Sabrina Brathwaite Wilson | Redefining Wealth, Leadership, and Legacy

By: Kristopher Jackson 

For Sabrina Brathwaite Wilson, Senior Financial Advisor, Senior Vice President, and Resident Director at Merrill’s Uptown Charlotte office, finance has never been just about numbers — it’s about people. Her journey into the financial services industry wasn’tplanned; it was, as she describes, “a calling that found me.” 

“I knew I loved helping people,” she reflects. “Someone saw something in me that I didn’t see in myself. I started out as an assistant, and I realized I could have an impact on people’s financial education and help them build wealth for generations to come.” 

That realization has guided a career spanning nearly two decades, marked by authenticity, empathy, and an unshakable belief that financial empowerment should be accessible to everyone — especially those historically left out of the conversation. “I wanted people who look like me to see that saving, investing, and planning for the future isn’t out of reach. You don’t have to start wealthy to build wealth,” she says. 

Today, Wilson leads an office in one of Merrill’s key Charlotte— the first woman, and the first person of color, to hold that position. It’s a role she calls both humbling and historic. “When I started at Merrill almost 20 years ago, I never imagined this,” she says. “Now I can help shape the type of talent we hire, mentor advisors, and show women and people of color that they belong in this space.” 

Balancing leadership, clients, and mentorship takes intentional focus. “I’ve learned to be present where my feet are,” she says. “If I’m in a team meeting, I’m fully there. If I’m with a client, I’m fully engaged. It’s about being present in each moment.” 

Her leadership philosophy centers on authenticity — bringing humanity into an often intimidating industry. “Financial advisors can get caught up in jargon,” Wilson explains. “But people need to know that you understand their goals and struggles. Being human and relatable builds trust — and that’s the foundation of true financial partnership.” 

Wilson’s commitment to education is central to her team’s work. Through webinars, client sessions, and proactive outreach, they focus on empowering clients — particularly women and families of color — to understand market trends, investment opportunities, and ways to protect and grow their wealth. “We don’t just talk about the stock market,” she says. “We talk about private investments, emerging technologies, and what’s next — because underserved communities deserve access to that knowledge early, not last.” 

Her favorite financial lesson comes from an unforgettable client — a Jamaican immigrant who cleaned homes and worked as a nanny yet saved and invested enough to leave behind half a million dollars. “She proved you don’t need a big title to build wealth,” Wilson recalls. “You just need discipline, consistency, and faith in your future.” 

Beyond her professional success, Wilson’s impact radiates throughout Charlotte. She serves on the YWCA’s Endowment Board, supporting projects like affordable housing; on her son’s Montessori school board, championing educational equity; and on the College of Business Advisory Council at her alma mater, Winthrop University. She’s also an active member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., mentoring young women and leading community-based financial literacy programs. 

For Wilson, legacy transcends money. “It’s not about houses or millions,” she says. “Legacy is about how you’ve helped others move forward — how people’s lives are better because you showed up.” 

She pauses, smiling. “When people look back, I want them to say I made them better — that I showed up with kindness, empathy, and truth, and that I helped them see what was possible.”