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How start investing for the long-term

NNPA NEWSWIRE — Ask yourself why you want to invest: Is it to prepare for retirement, buy a home, or start a new business? How much money will you need for your goals? Then, organize your investment priorities by the amount of time needed to achieve them. Writing them down can help you think clearly about which goals you have, and which you need to start with.

Published

6 years ago

November 8, 2019

Oakland Post

It’s never too early to start investing in your retirement. Take advantage of your employer’s plan, if they offer one. Set aside as much money as your employer is willing to match. (Photo: iStockphoto / NNPA)

Learn about the investment options available to you that make the most sense for your long-term financial success.

Investing can help your money grow. But before you move your money to anything riskier than a savings account or IRA, you should review the ways you can do so.

Making well-advised investments comes down to cultivating the right mindset and getting educated about the options available to you. Investing can be a means to secure your long-term financial health, but you should also consider the risks attached to each investment option, and how these relate to your own willingness to take on risk. Framing investment risk against your own long-term priorities can help you decide what investment vehicles will be best.

Follow these key steps to hone your investing strategy.

Choose investment priorities

Ask yourself why you want to invest: Is it to prepare for retirement, buy a home, or start a new business? How much money will you need for your goals? Then, organize your investment priorities by the amount of time needed to achieve them. Writing them down can help you think clearly about which goals you have, and which you need to start with.

Your investment priorities should also be informed by your particular financial situation. You should invest no more than you can afford to lose. That way, you won’t jeopardize your short-term financial health as you work toward achieving more long-term aims.

Invest in your company’s employer-sponsored retirement plan

It’s never too early to start investing in your retirement. Take advantage of your employer’s plan, if they offer one. Set aside as much money as your employer is willing to match.

Employer-sponsored retirement plans can take many forms, such as a 401(k), 403(b), or 457(b). Some people choose to manage their own investment portfolio by investing in a mixture of stocks and bonds. A portfolio with more stocks than bonds is considered higher risk, along with a potential for high returns on investment, while a portfolio with more bonds than stocks will be the opposite. If you choose to manage your own retirement portfolio, think about which balance makes the most sense for you.

That balance could also shift over time depending on your risk tolerance as you get older. For example, as you near retirement, investing in less risky bonds rather than stocks could be a better approach. Generally, you can afford to take on more risk earlier in your career because you have time to adjust if the market takes a downturn before you withdraw the money. Once you’re closer to retirement, you’ll want to take on less risk to help ensure your retirement funds are more secure when you need them.

Work with a financial planner

Everyone prefers a different level of autonomy when it comes to investing. While those who want to retain complete control can pursue a self-directed investment strategy, many find it helpful to seek outside advice. You can get started by visiting the Hands on Banking^® website to get an understanding of the basics of investing and retirement, like how social security works, or what the difference is between stocks and bonds.

Another option to consider for guidance is robo-advisors. These online platforms provide an automated investment service, some of which with access to human financial advice. You can also seek the advice of a Certified Financial Planner^TM (CFP^®) to build a unique plan that works best for you. A CFP can help you manage your goals and simplify the complex world of investing. To find a CFP in your area, visit the Financial Planning Association’s national database. See if there are free resources available to you locally as well.

As you plan to invest, keep your personal financial goals in mind and be ready to adjust your plan as your situation changes. When you prepare, investments can be a great way to help you reach financial goals.

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Black Feminist Movement Mobilizes in Response to National Threats

BLACKPRESSUSA NEWSWIRE — More than 500 Black feminists will convene in New Orleans from June 5 through 7 for what organizers are calling the largest Black feminist gathering in the United States.

Published

1 day ago

May 30, 2025

Stacy M. Brown

By Stacy M. Brown
Black Press USA Senior National Correspondent

More than 500 Black feminists will convene in New Orleans from June 5 through 7 for what organizers are calling the largest Black feminist gathering in the United States. The event, led by the organization Black Feminist Future, is headlined by activist and scholar Angela Y. Davis. Paris Hatcher, executive director of Black Feminist Future, joined Black Press USA’s Let It Be Known to outline the mission and urgency behind the gathering, titled “Get Free.” “This is not just a conference to dress up and have a good time,” Hatcher said. “We’re building power to address the conditions that are putting our lives at risk—whether that’s policing, reproductive injustice, or economic inequality.” Hatcher pointed to issues such as rising evictions among Black families, the rollback of bodily autonomy laws, and the high cost of living as key drivers of the event’s agenda. “Our communities are facing premature death,” she said.

