Chase Your Dreams with Shelia Anderson
By Tabitha Ervin,
Editorial Director
As a part of JPMorgan Chase’s $30 Billion Racial Equity Commitment to drive inclusive economic growth among Black, Hispanic and Latino communities, the company has hired a team of experts focused on the key drivers of the racial wealth gap. These new leaders will connect the community to tools and resources focused on financial health, housing and small business.
This new role for the bank will place an emphasis on the financial health of underserved communities of color, working with local residents, businesses and the community to identify programming, resources and collaboration opportunities that address local needs.
For the Fort Wayne market, the Community Manager is none other than Sheila Anderson. She is one of 150 Community Managers that have been hired across the country since May 2020 when this initiative began.
The community manager's mission is to specifically to work with the community to increase awareness of and access to resources, financial health tools, and services.
As we highlight Black Girl Magic this month, I was able to connect with Sheila about her work in this role since she started it in 2021. Sheila and I have known each other for years through her volunteerism in the community. I actually never knew that she’s been in banking for 30 years and always thought she worked for a nonprofit since that’s how we’ve been connected.
Ervin: Thanks for talking and tell me more about your work in this new position?
Anderson: I feel that this job combines my life’s mission and all of my banking experiences into one to serve the Fort Wayne community. My family has been in Fort Wayne for 6 generations and starting with the first generation, we have helped each other and worked hard for what we have. We were taught to always give back and serve our community. It’s been an honor to be able to do that throughout my life and especially now through this new role at Chase Bank.
Ervin: So what exactly are you doing in the new role?
Anderson: My main focus is to reach out to the black and brown community to listen, provide resources and make connections. In doing so, this will help close the racial wealth gap. I am able to partner with Chase branch managers locally so they can provide, along with their team, expertise and resources to businesses and individuals alike. I am also a financial coach and 15 of my 30 years in banking have been doing financial education and providing people with resources and the support they need in their financial journey whether it’s budgeting, saving, credit, credit repair and more. I also get really excited about helping people and celebrating with them on their journey!
Ervin: This is great and thank you for your time! I can’t wait to see more of your work and how it impacts our community! How can people connect with you?
Anderson: I work out of an office on the south side and downtown so that I am easily accessible to all. And my contact info is attached.
Shelia Anderson, Community Manager
Sheila.anderson@chase.com
260-348-2285
204 E. Pettit Ave.
Fort Wayne, IN 46806
