The Black Entrepreneur Tour: Spring Formal, hosted at The Grand UpperRoom in Katy, TX, was more than just an event—it was a powerful reminder of what it means to build and protect a legacy in Houston’s Black community. This impactful gathering was made possible entirely by Doing Far More LLC, led by the visionary Mrs. Donna Marshall-Payne. Her passion and dedication brought together entrepreneurs, visionaries, and families for an afternoon focused on real strategies for generational wealth, with a special emphasis on the often-overlooked role of real estate in legacy planning.

The Meaning Behind the Movement

Legacy planning is about more than passing down money or a business. It’s about ensuring that the values, stories, and assets you’ve worked hard to build will continue to benefit your family and community for generations. As Mrs. Donna shared, “It’s not just about what you leave behind—it’s about how you set your loved ones up to thrive long after you’re gone.” The event created a safe, celebratory space for guests to share their personal journeys, challenges, and triumphs, making the experience deeply meaningful for all who attended.

The Real Estate Advantage

One of the most impactful topics discussed was the role of real estate in legacy planning. Real estate is more than an investment—it’s a cornerstone of generational wealth. By securing property, families can:

• Build equity that appreciates over time
• Provide stable housing or rental income for future generations
• Avoid the pitfalls of probate and family disputes through proper titling and estate planning
• Anchor a family’s presence and influence in their community

As highlighted during the event, many families lose valuable real estate due to lack of planning, leading to unnecessary legal battles and the loss of generational wealth. Mrs. Donna and her team emphasized the importance of proactive steps—like creating wills, trusts, and clear succession plans—to ensure that homes and properties remain assets, not burdens, for those left behind.

A Conversation That Matters

A highlight of the afternoon was the video interview with Roselyn Omaka, Founder and CEO of Bolanle Media. Sitting down with Mrs. Donna, Roselyn explored the deeper significance of legacy planning and how real estate can be a game-changer for Black families and entrepreneurs. Their conversation brought to light the urgent need for education and action, inspiring attendees to think beyond immediate business success and focus on long-term impact.

A Community United by Purpose

The Spring Formal wasn’t just about information—it was about inspiration and connection. Guests shared personal stories, learned from experts like Brittany Hall, owner of La Lutte Empire; Marcus Bowers , CEO of She’s Happy Hair and Cinema Anywhere Houston; and Martel Matthews (Black Wall Street and Trustavio), and left with practical tools to start their own legacy planning journeys. The event’s unique “pre-planning party” atmosphere turned a traditionally somber topic into a celebration of life, family, and future possibilities.

Stay Connected

Families looking to keep up with Mrs. Donna Marshall-Payne and Doing Far More LLC can find resources, events, and one-on-one support through their website, social media, and direct contact. The movement continues, and everyone is invited to be part of a legacy that uplifts, protects, and empowers the next generation.

This entire impactful event was brought to you by Doing Far More LLC—Mrs. Donna Marshall-Payne’s vision and leadership made it all possible.

Contact Mrs. Donna Marshall-Payne & Doing Far More LLC:

• Phone: 832-745-1114
• Email: info@doingfarmore.com
• Instagram: @doingfarmorellc
• Facebook: Doing Far More LLC
• Website: www.doingfarmore.com

Let’s do far more—together!

Houston’s Black entrepreneurial community is flourishing, with Black-owned businesses now making up approximately 4.7% of all businesses in the city—one of the highest rates in Texas and well above the national average. From 2017 to 2020, the number of Black-owned businesses in Texas surged by 13.6%, generating over $141 billion in revenue and providing employment to more than 1.3 million Texans. Houston consistently ranks among the top metropolitan areas for minority-owned startups, with nearly 5,600 minority-owned startups—about 30% of all new companies—calling the city home.

Despite this impressive growth, a critical vulnerability threatens many of these businesses: over 70% of Black-owned businesses in Houston lack a formal succession or legacy plan. Without such planning, a single crisis—whether the sudden illness, incapacitation, or death of the owner—could lead to costly legal battles, business closure, or loss of generational wealth. This stark reality puts years of hard work and community progress at risk.

Compounding this issue, only 1 in 5 Black families in Houston pre-plan for funerals or final expenses, leaving families vulnerable to financial strain during already difficult times. Systemic challenges such as limited access to capital, lower rates of financial literacy, and historical barriers to wealth accumulation continue to impact the sustainability of Black-owned businesses in Houston.

Recognizing this urgent need, Mrs. Donna Marshall-Payne, founder of Doing Far More LLC, is leading the charge to empower Houston’s Black entrepreneurs through the upcoming Spring Formal. This event, part of the Black Entrepreneur Tour, will be held at 23161 Morton Ranch Rd, Katy, TX 77449 and is designed to educate business owners about the critical importance of legacy and succession planning.

