[Music]
[Music] [Applause]
what if I told you that dr. Martin
what if I told you that dr. Martin Luther King jr. didn’t accomplish as
Luther King jr. didn’t accomplish as
Luther King jr. didn’t accomplish as much as we give him credit for what if I
much as we give him credit for what if I
much as we give him credit for what if I told you that the civil rights movement
told you that the civil rights movement
told you that the civil rights movement fell far short of accomplishing his
fell far short of accomplishing his
fell far short of accomplishing his ultimate goals now don’t get me wrong
ultimate goals now don’t get me wrong
ultimate goals now don’t get me wrong the civil rights movement was necessary
the civil rights movement was necessary
the civil rights movement was necessary for our nation’s history and remains
for our nation’s history and remains
for our nation’s history and remains critical for our nation’s destiny and
critical for our nation’s destiny and
critical for our nation’s destiny and without question dr. Martin Luther King
without question dr. Martin Luther King
without question dr. Martin Luther King jr. was one of the greatest leaders our
jr. was one of the greatest leaders our
jr. was one of the greatest leaders our world has ever known yet even he
world has ever known yet even he
world has ever known yet even he acknowledged and recognized where the
acknowledged and recognized where the
acknowledged and recognized where the civil rights movement fell short just
civil rights movement fell short just
civil rights movement fell short just one year before his assassination in May
one year before his assassination in May
one year before his assassination in May of 1967 dr. King said this when we see
of 1967 dr. King said this when we see
of 1967 dr. King said this when we see that there must be a radical
that there must be a radical
that there must be a radical redistribution of economic and political
redistribution of economic and political
redistribution of economic and political power then we see that for the last 12
power then we see that for the last 12
power then we see that for the last 12 years we have been in a reform movement
years we have been in a reform movement
years we have been in a reform movement dr. King made this statement because he
dr. King made this statement because he
dr. King made this statement because he recognized that gains in civil rights
recognized that gains in civil rights
recognized that gains in civil rights had not changed the material conditions
had not changed the material conditions
had not changed the material conditions of life for many people in short he
of life for many people in short he
of life for many people in short he recognized that civil rights without
recognized that civil rights without
recognized that civil rights without economic rights are really no rights at
economic rights are really no rights at
economic rights are really no rights at all what the civil rights leaders
all what the civil rights leaders
all what the civil rights leaders ultimately gave their life for was a
ultimately gave their life for was a
ultimately gave their life for was a hand up not a handout they want an equal
hand up not a handout they want an equal
hand up not a handout they want an equal opportunity to pursue life liberty and
opportunity to pursue life liberty and
opportunity to pursue life liberty and happiness without the restrictions and
happiness without the restrictions and
happiness without the restrictions and systems designed to oppress and
systems designed to oppress and
systems designed to oppress and marginalize while progress had been made
marginalize while progress had been made
marginalize while progress had been made in civil rights dr. King recognized that
in civil rights dr. King recognized that
in civil rights dr. King recognized that there were still far too many
there were still far too many
there were still far too many restrictions and oppressive systems
restrictions and oppressive systems
restrictions and oppressive systems economically so in 1968 he started the
economically so in 1968 he started the
economically so in 1968 he started the Poor People’s Campaign and the goal was
Poor People’s Campaign and the goal was
Poor People’s Campaign and the goal was to achieve economic justice for poor and
to achieve economic justice for poor and
to achieve economic justice for poor and oppressed people in the US
oppressed people in the US
oppressed people in the US what many people either don’t know or
what many people either don’t know or
what many people either don’t know or have forgotten is that when dr. King was
have forgotten is that when dr. King was
have forgotten is that when dr. King was assassinated in Memphis Tennessee he was
assassinated in Memphis Tennessee he was
assassinated in Memphis Tennessee he was in Memphis pushing for economic rights
in Memphis pushing for economic rights
in Memphis pushing for economic rights not just civil rights so here we are 50
not just civil rights so here we are 50
not just civil rights so here we are 50 years after the civil rights movement
years after the civil rights movement
years after the civil rights movement and America is still haunted by the same
and America is still haunted by the same
and America is still haunted by the same fundamental issue and just like our city
fundamental issue and just like our city
fundamental issue and just like our city and state was ground zero for the civil
and state was ground zero for the civil
and state was ground zero for the civil rights movement fifty years ago
rights movement fifty years ago
rights movement fifty years ago fifty years later our city and state
fifty years later our city and state
fifty years later our city and state remains ground zero for economic
remains ground zero for economic
remains ground zero for economic injustice this is why I believe that the
injustice this is why I believe that the
injustice this is why I believe that the new civil rights movement is economic
new civil rights movement is economic
new civil rights movement is economic education and empowerment let me show
education and empowerment let me show
education and empowerment let me show you something this is a map of where
you something this is a map of where
you something this is a map of where people of color were forced to live in
people of color were forced to live in
people of color were forced to live in this city in the 1920s now this was a
this city in the 1920s now this was a
this city in the 1920s now this was a terrible time because southern states
terrible time because southern states
terrible time because southern states passed Black Codes which were laws
passed Black Codes which were laws
passed Black Codes which were laws intended to criminalize people of color
intended to criminalize people of color
intended to criminalize people of color restrict their economic independence and
restrict their economic independence and
restrict their economic independence and providing pretext for jail terms and
providing pretext for jail terms and
providing pretext for jail terms and because most people couldn’t pay the
because most people couldn’t pay the
because most people couldn’t pay the jail fees they were sentenced to force a
jail fees they were sentenced to force a
jail fees they were sentenced to force a laborer as a result convicts were leased
laborer as a result convicts were leased
laborer as a result convicts were leased to steel mills plantations lumber yards
to steel mills plantations lumber yards
to steel mills plantations lumber yards mines and a host of other industries to
mines and a host of other industries to
mines and a host of other industries to be used as forced labor it was the era
be used as forced labor it was the era
be used as forced labor it was the era of slavery by another name but if you
of slavery by another name but if you
of slavery by another name but if you were fortunate enough to not be sent to
were fortunate enough to not be sent to
were fortunate enough to not be sent to prison on trumped-up charges and then
prison on trumped-up charges and then
prison on trumped-up charges and then forced into convict leasing you will
forced into convict leasing you will
forced into convict leasing you will only allow to live in these areas and if
only allow to live in these areas and if
only allow to live in these areas and if you tried to venture out of these areas
you tried to venture out of these areas
you tried to venture out of these areas and move into other neighborhoods you
and move into other neighborhoods you
and move into other neighborhoods you were terrorized lynched and even bombed
were terrorized lynched and even bombed
were terrorized lynched and even bombed in fact the nickname of our great city
in fact the nickname of our great city
in fact the nickname of our great city bombing ham comes from this practice so
bombing ham comes from this practice so
bombing ham comes from this practice so from the 1920s on people of color in our
from the 1920s on people of color in our
from the 1920s on people of color in our city were forced to only live in these
city were forced to only live in these
city were forced to only live in these areas but less fast forward guess where
areas but less fast forward guess where
areas but less fast forward guess where the majority of the people of color in
the majority of the people of color in
the majority of the people of color in our city too
our city too
our city too I still live in those same areas guess
I still live in those same areas guess
I still live in those same areas guess where the life expectancy is the lowest
where the life expectancy is the lowest
where the life expectancy is the lowest in those same areas guess where the
in those same areas guess where the
in those same areas guess where the poverty is the greatest in those same
