( ENSPIRE Business ) Jason Anderson Speaks Candidly About Financial Literacy and Equity in His Community
ENSPIRE Contributor: Nicole Armstrong
Jason Anderson, CEO of The Dream Commission LLC, is an accomplished leader, breaking down barriers. He is the youngest black quality engineering leader to receive the 2023 Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award signed by President Joseph R. Biden. He has made a global impact in the realm of financial literacy. Anderson has also been recognized for his work by being named one of the 40 Urban Elite “Top 40 Most Influential Memphians” of 2023.
Anderson offers a compelling perspective on financial literacy and community engagement. He uses his expertise and his own experiences to help ensure the financial literacy and success of the next generation in his community. He combines racial equity with financial equity and often emphasizes the importance of their relationship. Anderson’s success does not stop with him; using his resources, he gives back to his community to lift others up alongside himself.
We were excited to get a closer look at Jason Anderson’s impact on his community.
What initially inspired you to get into the financial industry?
My environment inspired me to want to learn about financial literacy and share that education and resources with others. I was born and raised in Mississippi, which has the lowest median income in the country, to parents who were both first-generation graduates. I saw the economic journey they fought to achieve through education to pull us from poverty. I also saw the direct correlation between poverty, crime, and health disparities. When we cure poverty, we cure cancer plaguing our society and fulfill Dr. King’s final dream of economic equity and access.
How do you stay on top of the ever-changing economy? What are the key things to pay attention to?
Reading is key, as is having good mentors. The economy goes through consistent cycles of surplus and recession. Certain trends escalate the recessionary period, such as dumping excessive amounts of money into the market and reducing interest rates, which increases demand and causes a shortage of supply. Suppliers typically raise prices astronomically to gain record profits when there is a shortage of supply. This can drastically speed up looming recessions. The key things I pay attention to are interest rates, consumer spending, the job market, and technology and emerging sectors. These play a factor in industry and markets.
What financial advice would you give young people that you wish you knew?
Learn how compound interest works early, invest for the long term, not for quick gains, and read books like “Rich Dad Poor Dad,” “Who Moved My Cheese,” and “The One Thing.” Realize that by sacrificing early, instead of partying every Saturday night, within 15 years, you’ll have a lifetime of abundance.
As a hard worker who has achieved so much at a young age, how do you make time for yourself and prioritize your mental and physical well-being?
That’s a challenge I still struggle with. When you’re working within your purpose, you’re extremely passionate each day about your goals because they are directly tied to leaving a legacy for others. I’ve learned that a Sabbath day each week is essential to not only hear from God but to connect with family and friends. Additionally, I’m learning to schedule biannual vacations and quarterly staycations.
What has been your favorite part of your professional journey so far? Why?
During our 2023 Dream Summit, we had over 800 registrants, but the best part about our Free Financial Literacy Summits was the youth and adults who came up and said thank you; I needed this information and didn’t know who to ask. With over 30% of Black Memphians living in poverty and over 50% of Black youth within Memphis living in poverty, families cannot afford to spend thousands of dollars on paid summits, and that’s where “The Dream Commission” steps in with our 100% Free Dream Summits.
Do you have any current goals you would like to achieve? How do you stay motivated to continue advancing your career and reaching your goals?
The goal that I would like to achieve along with my Dream Commission Co-founder Justin Crosby is to realize Dr. King’s final dream of providing boots to the bootless. Our vision is to leave a legacy of educational leadership and economic access so that every generation after us can build generational wealth regardless of their background or current status within society.
Learn more about Jason Anderson’s mission and impact on his website or Instagram.
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