Black History Month is a time of reflection and celebration. To honor the diverse people, history and culture that comprise the Black and African American community, we asked five J.P. Morgan Wealth Management advisors and leaders to bring in an object that’s important to them. Physical objects can hold a lot of meaning; they can inspire us, remind us of special memories or motivate us to do great things. They can also give us a glimpse into the values and wishes of the people who cherish them, which is what we were most interested in learning.

We spoke with five J.P. Morgan Wealth Management advisors and leaders across a range of professional experience levels and ages, including:

• Abe Touray, Wealth Advisor
• Cassandra Cyrius, Market Director – Wealth
• Joshua Allen, Market Director – Wealth
• Sophie Barnett, Wealth Advisor
• David Davis, Market Director – Wealth

Our conversations about valued keepsakes with Abe, Cassandra, Joshua, Sophie and David revealed a breadth of personal experiences, including why they chose to pursue a career here at JPMorganChase, what Black History Month means to them, what piece of advice they might give to a younger generation of Black professionals entering the workforce and more. 

Tell us a little bit about your background. Where did you grow up? What led you to pursue this career path?

I was born and raised in Gambia, a small country in sub-Saharan Africa known for its rich culture and history. Despite its size, Gambia instilled in me a strong sense of community and ambition. Thirteen years ago, I made the life-changing decision to immigrate to the United States on a president's scholarship, awarded to me for being the top student in my country. 

After coming to the U.S., I got my first job at a broker-dealer. This role was my introduction to the world of finance, and it was truly eye-opening. I realized that finance was not just about numbers; it was about understanding markets, building relationships and making strategic decisions. Driven by a desire to excel, I set my sights on joining a top-tier firm. Ten years ago, I achieved that goal by joining J.P. Morgan, where I've been able to grow and thrive in a dynamic and challenging environment.

Thank you for sharing. That’s an incredible journey to have gotten to where you are today. What item did you bring today? And what does it mean to you?

I brought in a picture that I took with our Chairman and CEO Jamie Dimon. And the reason is because of the significance of the moment when it was taken. At that point, I had been a banker for eight years. And we're all ranked monthly and yearly, and the top bankers in the country get a moment to be recognized. That year about 500 of the top bankers in the country were together in Miami at a national sales conference. The top 100 of the 500 were in what is called the President’s Club. And out of that top 100, only about 10 of us came on stage, and we knelt down alongside Jamie Dimon.

And I was right there. Shoulder-to-shoulder, knee-to-knee. And I thought: This is very significant to me. From what I just said about coming from one of the poorest countries in the world to being one of the top bankers in America. 

What does Black History Month mean to you?

When I was growing up, my parents sent me to private school, where there would be on average three Black children in my in my class, and I was one of them. So I remember Black History Month just being a month that we’d have to talk about Martin Luther King Jr., you know? I did not really grasp its importance at a young age.

Fast forward to college. I minored in anthropology because I wanted to understand people, with a focus on Black studies. I really wanted to get more in touch with my roots as a Black American from a Haitian household. Through my studies, I grew to understand and be proud of who I am and the rich and beautiful history I came from. I learned that we are resilient, strong, tenacious and brave. This knowledge gave me the confidence to always push to be the best that I can be. Now, Black History Month reminds me to look further into our history, mainly because it is truly American history. We have done so much and I’m excited for what is to come. I have an app on my phone that teaches me about a new historical figure every day. It’s absolutely fascinating! I would highly recommend everyone to do the same. I love understanding our wonderful history, learning about others and learning about my American history that I was not taught in school. So Black History Month, really – it’s a time highlighting what should be the standard or the norm of just knowing and understanding American people and culture.

Thanks for sharing! And can you tell me about the item that you brought in today? What does it mean to you?

I'm actually wearing the item. [laughs] Yep. It’s my shoes.

They're amazing.

Thank you. The reason I brought the shoes today is because they kind of resemble me. Like, if you look from the front, they look like regular, conservative, business formal, pointy black heels. But then when you look at them from the side, you can see that the heel is actually a red upside down rose. It may initially sound silly that I relate to a pair of shoes, but conceptually, these shoes are unique. When I was purchasing them, I was told that they are too daring, and I should find a style that conforms. But then I realized, everything about me is daring. Throughout my life, I gained most of my success by remaining authentic, without the intention of conforming. I wear these shoes to remind myself to always be me. I'm an anomaly, and in my opinion that’s pretty amazing.

What are some of the lessons you’ve learned throughout your career in financial services?

