Challenge At a Glance:
- Building trust with minority and underserved communities that lacked bank representation, financial education, and credit resources.
Results At a Glance:
- AFC® became a requirement for Financial Counselors.
- Insights enabled teacher to eliminate two payday loans.
- Veteran inherited his mother’s home through HUD documentation.
The Challenge
As a HUD Certified Housing Counselor with Southern Bancorp Community Partners (Southern Bancorp), Charlestien Harris worked to build trust with minority and underserved communities in the Mississippi Delta after major banks left the region. Limited access to financial education and credit resources remained a significant challenge.
The Solution
Southern Bancorp partnered with the Mississippi Community Financial Access Coalition (MCFAC) to launch a 5-week financial bootcamp led by Charlestien at community venues like churches and HUD offices. Recognizing the importance of visibility in minority communities, she used role play, gamification, and interactive workshops to teach financial strategies in a supportive, empathic environment.
The Results
Bootcamp Community Impact:
- Southern Bancorp established a Financial Counseling division requiring counselors to earn AFC® certification within six months of onboarding.
- Bootcamp lessons helped a teacher eliminate two payday loans.
- Assisted a veteran with HUD documentation to transfer his mother’s home.
“When you can give someone hope, when you can help people feel comfortable and build trust with them, you can change lives. It’s wonderful to give people a purpose with their money. I believe the AFC certification has helped me do these things and more.”
Charlestien Harris, AFC®
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