Seeds of Fortune honors leaders at Wealth Exchange Awards in Harlem

Seeds of Fortune Inc. recognized executives, educators and community leaders at its 2026 Wealth Exchange Awards this spring at Chase Harlem Community Branch in New York City. The event spotlighted leaders advancing economic mobility, mentorship and community impact while reinforcing the nonprofit’s mission to connect students and young professionals to opportunity.

Why it matters: - The Wealth Exchange puts wealth-building, leadership and access to opportunity in one room. - Seeds of Fortune is using the event to connect executives and rising leaders with students and young professionals who need mentoring, networks and financial pathways. - The awards highlight people whose work is tied to economic mobility and community impact.

What happened: - Seeds of Fortune Inc. hosted the 2026 Wealth Exchange Awards this spring at the Chase Harlem Community Branch in New York City. - The event was led at the branch by Tanisha Ritter. - The program recognized executives, educators and community leaders across multiple award categories. - Nitiya Walker, founder and executive director of Seeds of Fortune Inc., said the Wealth Exchange is meant to bring together leaders shaping the future through mentorship, innovation and service.

The details: - Diana Franco, vice president at Innovation Industries and co-founder of CoreWoman, received the Business Community Award. - Tracyavon Ford, a social worker with My Sister’s Keeper and head of social work at Brooklyn Technical High School, received Educator of the Year. - Lyndia Hayden, senior director of Data Integrity & Equity Analytics at Mount Sinai Hospital, received a Partner Award. - Ashley Berg, director and head of human resources at 400 Capital Management, received a Partner Award. - Meghan Munchoff, partner and head of investor relations at 400 Capital Management, received a Partner Award. - Alexandra Marolda, director at Avison Young, received a RISE Corporate Community Award. - Lannia Small, senior director of partnerships at Candid, received a RISE Corporate Community Award. - Rashida Malcolm Bradley, an MBA and MS holder and healthcare executive and community impact leader, received a RISE Corporate Community Award. - Jay Srivats, managing director and head of structured finance and alternative investment funds, Americas, at S&P Global, received the HerWall St Award. - Pamela West, managing director of real estate impact investing at Nuveen, received Woman of the Year. - Michelle DeFossett, president of Girls Who Invest, received the Women of Color Creating Wealth Award. - Seeds of Fortune thanked Tanisha Ritter and the Chase Harlem Community Branch team for hosting the event under the theme “Power of Possible.” - The organization said the branch team’s work supports financial empowerment, community engagement and opportunities for future generations. - The event included executive networking and thought-provoking discussions focused on building wealth, creating opportunity and preparing the next generation of leaders.

Between the lines: - The Wealth Exchange is designed as more than a trophy moment. - The format blends recognition with learning and relationship-building, which suggests Seeds of Fortune is trying to turn awards into a working network. - The event also reinforces the nonprofit’s broader strategy of linking professional access with student economic mobility.

What's next: - Seeds of Fortune said it will continue helping students and young professionals move toward economic security through education, financial capability, professional development and access to transformative networks. - The organization will keep using its programs to connect participants with college guidance, scholarship support, financial literacy education, career readiness experiences and professional networks. - Seeds of Fortune says it has supported more than 4,000 students nationwide since founding and helped participants secure more than $114 million in scholarships and grants. - More information is available through the organization’s social media channels, Instagram page, Facebook page, YouTube channel, and TikTok account.

The bottom line: - Seeds of Fortune is framing the Wealth Exchange as a pipeline for leadership, not just an awards ceremony.