Wacinque Amistad Kaizen BeMende has been recognized with the American Legion High School Award Maplewood High Nashville TN, received Marine Corps Meritorious Mast, became a Trusty Shellback on USS Midway, received three Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Awards, named US Coast Guard Honorary member, Innovation Expert on NSF KnowHax Hackathon 2024 winning Team 19, on notable WSB 30 by 30 Financial Literacy-Education team, Wisconsin Governor Financial Educator of Year, FDIC Money Smart Instructor, named Upper Iowa University Alumnus of the Year in 2006 and 2016, actor in Veteran play for Veteran Telling Project El Paso TX, completed Oklahoma State University Veteran Entrepreneurship Program, University of Missouri EBV course, graduated Donna Ana Citizen Police Academy Class, Family to Family NAMI Instructor, Tree Steward Las Cruces NM, El Paso Veteran Court Mentor, graduated El Paso Neighborhood Leadership class. Served in the US Coast Guard Auxiliary, 2008 served on Laramie County, WY Head Start Policy Council Board, graduated from NAMI Family to Family class and Instructor course, graduated from Leadership Knoxville, Introduction to Knoxville Class, served as a Blount County United Way; Loaned Executive Officer 06, was elected Vice President of Upper Iowa University; International Alumni Association 04, and completed another year as an IRS Volunteer Income Tax Advisor. A Maryville Daily Times, Blount County “Person Who Matters”; a Blount County Red Cross “Local Hero”. Chosen Barnum & Bailey Ringling Brothers Circus “Three Rings Hero”, graduated Leadership Blount Class; Maryville College Champion, Alcoa Citizens Police Academy Graduate, Mentor and Advisor for Richard Williams Jr Youth Leadership Academy. Boards: East TN African American Economic Development Task Force, “211” Social Services; Knoxville Beck Cultural Exchange Center; Maryville College Multicultural Center Advisory; Blount County: He was Chairman of Blount County TN Community Development Credit Union; Blount County Historical Society; Alcoa TN Foothills Housing Development Board.
KaizenRhino Solutions International L3C
My 'why' for becoming a Personal Finance/Debt Management Educator and Tax Preparation Instructor is shaped by learning I was in the fourth generation, mired in poverty. My teachers knew my family and community poverty so my learning to read well was a critical skill, my first-grade teacher told me the Gemini Horoscope message was guidance for me, so read it every day. My second-grade teacher said the Gemini Space program was an example of why I needed to learn Science-Math-Economics so I would be prepared as a Gemini for future employment. I believed them! While at church surrounded by family, friends, and community members that I loved dearly, I overheard them speaking about being Dead Broke. I became motivated to do something to help so I studied Banking and Finance to learn about all things financial. Now my passion includes everyone that needs financial education support.
Wacinque AK BeMende is a visionary in financial education and systems thinking. As a problem solver and catalyst for change, Wacinque has developed groundbreaking products and services such as GPIA-DIV and GPIA-DIV Saver, which incorporate an Asset Ownership Standard. These innovations aim to tackle the seemingly insurmountable challenge of multi-generational poverty. Wacinque has dedicated his life to eradicating financial exclusion and eliminating the unbanked and underbanked population. His relentless commitment is driven by a passion for empowering individuals to take control of their financial futures. Through his novel model, he equips people with the necessary knowledge and tools to achieve economic independence. Believing in limitless financial empowerment, Wacinque inspires and educates others to break free from the constraints of financial insecurity. His innovative approach and unwavering dedication make him a transformative figure in the quest for economic justice and financial inclusion. . He received WI Governor Personal Finance Educator of Year Award.
