Blog Posts
Below the Line with USC Upstate Chancellor Bennie Harris
June 18, 2025Chancellor Bennie Harris of the University of South Carolina Upstate interviewed me for Below the Line. We went deep into the personal story behind my work: turning trauma into transformation, and financial literacy into a new kind of civil rights movement I call silver rights. Source: University of
From Renters to Owners: Creating a Pipeline to Homeownership
June 13, 2025In the hierarchy of needs, housing is right there at the top of the list—along with food, water, and sleep. However, too many people across the United States are missing …
For California Couple, Real Estate is a Way to Build Wealth
Written by: Lisa Karel Getting your foot on the property ladder is almost always a stretch financially for first-time home buyers, but the experience of Nancy A and her partner, …
Honored with the Medal of Valor by the Auschwitz Jewish Center Foundation
Chaitra and I were honored to receive the Medal of Valor from the Auschwitz Jewish Center Foundation at its 2025 annual gala in New York City. The medal recognizes moral courage, leadership and a commitment to standing against hatred. We shared the evening with Victory Boyd, Malynda Hale, Pastor Car
Operation HOPE and Financial Literacy for All Celebrate Record-Breaking Success of Green Socks Day Challenge
June 2, 2025National Campaign for Financial Literacy Month Drives Surge in New Clients Seeking Financial Coaching Services & New Leading Organizations Joining Financial Literacy for All Movement ATLANTA–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Operation HOPE and Financial Literacy for …
Published in TIME: Why Growing the Economy From the Bottom Up Is America’s Best Bet
May 30, 2025TIME published my essay on where America’s next wave of growth can come from: the bottom third of the country. Give those Americans real financial access and opportunity and you can add meaningful growth to GDP every year while easing the pressure on the federal balance sheet. The GI Bill and
Published in TIME: We Need a Farm System for American Jobs
May 29, 2025America is brilliant at developing athletes. We scout early, coach constantly and build a pipeline from Little League to the majors. We have nothing close to that for the jobs that will decide our economic future. That was the argument of my essay in TIME. I called for a national K-12-to-career path
Operation HOPE Helps a Michigan Entrepreneur Solve the Puzzle of Scaling Up
May 23, 2025Lisa Schilthius is the classic innovator-type of person our small business coaches at Operation HOPE get to work with every day. With years of experience in their “day job,” they …
Successful Entrepreneur Continues Learning with Operation HOPE
May 16, 2025Written by: Lisa Karel “There is no right time. It’s just having the right idea and you just can start and you can still learn on the way,” said Sierra …
From Side Hustle to Full-Time Business
May 9, 2025Written by: Lisa Karel Have you ever dreamed of turning your side hustle into a full-time business? Since its founding, Operation HOPE has guided individuals through the process of making …