Kenneth Kelly is the Chairman and CEO of First Independence Bank, the 7th largest African-American-owned bank in the United States. Founded in 1970, the bank has served the Detroit-Metropolitan area and remains the only African American-owned bank headquartered in the State of Michigan. Kenneth is also behind the book, Prepared Before I Let Go, which outlines preserving professions through proper planning. He also developed My Legacy Items, a service that allows people to prepare their last will and testament easily.

Kenneth Kelly joins us today to describe the importance of leaving a legacy with sustainability in mind. He shares how First Independence Bank started, its mission, and how they contribute to its community as an African-American-owned bank. He explains how companies can be ESG-focused. He discusses why being intentional with the terms we use matters from a community perspective. Kenneth also reveals why money is the oxygen for any business idea.

“Do your work in such a way that there are others willing to speak up on your behalf.” - Kenneth Kelly

This week on Breaking Barriers:

●     The importance of having a black-owned bank in any community

●     What Kenneth’s book is about and its startling findings

●     Why all of us should be ESG-oriented

●     The questions large and small companies should be asking to focus on ESG

●     Supplier diversity, lending, and banking

●     Kenneth’s institutional initiatives around supplier equity and inclusion

●     Being intentional with how we use our terms and language for inclusion

Connect with Kenneth Kelly:

●     First Independence Bank

●     Prepared Before I Let Go

●     My Legacy Items

●     Kenneth Kelly on LinkedIn

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