(S31) PT 3 - Investments

[Mojojojo]

Having grown up in a household that struggled with poverty, Ernest has always been careful with his money. He also understands the value of having stable financial flows throughout his lifetime (not just during his football career). This is why his most important investment for his financial future was in himself, his wife, and their respective educations. With his degree in sports psychology and his experience in the International Simulation Football League (ISFL), Ernest is set up well to maintain a gainful career beyond his days as a player. Ernest also invested time and resources in supporting his wife’s education and career. It is their combined future income that lays the foundation for their financial future. This allows Ernest some flexibility to invest his ISFL contract in a way that furthers his financial future and continues to give back to disadvantaged communities. He has invested most of his liquid earnings through Mission Investors Exchange, an impact investment firm with the goal of reducing systemic anti-Black racism in the United States. With their advice, Ernest has provided startup funding and loans for Black-owned businesses and youth engagement programs around the Sarasota area. One of his favorite investments has been to renovate the old post office in his hometown of Romance, West Virginia (where his mother used to work) to a hair salon started by a former high school football teammate, which employs ex-convicts. And business has been booming!