Black Wealth Unlocked
Black Wealth Unlocked aims to explore and celebrate the power of Black wealth, sharing stories, insights, and strategies for building and unlocking economic prosperity within Black communities.
In each episode, we will dive deep into conversations with thought leaders, entrepreneurs, financial experts, and community activists who are making waves in the Black wealth movement. We will explore topics like entrepreneurship, generational wealth, financial literacy, real estate, and much more.
Subscribe to AWBI’s Black Wealth Unlocked on Apple Podcasts and Spotify and watch the full episode on YouTube here, or below.
S2: Episode 3
Why the South Matters
“Nobody has poverty on their vision board”, Health and Human Services leader Dr Alicia M. Johnson states on this episode of Black Wealth Unlocked. Yet we still find ourselves in a society with Black people experiencing poverty at a much higher rate than the white population, and they’re passing that poverty down to their children. So in this episode, host Dr Janelle Williams talks with Dr Alicia M. Johnson and economic justice activist Jessica Norwood about where Black poverty comes from and what we can and should do to prevent it.
Jessica tells her story of growing up poor in Alabama and shares her observations on how Black people are excluded from the virtuous circle of intergenerational wealth. The conversation turns to how historic segregation impacts society today, particularly in the southern United States, and how the examples of Black exceptionalism can hold back Black advancement. Listen out for the guests’ thoughts on reparations and how community-based wealth creation models could help tackle racial poverty.
Despite discussing poverty, inequality and racism, this episode of Black Wealth Unlocked is still uplifting and joyful, as you’ll hear in the guests’ final thoughts.
S2: Episode 2
From Origin to Evolution Part 2
One statistic stands out in this conversation because it represents the work that the Atlanta Wealth Building Initiative has set itself: currently, 2 million Black households in the American South have zero net worth. With its rebranding into Kindred Futures and a team of experts walking arm-in-arm towards the same goal, the AWBI wants to change that. Tune into this episode of Black Wealth Unlocked to find out how.
In this second part of the conversation between Dr Janelle Williams and social justice advocate Tene Traylor, they lift the lid on why the AWBI will become Kindred Futures and what the new name means for them and their mission. Listen in as they discuss the need to create shared wealth in the Black community and what they want to achieve within the next five years, including what they would like the conversation around Kindred Futures to be.
As Tene states in this episode, the work that Kindred Futures will engage in isn’t just head work, it’s heart work. As such, it requires support from a community of people who share the vision of creating freedom through shared wealth in the Black community.
S2: Episode 1
From Origin to Evolution Part 1
“When we think about success, it’s so easy to be seduced by the outliers. And the outliers are really important. But we need to think about ‘How do we move the mean?’” On this episode of Black Wealth Unlocked, Dr Janelle Williams talks with philanthropist and social justice advocate Tene Traylor about soul work and building a better future for America’s Black communities, in Atlanta and beyond.
Tene breaks down the problem with focussing effort and attention on the ‘Talented Ten’ instead of the ‘Talented Ninety’ in the Black community and underlines why we need to work on creating shared wealth as opposed to individual wealth. Listen out for Dr Janelle’s North Star goal for Tene unpacking why now is the time to make societal changes.
This conversation is so important and thought-provoking that it’s been split into two parts, with the second half featuring a deep dive on what’s next for Kindred Futures.
Season One
S1: Episode 6
Empowering Black Businesses: The Key Role of Ecosystem Building
Your business can’t thrive in isolation. If you want to grow your revenue and make strategic decisions about the future, you need support and advice from people in the know. That’s what you can expect to find if you join an organization like the Atlanta Black Chambers, the Atlanta Business League, or the Georgia Micro Enterprise Network. On this episode of Black Wealth Unlocked, host Kim Addie talks to three Black titans of business about building a business ecosystem and what the future holds for the Black-owned businesses of Atlanta.
