Earlier today, civil rights icon Ambassador Andrew Young, my personal hero, mentor and our HOPE Global Spokesman (and former mayor of Atlanta, and congressman from Georgia, amongst other credentials), and I met for over an hour with Georgia Governor Nathan Deal in his State Capitol office.

We covered a great deal of ground in our meeting, but a couple of topical items stuck out. Ambassador Young encouraged the Governor to continue support for HOPE Scholarships (no relationship to Operation HOPE) and I am pleased to report that the Governor stated, even with greatly expanded usage and need, and while the scholarships now cover 90% versus 100% of expenses, the State and the Governor is still 100% supportive of this vitally important program for our next generation of leaders.


Ambassador Young and I spoke to the critical need for greatly expanded financial literacy education in K-12 education. The Governor, who is the product of 4-H and Future Farmers of America, expressed his strong support for financial literacy empowerment, and encouraged me to meet next with some of his key appointees, and I plan to do that.

We of course will see what comes, but this was a very encouraging first meeting. As a new resident in the state, I plan on keeping my commitment to the Governor to work closely with his Administration to make Georgia, and our nation, successful. Let’s go….

Onward with HOPE

– Posted by John Hope Bryant

John Hope Bryant is the founder, chairman and CEO of Operation HOPE and Bryant Group Companies, Inc., author of bestselling business book LOVE LEADERSHIP: The New Way to Lead in a Fear-Based World (Jossey-Bass), and member of the U.S. President’s Advisory Council on Financial Capability

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