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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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!