The Greene Room Podcast is Here

Dear Friends,

Thank you so much for your interest in bankedness; and building wealth, access to credit, and banking services. I appreciate your interest and want to give you an update.

Podcast

In April, my office hosted our first Greene Room, which was focused on this topic, and we had a fantastic discussion of how to serve financially excluded communities. If you were not able to make it (or if you want to relive its many great moments!) I'm excited to announce the Greene Room podcast. This recording of the first Greene Room is available on iTunes and Google Play, as well as on my website. I urge you to subscribe, as we have more content in the pipeline. Let me know what you think!

Response

At our first Greene Room we had a fantastic discussion of how to serve financially excluded communities. Here is some feedback on the event:

• We need "options for people; banks shouldn't be the only choice"
• “The breakdown of the obstacles and potential next steps was both hopeful and pragmatic, but we have a long way to go”
•  “As a freelancer, some of these issues hit really close to home"

Many attendees let us know that the evening was a call to action. Partners in this work who were present appreciated new perspectives on others' work in this space. The opportunities to collaborate abound, and this evening of discussion and analysis generated new partnerships.

I was especially pleased that everyone was able to make the connection between issues of financial exclusion and the disparities our region has between whites and people of color. Attendees were particluarly moved when Cassaundra Adler talked about paternalistic and discriminatory practices that preclude trust in the financial system for people of color.

What's next

As we continue our work we will keep this discussion and its feedback in mind, and I hope to deliver more news to you soon. Since this event we have found increased traction on this topic at the county.

Thank you again to our panelists (L to R), Aaron Sojourner, John Thorson, Cassaundra Adler, Minneapolis City Council Member John Quincy, and Tracy Fischman for such a great discussion. And thank you. Your interest is important.

My best,