How Can We Narrow the Black Homeownership Gap?
By Chuck Bishop, Head of Diverse Segments for Wells Fargo Home Lending Despite ongoing challenges due to the pandemic, Black Americans joined the many homebuyers looking for a space to call their own during the past year. But even against that backdrop, the homeownership gap for the Black community remains significant, and concerns remain about the overall effect the pandemic-slowed economy and historic challenges will have on long-term homeownership goals. During Black History Month, and throughout the year, it’s important to acknowledge the challenges the Black community faces when
Political wins showcase Black college excellence
Cyril Josh Barker for the Amsterdam News The wins of Howard University alum/Vice President-elect Kamala Harris, Morehouse College alum U.S. Senator-elect Rev. Raphael Warnock and help from political organizer and Spelman College graduate Stacy Abrams was summed up in a viral Jan. 5 tweet: “If a Morehouse man becomes a U.S. senator, while a Howard alumna is the vice president, and both were aided by a Spelman woman, I never, never, never want to hear any more talk about HBCU’s not preparing you for the ‘real world.’” The tweet was
Money: Top Tips for Organized Tax Filing
(StatePoint) 2020 was a particularly stressful year — but filing its taxes doesn’t need to be. With the following tips, you can stay organized and cool-headed throughout the process. File Early File early so you check this major to-do off your list and relax. The good news is that the sooner you file, the better. This is true no matter what your circumstances are. If you owe money, you’ll have that much more time to plan your payment. If you’re due for a refund, filing sooner means you’ll have
Help your kids get financially fit in the new year
By Kavita Kamdar | Head, Chase First Banking, Atlanta Voice Multiple studies have shown that the earlier kids develop healthy money habits, the better our prospects of having strong financial health into adulthood. According to research, we start grasping money basics when we are 3. This gives us a great opportunity to introduce conversations about ways to save, think about spending, and the value of money early in our kids’ lives. It used to be that children learned about money when shopping out with parents, but as more transactions happen
How to have a holly, jolly, digital holiday
In this time of social distancing, when you may not be able to gather together with family and friends during the holiday season, there are plenty of exciting, unique and downright delightful ways to keep everyone’s holiday spirits high. Consider exploring websites and digital platforms offering creative gifts, new ways to connect and one-of-a-kind greeting options that will put a smile on even the Grinchiest of faces. Here are a few ideas to get you started. Unique holiday greetings Tired of sending the same old holiday cards? Instead, why not create
MLB finally recognizes Negro League players as Major Leaguers
It has taken 100 years, but Major League Baseball (MLB) announced on Dec. 16 that the Negro Leagues will be included in the organization’s history rather than being treated as a separate entity. “It is MLB’s view that the Committee’s 1969 omission of the Negro Leagues from consideration was clearly an error that demands today’s designation,” MLB said in a statement. The Negro National League was formed on Feb. 13, 1920, at a YMCA in Kansas City, Missouri. The National Negro League struggled to make ends meet, and the
Millennial Marriage: What’s Love Got to Do with It?
At a recent dinner with friends, all of whom happen to be Millennials, we got on the topic of dating and, for us at least, dating’s ultimate goal: marriage. Despite having desires of what age we’d be married by when we were younger and, perhaps,more naive, none of us seemed to be in a rush currently, despite our ticking clocks. The conversation then turned to the marriages we have experienced first-hand; that of our parents. Although love was present, all of us admitted we wouldn’t want to follow
Zillow Finds Remote Work Could Help Black Renters Become Homeowners
The rapid rise in pandemic-driven telework could make first-time homeownership most broadly accessible to black renters compared to other renters, based on factors including income, the makeup of local industries, geography and more, a November Zillow analysis suggests. Zillow research found that, of the nearly 2 million U.S. renters who are able to take advantage of heightened telework options and could afford monthly payments on homes in less-expensive areas outside of their current metros, Black renters benefit far more than other renters. In large metro areas where typical starter
The Upside of Downsizing Your Holiday Season
By Elizabeth Lampkin The year two thousand and twenty has been an ongoing saga of life-altering events. Many of the adorned, traditional celebrations, trips, and gatherings were canceled, rescheduled, or modified for the safety of humankind. As the holiday season approaches, COVID-19 restrictions have once again forced us to make drastic changes to holiday family gatherings, but there is an upside to downsizing these affairs. Saving Money It is a known fact that many Americans go into debt during the holiday season to create crowd-pleasing, Hallmark celebrations. While there is
Worried about the COVID learning slide? 4 steps parents can take
(BPT) – School is so unpredictable this year, it’s hard not to worry about the what ifs. What if my child falls behind due to distance learning? What if my kids have trouble getting back to in-person learning? It’s an anxious time for many parents. In fact, a recent Understood/YouGov survey of 2,000 parents of 5- to 17-year-olds, shows that 71 percent are worried that their children will face challenges this year. For parents of kids who are diagnosed with or show signs of learning and thinking differences,