Leona Barr-Davenport, Elizabeth Wilson, and Melvin M. Coleman explain what they do in their organizations to support Black entrepreneurship and what attracted them to this work in the first place. Then they share the achievements they’re most proud of and the reason why, although their organizations have similar objectives, they’re not in competition with each other. Listen out for their advice for new entrepreneurs which is great for any new business owner who’s feeling like they didn’t know what they were letting themselves in for!
S1: Episode 5
Standing On Business: The Role of Black Businesses
Atlanta is a hub for many Black-owned businesses that play a crucial role in their communities, but even the most beloved institutions can fail. In the latest episode of Black Wealth Unlocked, AWBI’s Dr. Alex Camardelle and Jarryd Bethea discuss AWBI’s recent study into Black-owned businesses and how we can support them.
Bethea unpacks the data that shows a positive link between Black-owned businesses in a neighborhood and increased child well-being in that same area. He also explains why the numbers don’t capture the full picture of what Black-owned businesses look like in Atlanta. Then the conversation moves onto the challenges that Black-owned businesses in today’s business environment, from rent hikes to lack of access to capital.
S1: Episode 4
The South Has Something To Say
In this episode of the series, host Dr. Janelle Williams is joined by esteemed guests Tamieka Mosley from GrantMakers for Southern Progress, Kelly Burton from Black Innovation Alliance, and April Albritton from Black Voters Matter, as they delve deep into the importance of collective power, shared experiences, and the assault on Black communities within the diaspora.
Our guest speakers share their personal journeys and experiences, highlighting the power of grassroots organizing and using the law to fight for justice. They touch upon landmark cases, such as the Black farmers’ lawsuit, where reparations were not fully attained but progress was made in reclaiming land taken from them.
The discussion also reveals the powerful connection between economic empowerment and political participation, showcasing the transformational impact of providing mortgages to the Black communities. Our guests stress the importance of understanding the historical movements for independence and supporting nations fighting for wealth-building policies.
S1: Episode 3
Empowering Black Entrepreneurs: The Transformative Power of Partnerships
In this episode, host Kim Addie, Vice President of Strategy and Impact at the Atlanta Wealth Building Initiative, and special guest Harriett Williams, Co-Founder and Vice President of the Village Micro Fund, as they delve into the transformative power of partnerships in building and empowering Black businesses. In this episode of Black Wealth Unlocked, you’ll discover how Village Micro Fund is bridging the gap in investments for underserved communities and providing creative financial solutions.
Together, Kim and Harriett explore the importance of trust and meaningful relationships in empowering communities. They discuss the urgent need to address the predicted decline in Black families net worth and the innovative community wealth-building practices that can reverse this trend.
S1: Episode 2
Black Wealth Unlocked: Strategies For Advancing Economic Justice and Liberation
In this episode, AWBI CEO and Co-Founder Dr. Janelle Williams and AWBI VP of Research and Policy Dr. Alex Camardelle delve into the concept of Black wealth and its significance for the Black community. In this thought-provoking episode of Black Wealth Unlocked, the Atlanta Wealth Building Initiative’s groundbreaking podcast, they explore how wealth equates to freedom and liberation, along with the role that data and public policy play in shaping Black wealth outcomes.
Janelle and Alex also explore the dynamic and diverse meaning of Black wealth, and how it is vital to create better outcomes for Black communities. Through this episode, discover how Atlanta Wealth Building Initiative is working towards building Black wealth by amplifying community voices, challenging policymakers and philanthropy, and rewriting existing policies and practices.
S1: Episode 1
AWBI's Manifesto: Redefining Wealth for Black Communities and Challenging the Status Quo
In this episode, AWBI CEO and Co-Founder Dr. Dr. Janelle Williams invites a special guest, co-founder of AWBI, Tené Traylor, to the mic for an intimate conversation about the genesis, growth, and the future of AWBI. Join us as Janelle and Tené traverse the remarkable journey of AWBI including the organization’s birth during the challenging times such as the pandemic and civil unrest, its unwavering commitment to Black empowerment, and its profound impact on communities in Atlanta and beyond. Janelle and Tené also discuss the future of the AWBI and its mission to redefine wealth for Black communities, focusing on shared prosperity as the cornerstone of its vision.