Marleine Bastien

Last night, I was proud to host Forging Our Own Path: Generational Wealth, Strategy, & the Black Pursuit for Economic Justice here in District 2 — bringing together community leaders, entrepreneurs, and advocates for an uplifting, educational, and solutions-driven conversation on building lasting wealth in our communities.

From access to capital and entrepreneurship to homeownership and policy, this powerful discussion reminded us that generational wealth is not just about finances — it’s about knowledge, opportunity, and intentional investment in our future. When we come together to share resources, strategies, and lived experiences, we create pathways for collective progress that extend far beyond today.

Thank you to our incredible panelists — Jonathan Vilma, Founder of Trè Bel Housing; Sylvester King Jr., CEO of FAB Consulting Solutions, LLC and Chairman of The Udonis Haslem Foundation; Alexis Brown, CEO of SocialXChange; and Cleveland Bell III, President and CEO of Riverside House. Thank you to Keith “Papa Keith” Walcott, Media Figure and Community Advocate, who facilitated the panel discussion and our Mistress of Ceremonies, Kenasha Paul, Founder & CEO of the Black Professionals Network, for helping us chart a path toward economic justice and generational wealth.

Thank you to Khass Oupelle, Executive Director of the Northwest 7th Avenue Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) and the Northwest 79th Street Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) and to Brandon Williams, Executive Director of CEO Financial Literacy Academy, for your collaboration as well.

Together, we are forging our own path — and building a future rooted in ownership, opportunity, and legacy!

@papa_keith
@jonvilma
@slykingjr
@cleveland_bell
@lexybmiami
@kenasha