Prince George's County

Black Financial Professionals Advocate Equity, Trust and Wealth

5 Dr. Pamela C. V. Jolly (L-R), Salene Hitchcock-Gear, Kristi Rodriguez and Maggie Anderson lead a discussion on Black women in wealth Aug. 9 during the 16th annual Conference of African American Financial Professionals at the Omni Shoreham Hotel in Northwest. (Robert R. Robert/The Washington Informer)

William J. Ford WI Staff Writer

Trust. Education. Eliminate fear. Build wealth.

These count as some of the main words used at the 16th annual Conference of African American Financial Professionals at the Omni Shoreham Hotel in Northwest. This year’s conference, the first time in person since the coronavirus pandemic affected the nation in 2020, attracted its big“Homecoming: Empowering our Legacy.”

Blacks represent less than 10% of the entire financial industry which doesn’t just include investors or finance counselors but also those in the fields of marketing, social media and information technology.

Those numbers decrease when it comes to leadership positions, said Hermon Mason, a regional director with Prudential Advisors in Atlanta.

“When you talk about the financial industry, it is a relationship built on trust,” he said Tuesday, Aug. 9. “It is going to take all of us working together to increase representation so we can continue to build trust in the African-American community so we can get this industry to mirror that community.”

Workshops during the three-day conference (Aug. 8 – 10) included: “Being Black in a White Industry,” “The Future of Wealth: Building Inclusive Client Experiences” and “Black Women in Wealth: Dispelling the Myths.”

Some colorful conversations on Tuesday came from Deborah Owens, the founder and CEO of “WealthyU” who resides in Laurel in Howard County, Maryland. She led a session on retaining and marketing to high-earning women of color.

Owens, known as “America’s Wealth Coach,” categorized some women such as the “rich and retired auntie,” who has retired from the government or a corporation. However, her pension and other investments have failed to keep up

gest attendance ever with 1,000 people.

This year’s conference, hosted by the American College of Financial Services in the District, would be convened under the theme the pace of inflation.

One of the questions for her: “How can she create more income and who will take care of her if she becomes ill and needs care?”

Owens insisted attendees will need to become teachers.

“I’m just telling you, if you do this, you will attract your community because you are doing the right thing.,” said Owens, the author of three books. “You are that cheerleader. You are that financial freedom fighter. If we’re not careful, we will have a permanent underclass.”

Broderick Young, a financial planner, wealth manager and co-founder of Reveal Wealth Management in Columbia, Maryland, said most people value their house, 401K and other retirement plans.

He offered advice on what should be a person’s main benefit.

“There is no greater asset on this Earth than you,” said Young, who’s been in the financial industry for 24 years. “When you understand and internalize that and give that to your children and your grandchildren, you will learn a lot about dealing with your money and your health.”

The conference also encouraged attendees to pay closer attention to their own mental health, especially when working long hours with little sleep.

Paul Bashea Williams, owner of Hearts in Mind Consulting who provides counseling and therapy, and Uneeka Jay, CEO of Rewrite 365, provided tips on how to maintain mental stress. Some of

WEALTH Page 19

Walsh, Hoyer Visit Masonry Building in Bowie

WI Staff Report

Slightly more than a week after Congress passed a domestic package to bolster the chip manufacturing industry and finance in science research, House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer visited a masonry training facility in Bowie.

Before leading a roundtable Thursday, Aug. 4, the longtime Maryland congressman toured the International Masonry Training and Education Foundation building alongside U.S. Labor Secretary Marty Walsh.

Both talked with bricklayers, apprentices and others who receive training, certification and continuing education in craftwork that includes stone, marble, terrazzo and cement work. The foundation receives funding from the International Masonry Institute, a labor-management organization created by members of the International Union of Bricklayers and Allied Craftworkers and contractors who employ them.

The tour also promoted Hoyer’s “Make It In America” plan to expand and create jobs in the labor industry.

Hoyer also received an opportunity to lay down brick, thanks to the instruction of bricklayer Brandon Osbourne.

“Making registered apprenticeship opportunities more accessible to American workers not only ensures they receive the training and skills they need to build meaningful careers, but also allows the U.S. to maintain our competitive edge in this twenty-first century global economy,” Hoyer said in a statement. “As a key part of my Make It In America agenda, I was proud to vote for and send the historic CHIPS and Science Act to the President [Biden], which will be essential to bolstering our supply chain and creating opportunities for American workers.”

U.S. Labor Secretary Marty Walsh, who also visited the Bowie site, said apprenticeship programs are vital to the nation’s economy.

“Registered Apprenticeship is a proven model to connect workers to good jobs—a key priority for the Biden-Harris administration and for Congressman Hoyer,” Walsh said. “The IMTEF offers critical workforce development and training that ensures workers can support their families and create a rewarding career. Bolstering job training across industries is a major part of making more products in America...” WI

5 Brandon Osbourne, right, a bricklayer, demonstrates the bricklaying process to House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer, left, and U.S. Labor Secretary Marty Walsh during a visit to the International Masonry Training and Education Foundation building Aug. 4 in Bowie. (Robert R. Roberts/The Washington Informer)

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