Mellody Hobson learned the value of money early on. Now, she’s one of the most influential women in America.

We know that being a female in the investment banking industry is rare, and being a Black woman in investment banking is even rarer. According to a recent study from McKinsey, only 4% of the financial industry’s C-suite positions are held by Black women. We also know that centering Black women in positions of power is good for the entire economy. Mellody Hobson, President and Co-CEO of Ariel Investments is using her influence as one of America’s most powerful women to create more revenue for minority-owned businesses with Project Black. Listen in to hear about her 32-year career at Ariel, how she went from Intern to Co-CEO, and why she’s passionate about teaching children the value of money young.

More money news when you need it! Get the latest and greatest updates on all things investing, budgeting, and making money. Subscribe to the HerMoney newsletter at Hermoney.com/subscribe!

Takeaways:
- Mellody Hobson, President and Co-CEO of Ariel Investments discusses her background as the youngest of six children raised by a hardworking single mother in Chicago.
- She reflects on the financial challenges her family faced which instilled in her a strong sense of focus and purpose regarding money from an early age.
- Mellody attributes her interest in money and the investment business to the elusive and mysterious nature of finances during her upbringing.
- She highlights her mother's practice of involving her in financial matters from a young age, exposing her to bills and financial circumstances, which provided her with a unique understanding of the cost of living.
- Mellody emphasizes the importance of teaching kids about money, whether they come from a background of scarcity or abundance, advocating for financial awareness and responsibility regardless of financial circumstances.
- She shares her approach to teaching her own daughter about money, including activities such as making her pay at stores, explaining prices, and discussing topics like taxes to impart a sense of value and financial awareness.
- Mellody also discusses the resilience and lessons learned from challenging times, such as the 2008 crisis, and the importance of taking 100% responsibility in difficult situations.
- She offers insights into her partnership with John Rogers, founder of Ariel Investments, and their unique co-leadership dynamic, emphasizing mutual support, shared responsibility, and a commitment to excellence.
- Mellody also shares her experiences serving on the boards of Starbucks and J.P. Morgan, and her admiration for leaders like Howard Schultz and Jamie Dimon, highlighting their focus on accountability, values, and putting people first.
- The discussion explores Mellody's initiative, Project Black, which involves a private equity business aimed at empowering minority-owned businesses by providing capital and creating opportunities to scale sustainable enterprises.
- Mellody discusses the acquisition of companies through Project Black, including Sorenson Communications and My Code, and its potential to transform the landscape of minority-owned businesses and narrow the wealth gap.
- The conversation provides valuable insights into Mellody Hobson's personal experiences, financial philosophy, leadership principles, and her commitment to empowering minority-owned businesses and promoting financial awareness.

Follow Mellody Hobson:
Twitter:   / mellodyhobson  
Instagram:   / mellodyhobson  
LinkedIn:   / mellodyhobson  

Follow the podcast :
On Apple podcasts: https://apple.co/43G4qR7
On Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3sTUHd7
The HerMoney Instagram:   / hermoneymedia  

Listen to the podcast episode “The Most Powerful Woman In Investing With Mellody Hobson” - [   • The Most Powerful Woman In Investing ...  ]
—
Listen to The How She Does It Podcast while you're on the go! [https://pod.link/1691787429]
Available wherever you listen to your favorite podcasts. New episodes drop every Monday.
—
Subscribe to the channel here: https://bit.ly/4agSrxo.
—
Follow Karen here:
Twitter:   / karenfinerman  
—
Sign up for our newsletter to save more money, save time, and get actionable advice here: https://bit.ly/46R6h6M
—
Sign up for InvestingFixx, our learn-to-earn investing program. Every other week, we dig into the markets and decide what we should buy and what we should sell: https://bit.ly/46LYWVT.

Sign up for FinanceFixx, our financial coaching program designed to help you dig deeper into your finances and money habits: https://bit.ly/3Rrpk2L.

#investing #powerfulwoman #femaleceo #financeexpert #leadershiplessons