A standing-room-only crowd filled the atrium of Atlanta’s City Hall Thursday for the kick-off of the American Aspiration Tour in an effort to promote financial literacy for everyone.
Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens introduced John Hope Bryant, the founder and CEO of Operation HOPE, who is championing the Aspiration Tour.
“When John Hope Bryant is here, we can always expect a crowd, “Dickens said. “He is one of Atlanta’s most recognized leaders.”
Dickens went on to say that his vision for Atlanta is that it “will be a city of opportunity for all” of its residents. “This financial literacy discussion is a matter of urgency for the city of Atlanta,” he added.
People at the event received copies of Bryant’s latest book: “Financial Literacy for All: Disrupting Struggle, Advancing Financial Freedom, and Building a New American Middle Class.” The book already has become a best-seller, and it is aimed at the younger generation, which Bryant called “the aspiration generation.”
In his remarks, Bryant went off script to say that on his way to the event, he heard someone on the radio refer to Vice President Kamala Harris as “a DEI candidate.” DEI stands for diversity, equity and inclusion. Harris is expected to become the Democratic nominee for president next month.
Bryant was clear that he has been close to both Republican and Democratic presidents. But he added that people who are referring to Harris as the DEI candidate don’t understand the demographic changes in the U.S. economy.
“What was said this morning was offensive,” Bryant said, explaining that people who speak negatively of DEI are playing the short game — not recognizing how our society is much more diverse — that women and people of color are a growing percentage of the nation’s gross domestic product.
As an aside, Bryant added: “Capitalism is a horrible system — except when compared to every other [economic] system.”
If it were up to him, Bryant would shift from saying DEI to using the words “inclusive economics.”
Operation HOPE, which is based in Atlanta, bridges the concept of civil rights to silver rights — minorities having the ability to fully participate in the nation’s economy.
“This country can’t succeed unless all of God’s children can succeed,” Bryant said. “The largest economy on the planet [the U.S. economy] needs you.”
Bryant spoke directly to all the people attending the event at the atrium of Atlanta’s City Hall. The attendees represented a broad cross-section of Atlanta’s population. Among the VIP’s who were present included: Carolyn Young — wife of former Atlanta Mayor Andrew Young — Clark Atlanta University President George French and Milton Jones, chair of 100 Black Men of America.
Bryant has been advocating for people to have a greater awareness of their credit scores, often saying that there’s a big difference in the economic potential of people with a credit score in the 500s versus those in the 700s. He also has broadened that concept to 500-credit score communities versus 700-credit score communities.
“Mayor Andre Dickens is the first mayor to ask me: ‘Tell me about the credit scores of my city,’” Bryant said.
