Learning from a diverse group of individuals can help broaden your perspectives, enhance your empathy, and expand your knowledge. Achieving financial well-being is an added bonus.
In the same vein, the financial gurus you follow online and on social media should ideally represent various cultural backgrounds.
We have compiled a list of eight Black financial influencers who are enriching the personal finance space with their distinct viewpoints and professional advice on everything from reducing student loan debt to navigating a competitive housing market. Whether you’re in search of a new podcast to listen to, a personal finance book to read, or a course to enhance your financial literacy, consider following these financial experts.
8 Black Financial Influencers to Follow
Broaden your financial knowledge with these Black personal finance experts who are working to narrow the wealth gap through financial education.
1. Tiffany ‘The Budgetnista’ Aliche
Tiffany Aliche — also known as “The Budgetnista” — possesses valuable insights on achieving financial well-being. A former preschool teacher, Aliche utilized her financial expertise to bounce back from job loss, foreclosure, and debt, ultimately building a multimillion-dollar business centered on personal finance education.
Aliche established the Live Richer Academy and has over 485,000 members in her Dream Catchers community group on Facebook. She is also an author, with her latest book, “Get Good With Money,” released in March 2021.
Aliche played a pivotal role in advocating for a law mandating financial education for all middle school students in her home state of New Jersey.
2. Mandi Woodruff-Santos of MandiMoney
Seeking guidance from an inclusive advocate for wealth-building? MandiMoney founder Mandi Woodruff-Santos, along with her community of MandiMoney Makers, is an excellent resource. A career and money expert, Woodruff-Santos frequently shares her personal finance expertise with national outlets such as CNN, Business Insider, and more.
In addition to her Makers Academy and the “Just Quit” toolkit, Woodruff-Santos co-hosts the “Brown Ambition” podcast, which was nominated for best business and finance podcast at the 2022 iHeartRadio Podcast Awards. Since 2016, the podcast has served as a “judgment-free zone” for ambitious Black and brown women, featuring guests such as Stacey Abrams, Imani Walker, and other first-generation wealth builders.
3. Amon and Christina Browning of Our Rich Journey
Amon and Christina Browning of Our Rich Journey are former government employees who retired at age 39 and 41, moved overseas, and now provide valuable advice on replicating their journey.
The Browning’s offer courses in investing, relocating to Portugal, and pursuing F.I.R.E (Financial Independence Retire Early). You can also explore their videos on investing, financial habits, early retirement, and more on the Our Rich Journey YouTube channel.
4. Kiersten and Julien Saunders of Rich and Regular
Kiersten and Julien Saunders aim to break the stigma around discussing finances. Through their platform Rich and Regular, this couple aspires to foster open conversations about money.
Watch the Saunderses’ web series “Money on the Table” on YouTube. In the series’ second season, they engage in conversations with various special guests on topics such as entrepreneurship, estate planning, and investing. Alternatively, stay updated on their blog for insights into their financial journey.
5. Michelle Singletary
Michelle Singletary is an award-winning financial journalist and author. She authors “The Color of Money” personal finance column for The Washington Post, which is distributed to newspapers nationwide.
Singletary is also the author of several personal finance books, including “What to Do With Your Money When Crisis Hits: A Survival Guide.” She has made numerous television and radio appearances, sharing her financial expertise with the masses.
6. Kevin L. Matthews II of BuildingBread
Kevin L. Matthews II, a former financial adviser turned investment educator, leverages his experience managing multimillion-dollar portfolios to establish BuildingBread, a platform where he assists novices with investment and wealth-building.
Enroll in the Breadwinner’s Circle — a free weekly newsletter featuring tips for new investors — or explore one of Matthews’ investment courses. Matthews is also the author of “From Burning to Blueprint: Rebuilding Black Wall Street After a Century of Silence.”
7. Rianka Dorsainvil
A certified financial planner and influential figure in the financial planning profession, Rianka Dorsainvil strives to promote financial literacy and empowerment.Lead by example showcases the work of Rianka Dorsainvil, the co-CEO of 2050 Wealth Partners, a virtual, fee-only comprehensive financial planning firm.
Dorsainvil is also the host of the podcast “2050 Trailblazers”, where she discusses her passion for diversifying the financial planning industry and invites professionals from advisory or brokerage services as well as financial literacy experts to share insights on achieving long-term financial goals.
Bola Sokunbi, a certified financial education instructor (CFEI), is dedicated to empowering women with the financial knowledge they need to make positive changes in their lives. Notably, Sokunbi managed to save her first $100,000 in a little over three years without a six-figure annual salary. Her brand, Clever Girl Finance, provides free financial courses on various topics such as saving, budgeting, investing, and building multiple streams of income. Additionally, Sokunbi offers a podcast, a YouTube channel, and books to further support financial education.
Kaz Weida is a senior writer at the Penny Hoarder. Nicole Dow is a former senior writer at The Penny Hoarder.
