Melanin Money
2026 Inaugural Class — Nominations Open
The
Melanin Money 100
100 names. One standard. Built on impact & legacy.
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About the MM100
Some lists celebrate fame.
This one celebrates receipts.
The Melanin Money 100 is an annual recognition of 100 wealth builders, founders, leaders, and community changemakers who are doing the real work of closing the wealth gap. Not self-nominated. Not popularity-voted. Hand-selected by the MM100 Board of Trustees based on demonstrated impact, wealth-building achievement, and community influence.
Presented by Melanin Money — a financial education and wealth community on a mission to close the racial wealth gap by $100 billion — the MM100 exists to set the cultural standard for what purposeful wealth leadership actually looks like. These are the people building something that outlives them.
George & Carter — Founders, Melanin Money
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How Selection Works
Earned, not given
The MM100 uses a two-track model — public nominations from the community, plus a dedicated Selection Council that proactively identifies leaders across every category. Every name is evaluated against the same standard.
Track One
Public Nominations
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The community surfaces names that might otherwise go unrecognized. Anyone can nominate a wealth builder, founder, investor, or leader they believe belongs on this list.
Track Two
Selection Council
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A curated group of industry leaders and operators who proactively identify and nominate candidates based on direct knowledge of impact across each Wealth Pillar c.
Final Review
One Standard for All
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Every candidate — regardless of how they were surfaced — is evaluated against the same criteria by the Selection Council. The strongest 100 make the list. No exceptions.