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The Wealth Choice: Success Secrets of Black Millionaires

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Bestselling personal finance author Dennis Kimbro interviews prominent black millionaires to learn how they got where they are and offers key insights for those struggling to reach the next level.It's no secret that these hard times have been even harder for the Black community. Approximately 35 percent of African Americans had no measurable assets in 2009, and 24 percent of these same households had only a motor vehicle. Dennis Kimbro, observing how the weight of the continuing housing and credit crises disproportionately impacts the African-American community, takes a sharp look at a carefully cultivated group of individuals who've scaled the heights of success and how others can emulate them. Based on a seven year study of 1,000 of the wealthiest African Americans, The Wealth Choice offers a trove of sound and surprising advice about climbing the economic ladder, even when the odds seem stacked against you. Readers will learn about how business leaders, entrepreneurs, and celebrities like Bob Johnson, Spike Lee, L. A. Reid, Herman Cain, T. D. Jakes and Tyrese Gibson found their paths to wealth; what they did or didn't learn about money early on; what they had to sacrifice to get to the top; and the role of discipline in managing their success. Through these stories, which include men and women at every stage of life and in every industry, Dennis Kimbro shows readers how · Develop a wealth-generating mindset and habits· Commit to lifelong learning· Craft goals that match your passion· Make short-term sacrifices for long-term gain· Take calculated risks when opportunity presents itself

306 pages, Kindle Edition

First published February 19, 2013

276 people are currently reading
1372 people want to read

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Dennis Kimbro

16 books76 followers

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5 stars
284 (56%)
4 stars
137 (27%)
3 stars
52 (10%)
2 stars
19 (3%)
1 star
7 (1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 52 reviews
Profile Image for Juan Carlos.
12 reviews2 followers
March 7, 2020
This book in one sentence: Work hard, believe in yourself and God, and you will become wealthy.

This was more of a motivational book than a finance one. Many of the lessons and anecdotes were about successful black millionaires, many of them famous, who conquered hardships and persevered to become wealthy.

I was hoping that the book would more explore how everyday Africans-Americans could begin to build wealth in the United States given that in 2010, the median net worth for black families was $4,900, compared to a median wealth for whites of $97,000. The book fell very short in that regard and only briefly tossed in stats between praise for the Almighty.

There was also very little mention of actual strategies to begin accumulating wealth. Stocks and real estate were passively mentioned as good ideas without ever stating where or how to begin in those fields. There was no mention of the best way to allocate assets in funds or for navigating a real estate world that has been known to discriminate against Africans-Americans whether explicitly (redlining) or discreetly (higher mortgage rates at the same credit score and income as white Americans).

Though underwhelming, many of the stories were inspirational. The book did a good job of placing faith in the reader to open one's mind to believing they can achieve more, then ultimately setting out to do it. If you're in a rut and need inspiration, this may be a good read. If you're looking for financial advice to accumulate wealth, whether you are black or otherwise, look elsewhere.
Profile Image for Jonas.
13 reviews1 follower
June 9, 2014
I really enjoyed reading this book. Kimbro gives concrete examples from African-American millionaires on how they acquired wealth. I constantly found myself writing down some very insightful gems that I hope will change the way I handle money on a daily basis. One quote in particular really consumed my thoughts: "The poor keep score by cars and clothes. The middle class keep score by degrees and titles. But the wealthy keep score by their bank accounts."

Profile Image for Michelle Ngome.
4 reviews7 followers
July 19, 2014
Great book for inspiration regarding entrepreneurs. What I realized whether the person grew up as working poor, middle class, or corporate executive they all had struggles launching their business. Failure and success does not discriminate it's all about hard work.
6 reviews1 follower
September 16, 2020
This book was extremely hard to read. I wanted to love it so bad. It kept delivering mini biographies. I was expecting inspiration with guided steps. Every chapter is filled with mostly biographies on black success. I completely appreciate it, but he over did it. The book gave me anxiety every time. Maybe I miss the knowledge in their stories, but I tried to take everything to move forward. I couldn't complete the book. I started reading on June 15 and it is now Sep. 15. I really want to finish it, but I have never read a book that me so much anxiety. I was reading for the success secrets not the success stories.
Profile Image for Michelle.
936 reviews2 followers
November 20, 2013
Not that great. Pretty repetitive and inspirational without real information on how they made their money. Heavy on the Christianity.
3 reviews2 followers
November 5, 2013
I was very impressed with the depth of this book. Mr. Kimbro did an excellent job of providing
value and inspiring information on every day people who succeed beyond all the odds. Letting his audience know that if you work hard, persevere, are dedicated, are passionate and have a well thought out vision you can achieve anything.
Profile Image for January.
2,884 reviews126 followers
August 1, 2022
The Wealth Choice: Success Secrets of Black Millionaires by Dennis Kimbro
12 hours and 1 minute narrated by Bill Andrew Quinn, 304 pages Hardcover

Genre: Business, Economics > Finance; Self-Help > Personal Development; Nonfiction, Finance > Personal Finance; Currency > Money; Leadership

Featuring: Statistics, Rags To Riches Stories, Mindsets, Priorities, Steps

Rating as a movie: G for General Content

My rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Quotes: "Tears will get you sympathy, but sweat will get you change."

