The Full Story
Behind The Prosperity Village
Sharlene Brown and Lori Hylton are certified financial health coaches with over 35 years of combined experience in financial empowerment and community development.
Sharlene Brown
Sharlene Brown is a certified financial health coach with a unique blend of professional expertise and personal understanding. For nearly a decade, she's empowered clients to build solid financial foundations, drawing from her own journey of navigating financial complexities. Her career spans empowering farmers in emerging markets to leading initiatives focused on racial equity and economic empowerment at organizations like Freedmen Heirs Foundation and Croatan Institute.
Growing up in an immigrant family, Sharlene developed a deep appreciation for hard work and the importance of community. She also understands firsthand the challenges of building financial security, particularly when money wasn't a common topic of conversation. This personal experience fuels her passion for demystifying finances, especially for those in underserved communities.
With an MBA and a background in economics and Africana studies, Sharlene brings a strong analytical approach to her coaching. But more importantly, she's a compassionate guide who believes everyone deserves the tools and knowledge to achieve financial well-being. She's not just about numbers; she's about empowering people to create lasting change in their lives.
Lori Hylton
Lori Hylton, a certified financial health coach and Director of Strategic Programming at Freedmen Heirs Foundation, brings 25 years of experience in affordable housing and community development to her work. Her professional background includes roles at the Croatan Institute, LISC, and the Presbyterian Church, where she developed the 'Financial Health in the Pews' program, aimed at increasing financial literacy within faith-based communities.
Growing up in a single-parent immigrant family, Lori understands the challenges faced by those with limited access to financial education. This personal experience, coupled with her own successful navigation of a $35K credit card debt repayment journey, fuels her dedication to demystifying money management. She believes that financial literacy is essential for building a secure future and strives to make financial conversations more accessible.
Lori's academic foundation, with an MA in Urban Affairs and a BA in Political Science and Africana Studies, provides a strong analytical framework for her work. Her goal is to bridge the financial literacy gap, ensuring everyone has the tools and knowledge to achieve financial resilience.
