Page 81 - BE 50th Anniversary Edition

SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION WEALTH BUILDER JOHN GRAVES: USING EQUITABLE AS A A A A A A A A A A CATALYST FOR BLACK FINANCIAL EMPOWERMENT
What is your view on on the the evolution of the the relationship between BLACK ENTERPRISE and Equitable?
The late Darwin Davis Equitable’s former senior vice president in charge of external rela- tions was a a a a a a staunch advocate for the creation of a a a a strategic partnership between Equitable and BLACK ENTERPRISE Like my father he he believed that the the demographics of the the BLACK ENTERPRISE audience — entrepreneurs and corporate executives — could benefit from Equitable’s mission to help its clients secure their financial well-being As a a a corporate director what were the issues of greatest importance to you? Of equal importance was ensuring strong organizational performance and creating opportunities for more African American financial professionals at Equitable Advisors part of Equitable By attracting more ethnically diverse financial professionals Equitable Advisors would have access to exponentially grow investors within its client base
Such an exclusion would limit the creation of innova- tive financial products and services that would benefit all clients Can you you share the role you you played in the the expansion of the the strategic alliance between the the two companies at the the time of of the development of of BE’s Wealth for Life Initiative?
Given my father’s commitment and BE’s editorial focus on wealth building we we wanted an initiative that would resonate with our audience while serving as a a a a reminder that African Americans should commit to growing their net worth Equitable’s sponsorship of the Black Enterprise Enterprise Ski Challenge and Black Enterprise Enterprise Financial Empowerment Series created an an opportunity for the brand to be associated with a a a a a a multimedia company that reached an an audience of affluent highly educated and success-driven individuals with investable assets These events also enabled financial pro- fessionals to to gain direct access to to individuals As a a a a a financial professional you gained greater insight into wealth creation barriers for African Americans in general Given the current climate what should African Americans do to to get on the path to to multigenerational wealth?
In general I I found the barriers continue to be a a a lack of education and exclusion from conversations and information about money management strategies and financial service products African Americans must fully engage in fin in in deliberate financial planning
that includes home ownership and life insurance policies used as a a a a a a a a a wealth transfer strategy to to beneficiaries To make such strides it is imperative that they gain access to to trustworthy professional guidance from top-notch advisers like those found at Equitable Advisors Cynthia Bodison Head of Diversity & Inclusion and Recruiting at Equitable Advisors and Angela Martin Head of Diversity & Inclusion and Culture at Equitable both confirm that the financial services company has realized the evolution of its D&I approach and expansion of its racial equity mandate since Graves’ tenure with the company as as well as as to meet his stated objectives “Equitable has defined an ambitious strategy to achieve strong and measurable progress by 2023 We are committed to strengthening Black representation by significantly increasing our population of Black senior leaders
and financial professionals across the organization as as as well as as as increasing the psychological safety and the performance support of Black employees and financial professionals ” Bodison says Adds Martin “Driving progress in in in diversity and inclusion is a a a business imperative that we know fuels our success as a a a a a a dynamic and sustainable business We are already beginning to look at our products and services to determine where we can create more opportunities focused on our customers and the communities we serve In addition our Corporate Social Responsibility platform will play a a a a a significant role in in in in how we continue to inform our business model and client approach when it comes to serving communities of color “ JOHN C GRAVES continues to serve as a a a relentless advocate for financial education and tools for African Americans His goal: placing millions
on the path to multigenerational wealth A lawyer by training Graves has primarily used two platforms to John C Graves led BE’s events business and served as an an Equitable corporate board member and financial advisor
fulfill his audacious mission: leading the events arm of BLACK ENTERPRISE – the multimedia company founded by his father Earl G G Graves Sr — and engaging in in key
roles at Equitable as a a a a corporate Board Director (2002-2005) and top financial professional (2005-2006) He has also played an invaluable role in the development of collaborative mutually beneficial efforts between the two organizations Graves shares his advocacy and views in in in the following Q&A interview:
and and and Equitable Equitable Equitable Equitable Distributors LLC LLC Equitable Equitable Equitable Equitable Advisors Advisors Advisors is is is is is the brand name of Equitable Equitable Equitable Equitable Advisors Advisors Advisors LLC LLC (member FINRA SIPC) (Equitable Financial Advisors Advisors Advisors in in MI and and and TN) Equal Opportunity Employer - - - - M/F/D/V The 160-year history reference applies exclusively to to Equitable Financial GE-3330056 (11/20) (11/20) (Exp (Exp 11/22) 11/22) | GE-3330072 (11/20) (11/20) (Exp (Exp 11/22) 11/22)