B3 Elevation

Honesty is the best policy—authenticity strengthens our connections and builds true community. Grateful to Angel Cornelius for sharing her wisdom and inspiration as a Spark Speaker! ? #AuthenticityMatters #HonestyBuildsCommunity #SparkSpeaker

Diane Palmer, Thanks for the opportunity to share my journey to building Maison 276! I appreciate the support of B3 Elevation??

Day 16 of 28: Building Finance- The Black Legacy: Clifton Wharton Jr.: The Quiet Pioneer Who Redefined Corporate Leadership In 1987, Clifton Wharton Jr. didn’t just become CEO and Chairman of TIAA-CREF—he shattered an enduring illusion, becoming the first Black CEO of a Fortune 500 company. His appointment was a historic breakthrough that simultaneously laid bare the persistent racial disparities in corporate leadership. More than three decades later, progress remains painfully slow. Before leading TIAA-CREF, he had already broken barriers as the first Black president of Michigan State University and Chancellor of the State University of New York (SUNY)—overseeing the largest university system in the U.S. His transition to TIAA-CREF placed him at the helm of a $60B+ private pension fund, where he grew assets to over $100B, restructured investment options, and led crucial institutional reforms. Born into a family that deeply valued education, Wharton’s upbringing spanned multiple continents. Fluent in multiple languages, he served with the Tuskegee Airmen, enduring racism but persevering with quiet resilience. His early career in international economic development shaped his approach to leadership, influencing his later success in academia, philanthropy, and finance. At Michigan State, he navigated student protests during the Vietnam War with steady leadership. At SUNY, he secured greater funding and autonomy for its 64 campuses and 345,000 students. By the time he reached TIAA-CREF, he was a recognized institution-builder, bringing strategic foresight to one of the country’s largest financial organizations. A Legacy That Highlights Systemic Gaps Yet, despite his achievements, Black CEOs remain rare. As of 2024, only seven Black CEOs lead Fortune 500 companies—just 1.4% of the total. There wasn’t another Black Fortune 500 CEO until 1999, twelve years after Wharton’s appointment. Black professionals hold only 3.2% of senior executive roles and are 40% less likely to be promoted to the C-suite than their white peers (McKinsey, 2023). However, the data proves that Black leadership drives success. Under Marvin Ellison (Lowe’s), the company’s stock surged from $80 to $200+. Kenneth Frazier (Merck) expanded market cap by over $100B, and Rosalind Brewer grew Walgreens’ revenue significantly. The problem isn’t talent—it’s access. Book Recommendation? ?? Privilege and Prejudice: The Life of a Black Pioneer – Clifton R. Wharton Jr. His story isn’t just one of inspiration—it’s a call to action for those in leadership to create real change. Elevate Black Voices – Sponsor, mentor, and develop Black leaders. Diversify Boardrooms – Push for Black representation in decision-making. Demand Accountability – Move DEI from rhetoric to measurable results. Support Black-Owned Businesses Strengthen Black economic power. The talent is there. The question is: Will corporate America capitalize on it? #buildingfinance #theblacklegacy #blackhistorymonth

Diane Palmer, Thanks for the opportunity to share my journey to building Maison 276! I appreciate the support of B3 Elevation??

Honesty is the best policy—authenticity strengthens our connections and builds true community. Grateful to Angel Cornelius for sharing her wisdom and inspiration as a Spark Speaker! ? #AuthenticityMatters #HonestyBuildsCommunity #SparkSpeaker

Honesty is the best policy—authenticity strengthens our connections and builds true community. Grateful to Angel Cornelius for sharing her wisdom and inspiration as a Spark Speaker! ? #AuthenticityMatters #HonestyBuildsCommunity #SparkSpeaker

Atlanta #smallbusinessowners were treated to Keynote Inspiration and strategies to remain profitable and relevant in business by Fifth Third Bank Jada Grandy-Mock, MBA (she/her) during the B3 Elevation Business builder workshop in #ATL. Jada's passion, expertise and guidance inspired us all to take action on her insights, ????? #FinancialAwareness #B3Elevation #Inspiration #Empowerment

Today, we honor the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., a visionary whose dream of equality and justice continues to inspire our entrepreneurial pursuits. We take this time to recognize and celebrate the leaders in #Atlanta, #Chicago #Detroit #Gary #GrandRapids and #Houston who embody his mission through their daily work. Thank you Diane Palmer, Bill Grice, Juliana Perry, Vance Kirkwood, Laketa L. Henderson, Belinda Turner-DuBois, Lykesha Shelton, Ph.D., Northwest Activities Center, Kirk Gimenez, Traneice Mills, Paul Adamson, Kennedy Oates, Antoine McNeal for leading with purpose and making a lasting impact!?#MLKDay #LegacyInAction #smallbusiness

Terrell (TL) Richmond Sr. Program Manager for Small & Diverse Businesses at Amazon, delivered an engaging and insightful discussion on Amazon’s Supplier Diversity, E-commerce at the Houston! Money Talk Mixer. Thank you Terrell for your expertise and passion in empowering diverse businesses to succeed in the e-commerce world! We’re grateful for the opportunity to learn from you and excited to see how these strategies will drive growth and opportunities for businesses everywhere. #SupplierDiversity #EcommerceSuccess #BuyWithPrime #DiverseBusinesses #AmazonGrowth #BusinessOpportunities #Empowerment #SmallBusinessSupport #AmazonInnovation #DiversityInBusiness #Entrepreneurship #BusinessInsights #DiverseEntrepreneurs #InclusiveGrowth #AmazonLeadership #SmallBusinessMatters #GrowthOpportunities

Today, we honor the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., a visionary whose dream of equality and justice continues to inspire our entrepreneurial pursuits. We take this time to recognize and celebrate the leaders in #Atlanta, #Chicago #Detroit #Gary #GrandRapids and #Houston who embody his mission through their daily work. Thank you Diane Palmer, Bill Grice, Juliana Perry, Vance Kirkwood, Laketa L. Henderson, Belinda Turner-DuBois, Lykesha Shelton, Ph.D., Northwest Activities Center, Kirk Gimenez, Traneice Mills, Paul Adamson, Kennedy Oates, Antoine McNeal for leading with purpose and making a lasting impact!?#MLKDay #LegacyInAction #smallbusiness