About Us
Bridging Financial Gaps in the Community
We love financial literacy and educating our youth on positive money management practices.
Bridging Financial Gaps, Inc (BFG) is a financial literacy and empowerment non profit. We understand that integrity and dignity are closely linked to financial wellbeing and that black and brown communities have traditionally been left out of wealth building conversations. Therefore, our mission is to financially educate, encourage and empower disenfranchised communities.
Founded in 2020 during the Covid- 19 Pandemic, BFG, was birthed during a time when our nation was crippled with civil unrest. Our founder Shardea Ages and her business partner, Emma Foulkes decided to use their expertise as Certified Financial Planners ™ to provide a safe space for marginalized people to learn the tools necessary to reverse the curse known as generational poverty.
" When we lose wealth in our own inner city communities, its not a conspiracy; its often a lack of our own financial literacy"
John Hope Bryant
Our Founders
Shardea M. Ages, CFP®
Chairwomen
Shardea has 12 years of financial services experience. Her zeal for developing and maintaining strong client relationships gives her keen insight in helping clients develop their short- and long- term financial objectives and adjust their strategy, as the inevitable changes in life occur.
Actively involved in the community, Shardea participates in Pro-Bono financial planning workshops and speaks on panels about financial management and the importance of changing one’s mindset around money. Shardea has served on the Board of The Community Foundation for Financial Literacy, Demanding Artistic Excellence, Theater Company and currently serves as Finance Chair for NAMI Dekalb. Originally from Detroit, Michigan, Shardea lives with her husband, Clinton Ages in Atlanta, Georgia.
Emma I . Foulkes, CFP®
Secretary
Dedicated, passionate, and convicted, Emma Foulkes knew that there was another path she needed to forge after serving in the military, earning a degree in Computer Science, and working in a male-dominated, captive environment. Emma embraces the communities of people who don't otherwise have equal representation. With 20 years of financial services experience. she has leveled the playing field and given them an advocate.
Originally from New York, Emma lives in Atlanta with her wife, Petrina Bloodworth and son Rai.