Begin to invest in your future

We all to often spend quite a bit of time lamenting about our situation in these United States of America and the lamenting is well warranted. Yet, we have to realize there are ways we can prosper in this society. We have to begin to learn that the power that is within us will overcome any situation, even slavery in its many forms. I just learned that in 1886, just 21 short years after the Civil War, the first Black law firm in the United States was opened in Charleston, SC by three Black men, William Whipper, Macon Allen, and Robert Brown Elliot. Robert Brown Elliot came to Charleston from Jamaica and later became the editor of the oldest Black newspaper in the U.S. I am giving this background as a platform, as a foundation to show that no matter how negatively we have been and are treated we can still overcome. Now, I don’t know if these men were ever slaves, but I do know that to practice law, to do anything, especially under the harsh conditions of slavery or the conditions of the time shows we can do and have done great things no matter the conditions. In fact the mindset or the conception for this law firm and newspaper were being developed long before the Civil War began, as all things that come to light began in the hearts and minds of the people.

The financial health of our people at this time is at a crucial juncture. Black people have the spending power of 631 to 688 billion dollars, greater than some small nations. However, its important that we begin to invest our money and one of the best ways to invest is in real property. I have met many people that feel they cannot invest in a home, but this comes from not knowing. I am going to start here by giving you a few things you can do to get started.

Pull your credit report and learn your FICO score. You can pull your credit report at least once per year at no cost however, there may be a small cost to get your FICO score. There are three credit reporting agencies.

Equifax 1-800-685-1111

Experian 1-888-397-3742

TransUnion 1-800-888-4213

Once you get your credit report you can see how you have been paying, who is on your credit report and if there is a company that you have paid completely and it is not showing paid in full or you never have done business with a company you can dispute these items.

This is to be continued