poverty is the greatest in those same
poverty is the greatest in those same areas now I’m going to ask you a really
areas now I’m going to ask you a really
areas now I’m going to ask you a really hard question so prepare yourself guess
hard question so prepare yourself guess
hard question so prepare yourself guess where the majority of payday lenders set
where the majority of payday lenders set
where the majority of payday lenders set up shop in our city in those same areas
up shop in our city in those same areas
up shop in our city in those same areas there are four times as many payday
there are four times as many payday
there are four times as many payday lenders in our state as there are
lenders in our state as there are
lenders in our state as there are McDonald’s its economic exploitation of
McDonald’s its economic exploitation of
McDonald’s its economic exploitation of the poor and vulnerable and these types
the poor and vulnerable and these types
the poor and vulnerable and these types of practices harken all the way back to
of practices harken all the way back to
of practices harken all the way back to slavery do you know what the motivation
slavery do you know what the motivation
slavery do you know what the motivation for slavery was it was the economic
for slavery was it was the economic
for slavery was it was the economic exploitation of the poor and vulnerable
exploitation of the poor and vulnerable
exploitation of the poor and vulnerable do you know what the motivation for
do you know what the motivation for
do you know what the motivation for convict leasing was it was the economic
convict leasing was it was the economic
convict leasing was it was the economic exploitation of the poor and vulnerable
exploitation of the poor and vulnerable
exploitation of the poor and vulnerable and payday lending does the exact same
and payday lending does the exact same
and payday lending does the exact same thing it’s modern-day slavery
thing it’s modern-day slavery
thing it’s modern-day slavery forty six thousand people each week take
forty six thousand people each week take
forty six thousand people each week take out a payday loan in our state and on
out a payday loan in our state and on
out a payday loan in our state and on average a payday loan barber renews that
average a payday loan barber renews that
average a payday loan barber renews that loan eighty nine times in just one year
loan eighty nine times in just one year
loan eighty nine times in just one year and with an annual percentage rate of
and with an annual percentage rate of
and with an annual percentage rate of four hundred and fifty six percent they
four hundred and fifty six percent they
four hundred and fifty six percent they end up in a cycle of debt and poverty
end up in a cycle of debt and poverty
end up in a cycle of debt and poverty that most will never get out of this
that most will never get out of this
that most will never get out of this devastates individuals it devastates
devastates individuals it devastates
devastates individuals it devastates families but it destroys communities
families but it destroys communities
families but it destroys communities when I first moved to our great city my
when I first moved to our great city my
when I first moved to our great city my office was in an area of town that
office was in an area of town that
office was in an area of town that historically was a great area was filled
historically was a great area was filled
historically was a great area was filled with many white families and my favorite
with many white families and my favorite
with many white families and my favorite Starbucks was right there on the corner
Starbucks was right there on the corner
Starbucks was right there on the corner and the great new grocery store opened
and the great new grocery store opened
and the great new grocery store opened up right across the street from my
up right across the street from my
up right across the street from my office but then over time the community
office but then over time the community
office but then over time the community began to change more and more white
began to change more and more white
began to change more and more white families moved out more more people of
families moved out more more people of
families moved out more more people of color moved in and initially I didn’t
color moved in and initially I didn’t
color moved in and initially I didn’t think much about it but I also began to
think much about it but I also began to
think much about it but I also began to see more more payday loan companies open
see more more payday loan companies open
see more more payday loan companies open it up and then one day I went to my
it up and then one day I went to my
it up and then one day I went to my favorite Starbucks for my usual at all
favorite Starbucks for my usual at all
favorite Starbucks for my usual at all Caffe americano with sugar-free vanilla
Caffe americano with sugar-free vanilla
Caffe americano with sugar-free vanilla and one Truvia I pulled into the
and one Truvia I pulled into the
and one Truvia I pulled into the drive-through and no one greeted me and
drive-through and no one greeted me and
drive-through and no one greeted me and then after sitting there for a long
then after sitting there for a long
then after sitting there for a long period of time
period of time
period of time I pulled around looked into the
I pulled around looked into the
I pulled around looked into the Starbucks only to realize that they had
Starbucks only to realize that they had
Starbucks only to realize that they had closed now I thought that was strange
closed now I thought that was strange
closed now I thought that was strange because it feels like you can find the
because it feels like you can find the
because it feels like you can find the Starbucks on almost every corner the
Starbucks on almost every corner the
Starbucks on almost every corner the community was still bustling with people
community was still bustling with people
community was still bustling with people it didn’t really make sense to me but
it didn’t really make sense to me but
it didn’t really make sense to me but then the grocery store across the street
then the grocery store across the street
then the grocery store across the street from my office abruptly closed and it
from my office abruptly closed and it
from my office abruptly closed and it was still relatively new what hour later
was still relatively new what hour later
was still relatively new what hour later found out was at the store closures had
found out was at the store closures had
found out was at the store closures had nothing to do with a population issue it
nothing to do with a population issue it
nothing to do with a population issue it had everything to do with a lack of
had everything to do with a lack of
had everything to do with a lack of disposable income while all of my
disposable income while all of my
disposable income while all of my favorite stores were closing more and
favorite stores were closing more and
favorite stores were closing more and more payday lenders continued to open
more payday lenders continued to open
more payday lenders continued to open and the impact on the community was
and the impact on the community was
and the impact on the community was devastating
devastating
devastating see for every $1 spent repaying a payday
see for every $1 spent repaying a payday
see for every $1 spent repaying a payday loan $2 is taken out of the local
loan $2 is taken out of the local
loan $2 is taken out of the local economy families in that area was so
economy families in that area was so
economy families in that area was so strapped financially trying to repay
strapped financially trying to repay
strapped financially trying to repay their payday loans that they no longer
their payday loans that they no longer
their payday loans that they no longer had any more money for the Starbucks or
had any more money for the Starbucks or
had any more money for the Starbucks or the local grocery store see payday
the local grocery store see payday
the local grocery store see payday lending ultimately Rob’s individuals
lending ultimately Rob’s individuals
lending ultimately Rob’s individuals families communities and businesses of
families communities and businesses of
families communities and businesses of the opportunity to lead an economically
the opportunity to lead an economically
the opportunity to lead an economically viable life for the long term but
viable life for the long term but
viable life for the long term but because these lenders exist every day
because these lenders exist every day
because these lenders exist every day thousands of people are signing up to
thousands of people are signing up to
thousands of people are signing up to give away their financial freedom and
give away their financial freedom and
give away their financial freedom and their financial future simply because
their financial future simply because
their financial future simply because they are in need and because they don’t
they are in need and because they don’t
they are in need and because they don’t know any better this is why the new
know any better this is why the new
know any better this is why the new civil rights movement
civil rights movement
civil rights movement is economic education and empowerment
is economic education and empowerment
is economic education and empowerment now educational theory suggests that
now educational theory suggests that
now educational theory suggests that there are a couple of levels of a
there are a couple of levels of a
there are a couple of levels of a person’s reality that you must
person’s reality that you must
person’s reality that you must acknowledge before real education can
acknowledge before real education can
