February 13, 2026

Black History Month: Building Wealth Through Financial Literacy, Community, and Representation

Alicia Harrison

Deep Dives

Black history is created every day—not just in February. Black History Month simply gives us space to confront both the progress made and the gaps that still shape financial outcomes in Black and Brown communities. It’s a time to honor resilience and innovation while acknowledging the systemic barriers that have limited access to wealth. Financial literacy—supported by community and trusted Black advisors—remains one of the most powerful tools for creating generational change.

Understanding the Wealth Gap

The racial wealth gap did not happen by accident. It is the result of decades of exclusion from homeownership, fair lending, business capital, and financial education. Even today, many Black and Brown families are navigating complex financial systems without access to guidance that reflects their lived experiences.

Financial literacy is not simply about budgeting or investing, it’s about understanding how money works within systems that were not designed with BIPOC communities in mind, and learning how to strategically build, protect, and transfer wealth anyway.

Financial Literacy as a Tool for Empowerment

Financial literacy creates options. It empowers individuals and families to:

Make informed decisions about debt, credit, and investing
Build emergency savings and long-term security
Navigate entrepreneurship and business ownership
Plan for retirement and generational wealth transfer

When financial education is culturally relevant and practical, it becomes transformative. It turns money from a source of stress into a tool for freedom.

The Power of Community Support

Historically, Black communities have relied on collective support to survive and thrive—from mutual aid societies to faith-based networks and family systems. That same spirit is essential in modern wealth-building.

Community-based financial education, accountability, and shared knowledge help normalize conversations about money and reduce shame around financial challenges. When people see others who look like them building wealth, it reinforces the belief that it’s possible.

Why Black Advisors Matter

Representation matters—especially in financial services.

Black financial advisors bring more than technical expertise. They bring cultural understanding, trust, and context. They understand the unique pressures BIPOC families face, including supporting extended family, being first-generation wealth builders, and navigating workplaces where financial benefits may not be clearly explained or equitably structured.

Black advisors often serve as educators, advocates, and partners—helping clients align financial strategies with their values, responsibilities, and long-term goals. Their impact extends beyond individual clients to entire communities through education, mentorship, and visibility.

That impact is deeply personal and transformative. Advisors like Yohance Harrison have built careers helping Black families create wealth while navigating an industry where they were often the only Black advisor in white, male-dominated spaces. Despite facing racism, bias, and judgment from peers, senior advisors, and those seeking a financial advisor, he built a practice rooted in trust, education, and genuine service. By breaking barriers and consistently outperforming peers, his work proves that representation isn’t symbolic—it delivers real results.

Building Generational Wealth Together

Wealth-building is not a solo journey. It requires education, access, guidance, and community reinforcement. During Black History Month, we celebrate progress—but we also recommit to the work ahead.

By investing in financial literacy, supporting Black-owned businesses and advisors, and strengthening community-based wealth initiatives, we create a future where generational wealth is not the exception, but the expectation.

Because financial empowerment is not just about money—it’s about legacy.

Call to Action: Turn Awareness Into Action

Celebrating Black History Month means moving beyond reflection to intentional action. Building wealth starts with clarity—knowing what matters most and making financial decisions that align with those values. Here are practical ways to start or deepen your financial journey:

Define your personal and family values to use as a filter for financial decisions around spending, saving, investing, and giving. Values-based decisions create consistency, confidence, and long-term alignment.
Listen to The Money Script Podcast to better understand how beliefs, behaviors, and systems influence financial decisions.
Read The Four Money Bears to introduce financial literacy at home and start generational conversations early.
Use our Debt Elimination Calculator to create a clear plan to reduce debt and free up cash flow for wealth-building.
Expand your financial mindset by reading:
Have regular Money Dates and open financial discussions at home to normalize money conversations, align goals, and build accountability.

Wealth is built intentionally—by aligning values with action, prioritizing education, and having ongoing conversations. When we support trusted voices within our communities, we don’t just change our own outcomes—we help reshape the future.

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