Just Enough to Bury Me: The Hidden History Behind Life Insurance

• The hidden history of how Black and minority families were systematically charged more and given less coverage—until just 1964!

• Why so many of us were taught to "think small" when it comes to life insurance (and the discriminatory system that created that mindset)

• What insurance companies know about building wealth that most families don't—and how you can use the same strategies

• How policies that once excluded our grandparents can now leave million-dollar legacies for your children and grandchildren

• Simple steps to protect your family and build the generational wealth we were once denied

You know what breaks my heart a little every time I hear it?

When someone says, "Oh, I don't need life insurance OR I just need a small policy—enough to cover burial expenses."

I smile. I stay professional. But inside? I'm thinking about why so many of us—especially in black and brown communities—have been conditioned to think small when it comes to life insurance.

And family, there's a reason for that. A reason rooted in a history most people don't know.

The Math That Tried to Prove We Were "Less Than"

Let me take you back to 1896.

That's when Prudential Insurance hired a statistician—Frederick Hoffman—who literally used math and manipulated data in an attempt to "prove" that Black people were genetically inferior. Yes, really. And because of his so-called research, major insurance companies created two separate rating systems: one for white customers and one for Black customers.

Here's what that looked like in practice:

• Black policyholders were charged up to 30% higher premiums for the same coverage.

• They often received only 2/3 of the death benefit that white customers got for the same price.

• Some companies refused to allow agents to sell policies to Black families at all—or denied agents their commissions if they did.

This wasn't ancient history. This continued until the Civil Rights Act of 1964—just 62 years ago.

Think about that. Your grandparents. Maybe even your parents. They lived through this.

"Burial Insurance" Was All We Were Allowed

During this era, many insurance companies only offered Black customers what they called "burial insurance" or "industrial insurance." Small policies. Just enough to cover final expenses.

Not wealth building. Not legacy. Not generational security.

Just enough to bury you.

And here's the kicker—agents would come door-to-door every week to collect premiums in cash. Families paid faithfully, sometimes for decades. But when it came time to file a claim? Many discovered the policies weren't worth much at all. Some didn't even cover the funeral costs they were promised.

This is why so many of our elders are skeptical of life insurance. They weren't scammed by the concept—they were scammed by a system designed to exploit them.

Even though race isn't on applications anymore, and discrimination is illegal, the programming remains.

We still hear echoes of it today:

• "Life insurance is a scam."

• "I don't believe in that."

• "I'll just get enough to cover my funeral."

But here's the truth: Life insurance is not a scam. Programming generations of people to believe it's a scam—while it's been the foundation of old money and generational wealth for others—that's the scam.

What They Don't Tell You About Insurance Companies

Insurance companies don't just pay death benefits. They control a lot more than most people realize:

• Most retirement plans? Managed by insurance companies.

• Brokerage accounts? Often owned by insurance companies.

• Banks invest billions in Bank-Owned Life Insurance (BOLI).

• U.S. banks hold over $200 billion in cash value from life insurance policies.

They know something many families don't: life insurance is one of the most powerful wealth-building and wealth-transfer tools available.

Here's what gives me hope—and fuels my mission:

Less than 63 years ago, Black families couldn't access the same coverage. Today?

Our children and grandchildren can inherit $1,000,000—or more—from a life insurance policy.

That's not just a financial shift. That's a generational shift. That's justice on paper.

Why I Do This Work

I'm not just a life insurance agent. I'm a Master Certified Life Coach, a Daily Point of Light Award recipient, and someone who's spent priceless hours serving my community—because I believe in helping families and our future leaders.

I also believe in honoring the fight our ancestors endured. Sometimes I purposely walk into rooms that weren't built for people who look like me. I do things my forefathers couldn't do. And when I help a family secure a policy that can transform their financial legacy? I'm doing more than just writing coverage.

I'm writing Black history. Brown history. Our history.

My Invitation to You

If you've been told to think small—or if you've been nervous about life insurance because of stories passed down—I want you to know: things are different now.

You deserve more than "just enough to bury me."

You deserve to build wealth. To protect your family. To leave a legacy that changes your family tree.

I offer free workshops and consultations because I'm mission-driven, not commission-driven. My goal isn't just to sell you a policy—it's to educate, empower, and equip you to live, lead, and leave a multimillion-dollar legacy.

Let's rewrite the narrative—together.

Because when we know better, we do better. And when we do better, we change everything for the generations that come after us.

Happy Black History Month. Let's honor the past by building a better future.