acknowledge before real education can begin first there is unconscious
begin first there is unconscious
begin first there is unconscious ignorance this is when people don’t know
ignorance this is when people don’t know
ignorance this is when people don’t know what they don’t know the second level is
what they don’t know the second level is
what they don’t know the second level is conscious ignorance this is when people
conscious ignorance this is when people
conscious ignorance this is when people begin to recognize that they don’t know
begin to recognize that they don’t know
begin to recognize that they don’t know the third level is rare real education
the third level is rare real education
the third level is rare real education begins the reason that payday lending is
begins the reason that payday lending is
begins the reason that payday lending is so devastating is because it preys on
so devastating is because it preys on
so devastating is because it preys on the unconscious ignorance of people they
the unconscious ignorance of people they
the unconscious ignorance of people they don’t know what they don’t know and then
don’t know what they don’t know and then
don’t know what they don’t know and then they pass on what they don’t know to the
they pass on what they don’t know to the
they pass on what they don’t know to the next generation this is why the opposite
next generation this is why the opposite
next generation this is why the opposite of poverty is not wealth the opposite of
of poverty is not wealth the opposite of
of poverty is not wealth the opposite of poverty is opportunity and education you
poverty is opportunity and education you
poverty is opportunity and education you don’t fight ignorant with exploitation
don’t fight ignorant with exploitation
don’t fight ignorant with exploitation and marginalization you fight ignorant
and marginalization you fight ignorant
and marginalization you fight ignorant with exposure in education think about
with exposure in education think about
with exposure in education think about it right now in our society where does a
it right now in our society where does a
it right now in our society where does a person go to learn how to manage money
person go to learn how to manage money
person go to learn how to manage money better and make good financial decisions
better and make good financial decisions
better and make good financial decisions what does a person go to learn how
what does a person go to learn how
what does a person go to learn how devastating a bad financial decision can
devastating a bad financial decision can
devastating a bad financial decision can be this is not taught in most schools
be this is not taught in most schools
be this is not taught in most schools this is not part of any job orientation
this is not part of any job orientation
this is not part of any job orientation my mother was the first person in our
my mother was the first person in our
my mother was the first person in our family to go to college and when I was
family to go to college and when I was
family to go to college and when I was in the fifth grade she married my
in the fifth grade she married my
in the fifth grade she married my stepfather who was a hard-working man
stepfather who was a hard-working man
stepfather who was a hard-working man and he also was the first person in his
and he also was the first person in his
and he also was the first person in his family to go to college my stepfather
family to go to college my stepfather
family to go to college my stepfather was an entrepreneur who had dreams of
was an entrepreneur who had dreams of
was an entrepreneur who had dreams of living an upper-middle class lifestyle
living an upper-middle class lifestyle
living an upper-middle class lifestyle and driving a BMW I’ll never forget the
and driving a BMW I’ll never forget the
and driving a BMW I’ll never forget the day that he was able to purchase his
day that he was able to purchase his
day that he was able to purchase his first BMW he arrived home late one
first BMW he arrived home late one
first BMW he arrived home late one evening and my step-brother and I were
evening and my step-brother and I were
evening and my step-brother and I were already asleep but he woke us up to come
already asleep but he woke us up to come
already asleep but he woke us up to come outside and to see this new car
outside and to see this new car
outside and to see this new car it was so dark outside I couldn’t really
it was so dark outside I couldn’t really
it was so dark outside I couldn’t really make out the color of the car but his
make out the color of the car but his
make out the color of the car but his pride and his
pride and his
pride and his citement was noticeable to everyone on
citement was noticeable to everyone on
citement was noticeable to everyone on our street and as we said in the car he
our street and as we said in the car he
our street and as we said in the car he turned to me and had the biggest smile
turned to me and had the biggest smile
turned to me and had the biggest smile I’ve ever seen on his face and he asked
I’ve ever seen on his face and he asked
I’ve ever seen on his face and he asked me a question he said do you know what
me a question he said do you know what
me a question he said do you know what BMW stands for and I thought for a
BMW stands for and I thought for a
BMW stands for and I thought for a moment and responded and said Bavarian
moment and responded and said Bavarian
moment and responded and said Bavarian motor works and he stuck his chest out a
motor works and he stuck his chest out a
motor works and he stuck his chest out a little bit larger and he looked at me
little bit larger and he looked at me
little bit larger and he looked at me with that big smile and he said nope BMW
with that big smile and he said nope BMW
with that big smile and he said nope BMW stands for a black man working much of
stands for a black man working much of
stands for a black man working much of their life my mother and stepfather did
their life my mother and stepfather did
their life my mother and stepfather did the best they could to provide a decent
the best they could to provide a decent
the best they could to provide a decent middle-class lifestyle for my siblings
middle-class lifestyle for my siblings
middle-class lifestyle for my siblings and I but one day that all came crashing
and I but one day that all came crashing
and I but one day that all came crashing down I was in the tenth grade and it was
down I was in the tenth grade and it was
down I was in the tenth grade and it was the week that we were set to move into
the week that we were set to move into
the week that we were set to move into their dream home my mother and
their dream home my mother and
their dream home my mother and stepfather worked hard and saved their
stepfather worked hard and saved their
stepfather worked hard and saved their money and they were finally able to
money and they were finally able to
money and they were finally able to build their dream home and the home was
build their dream home and the home was
build their dream home and the home was set to be completed in a number of days
set to be completed in a number of days
set to be completed in a number of days in fact our current home was already
in fact our current home was already
in fact our current home was already packed up and the movers were coming the
packed up and the movers were coming the
packed up and the movers were coming the very next day and I came home to find my
very next day and I came home to find my
very next day and I came home to find my stepfather in the middle of the living
stepfather in the middle of the living
stepfather in the middle of the living room floor crying uncontrollably and he
room floor crying uncontrollably and he
room floor crying uncontrollably and he just kept saying I lost it I lost it I
just kept saying I lost it I lost it I
just kept saying I lost it I lost it I lost it now I had never seen my
lost it now I had never seen my
lost it now I had never seen my stepfather cry let alone fall apart and
stepfather cry let alone fall apart and
stepfather cry let alone fall apart and I didn’t really know what to do except
I didn’t really know what to do except
I didn’t really know what to do except call my mother and I did I called mom
call my mother and I did I called mom
call my mother and I did I called mom and mom rushed home and the pain of what
and mom rushed home and the pain of what
and mom rushed home and the pain of what happened next has impacted me greatly in
happened next has impacted me greatly in
happened next has impacted me greatly in between his sobbing my stepfather
between his sobbing my stepfather
between his sobbing my stepfather managed to tell my mother and I that he
managed to tell my mother and I that he
managed to tell my mother and I that he had taken all of their savings including
had taken all of their savings including
had taken all of their savings including the money that they needed to close on
the money that they needed to close on
the money that they needed to close on their dream home and he had invested in
their dream home and he had invested in
their dream home and he had invested in what he thought was a business sure
what he thought was a business sure
what he thought was a business sure thing turns out it was a sham and he had
thing turns out it was a sham and he had
thing turns out it was a sham and he had lost all of the money immediately my
lost all of the money immediately my
lost all of the money immediately my mother began to ask well how do we get
mother began to ask well how do we get
mother began to ask well how do we get the money back and it was the pain of
the money back and it was the pain of
the money back and it was the pain of that question that made him fall apart
that question that made him fall apart
