Kevin Boucher, a 20-year industry veteran, has been promoted to EVP, Chief Communications and Strategy Officer. Mr. Boucher joined Operation HOPE in 2014, having led organizational strategy for numerous top-tier public and private sector entities. Mr. Boucher will lead executive and organizational marketing and communications strategies and continue in his capacity as Director of the HOPE Global Forums. A veteran of President Clinton’s campaign team, Mr. Boucher led growth and transformation efforts for organizations including the Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce, CVS, Commonwealth of the Bahamas, California State University system, Special Olympics, MTV, Public Storage, and the Los Angeles Junior Chamber of Commerce. 

Chaitra Dalton Bryant has joined the organization in a volunteer capacity as a Sr. Advisor for Health, Equity and Community Wellness. Ms. Dalton Bryant will support the organization in developing a holistic approach to its wellbeing efforts for both internal and external stakeholders. Ms. Dalton Bryant is currently the Chair of the National Minority Health Association and the founder of The Art of Wellness, which supports individuals and organizations with a modern and natural approach to developing a healthy, balanced lifestyle. She graduated magna cum laude with a B.S. in Human Development and continued her education via The Institute for Integrative Nutrition and Cornell University, with certifications in plant-based dieting and the psychology of eating and health coaching.

Jena Roscoe has been promoted to the Operating Committee in her role as SVP of Government Relations and Public Policy. Ms. Roscoe joined Operation HOPE in 2001, following her tenure as Associate Director, White House Office of Public Liaison in the Clinton Administration. At Operation HOPE, Ms. Roscoe manages partnerships and alliances with international, federal, state, and local governments and leads the organization’s public policy work. Ms. Roscoe participates in public policy forums around financial literacy, financial inclusion, and emergency financial disaster preparedness. She is an undergraduate alumnus of the Howard University School of Communications, and a graduate of The American University in Paris, France, study abroad program.

“As Operation HOPE continues to grow and scale throughout the U.S., we are continually seeking to ensure our resources evolve to best meet the needs of our clients, our partners, and the communities we serve,” said Brian Betts, Operation HOPE President and Chief Financial Officer. “We look forward to the contributions Ms. Roscoe and Mr. Boucher can deliver in their new capacities and are excited that Ms. Dalton Bryant can help us provide an enhanced wellbeing model to our clients and stakeholders.”

The post Operation HOPE Announces Leadership Promotions and Additions appeared first on Operation HOPE.

They say big things come in small packages. Cora Cleasants agrees and would be the first to tell you that adage about her.

This 5’3”, grandmother of four is a giant in her own right with a tremendous story to tell. Overcoming incredible odds to become the woman she is today, she hopes that her story and example can encourage others, men and women alike, to hold on to their dreams until they begin to realize a portion of their full potential.

No one ever really expected Cora to reach the level of accomplishment that she enjoys today. Her journey towards financial independence began when she was just a little girl, admiring the successes of her uncle. She remembers seeing him be his own man, make his own plans, and earn honest money working for himself. She saw something in him that she wanted for herself — an authentic sense of self-determination.

At 15 years old, however, a sophomore in high school, she had her first child. A year later, she gave birth again, to a set of twin girls, and then one more after high school. Despite her perceived setbacks, she never lost sight of her vision for the future.

Defying the odds and pushing boundaries for what’s possible, Cora accepted the added responsibilities of life as a young mother to the plans she had already set for herself. While raising her four girls, and later a baby boy, Cora became a career woman, working in various jobs collecting experience, advancing her skills, and refining her dreams of business ownership.

She recalls, “I always knew that I would own my own business. I just didn’t know how or when, but I knew within myself that I would.” Speaking of her source of inspiration she says, “I always wanted to give my children something to be proud of, something that they could aspire to be.”

With a downward spiraling economy, the trucking business Cora worked for went under. Despite the misfortune, she seized the opportunity and transformed it into a moment of destiny. With exposure to the business, she decided to shake things up a bit, pick up where her old company left off, and enter the commercial trucking industry.

To prepare herself, she attended trucking school, earned her Commercial Driver’s License, and began traveling the country driving 18-wheelers. Through the late nights and early mornings, the perpetual lack of privacy and comfort, and the loss of love and fractured relationships, she persisted. With each passing month, every paycheck earned and every penny saved went towards her family and the development of her budding business, C & M Trucking. She continued to save, with a strong sense of discipline and purpose, until she was finally able to purchase her first truck and major business assets.

Then, she did it again and bought two more trucks.

And again, purchasing three additional trucks.

