ABOUT THE BUSINESS / ORGANIZATION:

Brown Girls Do Invest (BGDI) is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization established to educate women to invest in stocks, real estate, and acquire multiple streams of income. We encourage women to invest their dollars to build a diverse financial portfolio. What sets us apart from our peers is that Brown Girls Do Invest established the first-ever investing tour for African American women where we travel throughout the United States and Canada to conduct panel discussions, workshops, Q&A, and more in the form of an educational conference.

The organization also develops money management skills and positive behavior in academically motivated and underserved middle/high school children and working-class women to improve opportunities to build a diverse financial portfolio that includes stocks, real estate and multiple lines of income. BGDI offers year-round, community-based programs: After-School Academy, Weekend Academy, and Summer Academy through the following programs: Stack Your Stocks educational meetings, which informs and inspires girls and women how to invest in the stock market and much more; Literacy Program, which provides financial literacy books to students ages 12-18 years to prepare for life to overcome financial obstacles and mentor program.

Our mission is to empower and change the financial outlook of women. It is our goal to bring financial awareness to enrich the African American community to invest.

THE STORY:

While working in the financial industry, I noticed the African American community was underrepresented. We did not have adequate representation in the board rooms, conferences, events, or opening investment accounts due to a lack of knowledge and opportunity. There were countless times when I would have conversations with colleagues who did not understand that most people in our community did not patronize financial firms to open accounts with six-figure checks. African Americans have increasingly faced systemic obstacles to building wealth. For me, it was frustrating to overhear conversations from those who could not relate to the circumstances within our community and provide information that resonated with the person across the desk who did not share a similar socioeconomic background.

In 2014, I began Brown Girls Do Invest as a thought. In February 2016, I put the thoughts into action. It later became a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization in October 2016. Currently, we have over 40,000 members who are eager to learn how to invest and excited to be in a room of women who are relatable and knowledgeable.

It is important to note that when an opportunity is not presented, we must create an opportunity for ourselves instead of waiting for others to open the door. We do not exclude anyone from attending an event. However, we do focus heavily on statistics that permeate within the African American community. We also establish an environment for those who would not have a chance to freely learn and ask questions without judgment.

ACCOMPLISHMENTS / ACCOLADES / AWARDS:

I have experienced many proud moments and milestones. However, the moments that stand out the most is the recognition I receive amongst peers for doing simply what I love and am gifted to do each day that makes a difference in the lives of people I encounter.