that question that made him fall apart even the more he just began to
even the more he just began to
even the more he just began to even more loudly and he kept saying it’s
even more loudly and he kept saying it’s
even more loudly and he kept saying it’s all gone it’s all gone it’s all gone a
all gone it’s all gone it’s all gone a
all gone it’s all gone it’s all gone a few days later my mother had a nervous
few days later my mother had a nervous
few days later my mother had a nervous breakdown and had to be hospitalized
breakdown and had to be hospitalized
breakdown and had to be hospitalized shortly after that my stepfather had a
shortly after that my stepfather had a
shortly after that my stepfather had a heart attack and later died and I had to
heart attack and later died and I had to
heart attack and later died and I had to live with my best friend’s family my
live with my best friend’s family my
live with my best friend’s family my entire 10th grade year and I would go
entire 10th grade year and I would go
entire 10th grade year and I would go visit my mother as often as I could when
visit my mother as often as I could when
visit my mother as often as I could when she was finally able to regain her
she was finally able to regain her
she was finally able to regain her mental faculties and when she began to
mental faculties and when she began to
mental faculties and when she began to speak again there was only one question
speak again there was only one question
speak again there was only one question that I wanted to ask her and it was this
that I wanted to ask her and it was this
that I wanted to ask her and it was this how could this happen
how could this happen
how could this happen I mean they were both great people they
I mean they were both great people they
I mean they were both great people they were educated they were accomplished
were educated they were accomplished
were educated they were accomplished they were exposed and I’ll never forget
they were exposed and I’ll never forget
they were exposed and I’ll never forget what my mother said to me she said to me
what my mother said to me she said to me
what my mother said to me she said to me no one ever taught us about money now if
no one ever taught us about money now if
no one ever taught us about money now if my stepfather could make a bad financial
my stepfather could make a bad financial
my stepfather could make a bad financial decision and he was educated and exposed
decision and he was educated and exposed
decision and he was educated and exposed and accomplished what do you think is
and accomplished what do you think is
and accomplished what do you think is happening every time someone goes in to
happening every time someone goes in to
happening every time someone goes in to get a payday loan and they have little
get a payday loan and they have little
get a payday loan and they have little or no financial education and exposure I
or no financial education and exposure I
or no financial education and exposure I do believe that there needs to be micro
do believe that there needs to be micro
do believe that there needs to be micro lending in these communities but the
lending in these communities but the
lending in these communities but the models that are in place now through
models that are in place now through
models that are in place now through payday lending they don’t result in a
payday lending they don’t result in a
payday lending they don’t result in a hand up they result on a hand-tied that
hand up they result on a hand-tied that
hand up they result on a hand-tied that quite possibly will never be free again
quite possibly will never be free again
quite possibly will never be free again this can be fixed other states and what
this can be fixed other states and what
this can be fixed other states and what they’ve done to address this same issue
they’ve done to address this same issue
they’ve done to address this same issue only proves this there is a better way
only proves this there is a better way
only proves this there is a better way imagine if the 46,000 people who take
imagine if the 46,000 people who take
imagine if the 46,000 people who take out payday loans each week in our state
out payday loans each week in our state
out payday loans each week in our state could first of all get those loans at a
could first of all get those loans at a
could first of all get those loans at a reasonable interest rate that would
reasonable interest rate that would
reasonable interest rate that would provide a realistic chance for them to
provide a realistic chance for them to
provide a realistic chance for them to get out of debt but in addition to money
get out of debt but in addition to money
get out of debt but in addition to money they also get the education and the
they also get the education and the
they also get the education and the exposure that they need to
exposure that they need to
exposure that they need to in financially every person who comes in
in financially every person who comes in
in financially every person who comes in to get a loan would get more than a loan
to get a loan would get more than a loan
to get a loan would get more than a loan they get a hand up because every
they get a hand up because every
they get a hand up because every transaction would make an educational
transaction would make an educational
transaction would make an educational deposit towards a brighter financial
deposit towards a brighter financial
deposit towards a brighter financial future for individuals for families for
future for individuals for families for
future for individuals for families for communities and businesses that’s a
communities and businesses that’s a
communities and businesses that’s a better way lending and if those 46,000
better way lending and if those 46,000
better way lending and if those 46,000 people share what they’ve learned with
people share what they’ve learned with
people share what they’ve learned with just one person a child a family member
just one person a child a family member
just one person a child a family member a co-worker think of the possibilities
a co-worker think of the possibilities
a co-worker think of the possibilities instead of communities being robbed of
instead of communities being robbed of
instead of communities being robbed of resources and opportunities think of the
resources and opportunities think of the
resources and opportunities think of the possibilities that will exist on the
possibilities that will exist on the
possibilities that will exist on the backside of a more educated and exposed
backside of a more educated and exposed
backside of a more educated and exposed community financially we all would win
community financially we all would win
community financially we all would win instead of making billions of dollars
instead of making billions of dollars
instead of making billions of dollars through the exploitation of people we
through the exploitation of people we
through the exploitation of people we can educate create opportunities jobs
can educate create opportunities jobs
can educate create opportunities jobs and millions of dollars that will be
and millions of dollars that will be
and millions of dollars that will be available to be reinvested in our local
available to be reinvested in our local
available to be reinvested in our local economies ultimately I do believe that
economies ultimately I do believe that
economies ultimately I do believe that who we are the character and the soul of
who we are the character and the soul of
who we are the character and the soul of our state and nation won’t be determined
our state and nation won’t be determined
our state and nation won’t be determined by things like football or fashion it
by things like football or fashion it
by things like football or fashion it will be determined by how we treat the
will be determined by how we treat the
will be determined by how we treat the poor and the marginalized while
poor and the marginalized while
poor and the marginalized while capitalism has produced prosperity and
capitalism has produced prosperity and
capitalism has produced prosperity and wealth in America it also inspires greed
wealth in America it also inspires greed
wealth in America it also inspires greed and selfishness but please remember our
and selfishness but please remember our
and selfishness but please remember our economy is a collective Enterprise made
economy is a collective Enterprise made
economy is a collective Enterprise made up of the contributions of all members
up of the contributions of all members
up of the contributions of all members of our society this is why all of us not
of our society this is why all of us not
of our society this is why all of us not just people of color we’ve all got to
just people of color we’ve all got to
just people of color we’ve all got to get aggressive about writing our
get aggressive about writing our
get aggressive about writing our finances we must educate we must build
finances we must educate we must build
finances we must educate we must build enterprises that empower others to
enterprises that empower others to
enterprises that empower others to achieve their financial goals so that
achieve their financial goals so that
achieve their financial goals so that they can get a real seat at the American
they can get a real seat at the American
they can get a real seat at the American table
table
table this is the best marketplace strategy
this is the best marketplace strategy
this is the best marketplace strategy this is the new civil rights movement
this is the new civil rights movement
this is the new civil rights movement it’s a hand up not a handout
it’s a hand up not a handout
it’s a hand up not a handout thank you
thank you
thank you [Applause]
[Applause]
[Applause] [Music]
[Music] [Applause]
