In celebration of National Black Awareness Day, PagBank, one of the main digital banks in Brazil, launched the “Vozes que Inspiram” program. Available on the company’s official YouTube channel, the series addresses the impact of financial education on black and peripheral communities, highlighting stories of overcoming and initiatives that promote inclusion and social equality.
The first episode brings together Gilson Rodrigues, president of G10 Favelas; Suéli Feio, co-founder of the Costurando Sonhos Brasil initiative; and Mari Ferreira, specialist in financial education and author of the book Tostão Furado – From Zero to Financial Freedom. The mediation is led by Carol Gomes, member of PagBank’s Financial Education and Investments team.
During the episode, Gilson shared his experience leading G10 Favelas, highlighting projects such as the Favelas Stock Exchange and the G10 Bank. Suéli brought insights into how entrepreneurship empowers women in the community of Paraisópolis, in São Paulo, through Costurando Sonhos Brasil. Mari reinforced the transformative role of financial education.
“We are very proud to launch the ‘Vozes que Inspiram’ project, which seeks to create a welcoming space to discuss financial inclusion and amplify the voice of leaders who have overcome social and economic challenges”, comments Letícia Andrade, Financial Education and Investments manager at PagBank. “By sharing these real stories of overcoming, we are strengthening the community of support and learning that promotes transformation and equity.”
The launch of the series on Black Awareness Day reinforces the importance of debating social and racial justice in Brazil. According to data from PNAD 2023, although 52% of entrepreneurs are black, 82% of them still do not have a CNPJ, highlighting inequalities that hinder access to formalization and economic opportunities. Furthermore, the Afro-entrepreneur movement, responsible for generating R$1.73 trillion per year, is also highlighted as essential in combating these inequalities.
“PagBank values, supports and encourages the economic development of these communities”, adds Andrade. “The ‘Vozes que Inspiram’ project offers a direct connection with leaders who drive social transformation, providing knowledge, financial education and inspiration to overcome financial barriers and promote equality.”
The episode and other content about financial education are available on the PagBank YouTube channel.