"Let others lead small lives, but not you. Let others argue over small things, but not you. Let others cry over small hurts, but not you. Let others leave their future in someone else’s hands, but not you.” And remember the four things that never return: the spoken word, the speeding arrow, the wasted life, and the neglected opportunity."

"The future never takes care of itself; it is taken car of, shaped, molded, and colored by the present. Our todays are what our yesterdays made them; our tomorrows must inevitably be the product of our todays."

"Unless you are free economically and financially, you will never be free personally."

My thoughts: 14% 1:43:03 Ch. 1 - I'm a bit shamed to say my first thought in starting this book was, a 103 minute introduction? However, this is great information I breezed through it.
📱 28% 3:24:46 Ch. 2 - This book is pretty much Hill's Think & Grow Rich meets Stanley's The Millionaire Mind, with some Chris Hogan thrown in. I love it and I'm going to pass it on to my husband.
📱39% 4:44:35 Ch. 3 - This is book is really good but it takes time to absorb, it may get the temporary pin. 📌 I have put off my book club read too long and you can't rush through this, you have to ruminate.
📱66% 7:52:45 Ch. 5 - He lost me when he said Beyonce grew up poor in a humble Texas home. Sir, Beyonce grew up upper middle class in a very large home with a housekeeper and multiple cars. Her parents made 6 figures. She attended private school and her father poured money into her talent. When he quit his job to manage her career full time she move to a smaller dream home. Now, I doubt everything you say about celebrities. I trust the financial research, especially since I've heard most of it before, but that short exposé should have been left out. It was very short compared to the other celebrities you've covered and completely inaccurate.
📱84% 10:02:56, 42 minutes into Ch. 6 - Better but at this point it's more stories and few lessons.

I really enjoyed this book although is became a be repeative. It would have been 5 stars but I was discontented after he stated, "For the better part of her childhood poverty pinched her heart in her humble Texas home. 20 years ago no one outside of her tight-knit circle had heard of her name." I couldn't roll my eyes hard enough he went on to say she didn't achieve success until she adult, but she was signed as a teenager still in high school. I just couldn't trust his stories after there was so much misinformation on Beyonce.

Recommend to others?: Yes! I recommend this book to everyone regardless of their background and ethnicity.
Profile Image for Misha J Grubbs.
1 review1 follower
January 30, 2016
A different perspective

I chose this rating because it's not a step by step what to do book. It gives you a different perspective on the importance of wealth, introduces you to people you do not know and reintroduce those you already know in the context of obtaining wealth. Shock you with facts and stats you may not have realized, and give you the inspiration that you need to be among the financial elite. I would recommend this to those who want to really refocus on their financial situation.
Profile Image for Giovanni.
21 reviews2 followers
July 4, 2017
This is an excellent book. I caught myself highlighting lines, writing down notes, and take moments every couple of paragraphs to reflect on the depth of the knowledge Dr. Kimbro was providing on the idea of wealth creation and striving for greatness.
I also truly enjoyed how Dr. Kimbro used examples of some lesser known individuals, which to me made it more real. I feel like I can truly accomplish a great deal if I set my mind on my goal and am not afraid to take "The Road Not Taken".
213 reviews7 followers
March 22, 2013
Overall this was a pretty good read. Kimbro used some amazing quotes from prominent African Americans that will stick with me. The book definitely made me want to work for myself and build my own wealth. It also reinforced some good practices to saving money and building wealth. I was looking for more of a specific guide but I got the big picture.
Profile Image for Antuan Simmons.
Author 2 books6 followers
September 20, 2013
I enjoyed the book. It had many background stories of black millionaires. I was looking for technical secrets to make a million, but I got a biography of rich black people. That is cool tho. I am going on Wikipedia and researching the people he interviewed. I am going to apply the knowledge I learned from this book as a road map to my own personal riches. Good book kimbro! Also very well written
Profile Image for Markus Magnuson.
Author 2 books
March 28, 2022
Not earth-shattering in what you can concretely learn from it but a far more interesting perspective than 90% of the books in this category.
Profile Image for Sipho.
455 reviews51 followers
January 3, 2018
A phenomenal read.