what if I told you that dr. Martin
what if I told you that dr. Martin Luther King jr. didn’t accomplish as
Luther King jr. didn’t accomplish as
Luther King jr. didn’t accomplish as much as we give him credit for what if I
much as we give him credit for what if I
much as we give him credit for what if I told you that the civil rights movement
told you that the civil rights movement
told you that the civil rights movement fell far short of accomplishing his
fell far short of accomplishing his
fell far short of accomplishing his ultimate goals now don’t get me wrong
ultimate goals now don’t get me wrong
ultimate goals now don’t get me wrong the civil rights movement was necessary
the civil rights movement was necessary
the civil rights movement was necessary for our nation’s history and remains
for our nation’s history and remains
for our nation’s history and remains critical for our nation’s destiny and
critical for our nation’s destiny and
critical for our nation’s destiny and without question dr. Martin Luther King
without question dr. Martin Luther King
without question dr. Martin Luther King jr. was one of the greatest leaders our
jr. was one of the greatest leaders our
jr. was one of the greatest leaders our world has ever known yet even he
world has ever known yet even he
world has ever known yet even he acknowledged and recognized where the
acknowledged and recognized where the
acknowledged and recognized where the civil rights movement fell short just
civil rights movement fell short just
civil rights movement fell short just one year before his assassination in May
one year before his assassination in May
one year before his assassination in May of 1967 dr. King said this when we see
of 1967 dr. King said this when we see
of 1967 dr. King said this when we see that there must be a radical
that there must be a radical
that there must be a radical redistribution of economic and political
redistribution of economic and political
redistribution of economic and political power then we see that for the last 12
power then we see that for the last 12
power then we see that for the last 12 years we have been in a reform movement
years we have been in a reform movement
years we have been in a reform movement dr. King made this statement because he
dr. King made this statement because he
dr. King made this statement because he recognized that gains in civil rights
recognized that gains in civil rights
recognized that gains in civil rights had not changed the material conditions
had not changed the material conditions
had not changed the material conditions of life for many people in short he
of life for many people in short he
of life for many people in short he recognized that civil rights without
recognized that civil rights without
recognized that civil rights without economic rights are really no rights at
economic rights are really no rights at
economic rights are really no rights at all what the civil rights leaders
all what the civil rights leaders
all what the civil rights leaders ultimately gave their life for was a
ultimately gave their life for was a
ultimately gave their life for was a hand up not a handout they want an equal
hand up not a handout they want an equal
hand up not a handout they want an equal opportunity to pursue life liberty and
opportunity to pursue life liberty and
opportunity to pursue life liberty and happiness without the restrictions and
happiness without the restrictions and
happiness without the restrictions and systems designed to oppress and
systems designed to oppress and
systems designed to oppress and marginalize while progress had been made
marginalize while progress had been made
marginalize while progress had been made in civil rights dr. King recognized that
in civil rights dr. King recognized that
in civil rights dr. King recognized that there were still far too many
there were still far too many
there were still far too many restrictions and oppressive systems
restrictions and oppressive systems
restrictions and oppressive systems economically so in 1968 he started the
economically so in 1968 he started the
economically so in 1968 he started the Poor People’s Campaign and the goal was
Poor People’s Campaign and the goal was
Poor People’s Campaign and the goal was to achieve economic justice for poor and
to achieve economic justice for poor and
to achieve economic justice for poor and oppressed people in the US
oppressed people in the US
oppressed people in the US what many people either don’t know or
what many people either don’t know or
what many people either don’t know or have forgotten is that when dr. King was
have forgotten is that when dr. King was
have forgotten is that when dr. King was assassinated in Memphis Tennessee he was
assassinated in Memphis Tennessee he was
assassinated in Memphis Tennessee he was in Memphis pushing for economic rights
in Memphis pushing for economic rights
in Memphis pushing for economic rights not just civil rights so here we are 50
not just civil rights so here we are 50
not just civil rights so here we are 50 years after the civil rights movement
years after the civil rights movement
years after the civil rights movement and America is still haunted by the same
and America is still haunted by the same
and America is still haunted by the same fundamental issue and just like our city
fundamental issue and just like our city
fundamental issue and just like our city and state was ground zero for the civil
and state was ground zero for the civil
and state was ground zero for the civil rights movement fifty years ago
rights movement fifty years ago
rights movement fifty years ago fifty years later our city and state
fifty years later our city and state
fifty years later our city and state remains ground zero for economic
remains ground zero for economic
remains ground zero for economic injustice this is why I believe that the
injustice this is why I believe that the
injustice this is why I believe that the new civil rights movement is economic
new civil rights movement is economic
new civil rights movement is economic education and empowerment let me show
education and empowerment let me show
education and empowerment let me show you something this is a map of where
you something this is a map of where
you something this is a map of where people of color were forced to live in
people of color were forced to live in
people of color were forced to live in this city in the 1920s now this was a
this city in the 1920s now this was a
this city in the 1920s now this was a terrible time because southern states
terrible time because southern states
terrible time because southern states passed Black Codes which were laws
passed Black Codes which were laws
passed Black Codes which were laws intended to criminalize people of color
intended to criminalize people of color
intended to criminalize people of color restrict their economic independence and
restrict their economic independence and
restrict their economic independence and providing pretext for jail terms and
providing pretext for jail terms and
providing pretext for jail terms and because most people couldn’t pay the
because most people couldn’t pay the
because most people couldn’t pay the jail fees they were sentenced to force a
jail fees they were sentenced to force a
jail fees they were sentenced to force a laborer as a result convicts were leased
laborer as a result convicts were leased
laborer as a result convicts were leased to steel mills plantations lumber yards
to steel mills plantations lumber yards
to steel mills plantations lumber yards mines and a host of other industries to
mines and a host of other industries to
mines and a host of other industries to be used as forced labor it was the era
be used as forced labor it was the era
be used as forced labor it was the era of slavery by another name but if you
of slavery by another name but if you
of slavery by another name but if you were fortunate enough to not be sent to
were fortunate enough to not be sent to
were fortunate enough to not be sent to prison on trumped-up charges and then
prison on trumped-up charges and then
prison on trumped-up charges and then forced into convict leasing you will
forced into convict leasing you will
forced into convict leasing you will only allow to live in these areas and if
only allow to live in these areas and if
only allow to live in these areas and if you tried to venture out of these areas
you tried to venture out of these areas
you tried to venture out of these areas and move into other neighborhoods you
and move into other neighborhoods you
and move into other neighborhoods you were terrorized lynched and even bombed
were terrorized lynched and even bombed
were terrorized lynched and even bombed in fact the nickname of our great city
in fact the nickname of our great city
in fact the nickname of our great city bombing ham comes from this practice so
bombing ham comes from this practice so
bombing ham comes from this practice so from the 1920s on people of color in our
from the 1920s on people of color in our
from the 1920s on people of color in our city were forced to only live in these
city were forced to only live in these
city were forced to only live in these areas but less fast forward guess where
areas but less fast forward guess where
areas but less fast forward guess where the majority of the people of color in
the majority of the people of color in
the majority of the people of color in our city too
our city too
our city too I still live in those same areas guess
I still live in those same areas guess
I still live in those same areas guess where the life expectancy is the lowest
where the life expectancy is the lowest
where the life expectancy is the lowest in those same areas guess where the
in those same areas guess where the
in those same areas guess where the poverty is the greatest in those same
