"For too long, the story of money in Black communities has been one of exclusion." For Black History Month, our racial justice lead Ugo Ikokwu has written for Rooted Finance's #BHM blog series about financial inclusion, the power of grassroots solutions, and our work with COMMUNOMICS, Money A+E and Black Co-op CIC. He said: "Traditional finance likes to work in straight lines: big banks, big loans, top-down solutions. But systemic inequality doesn’t follow neat lines. It’s baked into how credit scores are calculated, how wealth is inherited, how institutions make decisions about who’s “a good risk.” "That’s why community-led financial models matter. They meet people where they are. They create systems that make sense for the community, not just for the spreadsheet. And they do something even more powerful - they build collective agency." Read the full piece on Rooted Finance's website: https://lnkd.in/etWzZwcZ #BlackHistoryMonth

💥 “It doesn’t happen overnight.” When I asked Michael Wynn how people can break free from financial struggle, he didn’t sugarcoat it. He spoke directly about the habits and mindset shifts that help Black families and professionals build lasting stability — even when the system isn’t built for them. What struck me most was his belief in starting small. He said the path to financial freedom begins with one habit, one plan, and one act of consistency — and that’s enough to create a ripple effect for generations. 🌱 What financial or life habit are you building now that your future self will thank you for? #MichaelWynn #HabitsDontLie #FinancialFreedom #BlackExcellence #Inspiration #Leadership #Empowerment #Community #WealthBuilding #TheColorBetweenTheLines #EstherDillard

Ever wondered why $100M+ families in California are suddenly on the move? The new 'Billionaire Tax' initiative, looming large for November 2026, is triggering a race against time. For ultra-high-net-worth owners, the threat isn’t just the 5% levy: it’s the game-changing uncertainty in how assets, trusts, and legacy structures are tracked, valued, and exposed. Shadow Wealth Systems, Private Placement Life Insurance (PPLI), and state-of-the-art tactical restructuring tools are now the difference between forced vulnerability and Invisible Protection. Penalties for underreporting could be brutal (20–40%), and the Franchise Tax Board wants everything: real estate, trusts, partnerships, art. This is not just policy: it’s a full-spectrum Wealth Defense mission. Families are activating Black Ops protocols: restructuring, relocating, building armored legacy plans, and safeguarding future generations. Ready for your Situation Readiness Briefing (SRB)? True Family Sovereignty demands strategic, covert moves: not waiting and hoping. Curious what silent vulnerabilities you’re exposed to? Discover the legacy mapping tools reserved for those who play to win.

💬 Why has no “Black Bank” been built in the UK and maybe we should fix that? I can’t believe this isn’t already happening: a proper, community-centred black-owned bank in the UK. If I had the resources, I’d seriously consider building one. Here’s the thing: the data shows there’s a clear finance gap when it comes to Black or minority ethnic communities and the financial system. • A recent report found that 1 in 5 people from minority ethnic groups experienced discrimination when dealing with financial providers.   • In the UK, households from Black backgrounds are less likely to secure mortgages even when their income and savings are comparable to White households.   • Only 43% of Black business owners believe financial service providers have their best interests at heart, and only 13% look to banks first for support.   • Black financial inclusion isn’t just about access it’s also about trust and representation. Imagine what a black-owned bank in the UK could do: • Tailored lending products for Black entrepreneurs and homeowners. • Cultural and community sensitivity built into the service model. • Representation at every level board, senior management, local branches. • Building generational wealth through targeted programmes, not just one-off loans. • Acting as a social anchor for economic justice, not just a profit machine. What’s stopping it? Would you bank at a black owned bank? Would you invest in one? #Finance #Inclusion #Banking #Entrepreneurship #UKFinance

Black Wealth: 30 Years Stuck in Neutral | Channels.biz The Path Forward The last 30 years show that “business as usual” hasn’t worked for Black prosperity. Real change will require new ownership models, aggressive policy reform, better access to capital, and a focus on asset-building that goes far beyond token success stories. Black families and entrepreneurs need infrastructure, support, and investment to break the cycle—and finally move the needle on wealth and power. Follow the conversation #BlackWealth #RacialWealthGap #BlackEntrepreneurs #BlackHomeownership #EconomicJustice https://lnkd.in/g_EEXDgd

