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Project Update
My research project is progressing well and remains aligned with the original scope of visiting 6–8 cities to conduct in-person case studies with individuals who are unbanked, underbanked, or part of the working poor. As a reminder of my research setup, approximately 85–90% of the selected cities are in the Southern U.S., which is the primary focus of the research. The remaining cities are located outside the South to allow for regional comparison.
To date, I’ve completed case studies in two cities—Miami, FL and the DMV area—and have also conducted interviews with several fintech founders. In total, I’ve engaged with 60 participants so far across these sessions.
A major highlight has been the session in Washington, D.C., which reinforced my belief that many national datasets misrepresent underserved communities due to a lack of culturally competent and trust-based engagement. Participants shared that they likely wouldn’t have been as open or honest if someone less relatable had asked them the same questions. That moment validated the importance of a grassroots, community-centered approach.
One challenge arose in New York City, where I was unable to secure a local partner organization that would have been able to help gather a significant number of participants within the timeline needed. After reassessing, I shifted that planned session to Memphis, TN, where I have stronger local relationships and better alignment with the research goals. This pivot allows the project to stay on schedule without compromising research integrity.
Overall, the project remains on track to be completed within the timeline of my ambassadorship, and I’m encouraged by the depth of insights gathered from both participants and fintech leaders as I head into the second half of the research period.
Progress on Objectives, Key Activities
Below is an update on each original goal and related objectives as outlined in my proposal, including how they’ve progressed or evolved:
Goal 1: Conduct research focused on financially underserved residents in the Southern U.S.
• Objective 1A – Define and Segment the Population
I’ve completed foundational research in two cities and confirmed participant criteria using a combination of referrals from local partners and a screening form via Google Docs. While my original focus was on the unbanked, underbanked, and working poor, I’ve expanded the criteria to include individuals experiencing “Black tax,” a term describing those who earn a decent income but face high financial burdens in supporting their family or community. This evolution aligns with the project’s focus on the emotional and psychological impacts of financial exclusion.
• Objective 1B – Understand Barriers to Financial Inclusion
Conversations have revealed how deeply behavioral, emotional, and generational factors influence financial exclusion. For example, Black male participants in D.C. expressed feelings of systemic exclusion from the American financial system. Additionally, in speaking with the founder of Hustler’s Guild, I learned that many members of her organization remain unbanked due to documentation barriers (e.g., lacking birth certificates), which adds emotional stress.
• Objective 1C – Assess Financial Behaviors & Use of Alternatives
Participants shared how their financial behaviors changed after gaining employment or access to traditional financial systems. Several noted that they shifted from relying solely on platforms like Cash App because their employer required direct deposit to a traditional bank, rather than a digital-only bank or neobank.
• Objective 1D – Evaluate the Impact of Financial Exclusion
Homeownership has emerged as a key theme. While some view it as essential to wealth-building, others expressed contentment with alternative living arrangements, such as living with parents or public housing. These varied perspectives are shaping a more nuanced understanding of financial goals and decision-making across underserved populations.
• Objective 1E – Regional Access Analysis
Initial observations have begun, including the collection of visual data on banking deserts and areas with limited internet access. A more structured mapping will be conducted as additional fieldwork is completed.
Goal 2: Identify and Engage Stakeholders for Solutions
Objective Update 2: I secured partnerships in Miami and the DMV with Kredit Academy and Hustler’s Guild, respectively. I’ve also held discussions with fintech founders, leaders of nonprofit organizations, and advocates for financial inclusion. These relationships have already helped shape insights for my research and introduce the Interledger name to potential collaborators and local influencers in this space.
Goal 3: Comparative Analysis with National Data
Objective Update: 3 I’ve collected and digitally saved reports from the FDIC and other reputable financial sources. Once the case studies are complete, I will conduct a comparative synthesis to highlight gaps, biases, and areas of opportunity that are not reflected in national datasets.
Key Activities Update
• Partnerships: Secured partners in Miami and D.C. Additional partnerships confirmed for August in Jackson, MS and the Mississippi Delta with Black With No Chaser; partnerships pending in Houston and Atlanta.
• Participant Recruitment: Leveraged local organizations, my fintech network, and social media to identify and recruit eligible participants.
• Workshops Conducted: Completed in Washington, D.C. and Miami, FL.
• Documentation: Notes, recordings, and visual materials (photos/videos) are being compiled for the final report.
Additional narrative outputs and visual documentation will be included in the final report once the remaining cities are completed.
What impact does the project have on your perception of digital financial inclusion?
This project is designed to directly impact individuals who are financially underserved, specifically those who are unbanked, underbanked, or part of the working poor. The majority of participants and communities engaged in the research so far are from BIPOC communities, particularly Black and Brown individuals, as well as women who disproportionately face financial exclusion.
By capturing lived experiences through community-based workshops, this project aims to correct skewed or incomplete data often used in national reports and decision-making. The research highlights not only economic barriers but also emotional, cultural, and behavioral factors that influence financial exclusion, which are often overlooked in mainstream analysis.
The long-term impact is intended to support:
- Policy change that addresses systemic inequities
- Collaboration with financial institutions to build more inclusive services
- Development of new financial technologies that are rooted in the actual needs of underserved communities
This aligns directly with the mission of the Interledger Foundation by increasing awareness around digital financial inclusion and supporting future solutions, whether policy-driven or tech-enabled, that advance equity and access in the financial ecosystem.
Communications and Marketing
I have mainly discussed my work via LinkedIn.
Here is an example of a shared post on LinkedIn.
What's Next?
During the remainder of the funded grant period, I will complete research in six additional cities. In August, I’ll focus on Jackson and the Mississippi Delta, along with Memphis, TN. In September, I plan to conduct the final round of case studies in Atlanta, Houston, and New Orleans.
In parallel, I’ll continue interviewing fintech founders and professionals within the financial system to gather expert insights that complement the community-based research.
Once the fieldwork is completed, I’ll begin synthesizing the findings and conducting a comparative analysis against existing reports from institutions such as the FDIC and other major financial research organizations. This will allow me to highlight discrepancies, reinforce community-validated insights, and identify new opportunities for innovation in digital financial inclusion.
Community Support
While I’ve already identified some local partners for the upcoming cities in August and September, I’m always open to additional connections, especially those who can help expand outreach or recommend individuals who meet the participant criteria for interviews.
As a reminder, I’m seeking individuals who identify as:
- Unbanked (no traditional bank account)
- Underbanked (rely on predatory services or fintech platforms like Cash App or Chime)
- Working poor (living paycheck to paycheck)
- Experiencing “Black tax” (financially responsible for family members despite individual income growth)
I’ll be conducting research in the following cities: Jackson, MS; the Mississippi Delta; Memphis, TN; New Orleans, LA; Houston, TX; and Atlanta, GA.
If you know of any individuals, organizations, or community groups in these areas who could help make connections or participate in the research, I would greatly appreciate the introduction.
Additional Comments
I have appreciated the work of the Interledger Foundation and the opportunity to be an ambassador. This experience has deepened my commitment to financial inclusion. I believe this is just the beginning, and I’m proud to say I’ve been part of the process at such a foundational stage for the organization.
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