poverty is the greatest in those same
poverty is the greatest in those same areas now I’m going to ask you a really
areas now I’m going to ask you a really
areas now I’m going to ask you a really hard question so prepare yourself guess
hard question so prepare yourself guess
hard question so prepare yourself guess where the majority of payday lenders set
where the majority of payday lenders set
where the majority of payday lenders set up shop in our city in those same areas
up shop in our city in those same areas
up shop in our city in those same areas there are four times as many payday
there are four times as many payday
there are four times as many payday lenders in our state as there are
lenders in our state as there are
lenders in our state as there are McDonald’s its economic exploitation of
McDonald’s its economic exploitation of
McDonald’s its economic exploitation of the poor and vulnerable and these types
the poor and vulnerable and these types
the poor and vulnerable and these types of practices harken all the way back to
of practices harken all the way back to
of practices harken all the way back to slavery do you know what the motivation
slavery do you know what the motivation
slavery do you know what the motivation for slavery was it was the economic
for slavery was it was the economic
for slavery was it was the economic exploitation of the poor and vulnerable
exploitation of the poor and vulnerable
exploitation of the poor and vulnerable do you know what the motivation for
do you know what the motivation for
do you know what the motivation for convict leasing was it was the economic
convict leasing was it was the economic
convict leasing was it was the economic exploitation of the poor and vulnerable
exploitation of the poor and vulnerable
exploitation of the poor and vulnerable and payday lending does the exact same
and payday lending does the exact same
and payday lending does the exact same thing it’s modern-day slavery
thing it’s modern-day slavery
thing it’s modern-day slavery forty six thousand people each week take
forty six thousand people each week take
forty six thousand people each week take out a payday loan in our state and on
out a payday loan in our state and on
out a payday loan in our state and on average a payday loan barber renews that
average a payday loan barber renews that
average a payday loan barber renews that loan eighty nine times in just one year
loan eighty nine times in just one year
loan eighty nine times in just one year and with an annual percentage rate of
and with an annual percentage rate of
and with an annual percentage rate of four hundred and fifty six percent they
four hundred and fifty six percent they
four hundred and fifty six percent they end up in a cycle of debt and poverty
end up in a cycle of debt and poverty
end up in a cycle of debt and poverty that most will never get out of this
that most will never get out of this
that most will never get out of this devastates individuals it devastates
devastates individuals it devastates
devastates individuals it devastates families but it destroys communities
families but it destroys communities
families but it destroys communities when I first moved to our great city my
when I first moved to our great city my
when I first moved to our great city my office was in an area of town that
office was in an area of town that
office was in an area of town that historically was a great area was filled
historically was a great area was filled
historically was a great area was filled with many white families and my favorite
with many white families and my favorite
with many white families and my favorite Starbucks was right there on the corner
Starbucks was right there on the corner
Starbucks was right there on the corner and the great new grocery store opened
and the great new grocery store opened
and the great new grocery store opened up right across the street from my
up right across the street from my
up right across the street from my office but then over time the community
office but then over time the community
office but then over time the community began to change more and more white
began to change more and more white
began to change more and more white families moved out more more people of
families moved out more more people of
families moved out more more people of color moved in and initially I didn’t
color moved in and initially I didn’t
color moved in and initially I didn’t think much about it but I also began to
think much about it but I also began to
think much about it but I also began to see more more payday loan companies open
see more more payday loan companies open
see more more payday loan companies open it up and then one day I went to my
it up and then one day I went to my
it up and then one day I went to my favorite Starbucks for my usual at all
favorite Starbucks for my usual at all
favorite Starbucks for my usual at all Caffe americano with sugar-free vanilla
Caffe americano with sugar-free vanilla
Caffe americano with sugar-free vanilla and one Truvia I pulled into the
and one Truvia I pulled into the
and one Truvia I pulled into the drive-through and no one greeted me and
drive-through and no one greeted me and
drive-through and no one greeted me and then after sitting there for a long
then after sitting there for a long
then after sitting there for a long period of time
period of time
period of time I pulled around looked into the
I pulled around looked into the
I pulled around looked into the Starbucks only to realize that they had
Starbucks only to realize that they had
Starbucks only to realize that they had closed now I thought that was strange
closed now I thought that was strange
closed now I thought that was strange because it feels like you can find the
because it feels like you can find the
because it feels like you can find the Starbucks on almost every corner the
Starbucks on almost every corner the
Starbucks on almost every corner the community was still bustling with people
community was still bustling with people
community was still bustling with people it didn’t really make sense to me but
it didn’t really make sense to me but
it didn’t really make sense to me but then the grocery store across the street
then the grocery store across the street
then the grocery store across the street from my office abruptly closed and it
from my office abruptly closed and it
from my office abruptly closed and it was still relatively new what hour later
was still relatively new what hour later
was still relatively new what hour later found out was at the store closures had
found out was at the store closures had
found out was at the store closures had nothing to do with a population issue it
nothing to do with a population issue it
nothing to do with a population issue it had everything to do with a lack of
had everything to do with a lack of
had everything to do with a lack of disposable income while all of my
disposable income while all of my
disposable income while all of my favorite stores were closing more and
favorite stores were closing more and
favorite stores were closing more and more payday lenders continued to open
more payday lenders continued to open
more payday lenders continued to open and the impact on the community was
and the impact on the community was
and the impact on the community was devastating
devastating
devastating see for every $1 spent repaying a payday
see for every $1 spent repaying a payday
see for every $1 spent repaying a payday loan $2 is taken out of the local
loan $2 is taken out of the local
loan $2 is taken out of the local economy families in that area was so
economy families in that area was so
economy families in that area was so strapped financially trying to repay
strapped financially trying to repay
strapped financially trying to repay their payday loans that they no longer
their payday loans that they no longer
their payday loans that they no longer had any more money for the Starbucks or
had any more money for the Starbucks or
had any more money for the Starbucks or the local grocery store see payday
the local grocery store see payday
the local grocery store see payday lending ultimately Rob’s individuals
lending ultimately Rob’s individuals
lending ultimately Rob’s individuals families communities and businesses of
families communities and businesses of
families communities and businesses of the opportunity to lead an economically
the opportunity to lead an economically
the opportunity to lead an economically viable life for the long term but
viable life for the long term but
viable life for the long term but because these lenders exist every day
because these lenders exist every day
because these lenders exist every day thousands of people are signing up to
thousands of people are signing up to
thousands of people are signing up to give away their financial freedom and
give away their financial freedom and
give away their financial freedom and their financial future simply because
their financial future simply because
their financial future simply because they are in need and because they don’t
they are in need and because they don’t
they are in need and because they don’t know any better this is why the new
know any better this is why the new
know any better this is why the new civil rights movement
civil rights movement
civil rights movement is economic education and empowerment
is economic education and empowerment
is economic education and empowerment now educational theory suggests that
now educational theory suggests that
now educational theory suggests that there are a couple of levels of a
there are a couple of levels of a
there are a couple of levels of a person’s reality that you must
person’s reality that you must
person’s reality that you must acknowledge before real education can
acknowledge before real education can
acknowledge before real education can begin first there is unconscious
