The African American Mayors Association (AAMA) has launched a series of mini cohorts in cities across the country as part of its Economic Mobility Leadership Institute (EMLI), a premiere program for outstanding AAMA member-mayors that provides tools to convene life-changing financial literacy forums and develops strategies that increase long-term economic mobility within their respective communities.

The mini cohorts are 6–8-week programs that expand access to proven economic mobility solutions, focusing on essential topics such as estate planning, homeownership, insurance, and wealth management. Designed for long-term impact, the programs equip participants with practical tools for financial stability and growth.

(At left: Little Rock Mayor Frank Scott, Jr., Wrightsville Mayor Derrick Rainey and AAMA CEO Phyllis Dickerson discuss EMLI at Arkansas Black Mayors Association Annual Gala)

Participating cities receive a $5,000 grant to support implementation, and work with partners including My Legacy Items, National Association of Real Estate Brokers, Results for America, and Sootchy.  With an aim to improve financial literacy, reduce poverty, and facilitate wealth creation among underserved communities, support for the program comes from the Gates Foundation.

“Mayors in our cities are hard at work making sure their residents have the skills and tools to create a better quality of life for their families,” said AAMA President and Savannah Mayor Van R. Johnson II. “We greatly appreciate the Gates Foundation’s support in putting resources into the hands of those who need it the most and aligning with our goal to create more pathways for economic mobility.”

Mini cohort modules include:

• Diversion Sprint – addressing how to successfully reintroduce the formerly incarcerated through restorative justice, contingency management, and wraparound service programs.
• Estate Planning – focusing on key elements of estate planning, including insurance, wills, and trusts.
• Financial Literacy – empowering working families to better understand their finances through a self-guided, tech-led platform—one household, one savings account, one digital tool at a time.
• Homeownership – helping residents prepare for homeownership through weekly educational sessions and financial coaching.
• Savings Club – educating adults about financial tools to improve and grow wealth.

The cities selected for the EMLI mini cohorts:

• Earle, AR
• Little Rock, AR
• Marianna, AR
• California City, CA
• North Miami Beach, FL
• Clarkston, GA
• East Point, GA
• Jonesboro, GA
• Savannah, GA
• Union City, GA
• Broadview, IL
• Urbana, IL
• Jonesboro, LA
• Mound Bayou, MS
• Henderson, NC
• New Rochelle, NY
• Richmond Heights, OH
• Beaver Falls, PA
• Upper Darby, PA
• Dumfries, VA

The African American Mayors Association (AAMA) is the only organization dedicated to representing over 500 African American mayors across the United States. AAMA seeks to empower local leaders for the benefit of their citizens. The role of the AAMA includes taking positions on public policies that impact the vitality and sustainability of cities; providing mayors with leadership and management tools; and creating a forum for member mayors to share best practices related to municipal management.