Name: Malcolm Harris
Profession: Lead at National Care Financial Group
Age: 30
One Word That Describes You: Courageous
Recently featured on Oprah Winfrey’s The Life You Want Tour, Malcolm Harris has overcome extreme adversity in his life. Leading two financial services firms – an insurance agency and a wealth management firm – Harris helps all people but specializes in helping people with chronic health conditions (such as HIV) and special needs dependents plan for their financial future. Harris’s firms have grown tremendously in the last few years and now serve clients in 13 states. Previously a management consultant for Deloitte & Touche and a finance professional at the World Bank, Harris is using his experience to provide a welcoming place for many in need of his services.
Diagnosed with HIV, Harris entered into the financial services because he saw a niche market for those suffering from chronic health conditions. “When I was diagnosed I knew that, like with many chronic health conditions, HIV was no longer a death sentence,” Harris tells BE Modern Man. “However, I also knew I could have potentially higher than normal long-term care costs due to my condition.”
Whether it is uncertainty about how you will care for yourself if you get Alzheimer’s or have a stroke, or concerns about how your special needs loved one will be taken care of when you pass away, we all have unique financial concerns. Realizing that many others shared similar concerns, Harris began his journey. “My health condition opened my eyes to my life’s purpose which is helping people build financial security and create wealth.”
Working professionally for top finance companies like The World Bank and Deloitte have been a blessing in Harris’s
career development, but he still had to face the challenge of building clients’ trust due to his age. Overcoming this challenge one client at a time, Harris says “The quality of our work continues to inspire clients to refer their family and friends. Everyday my offices are contacted by more people than we can accept.”Read more on page 2…
Refusing to limit his vision of who he is and what is possible for his life, Harris readily acknowledges the importance of assisting people. “Build your career around helping people solve big challenges, and you will always be in high demand,” Harris tells BE Modern Man. But building a business requires building capitol as well. “If you have limited capital, don’t try to reinvent the wheel,” says Harris. He suggest replicating a business model that is already working in your target industry, and then improve upon it.
When the queen of all things media comes calling, you don’t hesitate. Being asked by Oprah to share such a personal story during her The Life You Want tour, was one of the most challenging moments Harris had ever faced. “I had been open with people about overcoming the shame of being HIV positive, but never on a platform of that scale,” says Harris. “Oprah is a wonderfully warm and authentic person, which instantly made me comfortable.”
Oprah’s warmth and authenticity is welcoming, but mainstream media, and people still continue to stereotype individuals living with HIV. “I am a black, gay, HIV positive man who owns two successful financial services firms and has shared the stage with Oprah Winfrey,” Harris tells BE Modern Man. Healthy, supported by his community, and with love all around him, Harris’s story challenges so many stereotypes. “It gives people hope for what’s possible for their own lives.”
In a position to help many people, and more specifically those with chronic conditions, Harris feels stronger than ever. “Being a BE Modern Man means living your life unapologetically and authentically,” says Harris. “He is always willing to seize opportunities to empower others to do the same for their lives.”
The BE Modern Man team salutes Malcolm Harris for making it his business to help the undeserved population of people with chronic conditions plan and secure their futures. Educating clients on the long-term care costs associated with chronic conditions will have a positive impact on our communities, and we thank Harris for providing the education and resources.
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