begin first there is unconscious
begin first there is unconscious ignorance this is when people don’t know
ignorance this is when people don’t know
ignorance this is when people don’t know what they don’t know the second level is
what they don’t know the second level is
what they don’t know the second level is conscious ignorance this is when people
conscious ignorance this is when people
conscious ignorance this is when people begin to recognize that they don’t know
begin to recognize that they don’t know
begin to recognize that they don’t know the third level is rare real education
the third level is rare real education
the third level is rare real education begins the reason that payday lending is
begins the reason that payday lending is
begins the reason that payday lending is so devastating is because it preys on
so devastating is because it preys on
so devastating is because it preys on the unconscious ignorance of people they
the unconscious ignorance of people they
the unconscious ignorance of people they don’t know what they don’t know and then
don’t know what they don’t know and then
don’t know what they don’t know and then they pass on what they don’t know to the
they pass on what they don’t know to the
they pass on what they don’t know to the next generation this is why the opposite
next generation this is why the opposite
next generation this is why the opposite of poverty is not wealth the opposite of
of poverty is not wealth the opposite of
of poverty is not wealth the opposite of poverty is opportunity and education you
poverty is opportunity and education you
poverty is opportunity and education you don’t fight ignorant with exploitation
don’t fight ignorant with exploitation
don’t fight ignorant with exploitation and marginalization you fight ignorant
and marginalization you fight ignorant
and marginalization you fight ignorant with exposure in education think about
with exposure in education think about
with exposure in education think about it right now in our society where does a
it right now in our society where does a
it right now in our society where does a person go to learn how to manage money
person go to learn how to manage money
person go to learn how to manage money better and make good financial decisions
better and make good financial decisions
better and make good financial decisions what does a person go to learn how
what does a person go to learn how
what does a person go to learn how devastating a bad financial decision can
devastating a bad financial decision can
devastating a bad financial decision can be this is not taught in most schools
be this is not taught in most schools
be this is not taught in most schools this is not part of any job orientation
this is not part of any job orientation
this is not part of any job orientation my mother was the first person in our
my mother was the first person in our
my mother was the first person in our family to go to college and when I was
family to go to college and when I was
family to go to college and when I was in the fifth grade she married my
in the fifth grade she married my
in the fifth grade she married my stepfather who was a hard-working man
stepfather who was a hard-working man
stepfather who was a hard-working man and he also was the first person in his
and he also was the first person in his
and he also was the first person in his family to go to college my stepfather
family to go to college my stepfather
family to go to college my stepfather was an entrepreneur who had dreams of
was an entrepreneur who had dreams of
was an entrepreneur who had dreams of living an upper-middle class lifestyle
living an upper-middle class lifestyle
living an upper-middle class lifestyle and driving a BMW I’ll never forget the
and driving a BMW I’ll never forget the
and driving a BMW I’ll never forget the day that he was able to purchase his
day that he was able to purchase his
day that he was able to purchase his first BMW he arrived home late one
first BMW he arrived home late one
first BMW he arrived home late one evening and my step-brother and I were
evening and my step-brother and I were
evening and my step-brother and I were already asleep but he woke us up to come
already asleep but he woke us up to come
already asleep but he woke us up to come outside and to see this new car
outside and to see this new car
outside and to see this new car it was so dark outside I couldn’t really
it was so dark outside I couldn’t really
it was so dark outside I couldn’t really make out the color of the car but his
make out the color of the car but his
make out the color of the car but his pride and his
pride and his
pride and his citement was noticeable to everyone on
citement was noticeable to everyone on
citement was noticeable to everyone on our street and as we said in the car he
our street and as we said in the car he
our street and as we said in the car he turned to me and had the biggest smile
turned to me and had the biggest smile
turned to me and had the biggest smile I’ve ever seen on his face and he asked
I’ve ever seen on his face and he asked
I’ve ever seen on his face and he asked me a question he said do you know what
me a question he said do you know what
me a question he said do you know what BMW stands for and I thought for a
BMW stands for and I thought for a
BMW stands for and I thought for a moment and responded and said Bavarian
moment and responded and said Bavarian
moment and responded and said Bavarian motor works and he stuck his chest out a
motor works and he stuck his chest out a
motor works and he stuck his chest out a little bit larger and he looked at me
little bit larger and he looked at me
little bit larger and he looked at me with that big smile and he said nope BMW
with that big smile and he said nope BMW
with that big smile and he said nope BMW stands for a black man working much of
stands for a black man working much of
stands for a black man working much of their life my mother and stepfather did
their life my mother and stepfather did
their life my mother and stepfather did the best they could to provide a decent
the best they could to provide a decent
the best they could to provide a decent middle-class lifestyle for my siblings
middle-class lifestyle for my siblings
middle-class lifestyle for my siblings and I but one day that all came crashing
and I but one day that all came crashing
and I but one day that all came crashing down I was in the tenth grade and it was
down I was in the tenth grade and it was
down I was in the tenth grade and it was the week that we were set to move into
the week that we were set to move into
the week that we were set to move into their dream home my mother and
their dream home my mother and
their dream home my mother and stepfather worked hard and saved their
stepfather worked hard and saved their
stepfather worked hard and saved their money and they were finally able to
money and they were finally able to
money and they were finally able to build their dream home and the home was
build their dream home and the home was
build their dream home and the home was set to be completed in a number of days
set to be completed in a number of days
set to be completed in a number of days in fact our current home was already
in fact our current home was already
in fact our current home was already packed up and the movers were coming the
packed up and the movers were coming the
packed up and the movers were coming the very next day and I came home to find my
very next day and I came home to find my
very next day and I came home to find my stepfather in the middle of the living
stepfather in the middle of the living
stepfather in the middle of the living room floor crying uncontrollably and he
room floor crying uncontrollably and he
room floor crying uncontrollably and he just kept saying I lost it I lost it I
just kept saying I lost it I lost it I
just kept saying I lost it I lost it I lost it now I had never seen my
lost it now I had never seen my
lost it now I had never seen my stepfather cry let alone fall apart and
stepfather cry let alone fall apart and
stepfather cry let alone fall apart and I didn’t really know what to do except
I didn’t really know what to do except
I didn’t really know what to do except call my mother and I did I called mom
call my mother and I did I called mom
call my mother and I did I called mom and mom rushed home and the pain of what
and mom rushed home and the pain of what
and mom rushed home and the pain of what happened next has impacted me greatly in
happened next has impacted me greatly in
happened next has impacted me greatly in between his sobbing my stepfather
between his sobbing my stepfather
between his sobbing my stepfather managed to tell my mother and I that he
managed to tell my mother and I that he
managed to tell my mother and I that he had taken all of their savings including
had taken all of their savings including
had taken all of their savings including the money that they needed to close on
the money that they needed to close on
the money that they needed to close on their dream home and he had invested in
their dream home and he had invested in
their dream home and he had invested in what he thought was a business sure
what he thought was a business sure
what he thought was a business sure thing turns out it was a sham and he had
thing turns out it was a sham and he had
thing turns out it was a sham and he had lost all of the money immediately my
lost all of the money immediately my
lost all of the money immediately my mother began to ask well how do we get
mother began to ask well how do we get
mother began to ask well how do we get the money back and it was the pain of
the money back and it was the pain of
the money back and it was the pain of that question that made him fall apart
that question that made him fall apart
