By Esther White, Communications Assistant

My vision for the poor, the under-served, and the wealthless of the world is to help them see themselves --- differently.We can do this by helping to expose, to educate, to empower, and ultimately to inspire them. To see themselves for what and who they truly already are; rich in spirit. Assets, and not liabilities on the world's global balance sheet. Because, I have seen, time and again, that given an informed choice, the poor do not want a hand out, but simply a hand up. We are all accountable and responsible for the world we live in, because it is literally the world we create. A little hope can make the difference.  –John Hope Bryant, founder, Operation Hope

In the aftermath of violent riots in 1992, John Hope Bryant led a tour through the decimated city streets of Los Angeles. Bryant’s philosophy was that the bankers on his tour would not “lend where they had not been,” and his insight proved to be the financial catalyst for Operation Hope, an organization working to empower and strengthen communities across the nation and around the world. Operation Hope emphasizes financial literacy and dignity for low-income youth through its “Silver Rights” movement. Bryant’s organization is instrumental in promoting homeownership, entrepreneurship, and small business development for low-wealth and minority individuals, and his HOPE banking centers provide financial services to underserved urban minorities.

Author of Banking on our Future, former United Nations goodwill ambassador, and Young Global Leader for the World Economic Forum, Bryant has been an active advisor to Presidents Clinton and Bush and has received recognition for his outstanding service in community empowerment efforts and his mission to eradicate poverty.

On November 14th, John Hope Bryant brings his experience, wisdom, and vision to Berea College. At noon, the focus will be upon Changing the World through Social Entrepreneurship as Bryant shares a luncheon with the campus community. Johanna Mair defines social entrepreneurship as “the innovative use of resource combinations to pursue opportunities aiming at the creation of organizations and/or practices that yield and sustain social benefits.”

John Hope Bryant comes to Berea College through the collaborative efforts of Entrepreneurship for the Public Good, African American Studies program, Black Cultural Center, Campus Christian Center, and the Center for Excellence in Learning through Service. Later in the evening, Bryant presents Onward with Hope at the 8 pm convocation in Phelps Stokes Chapel.