Throughout my career in financial services, I've learned that in this commoditized industry, the key to success is becoming indispensable to your clients. True value – or “alpha for an advisor” as some might call it – isn’t generated only through returns, but through the unique and essential support you provide to your clients and their families within various aspects of their lives. In this business, clients come first. Now, as a manager, I apply the same philosophy by striving to be indispensable and valuable to the advisors I support.

You sound like a really supportive manager. Can you tell me a little bit about the item you brought in today?

Absolutely. I brought in a photograph that holds significant meaning for me. It’s on my desk in my office, and every time I look at it, the word “legacy” comes to mind. The photo captures a moment at the Black Advisor Summit with two individuals who have been instrumental in my professional journey – Managing Director Franz Warren and Financial Advisor Jovan Fryar. Franz was the person who gave me my initial opportunity in this industry by hiring me as an advisor years ago. Jovan and I developed a strong bond after Franz brought him on board and had him spend time training with me. We connected instantly and have maintained a friendship ever since.

Years later, when I was invited to join the leadership team, Jovan had succeeded me in my previous role at the branch. To me, this photograph symbolizes a legacy or lineage within the industry – a continuous thread that began with Franz and extends through both myself and Jovan.

Can you tell me about the item that you brought in today? And what does it mean to you?

So, I brought this [holding up her item – blue, glinting in the light], which is a Chase pin. It was given to me by my former Market Director of Banking at a quarterly meeting he was hosting to kick the year off. I had just been on leave for four months, and this was my first day back at work. As soon as I walked into the room, he gave it to me, and it was so meaningful for several reasons.

At the time, I wasn't sure if I wanted to stay here. When I was on leave, I started questioning myself. Like, do I even belong there? I didn’t know if it was the right fit. But for my Market Director to have the foresight to give me a gift as soon as I walked into the room made me feel like – well of course I belong here! It was such a simple gesture for him. But to me, it meant the world.

Another reason I carry this pin around is because of what else happened that day. My Market Director played a video from the recent National Achievers Conference – and it actually featured Abe, who’s also here at this shoot today. And my Market Director came up to me at the end of the meeting and he said, “Sophie, that guy reminds me of you. The way you carry yourself, the way you speak – he reminds me of you.” And don't forget – at this point in time, I was wondering: Do I belong here? And now I'm hearing that not only do I belong here, but that I seem to have some similar characteristics as these people that are doing really, really well.

And I thought, you know what? It's okay. It's okay to be Sophie. Sophie kind of rocks. So, I carry this pin because of that. Because it reminds me that I do belong here. And that my Chase family really is the wind beneath my wings. And that I’m not doing the company any good by pretending that I'm not good in the areas that I'm good at.

That’s amazing! It’s wonderful to hear about coworkers and leaders being so supportive. Switching gears a little bit, what would you say is one of the best pieces of financial advice you've ever been given?

I don't know that I've ever been given financial advice that was impactful as much as what I saw. I was born in Kenya, and grew up there, and came to America for college. Growing up, I was in boarding schools my whole life, but when I’d come home on holiday, my parents were really big on allowing me to travel worldwide. My parents were strict, with their default answer being "no" to what felt like everything. But they’d never say no to giving me an allowance when traveling. The night before a trip I’d make a case for however much I wanted for my allowance. And dad's answer was always "yes" as long as I accounted for every single penny when I returned.

I think for me, that practice of accounting for every single penny taught me everything I needed to know about finance. I mean, I was the only kid I knew at eight, nine, ten years old on the side of the road, buying ice cream, and pocketing the receipt for it. I took the responsibility seriously! I got good at planning out what I wanted to buy in advance and I’d bring my dad home every bit of change with receipts to show what was spent. It was an excellent way to learn about budgeting, the act of conscious spending, and even foreign currency as some of my travel was international.

Can you tell me about the item you brought in today? What does it mean to you and why?

I have my Certified Financial Planner (CFP) certificate with me, which I framed. One of my proudest achievements is earning this certification. In an industry where less than 2% of professionals are African American CFPs, this accomplishment reflects both the progress we’ve made as well as the long road ahead. In my career I’ve learned that we must have a commitment to excellence, not only as it relates to our firm and clients, but also to ourselves.

Do you have any advice for future generations of Black professionals entering the workforce?

To future generations of Black professionals, I would say don’t be misled by the illusion of instant success portrayed on social media. To quote Emmitt Smith: “All men are created equal; some work harder in preseason.” This resonates with me because I believe that career growth is driven by the extra effort we put in, especially when no one is watching. It’s a marathon, not a sprint. There will be challenges along the way, but consistency, building relationships with mentors and continual self-education are key to staying ahead and achieving long-term success. Putting one foot in front of the other can lead you a long, long way.