Michele Lawrence

Covers The Network Journal!

Michele Lawrence graces the cover of the March 2012 issue of The Network Journal as one of the 25 Influential Women in Business. Winners of this prestigious annual, national recognition were chosen as a result of their outstanding achievement, contribution to leadership, and influence in the corporate and/or entrepreneurial arenas, along with their service to the African-American community.

Honored by National Coalition of 100 Black Women

In recognition of her corporate leadership and community advocacy, Michele was honored with The National Coalition of 100 Black Women - Pennsylvania Chapters inaugural Women of Power award, during the 26th Annual Madam CJ Walker Awards Luncheon.

Michele profiled in The Philadelphia Tribune

When Michele Lawrence learned of the alarming high-school dropout rate statistics and high chances of imprisonment for African-American boys, she was motivated to start an organization that would fight against those odds.

Michele Speaks to Rutgers EOF Program

On December 13, 2011, Michele presents a session on financial literacy to Rutgers University's EOF Program.

Michele covers ‘The Network Journal’

Michele Lawrence covers the March 2012 issue of ‘The Network Journal’ - the national African American business magazine dedicated to educating and empowering Black professionals – as one of this year’s ’25 Influential Women in Business’.

Launched in March 1999, The Network Journal’s ‘25 Influential Black Women in Business Awards’ honors women whose professional achievements have significantly impacted an industry or profession, and who also have made an important contribution to their community.

Lawrence and her fellow honorees received a specially designed crystal award at the annual ‘25 Influential Black Women in Business Awards’ Luncheon held in March 2012 in New York and attended by more than 600 business leaders including executives from CNN, BET, TV-One, Vanguard and State Farm.

Michele profiled in Tribune

Kimberley Richards with The Philadelphia Tribune chatted with Michele about her work as a community leader and a change maker with Saving Our Boys.

“When Michele Lawrence learned of the alarming high-school dropout rate statistics and high chances of imprisonment for African-American boys, she was motivated to start an organization that would fight against those odds.

Lawrence attended a neighborhood meeting with a friend discussing imprisonment and education and how it relates to African-American boys.

“I heard prisons were being built in Pennsylvania based on the test scores of eight-year-old boys,” Lawrence said. “Now they’re telling 8-year-old boys, ‘don’t dare to dream because you’ll be an inmate rather than a graduate.’”” Read the article in full here.

Michele chats with Comcast

On January 27, Michele sat with Jill Horner, host of Comcast Newsmakers, to discuss the mission of Saving Our Boys and the work the organization does with young men of color, ages 10 to 17.

The segment will air on Comcast Network throughout the month of February 2012.

Money Tip #4

by Lynnette Khalfani-Cox

When Apple co-founder Steve Jobs passed away this month, he left behind a huge legacy – and a huge financial fortune too. Since Jobs was one of the richest men in America, his family undoubtedly had no problem paying for his funeral and putting Jobs to rest.

Unfortunately, that’s not the case with many other Americans. It’s a sad reality that many families and individuals have to deal with, but the truth is that when many people pass away, their family members or close friends struggle to afford the funeral.

Knowing what to do when you can’t afford to bury a relative can help to relieve some of the stress and heartache of this difficult time.

Read the rest at BlackEnterprise.com.

Michele partners with FFAWN

In October 2011, Michele partnered with FFAWN - The Mary J. Blige and Steve Stoute Foundation for the Advancement of Women Now Inc. (FFAWN) – to produce a monthly financial literacy workshop for the young women at the FFAWN Center in Yonkers, NY. On the second Thursday of every month, Michele discusses money management, saving, budgeting/spending, and creating wealth with a group of 20-25 ladies.

Women & Money

Women & Money: Lessons From the Financially Independent

Living below your means is a tried and true method to gain – and keep – your wealth

by Patricia Stallworth

Financial independence can sometimes be an illusive concept. So I think it is always helpful to take a peek into the mindset of those who have achieved it. Take a look at these comments from a survey about two years ago byWilmington Trust and Camden Research: “I live below my means. … I live very modestly”; “It’s the same house that I raised my children in since elementary school”; “I live simply and really focus on saving.”

If these comments sound like something you might be aspiring to because of the recent recession, you might be surprised to know that the women who responded to this survey have a minimum net worth of $25 million, so they can well afford to live richly even during a recession.

But according to the study, there is a wealth paradigm shift going on and affluent women who once took on the traditional woman’s role are now taking control of their futures. The study concludes that they are “focused not on viewing their wealth as a measure of success but as a source of empowerment to achieve their goals and independence.” And this view was shared among women who worked for their money as well as those who inherited it.

Here are some other key findings of the study:

– Women are seeking a holistic approach to wealth management, which includes establishing family governance structures and fostering dialogue, particularly with their children, about wealth management.

– Even though the women surveyed said they were raised in households with traditional views of a woman’s role, they are emerging with a commitment to develop their professional skills and to be viewed in their families and communities as having equal opportunities and status as men.

– Women are stepping up to new levels of involvement in the management of their families’ wealth, with 88% of those in the study playing a high-to-moderate role in the management of family assets. They are meeting regularly with advisors, reading investment performance reports, and trying to compile a complete wealth picture.

Money Tip #3

Taking care of financial matters may be the last thing on your mind when you’re dealing with a parent or loved one who is dying.
Read More »

Michele speaks at PA Conference

On September 22,2011, Michele will join Karen Greene, VP Financial Services, Americsource Bergen and Deborah Hong, Partner, Stradley Ronon Stevens & Young, LLP for a panel on ‘Extraordinary, Powerful, and Influential Women’ at the 2011 Pennsylvania Diversity & Leadership Conference.

Discussion topics will include: As a Woman, How do I Get Paid What I Am Worth?; What Does It Take to Become a Woman of Power & Influence in Today’s World?; and Gaining the Trust and Credibility You Deserve.

The Conference’s keynote speakers are professor and author Cornel West and noted political strategist Donna Brazille. Other sessions include ‘Chief Diversity Officer Best Practice Roundtable’, ‘Smart Women Take Smart Risks’, ‘Multicultural Roundtable’, and ‘Creating Your Success through Coaches, Mentors & Networks’.

The 2011 2nd Annual Pennsylvania Diversity & Leadership Conference aims to providing a platform for dialogue on inclusion and diversity-related issues that impact this region. DiversityFIRST™: Creating New Opportunities for Your Community, as this year’s theme indicates, will provide participants the opportunity to share best practices and strategies to formulate integrated diversity initiatives that link business goals to workplace, marketplace and community diversity objectives.

Money Tip #2

Between tuition, room, board and books, college can be an expensive proposition.
Read More »

Michele joins NBC10 @ Issue

Michele joins Steve Highsmith for an NBC10 @ Issue segment regarding Saving Our Boys
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Covers The Network Journal!

Honored by National Coalition of 100 Black Women

Michele profiled in The Philadelphia Tribune