HOPE Success Stories
This Teacher of 50 Years Applies Lessons from Operation HOPE to Become an Entrepreneur
July 22, 2026Dr. Jacqueline Frierson had been a teacher for more than 50 years—28 of those years in Baltimore City—when she conceived of a business idea that proves that it’s never too …
One Million Black Businesses Stories - View All
I’m Sincerely Inspired by HOPE
January 5, 2022The beautiful thing about HOPE’s mission is that it touches everyone. Women, men, boys, and girls of all ages, races, and socioeconomic backgrounds are inspired by our mission to empower …
Rachel Finds a Sense of Community Among Fellow Entrepreneurs
August 25, 2023Entrepreneurs and small business owners come to Operation HOPE at different stages of their business life cycle and with different levels of business knowledge. Most enter the program with just …
Credit & Money Management Stories - View All
Turning Negative Experiences Into Learning Ones with HOPE’s Help
March 21, 2025written by: Lisa Karel Sometimes a little thing can have a major life impact. That was the case for Shaniqua R. in Murfreesboro, Tennessee. When she was 18, she signed …
More Than Just a Credit Score: Nicole’s Financial Wellness Story
March 14, 2025written by: Lisa Karel Operation HOPE is often the first place people experiencing a financial emergency will turn to for help. As a result, it’s not uncommon for Operation HOPE …
Small Business Development Stories - View All
Brandon Reclaims His Family’s Legacy with a Bountiful Vision for the Future
September 9, 2022As a young boy, Brandon Dowd could be found knee-deep in the crop fields of their family farm in Arkansas, helping his father and grandfather seed and harvest the land …
Wendy Goes Full STEAM Ahead with Her New Book
August 26, 2022By all accounts, Wendy is not supposed to be an author. She’s especially not supposed to be writing about STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art/agriculture, mathematics). And many people might say …
Homeownership Stories - View All
The Chavises Journey to Their Dream Home
October 6, 2023When Alisha Kenney first started working with the Chavis family back in December 2020, they had a dream of buying a home. At that time, they had no savings, and …
Empowered for Financial Success
July 7, 2023Ms. E. Brown began her HOPE journey in March 2023 with a credit score on the lower end of the 600s. She connected with Lester Watt, homeownership coach at HOPE …