Industry Titans in Houston Talk Financial Security

A nationally recognized CEO told a gathering of local wealth-builders in Houston that "leaders are made, entrepreneurs are born."

Dr. William F. Pickard, chairman and CEO, Global Automotive Alliance joined other business powerhouses – Theldon R. Branch, III, chairman and CEO, The Branch Companies; Deavra Daughtry, President and CEO, Excellent Care Management; Harry Johnson, president and CEO, Friends of the Memorial Foundation, Inc.; Carla Lane, president and CEO, LaneStaffing; and Sharon Murphy, partner, McConnell Jones Lanierand Murphy LLP -- at the second "Titans of Industry: A Wealth and Wisdom Speakers' Series" event on October 8. Prudential Financial and Real Times Media subsidiary Who's Who Publishing Company launched the series in September in Detroit, which features top African-American leaders from a variety of industries who share their approaches to attaining financial security and creating sustainable generational wealth. Emmy award-winning broadcaster Ed Gordon moderated the discussion, and the Greater Houston Black Chamber partnered as host of the invitation-only event.

Dorinda Walker, director of Consumer Strategy & Key Initiatives, Multicultural Marketing, U.S. Businesses, Prudential Financial Inc. says the company is committed to enhancing the dialogue needed to help African-American entrepreneurs and rising professionals develop healthy financial futures.

According to Prudential's African American Financial Experience (AAFE) research, approximately 79 percent of African Americans surveyed have a least some type of personal debt, and most consider reducing their debt to be an important financial priority.  While more than two-thirds of African Americans surveyed are confident in their ability to manage money and expenses, less than one-third award themselves high grades in investing, planning for wealth transfer and saving for a child's education.

"It's not just about making money but keeping money," said Hiram E. Jackson, chief executive officer, Real Times Media. "Together with Prudential, we want to share the secrets how people create and maintain wealth."

Johnson advised "you don't get a million-dollar house if you can only afford a $250,000house.  Live below or at your means." Pickard stated "we often have our assets on our behind instead of in our bank account."

Daughtry learned to respect money at an early age from her grandmother, and is now teaching her children the importance of generational wealth.

During a discussion on entrepreneurship, Branch remarked "(African Americans) have moved away from service industries, and now others have come into our community and taken over." Murphy encouraged budding entrepreneurs to first consider minority-owned firms because of mentoring opportunities. She also suggested that teaming and partnerships are a solid way to grow business.

Walker reminded the audience "women are the largest economic contributors as it relates to buying power. If 25 percent of purchases were redirected to investments, we would change the game." Lane started working for the company she now owns as a sophomore in college.  As president and CEO of one of the largest female minority-owned staffing companies inTexas, she declares that "when you put a woman to work, it changes her family."

Titans of Industry panel discussion content, and a wealth of financial education tools and research will live online at www.thetitansexperience.com. The Speakers' Series will include stops in Charlotte, Atlanta, Washington, D.C. and Chicago through 2016.

Prudential Financial Inc. (NYSE: PRU), a financial services leader with more than $1 trillionof assets under management as of March 31, 2015, has operations in the United States,Asia, Europe, and Latin America. Prudential's diverse and talented employees are committed to helping individual and institutional customers grow and protect their wealth through a variety of products and services, including life insurance, annuities, retirement-related services, mutual funds and investment management. In the U.S., Prudential's iconic Rock symbol has stood for strength, stability, expertise and innovation for more than a century. For more information, please visit www.news.prudential.com.

Founded in 1989, Who's Who Publishing Company is the premier platform for celebrating African American achievement. Who's Who is a part of the Real Times Media family of companies including the nation's largest African-American owned and operated news organization and RTM Digital Studios, an archival image-licensing arm which is home to historical photos, articles and other artifacts from the past 100 years of African American history. Visit www.whoswhopublishing.comfor more information.

Media Contact: Tanisha Leonard, Real Times Media, 313-963-8100 x 260,tleonard@realtimesmedia.com

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SOURCE Prudential Financial Inc.