I have a long and substantive history working with Congresswoman Sheila Jackson-Lee of Houston, Texas, including but not limited to our joint efforts to introduce and advance two pieces of financial literacy legislation in a former Congress. And while the bills did not become formalized, Jackson-Lee encouraged me to never give up, give in or turn away. Her encouragement worked.

Congresswoman Sheila Jackson-Lee actively supports our on the ground work of Operation HOPE, with Project 5117, which includes strategies for financial literacy, financial and economic inclusion, inclusive economics and raising credit scores to 700, in underserved communities across the country. We are working closely now, to bring our on the ground work to her home district of Houston, Texas.

Congresswoman Sheila Jackson-Lee worked with us and led an effort to gain traction with two separate financial literacy bills under her signature.
Congresswoman Sheila Jackson-Lee worked with us and actively engaged with us as we rolled out the Freedman’s Bank Tour in late 2014, participating in our formal recognition of the Freedman’s Bank 150th Anniversary at the National Archives on March 3rd, 2015.

And here comes Congresswoman Sheila Jackson-Lee once again, providing necessary support for the historic renaming of the U.S. Treasury Annex Building, into the Freedman’s Bank Building, which has been formally announced by Treasury Secretary Jack Lew and the U.S. Department of the Treasury earlier this month.

I appreciate Congresswoman Sheila Jackson-Lee for joining a growing chorus of voices that are increasingly commending Treasury Secretary Jack Lew and the U.S. Treasury team for this couragous and admirable historic act. Renaming the Treasury Annex Building, the Freedman’s Bank Building.

Let’s go…

John Hope Bryant

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