Workshops and plenaries will focus on direct action, policy advocacy, and practical organizing skills. Attendees will participate in training sessions that include how to resist evictions, organize around immigration enforcement, and disrupt systemic policies contributing to poverty and incarceration. “This is about fighting back,” Hatcher said. “We’re not conceding anything.” Hatcher addressed the persistent misconceptions about Black feminism, including the idea that it is a movement against men or families. “Black feminism is not a rejection of men,” she said. “It’s a rejection of patriarchy. Black men must be part of this struggle because patriarchy harms them too.” She also responded to claims that organizing around Black women’s issues weakens broader coalitions. “We don’t live single-issue lives,” Hatcher said. “Our blueprint is one that lifts all Black people.”

The conference will not be streamed virtually, but recaps and updates will be posted daily on Black Feminist Future’s YouTube channel and Instagram account. The event includes performances by Tank and the Bangas and honors longtime activists including Billy Avery, Erica Huggins, and Alexis Pauline Gumbs. When asked how Black feminism helps families, Hatcher said the real threat to family stability is systemic oppression. “If we want to talk about strong Black families, we have to talk about mass incarceration, the income gap, and the systems that tear our families apart,” Hatcher said. “Black feminism gives us the tools to build and sustain healthy families—not just survive but thrive.”

Stacy M. Brown

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Hoover’s Commutation Divides Chicago as State Sentence Remains

BLACKPRESSUSA NEWSWIRE — Hoover was convicted of murder and running a criminal enterprise. Although some supporters describe him as a political prisoner, the legal and public safety concerns associated with his name remain substantial.

Published

3 days ago

May 29, 2025

Stacy M. Brown

By Stacy M. Brown
Black Press USA Senior National Correspondent

The federal sentence for Gangster Disciples founder Larry Hoover has been commuted, but he remains incarcerated under a 200-year state sentence in Illinois. The decision by Donald Trump to reduce Hoover’s federal time has reignited longstanding debates over his legacy and whether rehabilitation or continued punishment is warranted. The commutation drew immediate public attention after music executive Jay Prince and artist Chance the Rapper publicly praised Trump’s decision. “I’m glad that Larry Hoover is home,” said Chance the Rapper. “He was a political prisoner set up by the federal government. He created Chicago Votes, mobilized our people, and was targeted for that.”

But Hoover, the founder of the Gangster Disciples, is not home—not yet. Now in federal custody at the Florence Supermax in Colorado, Hoover was convicted of murder and running a criminal enterprise. Although some supporters describe him as a political prisoner, the legal and public safety concerns associated with his name remain substantial. “There is a divide in the Black community here,” said Chicago journalist Jason Palmer during an appearance on the Let It Be Known morning program. “Some view Hoover as someone who brought structure and leadership. Others remember the violence that came with his organization.” Palmer explained that while Hoover’s gang originally formed for protection, it grew into a criminal network responsible for extensive harm in Chicago. He also noted that Hoover continued to run his organization from state prison using coded messages passed through visitors, prompting his transfer to federal custody.

Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker, who is widely considered a potential 2028 presidential contender, has not issued a statement. Palmer suggested that silence is strategic. “Releasing Hoover would create enormous political consequences,” Palmer said. “The governor’s in a difficult spot—he either resists pressure from supporters or risks national backlash if he acts.” According to Palmer, Hoover’s federal commutation does not make him a free man. “The federal sentence may be commuted, but he still has a 200-year state sentence,” he said. “And Illinois officials have already made it clear they don’t want to house him in state facilities again. They prefer he remains in federal custody, just somewhere outside of Colorado.”

Palmer also raised concerns about what Hoover’s case could signal for others. “When R. Kelly was convicted federally, state prosecutors in Illinois and Minnesota dropped their charges. If a president can commute federal sentences based on public pressure or celebrity support, others like R. Kelly or Sean Combs could be next,” Palmer said. “Meanwhile, there are thousands of incarcerated people without fame or access to public platforms who will never get that consideration.” “There are people who are not here today because of the violence connected to these organizations,” Palmer said. “That has to be part of this conversation.”

Stacy M. Brown

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WATCH: Five Years After George Floyd: Full Panel Discussion | Tracey’s Keepin’ It Real | Live Podcast Event

Join us as we return to the city where it happened and speak with a voice from the heart of the community – Tracey Williams-Dillard, CEO/Publisher of the Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder.

Published

3 days ago

May 28, 2025

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https://youtube.com/watch?v=OsNLWTz6jU0&feature=oembed

May 25, 2020. The world stopped and watched as a life was taken.

But what has happened since?

Join us as we return to the city where it happened and speak with a voice from the heart of the community – Tracey Williams-Dillard, CEO/Publisher of the Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder.

She shares reflections, insights, and the story of a community forever changed. What has a year truly meant, and where do we go from here?

This is more than just a date; it’s a moment in history. See what one leader in the Black press has to say about it.

Recorded live at UROC in Minneapolis, this powerful discussion features:

Panelists: