John Hope Bryant
John Hope Bryant is a visionary entrepreneur, author, philanthropist, and leading voice on financial inclusion, economic empowerment, and financial dignity. He is the Founder, Chairman, and CEO of Operation HOPE, the nation’s largest nonprofit provider of financial literacy and economic empowerment services. Bryant also serves as Chairman and CEO of Bryant Group Ventures and The Promise Homes Company, one of the largest minority-controlled owners of single-family rental homes in the United States. A bestselling author on economics and business leadership, he has been recognized with hundreds of awards and honors, earning the moniker “the conscience of capitalism” from numerous Fortune 500 CEOs. Throughout his career, Bryant has worked to transform economic systems for underserved communities and to advance inclusive growth in an increasingly AI-driven future.
John Hope Bryant Professional Experience / Academic History
Professional Experience
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Founder, Chairman and CEO
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Founder, Chairman and Principal Investor
Academic History
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Executive Education, Global Public Policy and Leadership Program
CURRENT AFFILIATIONS
Co-Founder, Global Dignity
Founding Member, Forum of Young Global Leaders
Co-Chair, Financial Literacy for All initiative
Co-Chair, AI Ethics Council
Contributor, Huffington Post
Bryant founded, created and now leads more than 35 companies and organizations, for-profit, nonprofit and public benefit in North America, and in some cases active around the world.
Under his leadership, Operation HOPE has directed over $4.2 billion in capital into marginalized communities, establishing hundreds of financial empowerment centers nationwide.
He was referred to as the "conscience of capitalism" by numerous Fortune 500 CEOs including Delta Air Lines, Walmart, First Republic Bank and countless others.
Bryant was a former Vice Chairman of the U.S. President’s Advisory Council on Financial Literacy, responsible for financial literacy becoming the policy of the U.S. federal government.
His advocacy helped make financial literacy official U.S. federal policy under Presidents George W. Bush and Barack Obama.
He also successfully led efforts to rename the U.S. Treasury Annex as the Freedman’s Bank Building, recognizing the unfinished economic work of Abraham Lincoln for freed slaves.
RECOGNITIONS
2024 Time's The Closers
2024 ForbesBLK 50
2020 LinkedIn's Top Voices: U.S. Influencers
2016 American Banker's Innovator of the Year
1994 Time's 50 Leaders for the Future
Oprah Winfrey’s Use Your Life Award
John Sherman Award for Excellence in Financial Education