Village Talks Ep. 4 — Cliff Goins on Wealth, Nonprofits, and Building a Real Village

Village Talks Ep. 4 — Cliff Goins on Wealth, Nonprofits, and Building a Real Village

What’s up, fam—Damien here. Today’s conversation hit me in the gut (in the best way). My brother Cliff Goins IV—South Side native, Whitney Young alum, investor, and author—joins Village Talks to get real about economic agency, nonprofit clarity, and how the village shows up to build lasting wealth.

Cliff’s resume stretches from Northern Trust and Amazon to private equity and independent sponsorships (he recently closed his first acquisition ~100 days ago). He leads Ash Beach Companies, is a proud husband and dad, and—yes—he literally wrote the book on closing the wealth gap.

“Even if the chips are stacked against me… I can decide today to start implementing things that turn this around.”

Meet Cliff Goins IV

Roles: Investor/Operator (Independent Sponsor), Author, Finance–Ops–Strategy “dot-connector”
Roots: South Shore, Chicago | Whitney Young alum
Family: Married, two daughters (one at Howard University; one a HS senior)
Company: Ash Beach Companies (building a portfolio of private businesses)

The Book: Minding the Wealth Gap

Cliff’s book spotlights how we can close the ~$15T wealth gap—through entrepreneurship, real estate, and policy—told via a “day-in-the-life” of nine Black executives and founders. It’s a call for all Americans to play a role in closing the gap, not in 400 years—but now.

“I look at it as a really big American problem we can all help solve.”

Nonprofits: Think Like a Business (Cliff’s 4 Reminders)

1. Own the model.
   Choosing a 501(c)(3) is a business model choice—it means your revenue model is primarily fundraising/donations. Act accordingly.

2. You’re still a corporation.
   “Nonprofit corporation” isn’t just legalese. Build operations, systems, and excellence like any serious business.

3. Build a fundraising engine.
   Treat development as a machine: dedicated time/people, a real pipeline, follow-ups, and reporting.

4. Target with discipline.
   Stop scattershot asks. Map donors/funders whose values align with your mission, and work the right networks with clear, specific asks.

“Be strategic about who is inclined to place a bet on your mission. Alignment first, then the ask.”

Wearing Many Hats Without Confusing the Room

Cliff rejects the idea that you must be only one thing. He cites Range: Why Generalists Triumph in a Specialized World and frames his own lane as the intersection of finance, operations, and strategy.

Key: When you’re making an ask (customer, investor, donor), be specific about the value and leave other parts of your story off the table for that moment.

“I’m a dot-connector. In every organization, finance, ops, and strategy have to connect—that’s where value gets created.”

Village, Defined: Nothing Big Happens Alone

From personal mentors to professional partners, Cliff stresses that meaningful outcomes are village work—always. That’s cultural for us, and it’s strategic in business: partners on deals, mentors in your corner, networks that open doors.

How he shows up for the village:

• Supports youth-accelerating orgs like By The Hand Club for Kids and True Star Media.

• Serves Florida A&M University Foundation, helping manage ~$170–$180M in endowment funds and revamping budgeting to attract larger dollars for scholarships.

Personal Finance, Plain and Simple (Start Here)

Cliff keeps it 100:

• Spend less than you make. (Yes, it’s hard. Yes, it’s non-negotiable.)

• Stack the difference—every paycheck. Bank it, then invest it as you learn.

• Buy future flexibility. Stacking gives you options later—career moves, emergencies, investments.

• Make it a habit. Knowledge ≠ practice. Build the muscle now so “future you” says, thank you.

“After a few years working, I realized I had nothing stacked. That changed everything. We stacked every pay period. That’s the foundation.”

Magic Wand: Where Cliff Would Move the Needle

If he could change one thing fast? Dramatically increase Black participation across the private-company ecosystem—investors, analysts, operators, and employees.

The why: That’s where enormous wealth and ownership are created in America. Being in the room—and at the cap table—changes outcomes for families and communities.

Parting Word + A Nudge

“The best wealth is knowing who you are and what you’re here to do. Let that identity create platforms for material wealth—then keep stacking so you have options later.”

Cliff’s “commercial” (and my cosign):

• Book: Minding the Wealth Gap (paperback + audiobook)

• Connect:

  • LinkedIn: Cliff Goens IV

  • Instagram: @iamcliffgoensiv

Try This (Village Action Steps)

• Nonprofit leaders: Audit your development engine this week. Do you have a clear ICP, aligned prospect list, and a 30-day follow-up cadence?

• Households: Pick a stacking number per paycheck (even $25). Automate it. Increase quarterly.

• Leaders & funders: Put Black talent in deal rooms, diligence teams, and operating roles. Ownership follows exposure.

Watch the Episode / Join the Conversation

Got a takeaway from Cliff? A question on fundraising or stacking? Share your thoughts and share with a friend who needs this push. Want to be a guest on Village Talks? Email us at [email protected] —we’re building the village, one honest convo at a time.