John Hope Bryant, founder of Operation HOPE, visited the USC Cecil Murray Center for Community Engagement for a book discussion and signing about his new book, The Memo: Five Rules for Your Economic Liberation. In his book, he argues that those living in poverty have not received “the memo” about how to succeed economically.
Through his talk at the Murray Center, he emphasized that throughout history and today, money has been the driving force of society, and that individuals need to embrace free enterprise or risk being left behind.
Everything that's not about #God or #love is about #money. But we have rejected it. @johnhopebryant #TheMemo pic.twitter.com/nMYNW2IPGu
— USC Center for Religion and Civic Culture (@usccrcc) December 20, 2017
Hope Bryant also emphasized in the book and his talk that “inner capital” is essential for “outer capital” or financial wealth. Speaking with a group of mostly African American faith leaders from Los Angeles at the Murray Center, he explained how a history of enslavement and racism has taken away Black Americans’ self-confidence. But it’s a universal challenge, he added:
What's behind #poverty? Lack of self-confidence, @johnhopebryant says. Thanks to history of enslavement, lack of hope. #TheMemo pic.twitter.com/b1CNWAOoQ9
— USC Center for Religion and Civic Culture (@usccrcc) December 20, 2017
Slavery, discrimination and oppression have meant that communities of color are focused on survival, Hope Bryant said. He encouraged the group to change their mindset and focus on thriving instead.
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Hope Bryant, whose organization Operation HOPE provides individuals with financial counseling and financial literacy education, donated copies of The Memo to the Murray Center for sale at the event. Click here to buy his book.
