Atlanta rappers Killer Mike & T.I. along with other local talent created and celebrated a campaign launched earlier this month aimed at bolstering black-owned financial institutions after multiple high-profile police killings raised awareness of institutional inequality.
So far it appears that the 95 year old Citizens Trust Bank, based in Atlanta is the campaigns reigning beneficiary. With branches scattered through Georgia and Alabama CTB reported a surge of over 8,000 new accounts in recent days. Along with help from the high-profile Atlanta based artists taking to social media, the campaign is thriving across the country. Several Houston area performers such as Slim Thug, Paul Wall, Willie D, Trae The Truth, and others opened accounts at Texas’ Unity National Bank.
A main catalyst in the movement, Killer Mike, called into the July 8th airing of BET News Town Hall Meeting to implore the black community to deploy "a portion" of its financial resources to make a difference. "We cannot go out in the street and start bombing, shooting and killing," the rapper said during the town hall. "I encourage none of us to engage in acts of violence that will cause more peril to our community and others that look like us. I encourage us to take our warfare to financial institutions."
The objective of the campaign is to bring together the black communities’ economics collectively, to help businesses grow and help people obtain home loans. “That brings them closer to the American dream," said Frederick Daniels Jr., executive vice president and chief credit officer of Citizens Trust Bank. “The bank is at the center of a "true movement. We're providing a tangible solution for those who want action."
To learn more about the campaign follow the hashtag: #BankBlackBankSmallBankLocal. To find a minority bank near you we’ve attached the following link: MINORITY OWNED DEPOSITORY INSTITUTIONS and THEIR BRANCHES as of March 31, 2016