![Top Executives Kicked Off Essence Festival With Economic Empowerment Forum](https://www.essence.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/qffcEJlg-1920x1080.jpeg)
The 25th annual Essence Festival kicked off with an empowering discussion about how to bring economic freedom to African-Americans at the inaugural Global Black Economic forum.
Moderated by ESSENCE owner Richelieu Dennis, the forum detailed the initiatives that top executives at some of the world’s biggest brands are implementing to make sure young women and men of color get the opportunities and exposure to financial literacy that they deserve.
CEO of Chase Consumer Banking, Thashunda Brown-Duckett, Kaiser Permanente CEO Bernard Tyson, CEO of Walmart, Doug McMillan, and ESSENCE’s own CEO Michelle Ebanks gathered to give insights on the way forward when it comes to building an ecosystem of wealth.
Entrepreneurship, financial planning, and saving were just a few of the topics discussed, with a focus on programing that will help move the needle forward.
Through this forum guests were able to get valuable take aways about the programs available to them and ideas about how to mobilize and cultivate true financial health.