dfree® celebrates Juneteenth by liberating thousands from debt

(SOMERSET, N.J. – May 27, 2021) Removing the shackles of debt might be the best tribute to African American ancestors who were enslaved and didn’t learn of their freedom until nearly 3 years after the Emancipation Proclamation, on Juneteenth. The dfree® financial freedom movement encourages those in need to join the dfree® Academy, starting June 19, for free, interactive online guidance on eliminating debt and jumpstarting a new life by Labor Day.

“Juneteenth is the perfect time to make this commitment, to change mindsets and to create healthy financial habits. We’re making it as easy and informative as possible, and people’s lives will be changed in the dfree® Academy this summer,” said dfree® Global Foundation, Inc., Founder DeForest B. Soaries, Jr. “The racial wealth gap in America is insurmountable unless Black people take difficult yet manageable steps to conquer debt and change the trajectory.”

According to the Federal Reserve, at the end of 2020, whites, who make up about 60% of the population, owned 84% of household wealth in America while Blacks, who make up about 13% of the population, owned only 4%. Recent studies also have shown that the COVID-19 pandemic has had disproportionately, devastating effects on Blacks and other people of color.

dfree® Executive Director Tamika Stembridge, Esq., said, “We plan to make June 19, 2021 the beginning of an economic resurgence in Black America where savings, investing and ownership are all realized. We are starting new traditions of generational wealth and renewed give-back spirits whereby entire communities benefit.”

Juneteenth enrollment in the dfree® Academy includes a free workbook and facetime with the financial freedom movement founder and his team. The Academy is a supportive community whereby participants share life lessons and tips. In addition to being free, the program is unique in that it looks beyond bank accounts to addressing the cultural, psychological and spiritual influences on financial wellness. dfree® is also a partner in the Juneteenth Unity Fest, a national livestream event conceived by Grammy-nominated Artist Robert Randolph.

About dfree®:

Founded in 2005 and run by the dfree® Global Foundation, Inc., dfree® is a financial freedom movement that addresses the cultural, psychological and spiritual influences on financial wellness and offers practical strategies for achieving financial success. dfree® was featured by CNN in a 90­-minute documentary, "Almighty Debt," an installment of the "Black in America" series. The dfree® strategy is being used by hundreds of churches and organizations worldwide. In Spring 2021, 125 dfree® Academy graduates started their freedom journeys to debt-free living. For more information about dfree® visit www.mydfree.org and follow #mydfree #financialfreedom #intheblack on social platforms.

About Soaries:

Rev. Dr. DeForest B. Soaries Jr. is known as an active agent for change and is a widely requested speaker. He is the Senior Pastor of First Baptist Church of Lincoln Gardens in Somerset, New Jersey and former New Jersey Secretary of State. His pastoral ministry focuses on spiritual growth, educational excellence, economic empowerment and faith-based community development. Soaries, author of Say Yes to No Debt: 12 Steps to Financial Freedom, has issued a Billion Dollar Challenge as a national initiative and free resource to help individuals and families collectively pay down millions in consumer debt.