YWCA Metropolitan Chicago to address racial wealth gap at WealthNOW Conference

The question: what can be done to narrow the racial wealth gap in the Chicago area?

The answer: The WealthNOW Conference, presented by YWCA Metropolitan Chicago's Economic Empowerment Institute, on Saturday, Oct. 9.

This free, virtual education and empowerment experience addresses three key areas of building sustainable wealth: entrepreneurship, housing, and wealth management, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

This conference will energize all who attend to move from striving to thriving and realizing positive change.

The WealthNOW Conference is designed for everyone wanting to position themselves for success.

"In Chicago, the wealth gap is holding back our residents of color from achieving their dream of economic prosperity," said Cheryl Hudson-Jackson, director of the Illinois Small Business Development Center at YWCA Metropolitan Chicago. "They do not have access to capital for new businesses, to purchase homes, or to save money. It is urgent that we address this critical problem."

"The WealthNOW conference is our solution. We have curated the best presenters in the nation to share information, stimulate ideas and support the commitment of shrinking the wealth gap," Hudson-Jackson said.

Attendees will have the opportunity to hear from keynote speakers James Chen, senior vice president, Business Development and M&A at Nasdaq; Alfred Edmond Jr., senior vice president/editor-at-large of Black Enterprise, and Eric Richardson, founder and CEO of Growth Development Associates.

Entrepreneurship speakers include: Ericka Perkins of Illinois Small Business Development Center on "Small Businesses Get The Tools You Paid For"; Susan and Cameron Stewart of Stewart Cheesecakes on "Building a Successful Business One Bite at a Time"; and Lemarr Lark, a Chick-fil-A business owner on "From Corporate to Franchise Business Owner - Making the Transition."

The Housing and Real Estate speakers are: Bill Williams of KMW Communities on "Breaking Barriers in the Chicago Real Estate Community"; Nykea Pippion McGriff of Chicago Association of Realtors on "Real Estate Reckoning; the Fight for Racial Equity"; Baird & Warner on "Being Social Aware - The Committed History of Real Estate"; and Liberty Bank.

The Building Wealth speakers include: Ilyce Glink, founder of Best Money Moves, on "10 Simple Steps You Can Take to Improve Your Personal Finances"; David Posely of Digital Economic School on "Cryptocurrency - What is It and is It a Good Investment"; and Jarrett Felton of Invessent on "Building Wealth is Strategic."

Thanks to the WealthNOW Conference sponsors Liberty Bank and CIBC, this event is of no cost to any who wish to attend.

Register today at www.ywcachicago.org/wealthnowconference.