On Saturday, June 13, the Wiggins Center in Camden became a hub of inspiration, education, and opportunity as community members gathered for the Doorway 2 Destination Wealth Expo. Organized through a partnership between the NAACP New Jersey State Conference and LAEDA, the event brought together financial professionals, entrepreneurs, and community leaders with a shared mission: empowering individuals and families to build financial stability, create generational wealth, and achieve long-term success.
The Doorway 2 Destination Wealth Expo is designed to connect community members with the knowledge, resources, and professional guidance needed to make informed financial decisions. From budgeting and credit management to entrepreneurship and wealth building, the event provided attendees with practical tools they can use to create a stronger financial future.
Guided by our wonderful hostess, Mercedes, attendees enjoyed two insightful panel discussions that offered both financial education and motivational guidance for personal and professional growth.
Panel 1: Laying the Financial Foundation
The first panel featured Rasheeda Bakr, Regional Vice President of PRIMERICA and Co-Owner of Bakr & Associates, alongside Diane Frank, Mortgage Loan Officer with Nexa Lending.
PRIMERICA is a financial services company dedicated to helping families achieve financial independence through education, financial planning, investments, and insurance solutions. Through her work with Bakr & Associates, Rasheeda helps individuals and families develop strategies for building wealth and protecting their financial futures.
A Rutgers University graduate and former registered nurse, Bakr shared her journey into financial services while emphasizing the importance of understanding how money works. She encouraged attendees to think of themselves as a “walking, talking bank” and challenged them to take ownership of their financial goals by tracking income, monitoring spending habits, and planning for retirement.
“What is the biggest financial mistake people make? Thinking you don’t have enough money and not paying yourself first,” Bakr explained. She warned against unconscious spending and reminded attendees that financial success begins with intentional habits and long-term planning.
Bakr also stressed the importance of building assets and creating a legacy for future generations. She noted that a traditional bank account is often “just a parking lot for your money—it does not grow money,” encouraging participants to explore opportunities that allow their money to work for them.
Joining her on the panel, Diane Frank brought valuable expertise in mortgage lending and homeownership. Nexa Lending is one of the nation’s leading mortgage brokerages, helping families navigate the path to homeownership through personalized lending solutions and financial guidance.
Frank emphasized the critical role that credit plays in achieving financial goals and securing opportunities such as homeownership.
“Credit helps you get money,” Frank explained.
She encouraged attendees to establish and maintain strong credit by utilizing tools such as secured credit cards, monitoring debt-to-income ratios, and regularly reviewing their credit reports through resources like AnnualCreditReport.com.
“Keep track of your credit and savings. Save your income tax. Never be 30 days late on anything because this shows a bank how responsible you are,” she advised.
Frank also reminded participants that financial success is often a family effort, stressing the importance of communication, planning, and working together to achieve long-term goals.
Together, Bakr and Frank delivered a powerful message about financial literacy, disciplined money management, credit health, and building a foundation that supports future wealth and homeownership.
Panel 2: Taking Action for Growth
The afternoon continued with an inspiring discussion focused on entrepreneurship, personal growth, and creating opportunities through action. This panel featured Terrell Brown of Money LLC alongside LAEDA’s own Training Coordinator, Sehrish Khan.
Money LLC focuses on financial education, personal development, and helping individuals create strategies for long-term success. Brown encouraged attendees to think beyond their current circumstances and focus on building a future driven by purpose, discipline, and intentional growth.
“When you are a business, you are solving a problem,” Brown shared, reminding aspiring entrepreneurs that successful businesses are built by identifying needs and providing solutions.
Brown also emphasized the importance of mentorship and surrounding yourself with positive influences.
“Whomever your five closest friends are determines who you become,” he explained, encouraging attendees to seek mentors and relationships that support their personal and professional development.
His message centered on the idea that growth begins with mindset, discipline, and a commitment to continuous learning.
Khan connected these principles directly to entrepreneurship and financial empowerment through her work at LAEDA, where she helps aspiring and existing entrepreneurs access training, counseling, and business development resources.
“Start your business. Invest in you. Look at your talents—what are you good at and experienced at?” Khan encouraged attendees.
Drawing from her experience working with entrepreneurs throughout New Jersey, Khan emphasized the importance of recognizing one’s own skills and turning those talents into opportunities for business ownership and economic growth.
She also challenged participants to think beyond immediate gratification and focus on building a stronger future.
Speaking directly to younger attendees, Khan shared, “Do not just live for Friday night plans—live for the future, because we start building now.”
She encouraged adults to continue investing in themselves as well by improving their financial health, strengthening their credit, expanding their knowledge, and allowing their talents to shine.
Together, Brown and Khan demonstrated how financial literacy, mentorship, self-investment, and entrepreneurship can work hand in hand to create opportunities for individuals, families, and entire communities.
Building a Stronger Community Together
Beyond the panel discussions, LAEDA was proud to engage directly with attendees at its resource table throughout the day. Community members learned about entrepreneurship training programs, business counseling services, financial literacy resources, and access-to-capital opportunities available through LAEDA.
The conversations were inspiring, the energy was contagious, and the commitment to community empowerment was evident throughout the event.
The Doorway 2 Destination Wealth Expo served as a powerful reminder that financial freedom is not achieved by chance—it is built through education, planning, mentorship, and action. Through partnerships like those between the NAACP New Jersey State Conference and LAEDA, community members are gaining access to the resources and support needed to turn dreams into goals and goals into reality.
As attendees left the Wiggins Center equipped with new knowledge and renewed motivation, one message remained clear: wealth-building begins with learning, grows through action, and flourishes when communities come together to support one another.