Homeownership is still the number one way to build wealth in America—but for too many people, the path feels confusing, risky, or out of reach. In this powerful and deeply personal episode of Money and Wealth, John Hope Bryant breaks down why financial literacy is the civil rights issue of our generation and how ownership can be made actionable for everyday people.

John is joined by Operation HOPE financial coach Lester and HOPE client Leanne Brown, who shares her real-life journey from renting and struggling with credit to becoming a proud homeowner in Memphis, Tennessee. Together, they unpack the mistakes many of us were never taught to avoid, the myths around credit and mortgages, and how mindset, discipline, and the right guidance can change not just finances—but entire family legacies.

This episode goes beyond theory. It’s a step-by-step, lived example of how budgeting, credit repair, and financial coaching can move people from survival mode to stability, from stress to confidence, and from access to true ownership.

If you’ve ever thought homeownership wasn’t for you—or didn’t know where to start—this conversation is proof that wealth is not about luck or privilege, but about knowledge, action, and support. This is what hope with a business plan looks like.

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Wealth isn’t luck — it’s structure, mindset, and alignment.

In this powerful masterclass, John O’Bryant breaks down the hidden architecture of wealth by revealing the three essential roles behind every successful family, business, and community: the Hunter, the Skinner, and the Cook.

John challenges destructive myths about money, relationships, capitalism, and poverty, drawing a sharp distinction between being broke and being poor. He explains why mindset drives outcomes, why you can’t out-earn bad relationships, and why wealth builders always surround themselves with the right people in the right roles.

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In this episode, John sits down with Joe Baratta. Joe is the Global Head of Private Equity at Blackstone, the world’s largest alternative asset manager. Baratta shares his remarkable journey from a modest upbringing in Sacramento to leading one of the most powerful private equity platforms in the world. Together John and Joe explore the real meaning of access, aspiration, relationship capital, and why talent is universal, but opportunity is not. This episode is both a masterclass in economic empowerment and a reminder that the American Dream still exists, especially when leaders choose to widen the table and share the climb. 

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The Black Effect Presents... Black Tech Green Money!

Ep. 239 Baratunde Thurston is a storyteller, Emmy nominated host, writer, public speaker and most recently his work explores AI, nature, and humanity.

Follow Will Lucas on Instagram: @willlucas

Follow Black Tech Green Money: @blacktechgreenmoney, @btgmpodcast

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On this episode, we explore the collision of sports culture, high-stakes finance, and the digital frontier. We move past the scoreboard to look at the business of being an athlete in the modern era—from the "identity economy" where virtual skins hold as much weight as vintage sneakers, to the brutal reality of the "Jock Tax" and the pressure to save everyone back home. This conversation redefines what it means to build a legacy, shifting the focus from simply making money to mastering the systems that preserve it.

Features: Kai Bond (Courtside VC) explains the billion-dollar shift in how Gen Z defines ownership; NFL linebacker Jaylon Smith and business manager Michael Edo get real about financial literacy and overcoming the "Savior Complex"; Tyrre Burks (Player's Health) shares how he leveraged athletic resilience to disrupt the insurance industry; and NBA star Terance Mann joins Julian Aikens (W3 Sports) to discuss navigating the volatility of Web3. Tune in for a masterclass on how the discipline of sport translates into the language of equity and innovation.

Follow Will Lucas on Instagram at @willlucas

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In this episode, John sits down with Kneeland Youngblood for a conversation that feels more like a masterclass in life, purpose, and building generational wealth. Youngblood traces his extraordinary path from practicing emergency medicine to launching a billion-dollar private equity firm. He also shares the story of his family’s 147-acre land, purchased by formerly enslaved ancestors, and the years-long legal battle to reclaim what was rightfully theirs. The fight wasn’t about personal gain, but about protecting legacy and empowering future generations. This episode is rich with actionable insight and unforgettable stories. Whether you’re an entrepreneur, a dreamer, or someone determined to change your financial future, this conversation will shift your perspective on what it really means to “come up from nothing.”

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In this Thanksgiving bonus episode, John breaks down a wealth principle you won’t hear on Wall Street, in business school, or across cable news: the economics of gratitude. John connects spiritual truth, neuroscience, and economic behavior to reveal how gratitude rewires the brain for better choices — and how survival mode quietly drains your money, focus, and future. Through personal stories from his upbringing in Compton, insights from Operation HOPE’s research, and practical guidance for holiday spending traps, he offers a blueprint for shifting from panic to possibility.

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The Black Effect Presents... Money & Wealth with John Hope Bryant!

In this episode, John takes listeners on a journey through the past, present, and future of innovation—showing how artificial intelligence is reshaping every corner of our lives. From the horse-and-buggy era to the dawn of AI, John breaks down what this moment means for workers, entrepreneurs, and dreamers alike. He shares practical, real-world examples of how anyone can turn AI into income—from revamping small business websites to launching AI-powered tutoring and consulting services.

This isn’t a tech lecture—it’s a masterclass in empowerment. John reminds us that AI won’t replace your job; someone using AI will. Tune in for a crash course on how to rebuild your future, your business, and your community with the tools of tomorrow—today.

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In this episode, John shares the pivotal moments that shaped his mindset and fueled his rise from a kid in Compton to one of the most influential wealth-builders in America. John recounts the childhood experiences that taught him resilience, hustle, and the critical difference between making money and building wealth. You’ll hear how a nine-year-old’s curiosity about business transformed into a lifelong mission, ultimately leading to the founding of Operation HOPE and his commitment to empowering underserved communities with the tools to thrive. Packed with storytelling, real lessons, mindset gems, and the raw realities of growing up with limited resources but unlimited drive, this episode lays out the foundational principles behind John’s philosophy: wealth is a mindset—and anyone can learn to create it.

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