Black-Owned Banks in Missouri
Three years ago, I said the #BankBlack movement is slowly progressing. If that's still true, I'm not seeing it. One reason why is that it's since become overwhelmingly clear that while supporting Black-owned banks and Black American-owned businesses unites us, it won't fix the fact that we make up approximately 1% of America's wealth. In short, it doesn't equate to the fight for reparations. Another reason is that one's choice of banking is an intimate one. You can oftentimes look at someone and see what brands and causes they support. How often do you see someone wearing a shirt that reads "Bank of America" or "Chase Banking?" In a society with devastating cyber threats, identity theft, and AI's role in increasing such risks, those volunteering their bank of choice are in the minorities...and/or influencer marketing.
Like Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), there are benefits for Black Americans choosing to "Bank Black." Blacks are more likely to reach a representative who understands the financial fragility of Black America, and is more willing to teach financial literacy specific to your circumstances, because they experience them more often. Being a Black-owned bank member grants you unique resources specific to you, something you're unlikely to experience at other banks.
5 Reasons Black Americans Should Use More Free Open Source Software (FOSS)
Conversations about Black American history or the "Black dollar" oftentimes merge with the other. Slavery, segregation, redlining, eminent domain, the new Jim Crow. It's easier to rush through these topics in a short emotional conversation. Unfortunately, that oftentimes means not being able to discuss any of them in-depth. And I'm going to do that here.
This blog post is about saving money on tools that can help you make money in today's gig economy. Pro Tools, the Adobe suite, Sony Vegas, and Microsoft Windows obviously have value for their features, popularity, and job demand. But what if you don't have money for a particular paid software, especially ones with a subscription-based model? Some will say "install a pirated copy," but that's dangerous, sometimes blocked by online integrity checks, and illegal. Below are five reasons why I recommend Black Americans specifically to consider reputable free and open-source software (FOSS).
HBCU Students Should Complete the SFEPD Mind Over Money Skills Financial Literacy Certification
The Society for Financial Education and Professional Development (SFEPD) is a nonprofit organization focused on financial literacy education. Their "four pillars" of focus: colleges, faith-based institutions, workplace financial wellness, and community workshops. In fall 2024, SFEPD created the Mind Over Money Skills Financial Literacy Certification course. This online course was created specifically for Black American students at Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). Below is every reason most Black Americans should complete the Mind Over Money Skills Financial Literacy course.
Selling Black-Owned Businesses to White-Owned Corporations
I'll make this short. I hope that black business owners selling their companies to larger, white-owned corporations does not become a trend. I believe that we need to keep that money in our communities. However, I do understand that many founders sell their business to a larger company to make change elsewhere.
If a Black-owned business is sold outside of the Black community, I prefer that it be publicly announced, unlike Greenwood bank allegedly did. Remove the business from any Black chamber of commerce listings. Remove "Black-owned" from all parts of the brand's online presence. And I'll find a new Black-owned business to support.
10 HBCU-Focused Platforms to Follow
After having the nerve to write an unofficial address to students attending historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs), I used that momentum to consolidate a HBCU music playlist. Below are some social media platforms to keep HBCU students in the know about college news, specifically HBCU culture.
Understand the Racist Arguments Against Reparations
Some RallyPoint members (RP) recently praised arguments in an article titled "Ten Reasons Why Reparations for Blacks is a Bad Idea for Blacks [And racist too]." I replied to the post in detail but wanted to also write it here for a few reasons:
4 Important Components to Making Money
COVID-19 reminded us how important it is to have savings. Companies are laying off employees to downsize. Many 9-to-5 workers are doing side-hustles to pull in extra income. Some have found ways to lower expenses such as biking instead of driving or moving to a smaller home. It feels like the United States is being tested on concepts covered in the Essentialism book. Great book, by the way.
Even with the recession and increased cost of living country-wide, some people are still neglecting the basics of money management. With issues like single mothers and crime increasing more, especially within the Black community, you have to check yourself and reflect on your financial choices. I'm no professional in personal or professional finances. I'm not going to talk about stocks, bonds, or anything of the sort. Everything I say below, you can work on now.
Easy Credit Report Repair Steps
First published on August 16, 2015
This will be quick for now. Nolo for more. Check your credit reports from Experian, Equifax, and Transunion annually on AnnualCreditReport for free and no penalty to your credit score.
5 Reasons to Try Project Wonderful
First published on November 14, 2016
As stated in Music Production Lessons in 2018, Project Wonderful shut down in 2018. There are alternatives listed on SaaSHub.com. Please contact me if you find a good alternative.
I found Project Wonderful while reading the Questionable Content web-comic a few months ago. Once I learned a few valuable lessons from using Google Ads, I wanted to find something better. I had Project Wonderful ads to use in three short steps:
- Create a profile with what your website is about
- Make a few ad “boxes” with specified size options and tags you want to apply to individual boxes
- Copy and paste the HTML code into the site
