Black History Month is celebrated CNBC Invest in You is featuring weekly stories from CNBC contributors and members of the Financial Wellness Council, including the lessons they’ve learned growing up, their advice to Black youth, their sources of inspiration and how they are working to close the racial wealth gap.

As the protests spread across the nation, corporations began to make announcements about initiatives to increase diversity, equity, inclusion (DEI), within their ranks. More than a dozen corporations have made pledges to support diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) within their ranks. $50 billion to these advancement programs.

Still much work needs to be done. According to data from Mercer, 64% of entry-level workers are of white race, and 85% of executive positions go to white workers. This highlights the need for more diversity in our workforce. promotion gap.

Howard University received $20 million from the Marriott Foundation to help develop an executive leadership pipeline. Anthony Wilbon is dean of Howard University School of Business told CNBC on Wednesday,Companies with diverse leadership have a higher chance or better opportunity of outperforming their competition.

CNBC recently heard from several Black business leaders, academics, and financial professionals about their visions for the future to help young generations.

Insufficient diversity can lead to groupthink and stifle creativity. DEI helps to attract top talent. A recent study by DEI found that top talent is attracted to the company. CNBC | Momentive Workforce SurveyNearly 80% said that they desire to work at companies that encourage diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Americus ReedCNBC’s contributor, Professor of Marketing at Penn State’s Wharton School. He wants the next generation of leaders to promote and seek out diverse viewpoints. in their organizationsHowever, he cautions that such efforts must be done in the correct way. Reed stated, “My advice to future leaders is be careful about diversity, inclusion and equality.”

Programming isn’t enough.

It must be made, but also managed. We have to understand how to put different perspectives into our decision-making – into our companies, our brands, our organizations. These perspectives are important to nurture and manage so we can build the kind of organization that is successful.

To put it mildly, starting a business can be difficult. The U.S. has around 30,000,000 small businesses. Most fail. 20% fail in the first year; 30% in the second year and 70% by the tenth.

Minorities have the following numbers even more worrying. 8 out 10 Black-owned companies fail in the first 18 months.

Kourtney, partner and president of Loop Capital Markets believes that the best thing anyone can do for the financial futures of Black Americans, is to actually own it. Everyone can own their share of the American Dream. You can set a goal and measure your progress. Then monitor the results. Every aspect of our business is measured by KPIs. These include revenue measurement, profitability and operating margins. It is time to set goals for Black economic inclusion. It’s what gets measured that gets incented that gets done.”

Gibson is currently a member of the board for Lululemon, a Canadian-based brand that makes athletic clothing. Lululemon was one of the original sponsors for the Canadian Journalism Foundation’s Black Journalism Fellowship.

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Isaiah McKinnon’s 50-year service in the public sector began as a Detroit Police Department Patrol Officer in 1965. He was the only Black officer among nearly 5500 on the force at the time he signed up. McKinnon is a Vietnam vet and Air Force pilot. He was chosen as the “poster Officer” to help recruit minorities into the force.

McKinnon, nearly three decades later than he entered the police force was named Detroit Police Chief. McKinnon had been openly critical about the politics of the Detroit Police Department at the time of McKinnon’s appointment. McKinnon immediately shifted his department’s attention to community-driven, or policing that aims at bridging the gap between police and the communities through the direct introduction of officers into communities. McKinnon stated, “I felt hatred due to the color of mine skin but I use it to enact changes.”

The F.B.I. graduated McKinnon. McKinnon is a graduate of the F.B.I. “I have met six presidents and many other leaders in the United States. Nelson Mandela is the man who really taught me about building wealth. I was inspired by Nelson Mandela to realize that wealth can be built through education, dedication, fortitude and love. It’s the reason I stand as tall today.

McKinnon has written three books; “Stand Tall,” In the Line of Duty, and “North Between the Houses.” 

While Black families enjoy greater income and wealth, average white families are worth an average of $175,000 seven times higher.

In 2021, Blacks’ spending power was $1.6 trillion. This means that they can buy, save, and invest almost as much. doubling since 2000.

Lanzetta Branxton is co-CEO for financial planning firm 2050 Wealth Partners.  

The same as what commodity market expert? Helima CroftBraxton told CNBC recently that Black History Month offers an opportunity for Black people to remember and appreciate the contribution of their community. Black History Month is for me an opportunity to recognize and celebrate the achievements of Black talent both in America and around the world. Black history is being made daily through Black financial planning and the advancement Black households. They also live out their financial plan, and leave a lasting legacy.

Being able to live in the middle of America has always been associated with American dreams. This is because it represents financial security, and the ability for your children to succeed. The dream of the middle-class is not possible. no longer what it used to be.

Many Black Americans have been denied access to wealth-creating opportunities through institutional obstacles like redlining.

Black homeownership reached a new record level before the pandemic. 40.6%, compared to white homeownership rate at 76%. The Urban Institute reports that the homeownership rate for whites is 76%. wide gap between white and Black homeownership is larger now than it was in the 1960s, when housing discrimination was legal in the U.S.

Bonawyn Eion, principal equity derivatives manager at XP Investments wants to remove the barriers that have prevented Blacks from creating their wealth. Wealth creation is dependent on access to capital, as well as anti-discriminatory lending policies.

How can we help the Black community in financial empowerment? This is literally the trillion-dollar question. It is my belief that the same legal and institutional power structures which created barriers to entry must now be applied to help remove them. In order to achieve real reforms and impacts, we need to focus on things such as funding Black VCs and lending practices.

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Disclosure: Comcast Ventures and NBCUniversal are both investors Acorns.