Big Dreams Begin at Home

By RANDY MASON

Donald Hawkins doesn’t mind if you call him a “serial entrepreneur.”

“I think of it as someone who locates pain points and helps find ways to relieve them,” he explains. Donald has played that role in various fields — healthcare, fashion, tech and now banking.

In 2021, Donald and his team launched First Boulevard Bank –– a digital-only neobank offering economic tools to better serve the Black community. And ultimately bridge the wealth gap that has developed over decades.

“We’re building our ancestors’ wildest dreams,” he smiles.

A native of Albany, Georgia, Donald lived in Atlanta before moving to Overland Park four years ago with his wife and two children. He finds the pace here a little slower, making KC the ideal location for maximizing his career — and life — goals.

“My focus right now is on my family, and this is such a great place for that,” he says.

It’s not just the community that gives that confidence. Donald is also impressed by the area’s efforts in education, and innovations like the Blue Valley CAPS Program.

In his leisure time, Donald says he seldom misses a Sporting KC home game and when football season rolls around, he cheers for his Chiefs.

He’s also a big fan of KC’s food scene, particularly at Rye KC and Parlor in the Crossroads — a great place for noshing over someone’s notion of a project worth pursuing.

“I’ve met some of the nicest people here, and they’re really open to ideas,” he says. “You can get ingrained in this town really quickly!” n