Meet Aaliyah Duah

 

We recently connected with Aaliyah Duah and have shared our conversation below.

Aaliyah , thank you so much for joining us today. Let’s jump right into something we’re really interested in hearing about from you – being the only one in the room. So many of us find ourselves as the only woman in the room, the only immigrant or the only artist in the room, etc. Can you talk to us about how you have learned to be effective and successful in situations where you are the only one in the room like you?

I love this question because it’s a skill I’ve been working on for a while. A lot of the time, at events, social gatherings, or different places I go, I’m usually the youngest person there. This puts me in a unique spot where I can either focus on feeling out of place or embrace the fact that I stand out because I’m different.

Understanding your value proposition is super important. It’s all about what you bring to the table and how you can do it differently from others. Early on, I figured out my value proposition: I’m one of the youngest people educating others about financial literacy, and I can connect with Gen Z, which is a tough audience to reach. Since I am Gen Z, who better to talk to my peers than someone who’s one of them? Realizing this gave me the confidence to know that I can add value in different situations and have something unique to offer.

Here are some practical tips that help me make the most out of any event:

Know Your Purpose: Before you go to any event, know why you’re going, even if it’s just to try something new.
Identify Key People: Think about the types of people you want to meet and network with.
Have a Quick Pitch: Prepare a 10-30 second pitch to introduce yourself and what you do.
Bring Business Cards: Always have business cards ready and let people know how you can be valuable to them.
These steps help me stay prepared and make meaningful connections wherever I go.

Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?

Financial Revolutionn was founded in 2020 when I was just 17 years old because I wanted to teach financial literacy and entrepreneurship and help build wealth in marginalized communities. I started off posting videos on Instagram and TikTok, breaking down financial concepts like budgeting, credit, and investing. After a few months, people started reaching out with questions about investing, so I wrote my first book, The Blueprint for Investing Vol. 1, a step-by-step guide to getting started in the stock market.

Then, I wanted to create a fun way for young people to learn financial literacy, so I came up with Rap Cards, the number one financial literacy game that teaches financial concepts through rap music. We also launched company merch, including t-shirts, sweatsuits, and hoodies, all designed to represent the importance of Black wealth. Our t-shirts have statements like “You’re Looking At A Future Black Billionaire” and “We Must Build Wealth Again.” Each shirt has our signature “Bill,ion,naire” on the back to make it stand out.

In 2023, we expanded and started working with NYC public schools and non-profit programs. We offered students financial literacy and entrepreneurship curriculum, helping them understand how money works and how to make smart financial decisions. In our first year, we worked with 10 NYC public schools, reaching over 300 students per week. We even took students on field trips to the Federal Reserve Bank of NY, where they learned about the history of money, how it circulates, and saw $100 billion worth of gold.

For the 2024-2025 academic year, we’re aiming to work with 30 schools and impact over 5,000 students.

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?

Looking back, I’d say the three most impactful qualities are patience, consistency, and thinking big. Patience has been crucial because it taught me that immediate results aren’t always realistic. Just because I put in the work today doesn’t mean I’ll see the benefits right away. It’s more like planting a seed – you need to water it and give it time to grow.

Consistency has helped me maintain motivation and achieve growth in my business over the years. It’s about showing up even when you don’t feel like it and proving to others that you’re serious and passionate about your work. Finally, thinking big has been tremendously beneficial. I never tell myself I can’t do something. Even if I can’t achieve it right now, I always find ways to plan and work towards making it happen in the future.

The advice I will give to people is that they need to have faith. It might sound cliché, but there’s a reason so many people say it – it really works. You have to believe that what you’re building will grow and succeed. If you believe in your mission and your work, you’ve already won half the battle.

One of our goals is to help like-minded folks with similar goals connect and so before we go we want to ask if you are looking to partner or collab with others – and if so, what would make the ideal collaborator or partner?

I am looking to collaborate with schools and organizations that support young children, teenagers, and their parents. I am particularly interested in working with community-based organizations that provide essential tools and resources to their participants. Additionally, I seek to collaborate with local elected officials and politicians to drive meaningful change together. I firmly believe that by partnering up, we can make a significant impact.

Moreover, I am looking to partner with financial companies such as Ally, Fidelity, and Capital One. Together, we can support the mission of providing financial education to the youth, helping them open bank accounts, investment accounts, and apply for credit. By joining forces, we can empower the next generation with the financial knowledge and resources they need to succeed.

Contact Info:

Image Credits

Jasiah Powers

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