John Hope Bryant : Operation HOPE Founder and Council Vice ...

by John Hope Bryant

&Quot;I commend President Barack Obama, Treasury Secretary Geithner, the U.S. Treasury Department Office of Financial Education, and the Obama Administration for calling a meeting of the non-partisan U.S. President's Advisory Council on Financial Literacy (the Council) on November 3, 2009 at the U.S. Department of the Treasury. I would like to further encourage our elected officials to promote and advance financial literacy legislation that will help keep America competitive, and assist the American people, particularly our most under-served and at risk, in understanding and addressing financial matters.

The Council Committee on the Underserved, which I chair, along with committee members: Sharon Lechter, The Rev. Dr. Robert V. Lee III and Ignacio Salazar, along with special advisor Carrie Schwab-Pomerantz, reported the following benchmark achievements and initiatives at the meeting:

Report to President's Advisory Council on Financial Literacy (for full report click here)

The Committee on the Underserved made significant progress in developing a robust strategy and implementing initiatives to increase financial literacy among low-wealth individuals and under-served communities. The Committee focused on: increasing access to financial services and financial education; educating youth in low-wealth schools and traditionally minority colleges and universities; promoting volunteerism; recognizing the states and cities active in the financial literacy field and working to increase that number; developing a plan to ensure future best practices in subprime lending; consulting with Federal agencies to enhance their efforts; and, improving collaboration within the private sector to promote financial literacy in such communities. The Committee on the Underserved has also supported the efforts of the Outreach and Youth Committees in overlapping areas of focus.

In addition the Committee has co-hosted and participated in a number of outreach events and policy discussions, including roundtables, town hall meetings, promoted and encouraged legislation and listening sessions around the country. The Committee Chairman has participated in Congressional briefings and is tracking legislation related to financial education.

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