The speaker shines a spotlight on the "Black Tax," the hidden yet pervasive force of discrimination, both conscious and unconscious, that acts as an unseen shackle on the economic prosperity of Black American households. In the face of this stark economic divide between Black and White communities, the speaker invokes a transformational call for change. They invite us all to courageously reshape our spending and investment patterns, sparking a fire of job creation and business proliferation within the Black community. This talk isn't just a testament to a systemic prejudice feeding economic disparity, but a rousing summons to collectively awaken, rise, and dismantle this deep-seated injustice, igniting a new era of prosperity and equality for all. Shawn Rochester, Chairman and CEO of Minority Equality Opportunities Acquisition Inc. (MEOA), has a distinguished career in business and diversity initiatives. Before MEOA, he served as CEO of Good Steward LLC and PHD Enterprises, advising Fortune 100 companies on creating inclusive, equitable economic frameworks. As the Global Director of New Business Development at Amphenol Corporation, he led mergers, acquisitions, and identified new growth opportunities. Rochester's tenure at IBM saw him working in Corporate Development, Finance & Planning, Treasury and the Emerging Business Opportunities program, contributing to business ventures generating over $10 billion in revenue. In 2018, he penned 'The Black Tax: The Cost of Being Black in America,' which explored the financial burden on Black Americans throughout history. He holds degrees from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business and the University of Rochester. He's a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Incorporated. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx