Wealth I Am

05/10/2026

Self-Discovery. There’s nothing like it. It’s a different type of learning when someone tells you WHAT you need to do vs you coming to that realization on your own. At times, even while guided, it sticks more when you learn via your own lived experience.

Continuing to share insight as my director and I rehearse our one-woman show “Wealth I Am Money Stories”.

The next completed and fully memorized monologue is:
“WANTS VS. NEEDS (A PREGNANT LADY'S PERSPECTIVE)”

Reflection while rehearsing:

Highlighting the character’s moments of self-discovery. From the simple (her figuring out the words to the National Anthem while singing it) to the monumental (her revealing her baby’s gender, while realizing her fears, then confidence).

While the show’s money stories themselves are important financial learning lessons, the play’s moments of self-discovery also become powerful teaching tools.

(Photo: My daughter discovering how to write her name in cursive for the first time. And it had to be in my script.)

04/06/2026

The next piece that's short and sweet and now fully memorized (in preparation for Wealth I Am's one woman show):

MONEY. SO WHY THEATRE?

Synopsis:

This spoken word piece takes you on a journey with money personified. Money is…many things. And you better listen up because we’ve got a lot to say.

Reflection while memorizing:

While reading the words “Money is” repeated many times during this piece, I started to think about what money could be. Future thinking is powerful and motivating and the essence of creating what we want tomorrow to look, feel and taste like. I’m evoking my five senses now, and look forward to using all of them when rehearsing this piece again.

04/04/2026

It’s FACEBOOK CHALLENGE time!

Some good news: Wealth I Am is prepping to launch a one woman show that strings together various monologues I’ve written over the years. Monologues stem from interviews with friends of Wealth I Am and/or workshop participants about their financial learning lessons. Some stories are my own learning lessons. Poems are sprinkled in too.

In February, I presented a reading of the entire script to a small audience for feedback. (See picture below)

Many thanks to my inspiring director, Jazzma Pryor, for helping me get to this point. Another heartfelt thanks to Fleetwood-Jourdain Theatre for sharing cherished rehearsal space with us.

NEXT STEP: Memorization before staging this in the very near future. (You will of course know when!) This is no easy feat. Consider yourselves looped into the journey. After memorizing each piece, I will reflect here on that story.

Memorized so far (drum roll please…)

THE FINE PRINT

Synopsis:

We’ve all been there. Breezed through that fine print of “what do these words even mean!” before a financial transaction. Hear from a one no nonsense bad a** Professor on how to read your fine print without losing your mind.

Reflection while memorizing:

If only I had this professor sitting next to me to break down a couple previous financial transactions I regret. Shoulda, woulda, coulda….This piece could easily pull you in that direction. But the comedy sprinkled throughout brings this sense of relief: “Okay. Can’t rewind what’s done. But I’ll give myself grace and be ready for next time.”

10/05/2024

2024 Registration is Now Open!
Save the Date: October 15-18, 2024

Don’t miss out on the 10th anniversary of the leading industry event on . FIW is a unique chance to meet peers, share innovative solution and learn from new perspectives, and collectively discuss the future of . Register today to view our exciting live agenda and get ready for a week of thought-provoking and insightful learnings.

View the agenda and register for : https://bit.ly/CFI-FinclusionWeek

Hosted by Accion and the Center for Financial Inclusion.

IMPORTANT NOTE: Wealth I Am is in the line up of speakers with videos available on demand and at your convenience. You can access our video as early as TUESDAY, OCT 8 by:

1) Registering via the link above (You can do this now!)

2) Access our video (& others) on or after Oct. 8 here: https://app.swapcard.com/event/financial-inclusion-week-2024/planning/UGxhbm5pbmdfMjE2Njg4Ng==

10/01/2024

Decisions. Decisions...The attached is our favorite quote on the subject.

We just dropped our newsletter to our website subscribers where the theme was financial decision-making. We touched on our techniques to help address money shame and/or guilt often attached with decisions already made. We also announced our calendar openings for booking workshops. (Virtual or in person).

To receive the latest newsletter and stay up-to-date on any future ones, please subscribe via our website by:

-Visiting wealthiam.net
-Scroll down the Home page
-Fill out details under “Join the Money Story Movement”

05/11/2024

Oh so official press. Owwww....

Public staged readings of three new plays by Chicago-based African American playwrights: Jessica Posey, Michael Jones, and Nehanda Loiseau Julot; directed by Melissa Golden, Jamal Howard,…

05/07/2024

I recently dusted off a play I wrote that ties to my money story, then put it out in the world again. Proud to say it's being featured as part of City of Evanston Illinois GovernmentFleetwood-Jourdain Theatre Gloria Bond Clunie Playwright's Festival. Flyer for the festival is attached. Please support this amazing initiative!
Direct link for tickets: https://apps.cityofevanston.org/webtrac/wbwsc/webtrac.wsc/search.html?module=PST&display=detail

They are also seeking actors for auditions for all the plays in the festival.

Please follow this link to submit: (It's also a QR code on the flyer.)
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfLatgZAURg95uUG1x3gHZu6M5Mnc-6sO7adUcv5YyzC2RFwg/viewform?pli=1

AUDITION DEADLINE THIS FRIDAY, MAY 10

Your gifts!

04/12/2024

If in the Chicagoland area....

Join this two part series on Wellness

EVENT 1: April 30, 6-7:30pm CST
Financial Empowerment through Storytelling
(Featuring moi! Flyer below.)

EVENT 2: May 23, 6-7:30pm CST
Mental Health Wellness Workshop
(Featuring Damita Cravens, LPC with Center for Mental Resilience)

Location: Evanston Main Library

COST: FREE

02/27/2024

Aging…a topic as taboo and emotional as money. THIS Saturday I am participating in a retreat organized by the fabulous D. Marie Brumfield and Flossmoor Community Church called “Aging Grace”. The theme will be planning, caregiving, and aging together. Keynote speaker is geriatrician and award-winning author Dr. Cheryl Woodson

Some organizations present with resources to help protect your aging loved ones will be:
Five Wishes
Illinois Department on Aging
Illinois Attorney General

My involvement is performing TRUE stories from the audience about aging as part of Chicago Playback Theatre Ensemble

Breakfast and lunch provided
FREE Event with $10 suggested donation.

If in the Chicagoland area, JOIN US!
Register in advance here: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/5080D4EADA72CA2F85-47836616-aging

SATURDAY, MARCH 2
9-2pm
Flossmoor Community Church Community House
847 Hutchison Road
Flossmoor, IL 60422

08/01/2023

It’s Money Storytelling Time!

Always excited to highlight dynamic, award-winning storytellers like THE MELDA BEATY. Not to be missed! Her play "Thirty" is having a free reading THIS Friday, August, 4 at Logan Center for the Arts in Chicago (Room 501). MUST get there by 5:30pm. Limited seating.

“Thirty” is a part of Definition Theatre

About the Play:
It's Sister's 75th birthday celebration at Pine Gardens Nursing Home, and her granddaughters shower her with scheduled love and care. This year, each granddaughter was willed an inheritance, but Sister's selective memory, sharp tongue, and family secrets refuse to give up the money. The granddaughters are running out of time and patience and need their share now more than ever.

This past weekend I chatted with Melda about the play and much more. Watch here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jsxalp-zMXM

Follow Melda's work on:
Facebook: Melda Potts Beaty
Instagram:
Twitter: