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Celebrating Juneteenth: Honoring Financial Leaders in the Black Community

Juneteenth is a federal holiday that commemorates the emancipation of African American slaves and encourages reflection on its lasting impact. Although slavery ended over a century ago, its legacy continues to influence financial equity today. For generations, African Americans have faced barriers to wealth-building opportunities, contributing to the current wealth gap.

In honor of Juneteenth, O1ne Mortgage is proud to highlight leaders in the Black community who have pioneered initiatives, developed programs, and created services to dismantle financial barriers and support underserved communities. For any mortgage-related needs, call us at 213-732-3074.

Bill Cheeks

With over 40 years in the insurance and financial education sectors, Bill Cheeks is a trailblazer in financial literacy. He has collaborated with organizations like the Rainbow PUSH Coalition and the Urban League to advance financial education in the Black community. Cheeks has also served on the Experian Consumer Council, advising on best practices for consumer financial education.

Cheeks held various roles at Equifax, where he launched the company’s first financial education program in the 1990s. From 1995 to 2001, he was Equifax’s Vice President of Consumer Education, leading outreach programs that taught essential financial skills. Cheeks has also held leadership roles at Experian, eCredable, Homefree-USA, and the Jump$tart Coalition for Financial Literacy.

Jacqueline “JaQ” Campbell

Jacqueline “JaQ” Campbell has a distinguished career in financial advising, from her high school job at a bank to managing a $1.8 billion investment team. Campbell has faced and overcome challenges as a Black woman in a predominantly white male industry. She has worked to open doors for others, particularly at JPMorgan Chase & Co., where she developed a diversity, equity, and inclusion plan for the wealth management division.

In 2019, Campbell founded Alexander Legacy Private Wealth, focusing on working with philanthropists and visionaries. She is committed to promoting financial independence, diversity, and inclusion through partnerships with organizations like Year Up and Financial Services Pipeline.

John Hope Bryant

John Hope Bryant is a renowned founder, entrepreneur, author, and philanthropist. After the 1992 Los Angeles riots, Bryant founded Operation Hope to address social injustice through economic empowerment. Operation Hope has educated millions, helped thousands become homeowners, and supported over 169,000 business owners. The organization aims to start, grow, and scale 1 million Black businesses by 2030 through a partnership with Shopify.

Bryant has been recognized as an influential leader and visionary. He is also the chairman and CEO of John Hope Bryant Holdings, Bryant Group Ventures, and The Promise Homes Company, which provides affordable rental homes and financial education services.

Nicole Elam

Nicole A. Elam, Esq., is the president and CEO of the National Bankers Association (NBA), a trade association supporting minority banks. Elam oversees programs and policies that uplift minority banks and create partnerships to modernize and strengthen them. One of NBA’s main focuses is technology, with initiatives like MDI ConnectTech helping minority banks digitize their operations.

Before joining the NBA, Elam was Vice President and Government Relations Manager for JPMorgan Chase & Co., overseeing strategies for the company’s $30 billion commitment to racial equity.

Kevin Matthews II

Kevin Matthews is an award-winning financial educator and former financial advisor who founded BuildingBread in 2010 to inspire millennials to achieve their financial goals. He has authored two books and served as the New York City Office of Financial Empowerment’s Director of Consumer Information. Matthews simplifies complex financial topics, making them accessible to a broader audience.

Rahkim Sabree

Rahkim Sabree is a financial consultant, coach, columnist, and podcaster who explores the intersection of wealth, mental health, and race. Through his newsletter and podcast “Overcoming Financial Trauma,” Sabree normalizes conversations about money trauma and financial therapy. He has also delivered a TEDx talk on financial empowerment and authored the book “Financially Irresponsible.”

Sandy Smith

Sandy Smith is a pioneering financial educator and community builder who started her blog, Yes, I Am Cheap, in 2009. She has since launched the Hustle Crew, a side hustle Facebook community with over 20,000 members, and the Elevate Community, a group for financial influencers of color. Smith encourages transparency in salary discussions to break down financial barriers.

Reason to Celebrate

Join O1ne Mortgage in honoring these visionary leaders and others across the nation who promote financial literacy, equality, and inclusion. For any mortgage-related needs, call us at 213-732-3074. Also, check out Experian’s “Protect the Bag!” series, where Grammy-winning artist Lecrae covers financial topics like budgeting, saving, identity theft, debt management, and investing.

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