While studying at the University of Georgia (Go Dawgs!) and majoring in Family Financial Planning, Darren thought, “it’d be really great to take what I’m learning in my financial planning classes to help my family and community thrive financially.” Fast forward twelve years later, and Darren has worked with People of Color (POCs) focusing on building assets and wealth in major cities across the US. Darren received his Accredited Financial Counselor (AFC®) certification, became an IRS-certified VITA tax preparer, and is currently a candidate for his CFP®. He has served at financial services nonprofit organizations and social enterprises in Atlanta, Miami, and New York. Darren held roles including Financial Coach, Managing Financial Coach/Tax Program Manager, Sr. Director of Community Wealth, Director of Program Innovation, and Financial Empowerment Consultant. He’s passionate about empowering POCs and using technology and policy to make lasting changes in the lives of those his reach touches.
Darren’s excitement for personal finance began while he was growing up. He spent summers watching his Dad, an entrepreneur, give personal finance seminars, and witnessing many in my family and community struggle to never quite have enough to stop worrying about money. Both his parents come from large families and he was made aware at a very young age of the importance of being there to support the family in times of need. This led him to work to impact the lives of People of Color and help them to achieve their long-term financial goals. He wants to break the barriers of the racial wealth divide and work to achieve worldwide racial wealth equity.
Outside of work, he is an Eagle Scout, loves learning new cultures through food, and enjoys long city walks in Brooklyn, where he presently resides. Darren first learned of Independent Sector while leading the wealth-building team Catalyst Miami when their CEO was selected as an American Express NGen Fellow.