that question that made him fall apart even the more he just began to
even the more he just began to
even the more he just began to even more loudly and he kept saying it’s
even more loudly and he kept saying it’s
even more loudly and he kept saying it’s all gone it’s all gone it’s all gone a
all gone it’s all gone it’s all gone a
all gone it’s all gone it’s all gone a few days later my mother had a nervous
few days later my mother had a nervous
few days later my mother had a nervous breakdown and had to be hospitalized
breakdown and had to be hospitalized
breakdown and had to be hospitalized shortly after that my stepfather had a
shortly after that my stepfather had a
shortly after that my stepfather had a heart attack and later died and I had to
heart attack and later died and I had to
heart attack and later died and I had to live with my best friend’s family my
live with my best friend’s family my
live with my best friend’s family my entire 10th grade year and I would go
entire 10th grade year and I would go
entire 10th grade year and I would go visit my mother as often as I could when
visit my mother as often as I could when
visit my mother as often as I could when she was finally able to regain her
she was finally able to regain her
she was finally able to regain her mental faculties and when she began to
mental faculties and when she began to
mental faculties and when she began to speak again there was only one question
speak again there was only one question
speak again there was only one question that I wanted to ask her and it was this
that I wanted to ask her and it was this
that I wanted to ask her and it was this how could this happen
how could this happen
how could this happen I mean they were both great people they
I mean they were both great people they
I mean they were both great people they were educated they were accomplished
were educated they were accomplished
were educated they were accomplished they were exposed and I’ll never forget
they were exposed and I’ll never forget
they were exposed and I’ll never forget what my mother said to me she said to me
what my mother said to me she said to me
what my mother said to me she said to me no one ever taught us about money now if
no one ever taught us about money now if
no one ever taught us about money now if my stepfather could make a bad financial
my stepfather could make a bad financial
my stepfather could make a bad financial decision and he was educated and exposed
decision and he was educated and exposed
decision and he was educated and exposed and accomplished what do you think is
and accomplished what do you think is
and accomplished what do you think is happening every time someone goes in to
happening every time someone goes in to
happening every time someone goes in to get a payday loan and they have little
get a payday loan and they have little
get a payday loan and they have little or no financial education and exposure I
or no financial education and exposure I
or no financial education and exposure I do believe that there needs to be micro
do believe that there needs to be micro
do believe that there needs to be micro lending in these communities but the
lending in these communities but the
lending in these communities but the models that are in place now through
models that are in place now through
models that are in place now through payday lending they don’t result in a
payday lending they don’t result in a
payday lending they don’t result in a hand up they result on a hand-tied that
hand up they result on a hand-tied that
hand up they result on a hand-tied that quite possibly will never be free again
quite possibly will never be free again
quite possibly will never be free again this can be fixed other states and what
this can be fixed other states and what
this can be fixed other states and what they’ve done to address this same issue
they’ve done to address this same issue
they’ve done to address this same issue only proves this there is a better way
only proves this there is a better way
only proves this there is a better way imagine if the 46,000 people who take
imagine if the 46,000 people who take
imagine if the 46,000 people who take out payday loans each week in our state
out payday loans each week in our state
out payday loans each week in our state could first of all get those loans at a
could first of all get those loans at a
could first of all get those loans at a reasonable interest rate that would
reasonable interest rate that would
reasonable interest rate that would provide a realistic chance for them to
provide a realistic chance for them to
provide a realistic chance for them to get out of debt but in addition to money
get out of debt but in addition to money
get out of debt but in addition to money they also get the education and the
they also get the education and the
they also get the education and the exposure that they need to
exposure that they need to
exposure that they need to in financially every person who comes in
in financially every person who comes in
in financially every person who comes in to get a loan would get more than a loan
to get a loan would get more than a loan
to get a loan would get more than a loan they get a hand up because every
they get a hand up because every
they get a hand up because every transaction would make an educational
transaction would make an educational
transaction would make an educational deposit towards a brighter financial
deposit towards a brighter financial
deposit towards a brighter financial future for individuals for families for
future for individuals for families for
future for individuals for families for communities and businesses that’s a
communities and businesses that’s a
communities and businesses that’s a better way lending and if those 46,000
better way lending and if those 46,000
better way lending and if those 46,000 people share what they’ve learned with
people share what they’ve learned with
people share what they’ve learned with just one person a child a family member
just one person a child a family member
just one person a child a family member a co-worker think of the possibilities
a co-worker think of the possibilities
a co-worker think of the possibilities instead of communities being robbed of
instead of communities being robbed of
instead of communities being robbed of resources and opportunities think of the
resources and opportunities think of the
resources and opportunities think of the possibilities that will exist on the
possibilities that will exist on the
possibilities that will exist on the backside of a more educated and exposed
backside of a more educated and exposed
backside of a more educated and exposed community financially we all would win
community financially we all would win
community financially we all would win instead of making billions of dollars
instead of making billions of dollars
instead of making billions of dollars through the exploitation of people we
through the exploitation of people we
through the exploitation of people we can educate create opportunities jobs
can educate create opportunities jobs
can educate create opportunities jobs and millions of dollars that will be
and millions of dollars that will be
and millions of dollars that will be available to be reinvested in our local
available to be reinvested in our local
available to be reinvested in our local economies ultimately I do believe that
economies ultimately I do believe that
economies ultimately I do believe that who we are the character and the soul of
who we are the character and the soul of
who we are the character and the soul of our state and nation won’t be determined
our state and nation won’t be determined
our state and nation won’t be determined by things like football or fashion it
by things like football or fashion it
by things like football or fashion it will be determined by how we treat the
will be determined by how we treat the
will be determined by how we treat the poor and the marginalized while
poor and the marginalized while
poor and the marginalized while capitalism has produced prosperity and
capitalism has produced prosperity and
capitalism has produced prosperity and wealth in America it also inspires greed
wealth in America it also inspires greed
wealth in America it also inspires greed and selfishness but please remember our
and selfishness but please remember our
and selfishness but please remember our economy is a collective Enterprise made
economy is a collective Enterprise made
economy is a collective Enterprise made up of the contributions of all members
up of the contributions of all members
up of the contributions of all members of our society this is why all of us not
of our society this is why all of us not
of our society this is why all of us not just people of color we’ve all got to
just people of color we’ve all got to
just people of color we’ve all got to get aggressive about writing our
get aggressive about writing our
get aggressive about writing our finances we must educate we must build
finances we must educate we must build
finances we must educate we must build enterprises that empower others to
enterprises that empower others to
enterprises that empower others to achieve their financial goals so that
achieve their financial goals so that
achieve their financial goals so that they can get a real seat at the American
they can get a real seat at the American
they can get a real seat at the American table
table
table this is the best marketplace strategy
this is the best marketplace strategy
this is the best marketplace strategy this is the new civil rights movement
this is the new civil rights movement
this is the new civil rights movement it’s a hand up not a handout
it’s a hand up not a handout
it’s a hand up not a handout thank you
thank you
thank you [Applause]
[Applause]
[Applause] [Music]
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