Jeffery Robinson is the Senior Program Director at Build Wealth MN, where he leads financial education, coaching, workforce development, and housing counseling programs that help families build stability and generational wealth. His work is rooted in his personal mantra: “Because Somebody Did It for Me.”
A graduate of the University of Minnesota–Morris, Jeffery co-founded Imani, a student organization supporting Black men on a predominantly white campus. Before joining Build Wealth, he spent over 20 years as a Senior Quality Control Mortgage Underwriter, evaluating mortgage-backed securities across the U.S., Puerto Rico, and abroad, experience that gave him a deep understanding of the financial barriers families face.
Jeffery first came to Build Wealth as a client seeking support for his own family. Inspired by the transformation he experienced, he became a volunteer, contractor, coach, and ultimately Senior Program Director, now helping thousands move toward financial stability.
When he’s not meeting with clients or strengthening programs, you’ll find Jeffery running the trails of Minneapolis and St. Paul, training for his next marathon, both in life and on the pavement.
Eric Howell is a seasoned executive, entrepreneur, workforce strategist, and innovator with over 15 years of experience advancing economic empowerment and career mobility across diverse communities. As the Senior Innovation & Expansion Director at Build Wealth MN, he oversees the flagship Pathways to Increase Employment & Earnings Potential (PEEP) workforce program and has been instrumental in taking Build Wealth’s Financial Stabilization Program Online curriculum to national scale.
Eric leads statewide and national strategies that integrate workforce development, financial wellness, and technology—strengthening talent pipelines and expanding opportunities for individuals and families. Prior to this role, he served as Director of Workforce, Wealth, and Housing Solutions, and Operations at the Urban League Twin Cities, and he is the founder of the Urban Tech Institute, a virtual IT training school supporting learners of African descent.
A dynamic national and international speaker and professional actor, Eric engages audiences with powerful insights on leadership, innovation, motivation, and community transformation. Passionate about creating sustainable pathways to success, he champions collaborative solutions that uplift families, strengthen organizations, and drive measurable, lasting change.
Guests:
Jeffery Robinson | Senior Program Director https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeffery-robinson-905643206/
Eric Howell | Innovation and Development Strategist | Career and Organizational Management Consultant | Public Speaker & Facilitator | Educator https://www.linkedin.com/in/ericchowell/
Host:
Jay Olson - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jayolson/
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May 21 20261 hr and 1 min