In the Arkansas- Mississippi Delta, at the end of a highway framed by cloth fields, there’s a place called Calico Bottoms.
“There’s a little chapel right across the street from where I was born,” says Patricia Ashanti. For choir practice and adolescent programs, the women in that religion may visit it two or three times per week. Growing up, I didn’t really appreciate it, but I think a lot about those women now. How they used their time to improve their area.
Now, Patricia leads Delta Lines in Helena, Arkansas. The firm acts as a force for change in a promising area. Its objective is to motivate people, ending poverty and challenge the way that Black people think about themselves, their budget and their companies.
Through initiatives that lead to well-paying jobs, home equity, and financial literacy, The Walton Family Foundation constantly supports creative local leaders like Patricia in their efforts to uplift their Delta neighbors.
Patricia’s personal tale is one of trust and resilience. Growing up in Calico Bottoms, Patricia says, “We didn’t talk about poverty, we just lived it.”
Patricia grew aware that increasing her financial literacy was essential to enabling a brighter and more secure coming yet as she attended college and entered the workforce. She struggled at times to give her automobile coverage. And she would know if a city energy truck was coming to turn off her power whenever she saw one.
“I knew that I wanted to help individuals with specific money,” she says. “I wanted to teach others because I didn’t want them to go through the same things.”
To promote Black women’s financial equality, she founded Delta Lines. She provides classes that cover topics ranging from learning about historical obstacles to establishing economic stability to starting a business and ensuring balance through savings.
Our development has been very helpful in enabling people to see what is possible, according to Patricia.
Delta Lines, however, offers more than just school instruction. It’s a location where ladies build relationship and trust. They become associates and mentors.
“It’s all about creating an environment where people feel safe and feel like whatever they’re going through, they’re not going through it alone”, says Patricia.
“These people play a lot of responsibilities. They are leaders in their fields, in their temples, and in their professions, but they require more training and support to help them raise their credit scores, save money in emergencies, and “buy” a house or a car.
These are simple things, Patricia says, that not only give them freedom, but also show their kids it’s possible to beat.
They are determined to bring about change in their communities. It’s been a blessing to see people’s lives grow thanks to money, and the group environment lets them know there are people who are there to assist you.