Why I Started EMPOWER Series

“I want to make a difference!“

My story begins in the heart of South Central Los Angeles, where my parents, Ida and Taro, raised my siblings and me. Their unwavering dedication and sacrifices, along with their love for community, shaped who I am today. When they passed away, I found solace and guidance in my Aunt Zelma and Uncle Jim.

Uncle Jim, (drjamesfrank.com), a trailblazer in the world of education and collegiate athletics, as the first African American President (1980-1983) of the NCAA, once said, “It offered me the opportunity to be a leader; to provide leadership; to shape the programs; to shape the minds of not only students, but to work with faculty members, administrators. Just broaden your horizon. And it offered me the opportunity to make a difference.“

Inspired by his words and my parents’ legacy, I started the EMPOWER Series because I wanted to make a difference in our communities and in the lives of others. I want to inspire and empower individuals to pursue their purpose with unwavering dedication, knowing that their contributions, no matter how small, can have a profound impact on the lives of others. I am driven by the belief that every individual has the potential to make a significant difference in the world. When we wholeheartedly commit ourselves to our passions and strive for excellence, we not only enrich our own lives but also positively impact the lives of those around us. We are all on this Journey called Life together.

In March of 2011, I collaborated with Comerica Bank, non-profit community organizations, and professional associations to kick off a series of community financial literacy workshops. Our programs were held at Southern Methodist University (SMU) in Dallas, Texas, and the University of Texas at Dallas in Richardson, Texas. Below is a video of the highlights from our 2011 kick-off event with Dr Dennis Kimbro at SMU. (click to view)

Our mission is to positively impact the world by inspiring people to thrive in every area of their lives. We envision a world where everyone is thriving – progressively realizing a worthy ideal. We believe that individuals have all the resources within reach to achieve their goals. In every program, we provide…

• HOPE that what we conceive and envision for our lives can be achieved;
• INSPIRATION to take consistent and disciplined action on our ideas;
• EDUCATION to continuously learn something new every day; and
• CONNECTIONS to resources (people and organizations) to help us take that next step to achieve our goals, because nothing of significance can be done alone.

For over 14 years, the EMPOWER Series has been a beacon of hope, providing invaluable financial literacy education and personal development resources to our community. Through our monthly workshops held on the third Saturday of each month in Dallas, Texas, we’ve empowered thousands of individuals to take control of their financial future and achieve their dreams. As we look ahead to 2025, we’re excited to expand our reach through a weekly podcast and additional online programs.

Now, I ask for your help to take the EMPOWER Series to the next level.

By hiring a full-time Executive Director and Administrator, we can:

 * Expand our programs and reach more individuals

 * Provide additional resources and support to our participants

 * Strengthen our partnerships with community organizations

 * Increase our impact on the lives of young people and adults

Your generous donation will help us achieve these goals and continue to inspire and empower future generations. Together, we can create a brighter future for our communities.

To make a general donation, please visit our website www.empowerseries.com and click DONATE or text GIVE or DONATE to 214-225-6337.

See interview at https://www.pbs.org/video/clifton-johnson-empower-seriesfinancial-expert-WDBVfk/