capital. When I speak of capital, I obviously mean financial capital, but I also mean the Latin root word capitas, or “knowledge in the head.” That means financial literacy education, financial capability, and financial and economic empowerment.

Read the complete article on Bloomberg Businessweek here.

 

 

The HUFFINGTON POST ~ Solving Poverty: Atlanta in Black and Green, the Tale of Two Cities

   

John Hope Bryant

Bestselling business leadership author and philanthropic entrepreneur

As I noted in another 'Solving Poverty' piece for The Huffington Post, the new racism today is actually poverty.

Yes, it feels really bad if a racist calls you a highly offensive name, but it is completely un-dignifying when you cannot pay your rent, make your mortgage payment, or you find that your car has been repossessed by the lender while you were sleeping. You can walk away from the racist. And more so, when you know who you are, there is actually very little the racist can say or do to change the way you feel about yourself.

You cannot walk away from poverty.

The reality of poverty faces you as a parent every morning when your child looks up at you for lunch money, and as you reach into your pocket, finding only lent and marked up job wanted ads instead.

Or every time you stop for gasoline and have to stop the pump at $6, or you're at the grocery store, intent on collecting the ingredients for that special meal for your family, but finding that you are $20 short and have to put the healthiest choices back.

Poverty faces you in the unfortunately regular arguments you have with your spouse or mate (money is the number one cause for domestic abuse and divorce in America today), or the first time you have to address your teenage child, whose daydreaming about which four-year college they desperately wish to attend. And today, what I am describing is not a 'Black thing,' it's a 'green thing.'

Whether you are white, black, red, brown or yellow, today you just want to see some more green. U.S. currency, that is. We are all in this mess together.

Read, comment and share the complete article on the Huffington Post here.

 

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Atlanta Economic Factoid

Solving Poverty: Dr. King, Wealth and Poverty, from Birmingham, Alabama to the Black Mecca of Atlanta

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Solving Poverty: This Generation Needs An Economic Backup Plan

Solving Poverty: This Generation Needs An Economic Backup Plan

I recently met a very impressive young man while visiting with my father, Mr. Johnnie Will Smith, in Los Angeles, California.  This young man, who lived next door and is the son of one who helps to care for my proud and still self-powered father of 88 years young, possessed incredible vocal, musical, and even writing and producing talent.   In other words, he could not only sing and dance, he could 'think,' analyze and strategize too. The only problem with this young man's life success plan, as I shared with him, was that his primary dream plan did not have a practical backup plan.  And worse from my perspective, his backup plan, should really be his primary plan instead.  Let me explain.

Responsible rap (meaning rap that is true to its origins and roots), Hip-Hop, the broad world of celebrity, and our varied professional sports, are so very important to cultivate and carry forward as part of the larger African-American and minority success story framework for a race.  As Quincy Jones repeatedly burns into my soul and pounds into my thick head, "music, art and culture shapes the soul, helps to heal and bring together our world. They help to shape more well rounded people."  I agree with Q 100%.  

That said, having a career in music, the arts, entertainment (in front of the camera) and sports as the primary life success solution for more than 30 million African-Americans alone in this country, is just plain dumb.  Sure, a few lucky ones will make it through, but I would argue that most of them are not in fact all that 'lucky,' at the end of their career-day. A couple facts.

70% of all professional football players file bankruptcy within 5-years of retirement from the game, and there is a 100% injury rate amongst professional football players.

70% plus of all professional basketball players file bankruptcy within 5-years of retirement from the game.

And a vast majority of the "celebrity" artists, from rap to Hip-Hop and beyond, find themselves dead broke after a short, and often even highly visible career.  

Black Economic Power, And What It Is Not

The State of the African-American Consumer Report said that African-American buying power is approaching $1 trillion, which would make us one of the largest nations in the world if we were a country. Specifically, the report notes that black buying power has increased from $957.3 billion in 2010 to an expected $1.1 trillion by 2015. Although this data from the State of the African-American Consumer Report reflects a positive growth in blacks' disposable income, the growing failure of blacks to do significant business with other blacks casts a dark shadow over the news (source: Victoria Advocate.com).

Money circulates zero to one time within the black community, compared to the more than six times it circulates in the Latino community, nine times in the Asian community and unlimited amount of times within the white community, according to the University of Georgia's Selig Center for Economic Growth.

