#74 - Empowering Black Women in Finance: Jessica Taylor (Managing Director @ Goldman Sachs // National Director @ One Million Black Women)

In this episode of the Investing in Integrity podcast, Ross Overline, CEO and co-founder of Scholars of Finance, speaks with Jessica Taylor, Managing Director and National Director of One Million Black Women at Goldman Sachs. 

Jessica discusses the One Million Black Women initiative, a $10 billion investment commitment to create economic opportunities for Black women by 2030. She shares insights on the "Black in Business" program, which supports Black women sole proprietors with education and networking opportunities.

The conversation explores the importance of mentorship, the role of storytelling in philanthropy, and the initiative's goal to close the racial wealth gap. Jessica also highlights the economic impact of investing in Black women and shares success stories from the program's participants.

Join Ross and Jessica as they delve into the transformative power of intentional investment and the potential to drive systemic change in the finance industry.

Meet Jessica Taylor

Jessica Taylor joined Goldman Sachs in 2014, beginning her career in the firm’s 10,000 Small Businesses initiative, a cornerstone philanthropic program designed to empower small business owners with the education and tools needed for growth. Her leadership in this space saw her oversee the program for several years before she transitioned to head the 1,000,000 Black Women initiative in June 2023.

Launched in March 2021, the 1,000,000 Black Women initiative is a $10 billion investment commitment, with an additional $100 million in philanthropic capital, designed to advance economic opportunities for Black women in the United States by 2030. This initiative is rooted in the findings of Goldman Sachs’ "Black Womenomics" report, which highlighted a significant racial wealth gap and the immense potential of investing in Black women to drive U.S. economic growth. Under Jessica’s leadership, Goldman Sachs is addressing this gap through targeted investments to create jobs and boost annual GDP by an estimated $450 billion.

Jessica credits the vision of senior women and women of color at Goldman Sachs for inspiring the initiative. She is proud to lead an effort that combines business strategy with social impact, proving that investing in Black women is a powerful economic catalyst.