About us
A movement to pool our resources
The Institution of Financial Unity began as a movement for Black people in the diaspora to pool our time, focus, spiritual energy, finances and information for the empowerment of the global Black community. Today it is also a platform where our people exchange, support and uplift one another through economic action.
Mission
From consumers to owners
To promote collective financial development within and for the global Black community, by supporting the movement of our people from consumers, spenders and laborers to producers, investors and owners.
Inspired by the mind and work of Dr. Claud Anderson.
Vision
Secure, independent economic models
Highly developed and secure independent economic and financial models across the global Black community: Africans on the continent and in the diaspora, historical and contemporary, and all people who identify as of African descent.
Our goals
Three commitments
Build
Build the Institution of Financial Unity to last at least the next 200 years, with products and services that keep it independent and sustainable.
Connect
Develop communication systems and platforms to share financial information, talent, knowledge and resources across the community.
Support
Support Black-owned businesses and programs throughout the African diaspora, and expose them to available financial resources.
Mpatapo, our Adinkra symbol
Mpatapo represents the bond or knot that binds parties in a dispute to a peaceful, harmonious reconciliation. It is a symbol of peacemaking after strife, of reconciliation and of pacification.
F.U.S.S. team
The people behind the work
AS
Executive Director / Chief Operations Officer
Angela Sayles
Leads the Institution of Financial Unity and the FUSS Business Center.
RJ
Bookkeeper
Rosalyn Johnson
Twenty years of bookkeeping, payroll and customer service experience. Also coordinates corporate events.
AD
Client relations / Tax specialist
Alisha Drake
Manages engagement with FUSS clients. BA from Kent State University; former school administrator and teacher.
JB
Bookkeeper / Tax specialist
Judith Boyle
More than 25 years of payroll and payroll tax experience with Fortune 500 companies. FPC certified.
JB
Human resource specialist
Joann Branner
Sixteen years in human resources and employee benefits at Nestlé USA. University of Akron graduate and Cleveland native.
KW
Business coordinator
Keyana Williams
More than a decade in marketing, public relations and branding for startups and small businesses.
Partners
Connect and build
The organizations we build with:
Strategic partners
- African Union African Diaspora Sixth Region (AUADS) High Council
- AMS Enterprise Systems
- Collective Courage Fund
- Global African Sheroes Union
- Kentucky Black Farmers Association Cooperative
- Kings Learning Garden
- Nelson Mandela African Institute of Science and Technology
- Rungwe International College of Business and Entrepreneurship Development
- Vital Neighborhoods Cleveland
- Black Cleveland Investment Group
- Vijana Kwanzaa Youth Transportation
Collaborative affiliations
- Detroit Black Community Food Sovereignty Network
- Food Cooperative Initiative
- International Civil Society Working Group, UN Permanent Forum on People of African Descent
- Larchmere Arts
- Million Woman March and Universal Movements
- National Black Food and Justice Alliance
Organizations and individuals supported along our unity journey
- 3SIXTY Info Network
- Africa Diaspora Women and Collaborators
- African Trading Post
- Anna Wines TZ
- Black Business School
- Black Wall Street USA Economic Development Council
- Black Wealth Academy
- Black Wealth Consortium
- Blackanomics
- Brown Girl Beauty Confidence Camps
- Building Bridges
- Carbon Farms and Retreat
- Cleveland Black Homeschooling Network
- Coalition of the Willing
- Concerned Citizens Community Council Cleveland
- Cuppedia Foods
- Golden Ciphers
- Greater Cleveland Urban Film Festival
- Hidden Colors Film Series
- J & S Marketing Resources
- Kamryn Adams Group
- Little Africa Food Cooperative
- Melanin Gold Organics TZ
- National Independent Black Parent Association
- Pan African Global Trade Conference
- Queen I Am Mentoring
- Society for Non-Violent Change
- Society of Urban Professionals
- Taking Back Our Youth
- Teaching Artist Institute
- World African Diaspora Union
- ZOI Wholeness
Respect due
The shoulders we stand on
Ancestors
Practitioners of economic independence
Marcus Garvey, Queen Mother Winnie Mandela, Kenneth Bridges (Matah), Reginald F. Lewis, Madam C. J. Walker
Esteemed elders
Teachers of economic independence
Dr. Claud Anderson, Dr. Phile’ Chionesu, Jim Clingman, Queen Anna Carter, Dr. George Fraser
In memory
Rest in love and power
Brother Darryl L. Williams of Team DLW Unity Show Cleveland, and Dr. Runoko Rashidi
Unity brands
Products that fund the mission
Unity Beverages, Unity Apparel and Art, and Unity Travel Group are part of the Financial Unity family.