June 2019 Edition

This is a season of celebration for those who earned college degrees and now embark on a journey into professional careers. Congratulations to you all! There will surely be gifts of all sorts and praise for your accomplishment.

The United States has seen an increase in the amount of college degrees among its population. According to The Hill.com (based on U.S. Census Bureau Statistics): “33.4% of Americans 25 years or older said they completed a bachelor’s degree or higher.” The racial/ethnic demographics of college degree holders varies: “55.9 % of Asian Americans have completed a four-year college program…37% of non-Hispanic white Americans have a college degree…23% of African Americans…16.4 % of Hispanic Americans…”¹   In addition, CNBC.com reports (based on the study: Racial Disparities in Student Debt and the Reproduction of the Fragile Black Middle Class ): “The researchers found that black young adults take on 85 percent more education debt than their white counterparts…African-Americans face unique repayment challenges.”²

Morehouse College is a HBCU located in Atlanta, Georgia whose graduating class of 2019 received an awesome graduation gift. Their student loans were paid off in full by the wealthiest African-American in the country, Robert F. Smith, billionaire tech investor. This unexpected act of philanthropy pleasantly surprised students, alumni, and college administrators. Nearly 400 graduates will have this burden of debt removed and will be able to have a financial focus free of this obligation.

Mr. Smith advised the graduates to “Pay it forward.” At the heart of this gift lies the power of opportunity to transform one’s own circumstances and that of their community. There are many avenues available as a means to pay it forward, such as volunteer mentor programs, community-based charitable organizations, or becoming an entrepreneur with your own community outreach program. Truly, what an amazing graduation gift and opportunity for you, your family, and community!

The service staff were excellent and showed true southern hospitality. My waiter was friendly and attentive, he kept my sweet tea (the house wine of the South) goblet full! You can dine-in or take your meal to go, either way this is one dining experience you can not afford to miss.

While in the bookstore I noticed a thought provoking title: The Richest Man in Babylon (2018 Edition) by George S. Clason. In biblical history, Babylon conquered Jerusalem and the ancient Hebrews were taken into captivity by divine judgement for their idolatry (KJV 2 Kings 24:8-16). They remained in Babylonian exile for 70 years.  Also in Babylon, was the old testament prophet Daniel who was thrown in the lion’s den (KJV Daniel 6:16) and the kings Nebuchadnezzar (KJV Daniel 4:24-25) and Belshazzar (KJV Daniel 5:23-31) behaving badly.

First published in 1926 as a pamphlet circulated by banks and insurance companies, the book has a parable style to teach one how to manage their finances. Like listening to a good storyteller bestow wisdom, the book captures the reader’s interest and imagination using the backdrop of a long ago kingdom. George S. Clason writes: “Just so it is with the sons of men. Give them a choice of gold and wisdom-what do they do? Ignore the wisdom and waste the gold…\” (p.70). This book is recommended for its helpful financial strategies and an intriguing back in time adventure.