Operation HOPE Brings Together Global Audience of Business and Civic Leaders to Highlight the Critical Role of Underserved Communities in Economic Growth

Diane Brady and Soledad O'Brien Emcee the Two-Day Summit entitled, "Global Economic Recovery: How the Poor Can Help Save Capitalism"

ATLANTA, Nov. 14, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Continuing its efforts to advance the conversation about financial dignity and literacy and its effect on underserved communities and the economy, Operation HOPE hosted the second annual HOPE Global Financial Dignity Summit on November 13 and 14, 2013 in Atlanta, Georgia. Award-winning journalists Diane Brady, senior editor at Bloomberg Newsweek, and Soledad O'Brien, CEO of Starfish Media Group, emceed the two-day event that included a keynote address from NYSE Euronext CEO Duncan Niederauer and closing remarks by His Royal Highness (HRH) Crown Prince Haakon of Norway.

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In partnership with the City of Atlanta, the HOPE Summit, themed "Global Economic Recovery: How the Poor Can Help Save Capitalism," framed the issues of financial inclusion, small business, entrepreneurship, jobs and financial dignity as essential core ingredients to mid- and long-term economic recovery and stability. Government, non-profit and private sector leaders from across the globe convened at the Georgia International Convention Center (GICC) to discuss critical issues in financial education.

"More than 1200 leaders and dignitaries from C-Suites to Main Streets all across the globe came together at our HOPE Summit under the banner of financial dignity and inclusion, and advanced a critical dialogue about expanding opportunities for underserved communities," said John Hope Bryant, Operation HOPE, founder, chairman and CEO. "New partnerships have been formed, commitments have been renewed, but our resolve has never been stronger to carry our message of financial dignity and inclusion to those who have previously been ignored."

Inspired by the third component of Dr. Martin L. King, Jr.'s work with the 'Poor People's Campaign', the Global Summit bridges HOPE's "silver rights" movement from the civil rights campaign, and is positioned as a Davos-inspired meeting for leaders interested in the empowerment of the poor and underserved. This annual meeting served as the staging area for the gathering of commitments for business role models, business internships, youth entrepreneurship business grants, and other commitments for action in underserved communities.

"The HOPE Summit has developed into an elite forum for high-level dialogue and brainstorm on about how to improve the future and outlook of all communities," said Ambassador Andrew Young, HOPE Global Spokesman. "I worked closely with Dr. King a half century ago and I am pleased that Operation HOPE is carrying forward our vision of economic quality, dignity and inclusion for all."

Along with the keynote address by NYSE Euronext CEO Duncan Niederauer and closing remarks by HRH Crown Prince Haakon of Norway, a special welcome address by Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed, and special announcements by HOPE founder, chairman and CEO John Hope Bryant, the Summit featured appearances and presentations by:  

• Sheila Bair, former chair of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC)
• Dr. Regina Benjamin, former U.S. Surgeon General
• Jim Clifton, CEO of Gallup, Inc.
• Dr. Bernice A. King, CEO, King Center and daughter of civil rights icon Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
• Chris McWilton, President of Mastercard Worldwide, North America Markets
• Tim Pawlenty, CEO of Financial Services Roundtable and former Minnesota governor
• William Rogers, chairman and CEO of SunTrust Bank
• Timothy Sloan, CFO of Wells Fargo
• Ambassador Andrew Young, Chairman of Andrew Young Foundation

A full list of speakers is available at http://summit.operationhope.org/events/global-financial-dignity-summit/speakers.

One of the core elements of the HOPE Summit are the breakout sessions, led by seasoned professionals and subject-matter experts, called Financial Inclusion Working Groups. Eight of those working groups were convened at this year's Summit on the following topic fields:

• Banking the Unbanked: One Size Does Not Fit All
• Making Finance Mobile: Banking with Any Device, Anywhere for Everyone
• Youth Economic Energy and Understanding the Entrepreneurship Paradigm
• The True Cost of Disaster Preparedness – Unprepared and Prepared
• Building a Framework for Change Through Philanthropy
• Sustainable Finance (Access to Capital)
• The Power of Good Credit (Growing Jobs in Emerging Markets)
• Building Wealth through Homeownership, Post Crisis

The summit was live-streamed by Kaplan University. For more information about the Summit and Operation HOPE's mission, please visit http://summit.operationhope.org.  

About Operation HOPE
Headquartered in Los Angeles, Operation HOPE promotes financial dignity through financial literacy and education tools to underserved communities. Through its four core portfolios, the organization has provided youth and adult financial literacy, economic preparedness, digital empowerment, promoted home ownership, and assisted with foreclosure prevention to more than 2 million individuals, families, and small business owners. To learn more about Operation HOPE, visit www.operationhope.org, follow us our Twitter, @operationhope, and like us on Facebook.

SOURCE Operation HOPE