YOUR GIFTS WILL MAKE ROOM FOR YOU AND OTHERS TOO
Dasha Kennedy is such a testament that your gifts will make room for you and others too. Dasha, a 32 year old Missouri native, is educating and empowering African American women with the financial literacy tools they require, but have never been taught. This allows them to take control of their financial situations, instead of the financial situations taking control of them. Dasha did this by creating The Broke Black Girl in November 2017 on Facebook. In the group, which has now grown to over 62,000, women share their experiences with money while focusing on sisterhood. As a result of Dasha’s selflessness, women are paying off student loans, repairing their credit, eliminating debt,and creating household budgets that are achievable for the entire family. Dasha Kennedy states “to be connected because of financial hardship, and wanting to overcome that and bring other people with you, has been one of the most empowering things to me ever”.
Dasha began her career in finance, at 19 years old, as a mailroom attendant at an insurance company after making the decision that she would not attend college. While there, she crossed paths with a female accountant who taught her the tricks and trades of the insurance company. This newfound knowledge inspired Dasha Kennedy to pick up the skill. As a result of Dasha immersing herself in obtaining the knowledge required, the female accountant’s manager hired her. By the time she was 25, she was a senior-level accountant and then went on to become an insurance counselor at a bank.
The power of positioning yourself and connecting with genuine and selfless people is immense!
Dasha worked one-on-one teaching the customers about personal finance. While working, Dasha noticed a reoccurring theme. There were a lot of African American women who were really struggling with their finances because they lacked essential financial tools such as budgeting and cutting back on expenses. The bank didn’t have any financial literacy programs for its consumers to obtain that knowledge. It was in that moment that Dasha noticed a problem and wanted to provide a solution.
Studies have shown that there is a huge racial wealth divide among Blacks and Whites. Dasha says, “In the black community, a lot of us are making less…in single family households…or on one income. It gets to a point where we’re just merely trying to survive. We are not thinking about the future, building generational wealth, or saving for tomorrow. We are just trying to get through today.”
Dasha didn’t become a success story overnight; she experienced some trials and obstacles which impacted her finances, some of which included a divorce, a broken foot, her father dying, graduating from Lindenwood University and having two sons.
When Dasha created The Broke Black Girl, her objective was to document her financial journey on social media with hopes of helping someone or finding someone who could relate. The title of the Facebook group spoke to how she identified where she was in life. She felt like she was broke. She knew she wasn’t alone when it came to not understanding what she should do regarding her finances. The group began with a few 100 and quickly blossomed through word of mouth and local news coverage. In the group, the members receive daily financial lessons and tips inspired by their interests. Dasha went on to create a website where she offers a plethora of financial services that are client based both online and offline. The success from the website and the Facebook group allowed Dasha the freedom to quit her day job to become a full-time entrepreneur 9 months after it begin. What a life changing experience for all involved!
The Broke Black Girl is the Millennial Financial Coach for your “Real Life” Money Problems.
Dasha reflects back at how she hated her job as a mailroom attendant, but knows it happened exactly the way it was supposed to. That job allowed her to be exactly where she is today, pursuing her purpose! Dasha would love to work within the school systems and believes financial literacy courses should be taught from elementary school on.
I’m rooting for you Dasha and I couldn’t agree more! I am not sure about you, but I am very much empowered by Dasha Kennedy as she provides financial hope where there is often despair. I have personally experienced many financial hardships, as well as individuals who are now financially secure forgetting what it was like to struggle financially. I am eager to become more financially literate as an African American single mother on the path to fulfilling my God given purpose. Financial literacy is BAE (beautiful and empowering) especially among the black community where we often lack the financial resources needed to thrive.
My money Mantra: I am open to new ways of investing, budgeting and saving!
Gems I Gathered from Dasha Kennedy:
1. Set out to learn something new daily.
2. Without a test there is no testimony.
3. Don’t be afraid to ask for help.
4. Positioning yourself is powerful.
5. A college degree doesn’t always equate to success.
6. The pathway to purpose is a marathon not a sprint.
7. Hard work pays off.
8. Always believe in yourself
9. Find a mentor.
10. Knowledge is key.
11. Social Media is a great platform when used correctly.
12. Collaboration over Competition.
13. Never forget your Why.
14. Each one Teach one should be our motto.
15. Paying it forward never gets old.
Income Tax Season is here so I thought I’d take this time to provide some ways to invest your refund no matter how big or small. To obtain financial freedom we must invest in things that will appreciate in value over time instead of things that will depreciate in value over time.
• Open a CD/Trust/Money Market Account/High Yield Savings Account.
• Create a LLC.
• Invest in a website.
• Purchase life insurance.
• Purchase a vending machine to generate passive income.
• Invest in real estate.
• Enroll in courses that will get you closer to your goals.
• Hire a life coach (business, career, finance, relationship etc.).
• Attend a workshop/conference.
• Purchase self help/financial books.
• Pay off high interest debt.
• Invest in a membership.