“As African Americans, we have the power to do more with our money than waste it,” Grammy Award-winning rapper, producer and actor David Banner told Black Enterprise.
Banner has become as recognizable for his views on black liberation, economic empowerment and social justice as he has for his contributions to the entertainment industry – particularly when it comes to the power of “the black dollar” and applying financial resources from within to build thriving communities and dismantle systemic racism.
“White supremacy only respects the loss of finance and the loss of life,” Banner said during a conversation with Rock Newman on The Rock Newman Show. “We spend trillions of dollars. Once we get ourselves together, that will affect them financially.”
At 7 p.m. Sunday, October 23, he and Boyce Watkins will headline an impressive panel of experts to inspire and connect people interested in financial empowerment at The LUX Theatre, on 2619 Washington Ave. in downtown St. Louis.
“I am not playing when it comes to business,” Banner recently told HipHopDX. “I don’t run a black business. I run a successful business, and I give the proceeds to black people.”
At the St. Louis Economic Empowerment Panel Discussion, Banner will share his advice alongside 11 other expert panelists, including Watkins, a nationally-renowned commentator and economist. Considered “The People’s Scholar,” Watkins has authored several books and is the executive producer of the critically acclaimed film “Resurrecting Black Wall Street.”
Also sharing their unique expertise on financial literacy and entrepreneurship will be local business leaders Marlon Whitfield, managing partner of Hawk Time, LLC, and Tishaura O. Jones, treasurer of the City of St. Louis. A networking after-party hosted by DJ Needles with Kyjuan and Murphy Lee will follow the panel.
The event is presented by Money + Music + Social, an events company mixing lively sounds, interactive conversation, and a focus on exchanging great ideas to improve lives.
“The economic disparity African Americans face is nothing new, but we decided to do something about it,” said Kevin Bryant, president of Conversions Global Marketing, who founded M+M+S alongside Marlon Whitfield. “By creating this panel, we hope to galvanize people through financial inclusion and empowerment initiatives.”
Moderating the two-hour, interactive conversation will be Nicole Roach, associate VP for Diversity at Webster University, and business expert Cedric Cobb. Guests are encouraged to mingle and exchange ideas afterwards, while the disc jockey fuels the room with positive vibrations.
Black residents are well aware of the economic disparity in the city. The median household income for African-American residents is $31,200, compared to $61,200 for their white counterparts, city data show. There are major contributors to this disparity, with a lack of education being a major factor.
“Even with all of the disparities between blacks and whites with regard to the money,” Banner said, “there is still hope to have the wealth gap closed.”
Bryant and Whitfield hope the panel and future events will educate participants about business and life, from finances to relationships. This first panel will cover topics including: “How We Can Use Economic Power for Social Justice” and “Creating a Plan for Personal Financial Freedom.”
“Our inspiration for this panel is entrepreneurship that engages your unique personality and abilities,” Bryant said. “If we can inspire you to innovate and do something new with products, services, markets, or technology, then we think we have a chance of creating more owners and managers. This will alleviate the reliance on others to save our community from economic disparity.”
The St. Louis Economic Empowerment Panel Discussion will take place at 7 p.m. (6 p.m. doors) Sunday, October 23, at The LUX Theatre, 2619 Washington Ave., in downtown St. Louis. For ticket information, visit www.moneymusicsocial.com, call 314-266-8481 or The LUX Theatre at 314-371-4031.
