Bryce Thompson
Three months since the Black Lives Matters protests started and people are still rallying together every single day on behalf of the past and future Black people who have fallen victim to police violence.
The riots that have ensued following what is considered the largest movement in American history, with an estimated 15 million-26 million person turnout, have been felt in almost every major city in the country. With the latest viral video of Jacob Blake being shot 7 times by a police officer at the Kenosha Police Department circulating, some people are wondering if their voices are being heard. So during a time when Black men feel like we have a target on our backs, it’s integral that Black men who have access and resources become agents of change and shift the narrative in our community.
This is why Bryce Thompson, a successful 24 year old entrepreneur, has stepped up to be on the forefront of that change. Despite his current success, however, Thompson is no stranger to stepping up to the plate in the face of adversity. After nearly missing out on the opportunity to attend college at Morehouse College in Atlanta due to financial constraints, his uncle generously offered to pay his way. Now, at only 24 years old, Thompson is in a position to follow suit of his uncle and pave the way for others who may be facing similar challenges by providing $100,000 in scholarships to ten students attending HBCUs this fall.
Thompson’s time at Morehouse, also an HBCU, was spent well, making the Dean’s List every semester. After being offered many promising internships and working in the engineering field, Thompson learned that he was not interested in climbing the corporate ladder. Instead, he found his calling in carving his own path to financial success and helping others to do the same. Thompson’s older brother, who has served as his lifelong role model, introduced him to cryptocurrency and investing which not only sparked Thompson’s interest, but held it in a way that nothing ever had before. This newfound venture catapulted Thompson into a career path that would soon make him a 20’s-something Black millionaire who had his eyes set on helping others to achieve success.
As he continued to develop his knowledge, what started as giving people advice about investing quickly turned into a passion for helping to position others for financial success. Thompson knew that his life path would be teaching others how to make their money work for them through cryptocurrency and investment strategies. Thompson, his brother Branden Thompson, and four of Thompson’s closest friends (Nathan Samuel, Reynaldo Perez, Joshua Stewart and Ian Jackson) built TradeHouse while they were all still students at Morehouse (excluding Branden). TradeHouse rapidly went from hosting small-scale events and one on one meetings with their fellow peers at Morehouse to hosting international events and building a group of 75,000 people and counting in 10+ countries who rely on TradeHouse to teach them how to become financially literate.
While TradeHouse is there for everyone, it was designed to “educate those who had been traditionally disenfranchised with a platform that provides them with economic and social advancement.” explained Thompson.
As TradeHouse continues to impact the lives of people around the world, Thompson’s desire to give back keeps burning. In a philanthropic and timely move, Thompson’s decision to fund $100,000 in scholarships specifically to HBCU students speaks volumes.
“I strongly believe that HBCUs assist in the BLM movement by providing a safe and culturally aware learning environment which better educates and prepares young black men and women to attain high level positions.” said Thompson. “This puts them in a position to serve not only their communities, but the world at large through the skills they acquire while attending these sacred institutions.”
Thompson’s close call at not being able to attend Morehouse College helped him relate to others who might not be able to receive a higher education at all.
“I realize there are people who don’t have a friend or family member that can step in and help the way my uncle did for me.” Thompson said. “I told myself that I would one day offer scholarships of my own to help students like myself avoid a similar situation.”
Thompson hopes to encourage people through his story and journey that they too can make a significant impact and hold important roles no matter their age, skin color, or circumstance. He wants to inspire people to go off the beaten path and create their own success through entrepreneurship. If Thompson could say one thing to young people it would be, “Your goals are your goals, and no-one else’s. Believe in your goals and the things that you do because what makes sense to you doesn’t have to make sense to anyone else.”
