On November 9, 2013, Hip Hop Sisters Network, founded by MC Lyte, partnered with BET and Soul Train to put on an upbeat and empowering event in Las Vegas entitled the “Women, Wealth and Relationships Panel.”  Panelists included MC Lyte, Lil Mama, April Daniels, Charlie Baltimore, Sheree Fletcher,  Jaime Primak, Keshia Walker, YoYo, and Dr. Farrah Gray with celebrity financial coach Lynn Richardson as the event’s moderator.

  Panelists came together to help women gain knowledge of very truthful and practical methods of managing their finances, creating wealth, money as it pertains to relationships, and discovering your purpose. Among questions raised included: Can a man make more money than you? Should couples have joint banking accounts, separate banking accounts, or both? and Should partners enter into prenuptial agreements before marriage?

  As the celebrity panelists drew upon personal experiences in the entertainment industry, high profile relationships, dating both highly successful men and not so successful men, the answers given were incredibly funny, sensible and wise. Financial coach Lynn Richardson, who for many years has worked with Russell Simmons as the Chief Operations Executive for his Hip Hop Summit Action Network, presented hard truths wrapped with endearing humor and love to where it made you feel as though it were coming from family. Some practical advice given was Lynn’s “10-10-30-50” rule which when broken down is a guideline for successful spending habits translating into “Tithe-Save-CashOnHand-CheckingAccount.” Additional advice that had the crowd roaring was Lynn’s “Universal Purse Test,” in which she advises that if you can’t keep the same amount of money that your purse cost inside of it on a regular basis, than you have no business purchasing that purse! 

 There were so many “ah ha” moments throughout the discussions and priceless advice given--for free! MC Lyte and the Hip Hop Sisters Network are truly making a positive difference in the lives of women worldwide. After the event, panelists graciously hung around to take pictures, sign autographs and chit chat with audience members, sending women away, educated, empowered, excited and better equipped to realize their dreams in both financial freedom and loving relationships.