The short film ‘Legacy Lives On’ is a collaborative project hosted by Urban One, a leading voice representing Black culture through news, media, and entertainment and Prudential Financial, an expert in global investment and insurance services.
The documentary balances the perspectives of renowned actors like Laz Alonso; while also showcasing the stories of three key woman leaders addressing “financial wellness” in their communities to reclaim the narrative of Black women in America. Alonso is a critically-acclaimed NAACP Award-winning actor and intersectional activist.
“It’s extremely important for young Black and Brown people to understand financial literacy because we’ve gotten to the point where our young people have made money. The problem is keeping it,” Alonso said. “This is a time where a lot of us can help to kick a door down and not just with opportunity but with knowledge, too. What good is it, if we kick a door down and allow our young youth to come and walk through that door and then not teach them how to survive once they get to the other side?”
This film uncovers the deep racial history of three major cities with a stark "then and now” comparison to highlight the clear disparities.
“For me representation is very important,” said Onikah, who represents Tulsa, Oklahoma in the film. “I think it’s important for young Black girls to see black women who are opening businesses and building legacies. So, I’m hoping this film can be inspiration young black girls all across the states who see someone building a legacy, and that they aspire one day to build something for themselves as well.”
Tiffany “The Budgetnista” Aliche is a Newark native and financial advisor who has been featured in publications like Essence and Forbes. She says her involvement is devoted to empowering more black women financially and has made it her mission to shift families, neighborhoods, communities, and the culture.
“It’s through young people that changes are made, especially young women that financial changes are made,” she said. “Prudential has a study where they found Black women make 70% of the financial choices in the household. Seven-zero. So, that means if Black women are not doing well financially, if they don’t have knowledge, if they don’t have access, if they don’t have a community to lean on, then that means we, as a culture, aren’t going to be able to excel forward”
One of many Prudential employees on hand for the screening is Dominic Givens of Newark. He’s proud the company got involved.
“What you get out of this film is an uplifting, enlightenment of what’s happened historically in America,” he said. "Whether it is in the cities or within your own community, and what we got to realize is that financial wellness is a condition as they said, right? 35% of the black community is underwater financially. We’re each other’s brothers and sisters so when you see a sister in need help them, if you see a brother in need help them, and if you see someone younger than you that used to be you and if you see someone older than you that could be you. So, let’s be aware of that.”
‘Legacy Lives On’ can be seen on Cable TV1 on June 19th and online at MadameNoire.comon June 20th.