Common Wealth Charlotte (CWC), a Charlotte-based nonprofit dedicated to helping clients achieve greater financial capability, is excited to announce their newly formed Generation2080™ Client Advisory Council.

For those living in financial insecurity, the path to financial freedom, savings, and generational wealth can seem overwhelming, and can be tangled with challenges and roadblocks. The desire for financial stability is always there, but the toughest part is often getting started, knowing how to maintain it, and receiving support along the way. Generation2080 (G2080) is CWC’s two-year launchpad program designed for clients to create a pathway to long-term wealth.

CWC formed the Client Advisory Council with G2080 program graduates to provide support and guidance for those facing similar journeys. The Council will operate as a peer-to-peer support group for the growth of G2080 and other CWC programming. Having all graduated from the first G2080 cohort, this five-member Council will be a “voice of the client” for CWC.

Selected for their lived experience as part of CWC’s client base, the Council offers diversity of thought and background, and each member possesses qualities of integrity, credibility, and a passion for helping others become financially capable. Council members serve a two-year term with the option to remain longer in their advisory role.

G2080 clients receive financial guidance on topics such as improving their credit, long-term savings strategies, home ownership, and freeing up funds for investment accounts. Council members will provide these clients with insights as like-minded individuals working towards similar financial goals – and in many cases, having begun to achieve them themselves. The Council will also weigh in on existing CWC programs and services, and develop ideas for new programs and services to serve Charlotte's most financially unstable populations.

“This Council is the culmination of a long-term objective,” said Chuck Jones, CWC’s Executive Director. “Including clients in our process and encouraging their voices more in our planning will transform our work in so many ways.”

Meet the G2080 Advisory Council members below! To learn more about G2080, or to apply to join a future cohort, visit: https://www.g2080.org/

G2080 Client Advisory Council Member Spotlights:

Ira, also known as Ira Dubb in the nonprofit and entertainment sectors, is proud to be a Charlotte native. He is an independent filmmaker and activist and the creator of Bunk 57 Ministries, a group devoted to keeping kids from becoming justice-involved and helping returning citizens get back on their feet. Additionally, Ira creates faith-based multimedia content. He is honored to be a member of the first cohort of G2080 and to serve on the Client Advisory Council.

Ira was introduced to CWC in 2018 while working at Goodwill. Having been recently incarcerated, he was without credit and in financial peril. After attending a CWC workshop and working with a financial counselor, Ira decided to participate in G2080 and take control of his financial future. “G2080 gives you a community of people who give you a sense of accountability, with like minds and a common goal. It helps you stay the course. This program is for those who want to build financial stability as well as begin a legacy of wealth.”

G2080 helped Ira establish the discipline needed to reach his financial goals, including building savings and establishing his own insurance and long-term financial plan. Ira advises those beginning their G2080 journey to “Soak in everything, don’t just take or utilize the parts of the program you think suit you best. Really lean into the advice and offerings of the program - from term life insurance, to drafting wills, or anything else you have never thought about before.”

Hear more from Ira about his experience below!

A CWC client since 2017, Kim is immensely proud to be a member of the Client Advisory Council. Eager to learn financial lessons for her own child and grandchildren, Kim is motivated to become financially independent and live a comfortable lifestyle for herself and her family.

Kim was introduced to CWC through Goodwill’s Economic Mobility Program, where she attended a CWC financial workshop. Shortly after, Kim was thrilled to be selected to join the first G2080 cohort. Having experienced some obstacles when first moving to Charlotte, she has since worked her way up to working full-time and gaining financial independence. Kim admits she still faces some challenges, but it helps to have support from CWC and her G2080 peers.

When thinking about those beginning their G2080 journey, Kim encourages participants to stick with the program. As a Council member, she is excited to give back and tell as many people as she can about CWC. She feels she is able to recognize which aspects of the program are good for others that came from backgrounds similar to hers, and can provide support for those working towards financial stability.

As Kim shared, “I learned it doesn't take that much to save, really. It's money that you really don't miss coming out of your paycheck. You save it, and it just adds up!”

Hear more from Kim about her experience below!

Introduced to CWC in 2017 through Goodwill’s Economic Mobility Program, Elison (EJ) joined the first G2080 cohort to improve his credit. As a member, he enjoyed learning from local experts (especially about insurance and homeownership) and found value in networking with other G2080 members.

Since beginning to work with CWC, EJ has become a homeowner, has a retirement account, and has established long-term savings habits. EJ is very motivated when it comes to saving and he’s always looking for new things he can learn and opportunities he can take advantage of.

EJ is proud to have completed his G2080 journey and advises new cohort members, “Stick with it, soak in as much information as you can. Pay attention and listen to what everyone is saying. Use the fundamentals, build on them, and prioritize what you want in the long run.”

EJ hopes to help grow G2080 to deepen its impact, giving his “two cents” so it might help somebody else. In EJ’s words, “The definition of wealth is to leave a legacy.”

Hear more from EJ about his experience below!

Akya is a licensed cosmetologist and an entertainer, having traveled the East coast and Canada performing in stage plays and toured singing in various venues. She is also the author of “Single Moms Pray” and currently working on expanding her brand.

Akya met CWC in 2017 while she was participating in Goodwill’s Economic Mobility Collaborative. Working alongside her CWC financial counselor, Akya motivated herself to save money, improve her credit, and implemented budgeting initiatives toward successful completion of the program. Since then, she has remained in contact with CWC and continues to build her knowledge and acumen in personal finance. Akya is grateful to have participated in G2080.

“My daughter is my core motivation to learn about financial security and work on getting my financial life on track,” Akya said. “My financial dream is legacy wealth and to leave multiple streams of residual income for my children's children.” She also shared that she has benefitted from learning about healthy spending habits, the importance of saving and budgeting, and being prepared for the unexpected.

India relocated to Charlotte in 2016 after the passing of a close family member and soon after was fortunate to secure a job and roommate. Almost a year later, everything took a drastic turn for India when her contract job ended and she could no longer fund her own livelihood.

India was introduced to CWC after contacting NC Works for employment resources. She began by taking workshops specific to credit, saving, money management and life insurance. Since becoming a CWC client, India has successfully completed two loan programs and graduated in November as part of G2080’s first cohort, and is now serving as part of CWC’s G2080 Client Advisory Council.

About Common Wealth Charlotte

Since its founding in 2015, CWC’s mission has been to equip low-income wage earners with increased financial capability. Working with clients through a trauma-informed approach that includes education, one-on-one financial counseling, access to banking and 0% interest loans, CWC shows compassion for each client’s unique situation and provides current best practices of personal finance for economically vulnerable populations.

Learn more about Generation2080 here - and a special thank you to our G2080 program sponsors Wells Fargo, LifeWorth Financial and Global Endowment Management!

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