The theme of this book is relatively self a explanatory: wealth is a choice. Through extensive interviews with black millionaires across a range of disciplines and industries, Dennis Kimbro highlights the secrets (read character traits) that have led to their accumulation of wealth.

In the introduction, the author explains that one needs to add value to whatever they do. All successful people are life long learners and set goals for themselves. People who "make it" typically choose vocations that suit their talents. The goal of the book is stated as being to explain how they did it rather than why.

In this vein there are stated to be 9 core disciplines of wealth common to many black millionaires:

1. The development of goals
2. High motivation
3. Hard work
4. Recognition of the power of ideas
5. Ignoring the possibility of failure
6. Quickness to absorb new information
7. Ability to sell
8. Thrift and frugality
9. Spirituality

What follows in the rest of the book is what Kimbro calls the 8 laws of wealth. These are:

1. Wealth starts in the mind and ends in the purse

2. Decide that you will not be poor

3. The Poor keep score by cars and clothes; the middle-class keep score by degrees and titles, the rich keep score by their bank accounts

4. Believe in yourself when noone else will

5. To thy own self be true

6. Serve others' needs

7. Own thy own business

8. Make thy money grow

Part self-help and part personal financial manual, this is a great book to get one inspired to build a lasting financial legacy. The principles are somewhat timeless and if you've read other personal finance books, there is nothing groundbreaking here. What is refreshing is the stories that pepper the pages, of famous and not so famous African Americans who have built solid financial empires.

What I didn't enjoy about the book is that obviously it has an American bias. It also tended to be repetitive and contained some questionable interpretations of the Bible as well as verses that don't exist!

Why do I still rate it 5 stars? Its just that good!
Profile Image for Adam.
541 reviews18 followers
February 16, 2021
Wow wow wow Napoleon Hill would be proud. Read this book if your increasing your mental wealth as well as your net worth.

What my 👂 heard ⤵️

turn thoughts into things dreams into reality
this book will awaken slumbering possibilities
great mental wealth
in order to earn more I must learn more
knowledge is only potential power
work should represent opportunity not obligation
never say die attitude
the lord loves the poor but he also demonstrated a way not to be poor
prosperity begins in the mind but ends in the purse
the difference that makes the difference
awash in debt
shake a leg
80% of millionaires are classified as first generation
there is never been a better time to crack the seven figure mark
live revengefully well
our model of thought tends to be our experience
prosperity flows through channels only willing to receive it
the first million is difficult but the second million is inevitable
research suggests the primary goal of the poor is survival the aim of the middle class is comfort and the objective of the wealthy is freedom and control
your personal belief about money will eventually determine how much you will earn
the poor keeps score by cars and clothes
middle class keeps score by degrees and titles but the wealthy keeps score by their bank account
to all that you can the best that you can
embrace each day as an exciting new adventure
you have grown used to your ways of life and fear change may be for the worst
we do not believe what we see we see what we believe
change the thought and you change the experienc
you will never hit a home run if you don't learn how to swing
if you have to pay that much for existence you are paying too high a price
quip
tears will get you sympathy but sweat will get you change
hours for dollars that's all you know
you are wealthy when your money works for you
the teaching is in the words but the learning is in the silence
if you can't save, you can't invest
part of all you earn is yours to keep
I was writing a dead horse
your stuff poor
the ability to borrow is like dynamite it must be handled with care
8 reviews
July 31, 2020
A comprehensive documentation of Black wealth in American

I highly recommend this book. This author gives several detailed accounts of the average Black millionaire, which seems like an older married couple with decent jobs who invest, save, and make a set of consistently wise financial decisions, including owning a home, investing in the stock market, save in 401k, or own a business. It sounds very typical. It’s not hard but requires an unparalleled amount of consistency and delayed gratification. The book not only describes the Black millionaire but also provides a motivational blueprint of sorts: (1) It inspires Black Americans who think it is impossible to achieve millionaire status in America where their ancestors built wealth for oppressors, (2) It lays out the framework upon which Black wealth is built. Given that America is currently in a deep recession and protests about racial injustice are happening across the country, some of the same general rules about wealth building apply whether or not we are in a short-term debt cycle or at the end of a long-term debt cycle (See Ray Dalio’s Principles): Hard work in the face of seemingly insurmountable obstacles, focus, consistency in the pursuit of excellence, and a diversified portfolio of economic activity are all characteristics for building wealth. It’s unfortunate that the aforementioned qualities are not trained or systematically reinforced in public schools. Each child must bring most of those things with them. What most should know but don’t is that the vast majority of wealth creation is built during economic downturns. Those who build wealth during economically challenging times understand or unknowingly practice the concept of anti-fragility. Wealth acquisition should not be a foreign concept but it is.
Profile Image for Teronie.
125 reviews
October 24, 2024
The Wealth Choice: Success Secrets of Black Millionaires
Book by Dennis Kimbro offered amazing stories and lessons on wealth and opportunity.

