"We regrettably live in a system of haves and have-nots, and I know nobody working harder than John Hope Bryant to deliver success and resources to those who feel left out. Our Creator intended each of us to share in the Earth''s bounty, and none of us should be without the means to achieve prosperity and wellness. This book explains how to claim your place at the table. " --Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu "John Bryant gives us a new understanding of the world in which we live. Normally we approach the world through votes and politics, when ultimate power has always been with the money, and having been ambassador, mayor, congressman, and civil rights leader, I must confess I am still struggling to make sense of the present global economy. Atlanta''s success was clearly that we ignored Washington and went to Wall Street. Washington has $20 trillion, the US government has $20 trillion and $18 trillion in debt. Wall Street has available in excess of $60-70 trillion.
Atlanta made the shift to globalization, and our city has grown from about 1.7 million in 1982 to over 6 million presently, and the only explanation that I have is we were willing to reach beyond government debt and politics and engage with the money centers of the planet. The truth of it is, the press and the Congress and the Senate and even the FBI are thinking nationally, but the major decisions of the world are a part of the global economy. Dr. King''s efforts to redeem the soul of America from the triple evils of racism, war, and poverty was right on target, but his vision was stalled by a single bullet. They may have killed a dreamer, but John Bryant continues to pursue the dream that all God''s children are endowed with inalienable rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. The Memo gives suggestions on how we might help ourselves and each other through earning, investing, and managing money." --Ambassador Andrew Young, Chairman, Andrew J.
Young Foundation, and Global Spokesman, Operation HOPE "John captures how our world, with its amazing technological advances, has no space for those who procrastinate. To reimagine what is possible, people need more than just access to financial tools and services. The sense of urgency and ownership he describes can help us to put those tools to work to benefit ourselves and ensure that we won''t have the Internet of Everything without the Inclusion of Everyone." --Ajay Banga, President and CEO, MasterCard " The Memo is what so many in America need to truly realize their full potential. My life is testimony to just about everything that John has placed in the bindings of this book. I grew up on the rough side of Chicago but found my Identity Project standing next to the playing side of a piano in Seattle. Just that one thing changed the trajectory of my life. And relationship capital--well, next to having talent, of course--this has proven to be everything in my life.
I am now a global citizen, with business and partners around the world. I ''got the memo.'' I have known John Hope Bryant for a long time and can say he has been fighting tirelessly to bridge the gap between the haves and the have-nots. You should read this book. It made my soul smile." --Quincy Jones, entertainment icon and CEO, Quincy Jones Productions "John Hope Bryant makes a clear and compelling case for taking control of your future by managing your ''inner capital.'' With The Memo , he shows how to tap into your wisdom, creativity, and intuition to lead a successful, thriving life." --Arianna Huffington, cofounder and former Editor-in-Chief, The Huffington Post "At a time in our history when it becomes crystal clear that finding untapped hope, discovering untapped opportunity, and believing in people is a core strength in any society--or a company like Delta for that matter--John Hope Bryant shares The Memo .
John and I both value ''relationship capital''--it''s how we met. The Memo is a sort of ''StrengthsFinder'' for the reader (to quote our friends at Gallup)." --Ed Bastian, CEO, Delta Air Lines "John Hope Bryant brings both insight and inspiration to the quest for financial independence. His experience and vision combine to help people help one another and themselves, building a more inclusive economy and a brighter world." --Bill Rogers, Chairman and CEO, SunTrust Banks, Inc. "Amid the overabundance of financial advice today, The Memo stands apart with its straightforward, five-step guide to leveraging one''s inner strengths toward sustainable economic independence. John Hope Bryant has dedicated his life to educating the poor in financial responsibility, and his simple solutions for navigating a complex landscape are an absolute must-read." --Andrea Jung, CEO, Grameen America, and former Chairman and CEO, Avon Products "Our future is indentured so long as so many of our students and families are in debt.
John Hope Bryant is leading the charge to help each of us free ourselves from this burden. We all will be better off if we get The Memo !" --Benjamin Jealous, Partner, Kapor Capital, and former President and CEO, NAACP " The Memo is a clear and compelling course in self-reliance and self-sufficiency . prescribing a new world order where opportunities are ubiquitous and may be accessed without the burden of economic encumbrance." --Lisa Borders, President, Women''s National Basketball Association "John Hope Bryant offers a simple message for personal success and a better world: respect and believe in yourself, build something that inspires you and helps others, live within your means, keep your promises, and invest in a home for your family. These are eternal truths, rooted in religion, moral philosophy, and practical experience. In a complex, challenging, and confusing world, we all need clarity, honesty, and insight. There''s a great deal of all three in this fine book. Let''s get on with it!" --Seán Cleary, Executive Vice Chair, FutureWorld Foundation " Aim not at receiving a fish, as you will have fish for a day.
Aim not at learning how to fish, for you will have fish for a lifetime. Aim at owning the pond, and you will have fish for generations. Understand that the small business is the heart of America, and the megabusiness grows out of the heart connecting with the mind. The Memo exalts wisdom and education--from the Latin educo , drawn out, not spaced out--drawn out of the darkness of ignorance, misunderstanding, self-devaluation. Drawn out of poverty." --Rev. Cecil L. "Chip" Murray, retired Pastor, First AME Church, Los Angeles Professor, Center for Religion and Civic Culture, USC Cofounder, Cecil Murray Center for Community Engagement, USC "With The Memo , John Hope Bryant blends his real-world experience and practical guidance to create a life model for taking economic control.
It is a plan for taking control to achieve financial stability for the individual. It is a plan for building the financial stability of the neighborhood and community. The Memo is a means for us to begin leveling the economic playing field and creating a much broader sense of ownership in our shared economic future." --Bryan Jordan, Chairman, President, and CEO, First Horizon National Corporation "Bryant''s rules for economic liberation are applicable to all who recognize that inner capital is the currency for success. He brilliantly tackles the root cause of the invisible class and shines a light on the path to a life well spent through one''s mindset, spirit, and action." --Susan Somersille Johnson, Corporate Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer, SunTrust Banks, Inc. "Abraham Lincoln and Martin Luther King Jr. presented for America a vision that is still uncompleted.
This book presents a simultaneously inspiring and hands-on memo on what is needed on the way there. John Hope Bryant is what our time acutely needs: dignity in action!" --Dr. Pekka Himanen, philosopher and cofounder of Global Dignity "John brings the type of generational leadership America needs during a time when the financial illiteracy epidemic has reached epic proportions. Through his vision and approachable guide to economic well-being outlined in The Memo , I believe a path to prosperity and happiness is well within a person''s reach. This book should be required reading and could not have arrived at a more necessary time." --Zak Pym Williams, actor "I don''t know anybody who can deliver ''the memo'' better than John Hope Bryant. He has something to say to every one of us who falls short in our self-esteem and confidence as financial beings. Read this book and reclaim your power to live to your full potential.
" --Peter Ueberroth, Managing Director,The Contrarian Group, Former Major League Baseball Commissioner. "By sharing the key concepts and experiences that have contributed to his success, John Hope Bryant provides a formula for upgrading your personal software and understanding how to leverage yourself in today''s society." --Steve Case, Chairman and CEO, Revolution, and cofounder of AOL "Too many of us in America have lost our way. We are overwhelmed with the extreme poverty in our lives and hearts and the seeming impossibility of attaining the success we see in papers, movies, or the swell streets.