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Simone, you manage $2 billion in assets primarily for Black families. What patterns do you see in those who build substantial wealth?

Three things consistently: they start early, even when the amounts are small. They are patient — they do not panic in market downturns. And they talk about money in their families. Wealth is not just financial capital. It is financial literacy passed down across generations.

What is the most damaging financial habit you see among Black professionals?

Lifestyle inflation. The moment income increases, expenses increase to match. The professionals who build wealth resist that pressure and redirect every raise and bonus into assets before they inflate their lifestyle.

What would you tell a 30-year-old Black professional starting their wealth journey?

Maximize your employer's 401(k) match first — that is free money. Then build a six-month emergency fund. Then start investing in low-cost index funds. Then begin thinking about real estate. Do these in order. Don't try to shortcut to sophistication before you have the foundations.

What excites you most about the future of Black wealth?

The next generation. They are more financially literate than any prior generation of Black Americans. They are starting earlier, asking better questions, and rejecting the taboo around money conversations. The trajectory is genuinely exciting.