Amongst the lessons were

Develop a wealth-generating mindset and habits
· Commit to lifelong learning
· Craft goals that match your passion
· Make short-term sacrifices for long-term gain
· Take calculated risks when opportunity presents itself


Very insightful distinctions between rich and poor behavior. This is a book that is necessary to have in your library. I will reread again.

--------
On reread October /2024

This book was quite a source of insight, especially for my current entrepreneurial path. The timing of the material is right. Here were my takeaways.

Thou shall own thy business if you want wealth.

If you dont get what you want out of life either you didnt want it bad enough or you haggled over the price.

In this economy, if you are tied to a single paycheck you are unemployed.

A career is what you are paid for, a calling is what you are made for.

If you focus on an area where you are strong, chasing other dreams will make you weaker. If you chase weakness, you will lack strength.
Profile Image for Cynthia Reed.
1 review
December 27, 2019
This is not a book for everyone. Some never want more than they have; others feel that luck is a huge part of life. Watching families become poorer and working harder weighs heavy on me. Truth is that many can have the life we want if we are willing to work toward those goals and educate ourselves on principles that have withstood the test of time. Yes, wealth is a choice. Yes, it requires gifts we have and some gifts we have to develop. But obtainable. Thank you, Dr. Kimbro. Good book. Great insights.
121 reviews
May 15, 2023
If you choose to be wealthy start here

The author lays out 7 principles of wealth for African Americans who are on the path of wealth, abundance and prosperity. He has interviewed and surveyed black entrepreneurs and business owners of different industries to learn the secret to wealth and you quickly learn that it's no secret but it all starts from within. Even though things have changed since this book was written because of technology and business models changing this book is relevant for building a foundation of wealth.
41 reviews1 follower
November 29, 2014
Dennis Kimbro continues to tell the story about building African-American wealth and professional success. Between the anecdotes and his analysis of extensive data, Dr. Kimbro illustrates that financial success has a process that can be learned and applied. I shall continue to recommend his works, and especially The Wealth Choice, to students and professionals seeking insight and inspiration to point toward material success.
Profile Image for Joshua.
40 reviews1 follower
August 7, 2019
I'm not of African American heritage, but I figured this would be a good book for people that have the deck stacked against them. While the author does point out that the "stacking" is more in the minds of the downtrodden, I thought this book had a fair amount of good advice and thoughts that I did not see in other books on the same topic (Principles, Richest Man in Babylon, Think and Grow Wealthy, etc). It is worth a read if you are interested in wealth building.
54 reviews
October 30, 2019
I will definitely read this book again. As a refresher and a reminder of the importance of wealth generation, saving and setting goals. The statistics provided really make one think about the wealth gap in this country and how maybe just maybe it has something to do with the choices we make every day with the money we have. Let's start by saying I don't need that and how much money we can save and revinvest in ourelves.
Profile Image for Alicia.
220 reviews7 followers
January 12, 2022
Excellent book! This is definitely one I'd say you should read in companion with Napoleon Hill's Think and Grow Rich. Each has its own principles but they'll achieve the same goal of guiding you on the path of creating wealth. It's one of those books that I wish I'd read sooner but also wish I had when I was in high school. So much good information and inspiration, I can see myself rereading this one at least once a year.
Profile Image for Abraham Williamson.
3 reviews1 follower
Read
June 26, 2015
Inspirational

Dr. Kimbro knows exactly who his audience is and provides excellent use of narratives to outline 7 Laws of Wealth. His inside look at Black Financial Elite is illuminating and convicting
6 reviews
November 2, 2020
Truly an inspiring and knowledgeable piece of literature. I was happy to learn more about Black millionaires that have not been featured in mainstream media but important nonetheless. A quick read at 283 pages.
Profile Image for Aaron Bolin.
Author 1 book9 followers
April 11, 2016
Did not hold my interest. Never finished the book.
Profile Image for LaTricia Frederick.
12 reviews2 followers
January 24, 2016
Very inspirational and great examples of triumph over circumstance. If you have goals outside of your current situation, this is a great read to spark ideas and get you going.
Profile Image for Darrell.
11 reviews
April 4, 2015
This is a great read. I've learned more from the pages (financially) than I have in the past 30 years of life.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 52 reviews

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