When it comes to tracking dollars, few people can make sense of the restless financial market, let alone turn a profit. But African-American financial wizards are more common than you might think. In fact, black financial advisers and strategists are some of the most sought after in their competitive profession. Here’s our list of top African-American financial gurus:
Mellody Hobson
When Mellody Hobson was growing up, money was a troubling issue. She was the youngest of six kids raised by a single mother, and the lack of money made Hobson want to become a student of finance. Her attempts to understand money fueled her ambition in becoming one of the most respected financial gurus in the business. Hobson is president of the Chicago based investment management firm Ariel Investments, LLC. She is also the chairman of the board of trustees for the company, which manages billions of dollars in assets. Her financial wizardry goes beyond her work at Ariel. Hobson is a nationally recognized advisor on financial literacy and investor education. She is a regular financial contributor on ABC’s “Good Morning America”, and a regular columnist for Black Enterprise. Hobson is also a director of three public companies: DreamWorks Animation SKG, Inc., Estée Lauder Companies, Inc. and Starbucks Corporation.