And so, I am sitting here in Washington, D.C. at a "Making of Modern Atlanta" session, hosted by Congressman John Lewis and the Andrew Young Foundation, and I noticed myself become frustrated. Why? Because the man who made countless black millionaires in Atlanta, legitimately I might add, the late Mayor Maynard Jackson, literally could not find a quality job after he left office. Companies of all races and places, but specifically African-Americans who became wealthy as a result of Mayor Jackson's visionary economic leadership, should have been the first to offer the former mayor not only a quality job, if he wanted one, but a board seat and (company) equity too.

Going forward, we simply must learn to be less selfish. If cannot afford to be focused on the 'me,' we must be focused on the 'we.' We cannot simply look out for ourselves, leaving everyone else on their own. Based on the above numbers and statistics, the wealthiest black population on the planet --- African-Americans --- are not so much building wealth for future generations, but burning through cash in this one.

Onward and with HOPE

John Hope Bryant is a thought leader, founder, chairman and CEO of Operation HOPE, Bryant Group Companies, Inc. Magazine/CEO READ bestselling business author of LOVE LEADERSHIP: The New Way to Lead in a Fear-Based World (Jossey-Bass) the only African-American bestselling business author in the U.S., and is chairman of the Subcommittee for the Under-Served and Community Empowerment for the U.S. President’s Advisory Council on Financial Capability, for President Barack Obama. Mr. Bryant is the co-founder of the Gallup-HOPE Index, the only national research poll on youth financial dignity and youth economic energy in the U.S. He is also a co-founder of Global Dignity with HRH Crown Prince Haakon of Norway and Professor Pekka Himanen of Finland. Global Dignity is affiliated with the Forum of Young Global Leaders and the World Economic Forum. Mr. Bryant serves on the board of directors of Ares Commercial Real Estate Corporation, an NYSE Euronext publicly traded company, and a division of $54 billion Ares Capital.

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On HUFFINGTON POST: Why Thug Culture Is Actually Our Inner-City Problem

There is absolutely nothing wrong with our inner-city children. Nothing, at all.

This premise flies in the face of most of the stats and the facts that we face daily; from kids in Detroit who are literally killing each other over designer sun glasses, to kids in far too many inner-cities who are dropping out of high school at record levels and hanging out on street corners and porches right in the middle of most people's work day. Or worse, those who are engaged in gangs, or those who make up the stunning 30-70% high school dropout numbers in this country. That said, nothing is wrong with our kids. Nothing at all.

Signal lesson in inner-city leadership.

When I was growing up, there were say 35 kids in my classroom, and while 30 kids wanted to learn and were really focused on it, 5 kids were busy acting like knuckleheads. Today, you walk into the very same school and classroom, and you will have 30 kids acting like knuckleheads, and 5 kids -- smart ones -- who are ashamed to admit that they want to learn. There is nothing wrong with our kids. They have just been overrun by "thug culture." Just that simple.

Read the complete story on Huffington Post here.

 

 

Operation HOPE to Begin Hosting Financial Inclusion Meetings Nationwide

Leading up to its highly anticipated HOPE Global Financial Dignity Summit, Operation HOPE plans to bring community, government and private sector leaders together in a series of important Local Financial Dignity & Inclusion Working Group Meetings to develop solutions for the future of free enterprise and capitalism. The meetings, recorded and included in the global Financial Dignity & Inclusion eLibrary developed by HOPE, will be delivered in a final report to the President of the United States in January 2013.

Los Angeles, CA (PRWEB) July 24, 2012

Financial dignity nonprofit Operation HOPE announced today a plan that brings community, government and private sector leaders together in a series of Local Financial Dignity & Inclusion Working Group Meetings where participants will share thoughts and develop solutions for the future of free enterprise and capitalism for all. All meetings will be recorded and included in the global Financial Dignity & Inclusion eLibrary.

The Local Financial Dignity & Inclusion Working Group Meetings, designed to be inclusive of a broad range of voices and perspectives across America and internationally, from deep grassroots to corporate, government, academia and faith, will have only one rule and one objective; no complaints without associated recommended solutions, and framing the future. Specifically, a positive future vision of how we make free enterprise and capitalism work for all in a reset world.

“Financial dignity is the goal, financial inclusion is the way, and financial literacy is one of the many vitally important tools,” said HOPE Founder, Chairman and CEO John Hope Bryant.

The meetings will culminate at the HOPE Global Financial Dignity Summit in November.

John Hope Bryant to Speak at US Black Chamber School of Chamber Management this Week

 

 

"Training solutions for today's  

                              minority chamber."

Bryant to speak on LOVE LEADERSHIP: The New Way to Lead In A Fear-Based World (Jossey-Bass) and other issues that touch on leadership in the 21st century.

