#NNPA BlackPress

No credit history? Here’s how to build one

NNPA NEWSWIRE — “Saying ‘I want to improve my credit’ isn’t a strong enough goal to keep you on track to the credit you deserve,” says Dominique Brown, financial advisor and founder of the Your Finances Simplified Academy and YourFinancesSimplified.com. Create a plan for how you will use it and factor in a monthly spending plan based on your income to figure out how much money you’ll actually be able to put towards building good credit.

Published

5 years ago

January 9, 2020

Oakland Post

Remember to only take on what you can manage. Don’t take out the full loan amount if you don’t need it and make sure to pay on time so your credit isn’t negatively affected. (Photo: iStockphoto / NNPA)

Now is a good time to establish a good credit history. These accounts can help get you started.

According to a 2015 study by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, roughly one out of 10 American adults are “credit invisible,” meaning they don’t have a credit history with any of the major national credit bureaus (Equifax^®, Experian^®, or TransUnion^®). Because they don’t have a credit history or credit score, this may make it difficult to apply for a credit card, rent an apartment, sign up for cell phone service, or even get a job.

Setting up a credit history – and being in good standing – can take time, so here are some actions you can take to establish credit.

Utilities

Traditional lenders tend to look at a person’s credit score, but people with little to no credit history generally don’t have enough of a profile to even generate a score. A simple way to get your credit history going is by putting utility bills in your name, such as electricity, heat or rent. Making on time payments to your monthly bills can give lenders or anyone else looking into your credit something to consider when you apply for things like a loan or new apartment. Be sure to keep track of due dates and pay the whole balance each month when you can.

Merchant cards

If you frequently shop at a specific business that offers a card for purchases at that business, consider opening an account. For example, if you have a car, a gas credit card could be beneficial because they usually come with discounts, are easier to be approved for and can help you track how much you spend on gas each month. But, be careful when opening a gas card or department store card, as they often come with high interest rates, sometimes 20% or more. Consider sticking to one card until you get comfortable paying in full and on time to avoid the interest being added to your balance. Dominique Brown, financial advisor and founder of the Your Finances Simplified Academy and YourFinancesSimplified.com, has specific advice for department store cards: They should only be used “for credit building, not for credit [buildup].”

When deciding what store card to open, make sure to consider things like:

Interest rate – Is it so high that if you miss a payment, you’ll have a much larger payment to make the next month?
Reward point system – Is one offered so that you receive rewards to help save on future purchases?
How often you shop there – Is it enough to make the card worth it but not encourage you to spend more?

A secured credit card

A secured credit card is a good option if you have a limited credit history, and you can get one by putting up a deposit. You get the deposit back when you close the card, or at a point when your credit history is stronger. Keep track of what you buy with this card and if you feel ready, put repeat expenses on it like a utility bill. Turn the auto-pay function on so you don’t miss a payment and can continue working toward good credit.

A small loan

You can also consider taking out a small dollar loan which like a secured credit card can help build your credit if you make on time payments and pay the balance in full monthly. There are multiple lenders you could get this kind of loan from including:

Online lenders: Make sure to do research on these so you know they are trustworthy.
Credit unions: These typically offer loans between $200 to $1,000, but be sure to consider the interest rate that will be applied to a balance that carries over to a new month.
Banks: Some banks and financial institutions offer small loans and may offer low interest rates or discounts for existing customers.

With these different options it’s important to shop around and choose a loan that has helpful terms such as:

A low interest rate
Fixed monthly payments
A loan term between three to 12 months

Remember to only take on what you can manage. Don’t take out the full loan amount if you don’t need it and make sure to pay on time so your credit isn’t negatively affected.

Have a plan for using credit

Once you’ve identified the type of account you are interested in, “start with the end in mind and build your plan to make it happen,” says Brown. “Saying ‘I want to improve my credit’ isn’t a strong enough goal to keep you on track to the credit you deserve.” Create a plan for how you will use it and factor in a monthly spending plan based on your income to figure out how much money you’ll actually be able to put towards building good credit.

The bottom line is you need to use credit to build credit. Taking it on can be risky, so ask yourself honestly: Am I ready? If you are, opening one of these types of accounts can be a great first step. Remember to make on time payments every month and keep the balance as low as possible – in fact, strive to pay balance in full monthly. To learn more, check out tips from the online Hands on Banking® financial education program.

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#NNPA BlackPress

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 week 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

Posts by Stacy M. Brown

#NNPA BlackPress

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

1 week 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

Posts by Stacy M. Brown

#NNPA BlackPress

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

1 week 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: