About Us
Our History
The seeds of the COWRIE Initiative were sown in 2016 when a group of passionate activists connected on Twitter, driven by their shared vision of supporting the #BankBlack movement. Their collective desire to promote financial advocacy in Black communities and help close the racial wealth gap transformed into the foundation of the COWRIE Initiative. Today, this dedicated team leads BankBlackUSA—an independent activation aimed at building upon the work of past generations to empower and uplift Black communities economically.
In 2020, the COWRIE Initiative launched the “Capital B Blog” as a platform for disseminating valuable information, updates, and thought leadership on Black economics. The name “Capital B” holds dual significance: “capital” refers to wealth in the form of money or assets that can be used for various purposes such as starting a company or investing, while “B” in “Capital B” represents the capitalization of the letter B in Black, emphasizing the importance of Black capital at the core of our work.
Since its inception, the COWRIE Initiative has grown and evolved, yet the core values and vision remain firmly rooted in the pursuit of financial empowerment for Black communities. The organization continues to build on the momentum generated by the early activists, steadfast in its mission to close the racial wealth gap and create a more equitable future for all.
Mission, Vision & Values
The COWRIE Initiative’s mission is clear and powerful: to effectively address economic inequality impacting Black communities through rigorous research and meaningful partnerships. We collaborate with local and global communities to develop tailored financial literacy resources for communities of color, recognizing that our collective financial experiences are unique.
Our commitment to addressing the specific learning needs of Black individuals while nurturing a strong cultural foundation within our core learning community is crucial to our success.
In delivering high-quality programming to communities of color, regardless of income, we demonstrate our unwavering dedication to the following values:
We emphasize the importance of aligning collective financial goals with individual aspirations for financial literacy.
We emphasize the importance of aligning collective financial goals with individual aspirations for financial literacy.
United, we can achieve more. We work hand-in-hand with our community members to foster a sense of unity through collaboration, understanding that our goals can only be realized with the combined efforts of dedicated individuals.
We aim to transition away from extractive business and financial models, unlocking the potential for positive contributions and regenerating capital assets to benefit Black communities.
Culturally-Informed Financial Literacy Matters
Financial literacy should be supportive, culturally specific, and far-reaching within the Black community. The COWRIE Initiative is a recognized change organization that provides socio-economic guidance, financial literacy development, and resources to our targeted communities. Our commitment to maintaining our position as an innovative change leader includes:
- Expanding culturally immersive financial literacy education to more Black individuals in our community.
- Preparing more Black communities for collective action.
- Influencing professional and funding communities’ perspectives on best practices for supporting local Black communities and fostering cross-cultural collaboration.
- Achieving operational sustainability while engaging with local and global communities.
We are determined to drive economic growth and provide financial literacy education support for communities of color in need, setting them up for future financial success. Economic growth, fiscal preparedness, and collective support for communities of color form the cornerstones of our vision. Without growth, students cannot hope for success; without preparedness, communities of color are left vulnerable to the financial pitfalls that unfortunately await them; and without collective support, Black communities cannot reach their full potential.
For example, African Americans constitute a growing and vital part of Houston. In 2020, 22.6% of Houston residents were Black. Representing a diverse range of backgrounds, identities, and circumstances, African Americans collectively contribute a wealth of talents and experiences that strengthen our communities, city, and state. As a rich culture of entrepreneurs, leaders, and innovators, it is crucial for the COWRIE Initiative to support Black communities, as better serving them benefits everyone.