La La Anthony, TV star and author of “The Power Playbook,” talks about financial literacy, mentorship, and creating pathways to opportunity for underserved communities.
When you wrote “The Power Playbook,” what did you feel was missing from most conversations around success and financial independence?
I thought a lot about what role honesty plays in success and financial independence. People love to glamorize the positive outcomes, but there aren’t enough conversations about the mindset, discipline, and strategy it takes to get there. There wasn’t a “playbook” breaking down the good, the bad, and the ugly when it comes to reaching your financial and business goals, especially for women, and even more so, women of color. Women should know that success isn’t just about earning. It is a practice in boundaries, ownership, and knowing your worth in every room you walk into.
How has your time working with young people at Rikers Island influenced the way you think about access to financial opportunity?
Talent and ambition are everywhere, but access is not. Many of the young men I work with were never exposed to basic financial tools or generational wealth. It’s not that they don’t have potential. It is that the system is built so that they don’t have the opportunity to learn. This really pushes me to emphasize introducing financial literacy conversations while they are incarcerated, so when they are released, their ambition isn’t hindered by something that can so easily be taught.
What does financial education look like in environments where traditional systems haven’t worked for people?
It’s about meeting people where they are. Conversations can start simply, like talking about budgeting when you’re living paycheck to paycheck, or how to build credit when no one in your family has done it before. You can’t just throw terms like “investments” and “credit scores” at people without context. The conversation starts with “What do you want for your life?” Then, it builds from there. It has to feel possible, not overwhelming.
Through your work with the ThreeSixty Program, what have you seen that most directly changes someone’s trajectory?
I think that mentorship and consistent positive reinforcement are key. When people have someone who truly believes in them, sometimes before they even believe in themselves, it can shift everything. It’s about reminding them that their past doesn’t define their future. I’ve seen so many young people carry labels or mistakes like they’re permanent, and I want to help them rewrite that narrative. When you surround someone with guidance, encouragement, and real support, you’re not just opening doors. You’re helping them see that they deserve to walk through them.
What responsibilities do you think individuals with platforms have when it comes to expanding access and opportunity in finance?
If you have a platform, you have a responsibility, period. No one will learn from you if you just share your wins without being honest about your losses. Responsibility can look different for people. It can be everything from sharing resources you have found helpful, to investing in communities beyond your own, to mentoring those who look up to you, or even just being transparent about your journey so others can learn from it. In order to celebrate success, we have to create pathways for others to get there.
What does it look like for a woman to fully own her financial power, beyond just earning money?
A woman fully owning her financial power goes way beyond just earning money. It’s about control, confidence, and clarity. It means understanding where your money is going, making decisions that align with your goals, and not being afraid to negotiate, invest, or walk away from situations that don’t serve you. It’s also about independence, and knowing that you’re not relying on anyone else to secure your future.
