Black History Month has always felt like a time to pause and reflect. Not just on the stories we learn in school, but on the quieter stories that live inside our families, our communities, and our own financial journeys.
For many of us, money conversations didn’t start with stock portfolios or tax strategies. They started with resilience. Making things stretch. Doing the best you could with what you had. Watching parents or grandparents work hard, sacrifice, and still worry about whether it would be enough. Somehow, they always made it work and often gave more than what they had.
That foundation shapes how many of us approach money today.
A personal reflection
I still remember early moments in my career when clients would say something that stuck with me:
“I just want to make sure I’m doing this right because no one taught me.”
That sentence carries so much weight. It reflects a generation that is often building financial confidence while also trying to create something new for the people who come after them. We are learning, while also carrying the weight of being the first generation to achieve this next level of success.
As a financial planner, but also as a wife, mother, and Black woman navigating entrepreneurship, I’ve seen firsthand how financial planning becomes about more than numbers. It becomes about ownership. Clarity. Peace of mind.
Black History Month reminds me that progress is rarely about a single breakthrough. It’s about small, intentional steps repeated over time.
As I reflect on the money conversations we grew up with and the wealth we're building now, there are a few lessons that resonate.
Lesson 1: The first win is just the beginning
We celebrate milestones for good reason: the first promotion, first college or graduate degree, first investment account, first home, first six figures saved.
But long-term financial wellness is not built on one moment. It is built on what happens after the win.
Ask yourself:
- What systems am I putting in place to keep this momentum going?
- Is my success protected with savings, insurance, or a plan?
- Am I making decisions that support the next decade and generation, not just the next month?
- The goal is not just reaching success. The goal is sustaining it.
Lesson 2: Planning is a form of empowerment
Historically, access to financial knowledge has not always been equitable. That reality still influences how comfortable people feel asking questions or seeking advice.
The truth is, financial planning is not about having everything figured out. It is about creating a space where you can learn, ask questions, and make informed decisions with confidence.
- Some foundational steps that create power quickly:
- Build an emergency fund that gives you breathing room.
- Understand where your money flows each month.
- Start investing consistently, even if the amount feels small.
- Review your benefits and retirement accounts yearly.
- Make sure your loved ones are protected with basic estate documents.
Each of these steps says: I am planning with intention.
Lesson 3: Wealth is also about wellness
In conversations with clients, one thing becomes clear: money stress isn’t only financial. It affects mental health, relationships, and confidence.
Sometimes the most powerful financial decisions are the ones that support overall well-being.
That might look like:
- Investing in your health
- Creating margin in your budget
- Taking a career leap with a plan in place
- Saying no to financial obligations that don’t align with your goals
Financial planning should help you feel more grounded, not more anxious.
Lesson 4: Legacy isn’t only about dollars
When we talk about legacy, many people immediately think of large estates or generational wealth. But legacy can also be:
- Teaching your children how to budget
- Breaking patterns of financial silence
- Showing family members that asking for help is a strength
- Creating financial stability that allows future choices
Legacy is about the example you set today.
Moving forward with intention
Black History Month reminds us that progress often happens quietly. It happens in everyday decisions. In choosing to save instead of spend. In asking questions. In learning something new about money even if you feel behind. And, sharing this with others so we are lifting as we climb.
Financial planning is not about perfection. It is about direction.
And no matter where you are starting from, the most important step is deciding that your financial story deserves intention, clarity, and care.
Because building wealth is not just about numbers.It is about creating choices, stability, and opportunity for the life you want and the people who come after you.