John Hope Bryant

Bryant Speaks Out On “The Jobs Debate”

The Financial Times estimates that approximately 50 million jobs will be lost to this global economic crisis, and I happen to believe that is a conservative number, as more than 25 million jobs have already been lost in China alone.  Additionally, the World Economic Forum estimates that soon 100 million jobs will be needed throughout the Middle East, for a population that is also estimated will soon be 60% populated by those 25 years old or younger.  And if you can accept, having nothing to do with racism and discrimination and everything to do with individuals operating in what I refer to as “circles of comfort, “ that minorities, women and people of  color often are the last hired and the first fired – then “jobs” in the traditional sense of that term are not coming back anytime soon.

Kuwaiti activist takes part in economic forum

Check out this inspiring piece from the Kuwaiti Times about a young man that I have decided will travel from the Middle East as a new HOPE Intern.  Read the complete story here.

“The World Has Lost its Storyline: Finding our way forward, beyond the economic crisis.”

 

I keep saying that this is not a global recession, but a global reset.  What I mean is that the so-called prosperity we have experienced in years gone by is well, gone.  We will no doubt see prosperity again, but it will look differently, feel differently, be different (meaning, that this time it will be real and sustainable) and I believe, be achieved differently.  I have also said that this crisis is not about economics per se, but a crisis of virtues and values. 

 

Think about the innovators and leaders you admire?  They dreams big dreams, and were passionate about what I call the power of the idea.  From Richard Branson and his Virgin empire, to Bill Gates and his Microsoft, and now his foundation, to the woman that founded Mothers Against Drunk Driving in the United States, to my friend Klaus Schwab, founder of the World Economic Forum and the Forum of Young Global Leaders, for which I a member, to the framers of the original vision for OECD itself.  They were all driven by the power of the idea.  The problem is that today and over the past 5-10 years, you have had individuals, all over the world, who woke up and said “I want to make money,” or “I want to be powerful.”   This is the wrong ambition, and it led to the wrong outcome.  The odd thing is, if you pursue the power of the idea, and you find a way to serve humanity, to add value, to empower people and to move our world forward, you will ultimately become wealthy (spiritually if not financially) and very powerful, but this was never the end goal.  To quote OECD’s Joanne Caddy, “we have lost our storyline,” and finding a way forward, and developing and philosophy and strategy for sustainable global prosperity again will require that we get it back.

Christmas, Quincy Jones, A Special Memory, and "The Greatest Entertainer"

As I sat and watched the memorial service today for the late Michael Jackson, in between the deep moments of personal sadness, there were sweet, swet memories.  Memories, of course, like growing up on the music of Michael Jackson and the amazing Jackson 5 -- or "African American Royalty," as I referred to the Jackson family as a young boy.  As a young boy growing up, there was simply no other black family like this one --- in the world; and I was proud. And then there were memories that touched me even deeper, because they were still very much with me in the present as I sat there watching the memorial.  My mind and heart, turned to Quincy Jones, who thought of Michael as his "little brother." 

Just before Christmas last year, my friend and mentor Quincy (Jones) called and invited my sweetie, Mrs. Sheila Kennedy Bryant, and I to join him, his family, and a few close friends at his home on Christmas day.  We were in Maui, Hawaii at the time, enjoying our annual Bryant family retreat there, but how could we not accept Q's gracious and loving offer, so we flew back to be with him. 

To me,Q, hs son QD3 (Quincy D. Jones, III), Jolie, Gloria, and the extended Q clan feel just like family, and it goes without saying that the time together was precious and priceless.  And without getting into private areas,or talking about who was there, and naming names, let me simply say this; legends, beyond Q, were in the room.  Many, many of them.  And after dinner, around midnight or so, a passionate conversation started up amongst the artists present (singers and musicians), centered around one question --- who was "the greatest entertainer" of them all? 

The White House Blog Features the HOPE Global Financial Literacy Summit, and the Importance of Financial Literacy in Our Economy

THURSDAY, JULY 2ND, 2009 AT 6:01 AM

Improving Financial Literacy for Our Economic Recovery

Posted by Michael Blake

Senior Advisor Valerie Jarrett was the closing speaker for Operation HOPE’s Global Financial Literacy Summit at TheARC in Anacostia on Wednesday, June 17th.

You can read the entire article on The White House Blog here.  Share it with friends. Spread the word.

Hon. Valerie Jarrett Closing Keynote at HOPE Global Financial Literacy Summit

One of the most important developments in the final week leading up to the Operation HOPE inspired and sponsored, HOPE Global Financial Literacy Summit which occurred on June 17th, 2009, was the confirmation of Presidential aide and friend to community and the under-served Ms. Valerie Jarrett, as our closing keynote speaker at 4:45pm. I had first come into contact with Ms. Jarrett in Jordan, where we both attended the World Economic Forum regional meeting on the Middle East, and where she was speaking before the Forum of Young Global Leaders, for which I am a proud member. It was there, in Jordan, that I learned that Ms. Jarrett was no ordinary anything; she was born in Iran (yes, Iran), and evolved as a leader and advocate in her own right in Chicago, where she was widely respected. I also learned that she was very, very sharp. President Barack Obama is well served by Ms. Jarrett, and I am honored to call her a new friend to HOPE, to financial literacy and silver rights, and to under-served communities and struggling families everywhere.

Factoid

As many as 52 million people could lose their jobs from the economic crisis world-wide, says the International labour Organization, an agency of the United Nations.

 

A vendor selling tomatoes in the informal economy in India makes about 250 rupees a day, or about $5.00, which is not a lot but is surprisingly enough to feed and take care of a household of 9.

 

WSJ

HOPE Global Spokesman and Bryant Mentor Ambassador Andrew Young Honored with 3 Emmys

First Global Financial Literacy Summit Hailed A Success

White House Senior Advisor Valerie Jarrett, Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke, FDIC Chair Sheila Bair, civil rights icon and HOPE Global Spokesman Ambassador Andrew Young, and Members of Congress Join Operation HOPE in Making a Business Case for Financial Literacy

WASHINGTON, DC - June 25, 2009 –A summit held by Operation HOPE (HOPE), a leading global nonprofit social investment banking and financial literacy empowerment organization, gathered together an unprecedented array of national and global leaders to discuss the importance of instilling the “language of money” in the homes of Americans and individuals around the world of all walks of life.

The summit was launched in response to the global economic crisis, the highest U.S. unemployment rate in 25 years (9.4 percent), and a loss of consumer and market confidence due to deteriorating personal finances. Highlights of the day included a signing of an historic Memorandum of Understanding with The Financial Services Roundtable, which will help promote a financial literacy standard countrywide and the launch of Tech 2000, a new entrepreneurial program featuring Apple worldwide certification for youth, and aimed at promoting education and growing business skills for youth.

Goodbye, and Goodnight Mr. Jackson

Maybe now the world will stop hounding him, without compliment. You can say a lot about him, but you cannot say it without saying this too -- he truly was the King of Pop, an icon, and as important to the evolution of music as the Beatles (and one of my three mentors, the legendary Quincy Jones, who produced Mr. Jackson's biggest career hits).

Assuming (and hoping) he made his own personal peace with our Lord, then even his sins...are and have been forgiven.

Mr. Jackson, my only prayer is that you have been "promoted." 

God bless you, and prayers for your entire family, and especially your children, during this difficult time.

John Hope Bryant