“Why Financial Literacy Has Been Missing in Many Black Families” For many Black families, the absence of financial literacy isn’t about ignorance — it’s about history and survival. For decades, our parents and grandparents operated in systems that excluded them from wealth-building opportunities. They were taught to work hard, not how to make money work for them. When income barely covered survival, talk of investments, budgeting, or generational wealth felt like a luxury. Add to that the cultural silence around money — where finances were seen as private or even taboo — and financial knowledge was rarely passed down. Many grew up seeing money as something to spend or stretch, not something to grow. But today, the narrative is shifting. A new generation is breaking the silence, reading, learning, investing, and teaching others. We are realizing that wealth is not just income — it’s knowledge, mindset, and legacy. Financial literacy was never missing by choice. It was missing by design. And now, we’re rewriting that story — one family at a time. #windhoek #namibia #bookkeeping #articles

Unpacking the 'Ethnicity Premium' Discover a vital perspective in the final instalment of the Rooted in Money blog post, featuring the amazing Tynah Matembe DEEU ,Author and CEO of MoneyMatiX: Inclusive Financial Education. #RootedinMoney #BHM Tynah dives deep into the 'ethnicity premium': the hidden cost and systemic hurdles that Black communities often face when accessing and building financial wealth. This isn't just theory - it's a clear financial reality for many: as Tynah explains, “It is the story of two identical applicants, with one paying 3.5% interest and the other paying 6.5%. A penalty that starts with the data. When financial institutions rely on opaque, ‘one-size-fits-all’ lending algorithms, they often penalise the very structures of Black economic life," Tynah’s words offer tangible steps in empowering our communities to stand firm in power and pride. Read the full blog post to learn more 🔗 https://lnkd.in/eS_EmQVE #MoneyMatix #FinancialEducation #WealthGap #EthnicityPremium #BlackHistoryMonth #StandingFirm #RootedinMoney #equityinfinance 🙏 cc Murray Harkin

Black Tax: The Debt No Child Signed Up For Let’s talk about a truth many fear to say out loud: black tax is not love it is generational pressure disguised as duty. In our African communities, it’s common to hear parents say, “We educated you, so you owe us.” When parents ask for money, they often repeat the line, “After all, we sent you to school.” The expectation becomes that the child must cater for the parent. This is the foundation of black tax. Some parents justify the demand through religious language, “honour” your parents. I’m realising that many African parents have children for reasons rooted in security and survival, and these are not the right reasons. They include, having someone who will look after them in old age and a form of long term investment or retirement package. This idea ignores the meaning of Parental Responsibility (PR) and why children owe us nothing. Parental Responsibility is a legal duty placed on parents, not children. It means the parent must: √ provide food, shelter, clothing, and safety. √ meet the child’s emotional, developmental, and psychological needs. √ensure the child receives education. √ protect them from harm. √make decisions in the child’s best interest. √support them into adulthood. √nurture their emotional and social wellbeing. √ guide them morally and practically. √offer stability, love, and a safe base. PR is a one way obligation. It flows from parent → child, never the other way around. If a parent fails in their PR, they can lose custody of the child. That alone tells you where the responsibility lies. The onus is now on parents to prepare for retirement. Educate yourself on investing and retirement. Don’t opt out of pensions at work. If you can build houses where people rent, do it. Be financially stable so that tomorrow you are not a burden to your children. Plan and don’t lack foresight. Just remember: children owe us nothing. Their support is a privilege and a gesture of love. It should never be demanded, guilt tripped, or treated as a debt. #allthingsafricanparenting #breakthecycleofabuse #blacktax #parentalresponsibility #intentionalparenting

The "Rooted in Money" series from Rooted Finance is important reading this Black History Month - exploring how wealth inequality, representation, and access intersect across the financial sector. At ABCUL, we’re proud to collaborate with Muna Yassin MBE and Rooted Finance through initiatives like Equity in Finance, helping to elevate these vital conversations and drive meaningful change across our movement. 💬 👇 Read Muna's blog linked below to learn more.

How can Black communities ensure that their economic power benefits their own? There's a need to build financial ecosystems where wealth circulates within the community. Historically, some financial systems haven't been collaborative. A Black Wall Street should be built on the values of community support and shared prosperity. The idea is to harness the power of wealth for good. Financial success doesn't have to come at the expense of one's values. The key is understanding the power of wealth and using it responsibly, creating a Black Wall Street that uplifts everyone involved. #BlackWallStreet #EconomicEmpowerment #CommunityWealth #FinancialLiteracy