 

John Hope Bryant is a thought leader, founder, chairman and CEO of Operation HOPE and Bryant Group Companies, Inc. Magazine/CEO READ bestselling business author of LOVE LEADERSHIP: The New Way to Lead in a Fear-Based World (Jossey-Bass) the only African-American bestselling business author in America, and is chairman of the Subcommittee for the Under-Served and Community Empowerment for the U.S. President’s Advisory Council on Financial Capability, for President Barack Obama.  Mr. Bryant is the co-founder of the Gallup-HOPE Index, the only national research poll on youth financial dignity and youth economic energy in the U.S. He is also a co-founder of Global Dignity with HRH Crown Prince Haakon of Norway and Professor Pekka Himanen of Finland. Global Dignity is affiliated with the Forum of Young Global Leaders and the World Economic Forum.   Mr. Bryant serves on the board of directors of Ares Commercial Real Estate Corporation, an NYSE Euronext publicly traded company, and a division of $54 billion Ares Capital.

HOPE Highlighted at 38th Annual Convention of the National Conference of Black Mayors

Atlanta – Global financial dignity nonprofit, Operation HOPE (HOPE) and its Founder, Chairman and CEO John Hope Bryant were honored at the President’s Luncheon with the esteemed President’s Award during the 38th Annual Convention of the National Conference of Black Mayors (NCBM) on June 2, for outstanding impact on community and public policy work.

HOPE was acknowledged for its work to empower constituents in many of the cities headed by NCBM members, along with Bryant’s public policy work in Washington – brought to life by the NCBM – to create a network of local financial literacy councils throughout the US.

Convening May 30 – June 3, the event hosted by the Honorable Kasim Reed and the city of Atlanta, was themed Mayors Agents for Change: Thinking Global, Acting Local and gathered some 300 mayors and distinguished delegates from across the globe to forge collective approaches on national issues of mutual concern.

Also honored during the tribute were: The Honorable Doug Palmer (Trenton, NJ/USA) and His Excellency Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola (Osun State/Nigeria). Others who have received this cherished honor in the past include: Congressman Bennie Thompson, Congressman Emanuel Cleaver, Reginald Weaver, and The Honorable Wellington Webb.

Bryant, who has worked closely with the NCBM in his role as Chair of the Subcommittee on the Underserved and Community Empowerment for the President's Advisory Council on Financial Capability, addressed the importance of financial dignity and empowerment in underserved neighborhoods.

Read the complete story on the HOPE Blog here.





John Hope Bryant is an entrepreneur, thought leader, founder, chairman and CEO of Operation HOPE and Bryant Group Companies, Inc. Magazine/CEO READ bestselling business author of LOVE LEADERSHIP: The New Way to Lead in a Fear-Based World (Jossey-Bass), the sole African-American bestselling business author in America, and a Member of the U.S. President’s Advisory Council on Financial Capability for President Barack Obama.

Ambassador Andrew Young and John Hope Bryant to Speak at The New York Forum, Africa in Gabon

LETTER FROM THE FOUNDER

2012 will be once again a year of major change. The world needs change, and it has become increasingly evident that people are demanding changes and action! The New York Forum was created as a CALL TO ACTION with the conviction that all Business Models should be reinvented. We are happy to see that our conviction expressed in 2010 and 2011 has become a theme of large gatherings of business and political leaders and the main theme of many presidential campaigns.

Our hope is that a worldwide mobilization will produce some concrete results. The New York Forum Institute will continue to fight to launch initiatives and to bring the attention on communities who needs support to avoid to be definitely exclude from a global world.

The New York Forum Institute will follow-up on these new initiatives and bring global attention to those communities who most need our support to avoid their exclusion from the global community.

The creation of The New York Forum AFRICA will bring together all generations of decision makers, entrepreneurs, and experts to collaborate on helping to emerge a winning, innovative, fruitful, autonomous, stable and leading Africa into a worthy position in the international economic order.

As an ideas laboratory, a global influencer and creator of initiatives, our dream is to be a pioneer. With the creation of the Global Food Security Forum, the Doha GOALS (Global Gathering of All Leaders in Sport), the Education Project and especially the New York Forum we offer you several platforms to help to make the world a better place to live, to give a real hope to the next generations and to reinforce your leadership. The world is also suffering from a crisis of leadership and your engagement and support can help to change this.

In short, in our role as global influencers, we are doing our part to inspire positive change.

Regards,
 
Richard Attias

 

Andrew Young Foundation founder and HOPE Global Spokesman Ambassador Andrew Young will open the Forum with a vision for Africa, and Operation HOPE founder John Hope Bryant will be one of the closing Forum speakers, making a case for Africa on reset.

See the entire Program and list of confirmed speakers here.