Spring was in full bloom on Thursday, April 10th as Hyde Park Bank transformed into a powerhouse hub for financial growth and sisterhood at the A World of OppHERtunities Networking Soiree. Presented by the Black Women Professionals League (BWPL), this South Side gathering lived up to its theme: As Strong As the Woman Next to Me — and the women in the room came ready to build wealth together.
Reese LaFrances opened the night with a dynamic fireside chat featuring Chicago City Treasurer Melissa Conyears-Ervin, a woman who’s made history and continues to break barriers. In 2019, Conyears-Ervin became the first African American woman elected as City Treasurer without appointment — and she hasn’t stopped trailblazing since.
Born in Englewood and raised on the West Side by a single mother, Conyears-Ervin rose through the ranks of corporate America, earning her MBA from Roosevelt University — which, as she proudly shared, was paid for by her company. With 15 years of experience as an executive in the financial services industry, she later became a state legislator and championed education and childcare services, helping secure $221 million in funding for Chicago Public Schools.
At the soiree, she made her mission as Chicago City Treasurer clear: “My role is to make you money, not take money from your pockets.”
As custodian of more than $10 billion in public funds for the City of Chicago, Conyears-Ervin also serves as a trustee for four of the city’s pension funds. But what resonated most was her real-talk approach to money, mindset, and motivation.
Sharing wisdom from her own journey, Conyears-Ervin encouraged women to own the rooms they walk into, even when they don’t meet all the qualifications.
“A man will apply if he meets one out of ten requirements. We won’t apply if we don’t meet all ten. We’ve been programmed not to brag — but it’s not bragging if it’s a fact. If you don’t sell yourself, no one else will.”
When it comes to finances, Treasurer Conyears-Ervin believes in flipping the script on traditional advice.
“I don’t believe in living within your means. I believe in living below your means.”
She dropped practical tips for smart spending, warned against spending more to impress others, and emphasized the importance of investing in your own household before someone else’s. She also encouraged guests to tap into local resources like the Business Affairs and Consumer Protection (BACP) and the Department of Procurement Services (DPS) to help fuel their business or professional journey.
The conversation didn’t end with the Treasurer. Attendees were treated to an expert panel moderated by Lauren Brown Jordan, founder of May Sweets, a delicious Chicago-based bakery that’s as sweet as its mission.
The panel featured four powerhouse women in finance:
- Deja Warner – Warner Accounting & Tax Services
- Amber Crew – The Credit Effect
- Jessica McKinley – Lifeline Solutions LLC
- Laparis Montgomery – Primerica Financial Services & Investments
From mastering your credit to building your financial dream team, each panelist shared insights that could transform your finances. Deja Warner, for example, broke down the difference between a bookkeeper and an accountant, stressing how important it is to know what counts as a legit business expense.
“Ask yourself: Is it ordinary and necessary?” she said, referencing IRS guidelines that every business owner should understand.
The panel reminded guests that financial literacy is not just for April — it’s a lifelong commitment. Whether you’re building your business, managing your household finances, or simply learning to make your money make sense, the resources are out there — and events like this make sure our community gets connected.
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