Gail Perry-Mason

Detroit Impact was established in 1991 to bring resources and creative empowerment to the youth of Detroit’s Westside neighborhoods through a cooperative effort with parents, churches, schools, the business community, and neighborhood residents. The organization teaches, mentors, guides and motivates children and adolescents to develop sound values systems, strong personal motivation, and positive self-esteem. Overall, Detroit Impact empowers youth with tools to build a better lifestyle and create generational wealth within communities that have historically been underserved.

Twenty-seven years ago, Gail Perry-Mason created the organization’s Money Matters for Youth program to expose Detroit’s youth populations to wealth management concepts and foster entrepreneurship. The program is year-round for ages 8 to 18 and includes a special one-week summer camp personally led by Gail. Over 300 children each year learn about opening and operating a business, investing in the stock market, and other financial literacy skills. Gail made history when she brought the first youth group of its kind to Warren Buffet’s Berkshire Hathaway Shareholders meeting in Omaha, Nebraska in May 2017. Students interacted with various shareholders and enjoyed learning about behind-the-scenes activities. None of these transformative experiences would be possible without Gail’s life-long commitment to her community and desire to build up future generations of Black leaders.

I think we have to start every day with gratitude, end every day with gratitude. You get more with gratitude, and that is the best investment.