Berrett-Kohler Releases Operation HOPE Founder John Hope Bryant's Second Book

LOS ANGELES, June 2, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Berrett-Kohler will release its second book by John Hope Bryant, entitled How the Poor Can Save Capitalism: Rebuilding the Path to the Middle Class on June 2, 2014. The book will be available in Barnes & Noble bookstores, and online at Amazon.com, BAM!, IndieBound, iTunes.

Endorsed by former President Bill Clinton, with a foreword by legendary Civil Rights Leader Andrew Young, Bryant builds a compelling economic argument for investing in America's least wealthy consumers.

In How the Poor Can Save Capitalism, John Hope Bryant once again turns traditional thinking on its head, starting with its audacious title, which boldly asserts that capitalism in fact needs to be saved, and that furthermore, the poor can save it, a completely counter-intuitive idea to many.  The latest step in his mission to eradicate poverty in America, Bryant seeks to radically redefine the very definitions of poverty and wealth themselves.  Poverty, in his estimation, is not just finances; its values too.  Bryant exposes why attempts to aid the poor so far have fallen short and offers a way forward: the HOPE Plan, a series of straightforward, actionable steps to build financial literacy and expand opportunity so that the poor can join the middle class.

After two decades of leadership in the fight against poverty, the founder of Operation HOPE, picks up where he left off in his previous bestselling book Love Leadership, in which he makes the case that the best way to get ahead is to figure out what you have to give in an increasingly self-obsessed world.  In How the Poor Can Save Capitalism Bryant constructs a vision for America in which he fully embraces the power of capitalism to transform lives, and details Operation HOPE's Project 5117, an ambitious plan to change the world, by delivering a Memo on Financial Empowerment, Freedom and Self Determination.  From now to 2020, this plan calls for the creation of the first national private bank for the poor, the working class and the struggling middle class.

At the root of this philosophy is Bryant's simple and deeply held conviction that when we all prosper, we all prosper more.  That by including those so often excluded – the poor and the shrinking middle class – we can re-energize our stalled economy for everyone, the rich included.  Bryant demonstrates by example, that when struggling people have the necessary tools, policies and inspiration, they will rebuild the middle class, and become a new generation of consumers, entrepreneurs, and leaders. 

Last week, Operation HOPE announced a national book tour – the HOPE 100 City Tour -- to promote the book. The tour aims to create opportunities for active engagement through conversation between key business and community leaders who can effect change. 

Heralded by government, business and community leaders alike, here are some OF THE select endorsements:

"When John Hope Bryant talks about how to expand the middle class, I listen. I urge everyone to read How the Poor Can Save Capitalism and discover for themselves John's great ideas for creating an America with more shared opportunity and shared responsibility."
—Former United States President Bill Clinton, CEO of the Clinton Global Initiative

"John Bryant is what I call a practical idealist who dreams big and then moves with precision to action.   In 'How the Poor Can Save Capitalism' he reminds us of the age old adage, 'if you give a man a fish, you feed him for a day, but if you teach him how to fish, you feed him for a lifetime' because he or she now has the skills and knowledge to become self-determined.  One of the few and best plans for addressing poverty is outlined in this book.  It lays out a clear and actionable path to address some of the issues that led my father to call for a poor people's campaign shortly before his assassination.  You will have a different perspective on poverty and 'poor people' when you finish reading this book and realize that in order to secure our economy it requires that we ensure that everyone be given a fair and just opportunity to prosper."
—Dr. Bernice A. King, daughter of Martin Luther King, Jr. And CEO of The King Center

"We cannot win the war for good jobs without the inclusion of and capacity building of the poor-- this book shows the way and makes a personal, moral, and chiefly economic argument for how the poor can save capitalism." 
—Jim Clifton, Chairman and CEO of Gallup, author of The Coming Jobs War

"This book does not attempt to explain all of the economic inequality that exists in today's society but instead imagines solutions. The weakness of most theories on resolving inequality is that they do not speak to the imagination. John Bryant speaks to our imagination and delivers an inspiring message for young people that imagination and self-determination are the only tools needed to change the world. A critical reminder for Americans that there is no finality to being poor."
—Philippe Bourguignon, Vice Chairman, Revolution Places; CEO, Exclusive Resorts; and former co-CEO, World Economic Forum

"Economic immobility is the defining issue of America in the 21st century. John Hope Bryant makes an engaging case for why we must make our economy work for everyone. How the Poor Can Save Capitalism is a must-read for business leaders, policymakers, and community leaders who want to make the American Dream a reality for all our children."
—Ben Jealous, former CEO, NAACP.

For more information on the tour and the book, go to johnhopebryant.com or visit www.operationhope.org.

About John Hope Bryant
A philanthropic entrepreneur, thought leader and businessman, John Hope Bryant is one of the leading voices on poverty eradication today. He is the Founder, Chairman and CEO of financial dignity nonprofit Operation HOPE. He has been recognized by the last five U.S. Presidents and currently serves on President Barack Obama President's Advisory Council on Financial Capability for Young Americans. Bryant is also member of the founding class of the Young Global Leaders and was a founding member of the Clinton Global Initiative. A charismatic leader, renowned public speaker and writer, with the publishing of Love Leadership: The New Way to Lead in a Fear-based World, Bryant became one of the top 25-bestselling-business authors in the country and the only African-American bestselling business author's in America. He has received over 500 awards and citations for his advocacy work, including Oprah Winfrey's Use Your Life Award. In business, Bryant is CEO of Bryant Group Company, and serves on the corporate board for Ares Commercial Real Estate Corporation; a publicly traded company and a division of $54 billion private equity firm Ares Capital Management.

About Operation HOPE, Inc.
Since its inception in 1992, HOPE, a global nonprofit focused on financial dignity, has empowered more than 2 million individuals and directed more than $1.5 billion in private capital to America's low-wealth communities. It has recruited a growing army of 20,000 HOPE Corps volunteers, and helped raise average credit scores for financial case management clients more than 120 points over an average 18-month period. It currently serves more than 300 U.S. cities, as well as South Africa, Saudi Arabia, Morocco and most recently, the United Arab Emirates. Currently HOPE is focused on Project 5117, a multi-year initiative that will track and increase business role models for youth, boost credit scores for adults, and empower underserved communities, as a part of its "silver rights" mission to make free enterprise work for everyone. To learn more about Operation HOPE visit www.operationhope.org, follow our Twitter: @operationhope, and like us on Facebook: Operation HOPE.

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SOURCE Operation HOPE

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