About The Founder

John Hope Bryant

Biography and Credentials

On February 1st, 2009, in the midst of the worst global economic crisis in recent history, thought leader John Hope Bryant was chosen to speak at the closing session for the Annual Meeting of the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, joining Archbishop Desmond Tutu, Professor Klaus Schwab, founder and chairman of the World Economic Forum, H.R.H. Crown Prince Haakon of Norway and Professor Pekka Himanen of Finland, on the subject of “dignity for all.”

John Hope Bryant is a philanthropic entrepreneur and businessman, in the business of empowerment. This includes Mr. Bryant’s non-profit work throughout the United States, through Operation HOPE, his global non-profit work led by HOPE Global Initiatives, his vast work in public policy, and his increasing portfolio in “thought leadership.”

On January 22nd, 2008, Mr. Bryant was appointed vice-chairman of the U.S. President’s Council on Financial Literacy by U.S. President George W. Bush.  Mr. Bryant also serves as chairman of the Under-Served Committee for the U.S. President’s Council. Mr. Bryant also serves on the Global Agenda Council for the World Economic Forum as an advisor on financial literacy and financial empowerment.

Mr. Bryant is the founder, chairman and chief executive officer of Operation HOPE, America’s first non-profit social investment banking organization, now operating in 51 U.S. communities and South Africa, having raised more than $400 million from the private sector to empower the poor.

Former U.S. President Bill Clinton described Mr. Bryant in his recent bestselling book GIVING saying, “John Bryant is a 41 year-old whirlwind of ideas and action. Lean, intense, focused, and completely positive in his belief in the potential of poor people to prosper, with ‘a hand up and not a hand out.’”  

A national community leader cited by the past four sitting U.S. presidents for his work to empower low-wealth communities across America, and an active advisor to the past two U.S. presidents, John Hope Bryant is one of the most authoritative and compelling advocates for poverty eradication in America today.  
Raised in Compton and South Central Los Angeles, California and homeless for 6 months of his life by age 18, John Hope Bryant is today a businessman and social entrepreneur who has traveled the world tirelessly promoting a sense of hope, self-esteem, dignity, and opportunity for the under-served.
 
As a co-founder of Global Dignity, John Hope Bryant has conducted Dignity Day teaching sessions with youth and leaders in Canada, Turkey, India, Switzerland, Finland, South Africa and Amman, Jordan with Her Majesty Queen Rania and HRH Crown Prince Haakon of Norway, amongst other countries.

John Hope Bryant is also a businessman, has served on several corporate boards, is author of BANKING ON OUR FUTURE, a book on youth and family financial literacy, is a former goodwill ambassador to the U.S. for the United Nations in Geneva, Switzerland, a partner with former U.S. President Clinton and his foundation in teaching financial literacy and promoting the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC),  was selected as a Young Global Leader for the World Economic Forum, and working with HOPE global spokesman Ambassador Andrew Young, is also a leader for a new movement bridging civil rights to silver rights.  Mr. Bryant is an internationally respected public speaker.

John Hope Bryant has received more than 400 awards and citations for his work to empower low-wealth communities including the Use Your Life Award by Oprah Winfrey, and was named a “Community Hero” by People Magazine on the 10th anniversary of the worst urban civil unrest in U.S. history.  In December, 1994, Mr. Bryant was selected by TIME Magazine for their “America’s 50 Most Promising Leaders of the Future” cover story.

Mr. Bryant received an Honorary Doctorate Degree of Human Letters from Paul Quinn College of Dallas, Texas and in April, 2008, Bryant completed the Harvard University, John K. Kennedy School of Government, “Global Public Policy and Leadership for the 21st Century” executive education program.
 
John Hope Bryant was born on February 6, 1966, at Good Samaritan Hospital in Los Angeles, California, and resides in Los Angeles with his wife Mrs. Sheila Jenine Kennedy Bryant, and their dog “Little Man.”