She continued this cycle of saving and investing while working as a truck driver until she owned a total of six dump trucks, making her a strong contender in the market. Today, Cora has a fleet of trucks working around the clock in the city of Memphis and surrounding areas. Through her hard work, tireless resolve, and the relentless pursuit of her dreams, she is living out what she envisioned as a young woman — owning her own business while making her family proud and to making a difference in the lives of others.

In 2017, Cora came to Operation HOPE eager to expand and continue the success that she had been enjoying for six years. “I came to Operation HOPE so that I could take my business to the next level. When I started attending the seminars with HOPE financial wellbeing coach Ms. Trudy Morrison I was already a business owner, but I wanted to learn more about business credit and how to acquire it. I’m working out of my home right now, but I’m ready for a new office space. I want my office to reflect where the company is headed.”

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The post A little dirt never hurt anybody. appeared first on Operation HOPE.

Today, the fight for equality continues on yet another front — financial inclusion. Operation HOPE has taken up the mantle from Dr. King, Ambassador Andrew Young, and others to promote financial empowerment and equality throughout the United States and around the world. The vision for our organization was birthed through our founder and CEO, John Hope Bryant, but a number of women have accepted the call to the mission and daily contribute to the cause. We celebrate these women of HOPE and their commitment to equipping and empowering communities with financial literacy.

The Atlanta-based women featured here are but a few of many who support and work with HOPE. There are scores of others who help drive impact on a number of levels, either through leadership on the executive level, interfacing with the community in the field as financial wellbeing coaches, as a financial contributor, or even as a volunteer. They range in age, religious affiliation, nationality, race, and ethnicity. Regardless of their role or demographic distinctive, they help transform lives on a day-to-day basis.

We asked each of these ladies of HOPE three questions: 1) ”In your own words, how would you describe your role and function at HOPE?”, 2) “What does it mean for you, as a woman, to be a part of Operation HOPE’s mission for financial inclusion”, and 3) “What advice do you have for women seeking empowerment, financially and in general?”

Here’s what they had to say.

Tranay Price

Hometown: Baltimore, Maryland

Manager, Social Media Marketing

Social Media Guru | Ball Roller | Out of the Box Thinker

Impact of Mission: “It means so much for me to work for this organization because I come from an underserved community. Working here helps me understand the importance of financial inclusion and the impact it can have on all communities, especially communities of color. As a woman I feel that it’s important for us to be a part of the conversation on financial equity and financial literacy because we’re usually the last to know. However, now that I’m at HOPE, I’m among the first to know. I’ve gotten the memo, I‘ve embraced its message, and I’m proud to amplify it to others.

Advice to Women: “Fear and faith do not go together. It’s important to let go of your fears. And have faith in your journey of growth and understanding.”

.  .  .

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Latrisa Degraft-Hanson

Hometown: Buford, Georgia

Financial Wellbeing Coach

Financial Fitness Trainer | Empowerment Advocate | Transformation Technician

Impact on Purpose: “Working with Operation HOPE gives me an opportunity to inspire hope, to offer optimism and a sense of empowerment, and purpose in the people with which I engage. My work is so loaded with purpose that there are times when I become so full that I have to pause, reflect, and appreciate that this is actually my job. It’s very rewarding. To be able to help others, women especially, and connect to the emotions that have put them in a particular financial state and be able to unravel the “why” of how they got there is beautiful. Even more beautiful, however, is working with them so they are able to have a clearer picture and a working plan on how to move to a better place financially. Just walking with them through the process is so fulfilling to me.”

Advice to Women: “Know why you’re spending, know for whom you’re spending and ask yourself, “Is my spending moving myself towards my goal or away from my goal?”. Have a reality check with yourself and acknowledge that all of your spending should take you towards your financial goal. Be genuine with yourself. Don’t feel like you have to spend to impress. The people you are trying to impress probably aren’t thinking of what you have, nor are they worth impressing.

.  .  .

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Caryn Anderson

Hometown: San Juan, Trinidad and Tobago

Senior Vice President, Marketing Communications

Brand Standard Bearer | Chief of Content | Marketing Maven

Impact on Women: “Financial empowerment transcends cultural boundaries. It’s even greater as it relates to women because the ongoing fight/struggle for equality around the world is still an urgent task at hand. My current work is purposeful because I know that I’m helping to add important voices to a larger narrative.”

Advice to Women: “Get to know yourself. Find the thing that you are here to do and do it. The earlier you figure that out the more full and fulfilled your life will be.”

.  .  .

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