The Spring Formal will feature inspiring speakers such as Marcus Bowers, CEO of She’s Happy Hair and Cinema Anywhere Houston; Brittany Hall, owner of La Lutte Empire; Martel Matthews (co-owner of Black Wall Street), and event sponsor YetundeO, founder and creative director of The UpperRoomEvents. Attendees will also enjoy special experiences including coverage by Flume TV and Eyeconic Television alongside Bolanle Media, a sophisticated charcuterie table by Chef Shay, and signature mimosa bar drinks crafted by La Lutte Bartending exclusively for Doing Far More.

If you’re a Black entrepreneur in Houston, this event is your opportunity to join a vital conversation that too often goes unspoken. Don’t wait until a crisis threatens your business and legacy. Secure your spot at the Spring Formal and become part of a community committed to building lasting wealth and generational success.

For more information or to RSVP, contact Mrs. Donna Marshall-Payne directly at 832.745.1114 or email info@doingfarmore.com

Let’s ensure Houston’s Black-owned businesses not only thrive today but endure for generations to come. Join us at the Spring Formal, and let’s do far more—together.

Imagine a company so powerful it quietly owns nearly every share of every stock traded in America—$87 trillion worth. Now imagine it was founded by a CIA agent, is run by Wall Street’s biggest players, and is barely mentioned in the news. Welcome to the world of the Depository Trust & Clearing Corporation (DTCC)—the financial black box that may secretly control your retirement, your investments, and the entire U.S. stock market.

The Secret Company at the Heart of Wall Street

Most people have never heard of the DTCC, yet it sits at the very center of the global financial system. This company, controlled by the world’s largest banks, holds custody of almost every share of stock in the United States—over $87 trillion worth. Even more staggering, in 2024 alone, it processed $3.8 quadrillion in trades. That’s not a typo: quadrillion, with a “q.”

To put that in perspective: if you stacked $100 bills to represent $1 trillion, you’d get a skyscraper 43 stories tall, packed wall-to-wall with cash. The DTCC moves the equivalent of two of those skyscrapers—every single day.

The CIA Connection: Spies, Students, and Stocks

The DTCC’s origins are as shadowy as its operations. It all starts with William Denzer, a man whose career reads like a spy novel. Born at the start of the Great Depression, Denzer became deeply involved with the National Student Association (NSA)—not the one you’re thinking of, but a CIA-funded organization designed to influence student movements during the Cold War.

After years of covert work, Denzer was recruited directly into the CIA, serving five years before moving on to roles at USAID (another agency with a long history of intelligence work) and eventually, the banking sector. With powerful friends like Nelson Rockefeller, Denzer became New York State’s top banking regulator just as Wall Street was drowning in paper stock certificates and chaos.

From Paper Chaos to Digital Domination

In the late 1960s, Wall Street’s back offices were buried in paperwork. Trades were made with slips of paper, and the system was so overwhelmed that shares often failed to be delivered at all. The solution? Digitize everything. But instead of giving investors direct ownership, all stocks would be held by a single central corporation—what became the DTCC. Investors would only have “beneficial ownership,” a claim on the stocks, while the DTCC held the real thing.

Denzer, with his intelligence background and banking connections, became the DTCC’s first chairman and CEO. Under his watch, the DTCC grew into a private corporation (not a government agency) regulated by the SEC and Federal Reserve—but ultimately run by the banks themselves.

The Big Club: Who Really Runs the DTCC?

Look at the DTCC’s board of directors and you’ll see a who’s-who of the financial world: JP Morgan, Citadel Securities, Goldman Sachs, Citi, TD, HSBC, BNY Mellon, and even major oil companies. Regulators like the SEC and FINRA have seats at the table, too. It’s a cozy club of insiders, lobbyists, and power brokers. And you’re not in it.

Why Should You Care?

If you own stocks—through a brokerage, a retirement account, or even a 401(k)—the DTCC technically owns them, not you. Your “ownership” is just an entry in their digital ledger. This system, designed for efficiency, also means that if something goes wrong at the DTCC, trillions of dollars in assets could be at risk.

The DTCC’s reach goes beyond stocks. It sits on $72 trillion in mortgage-backed securities—the same kind of financial products that triggered the 2008 global financial crisis. And when trading frenzies like the 2021 GameStop squeeze happen, the DTCC is the invisible hand making sure the system doesn’t collapse (or, depending on your view, protecting the big players from losses).

The Conspiracy Angle: Spooks, Scandals, and Secrets

The DTCC’s CIA-linked founder, its secretive structure, and its central role in the financial system have made it a favorite topic for conspiracy theorists. With historic ties to intelligence operations, blackmail scandals, and government cutouts, it’s easy to see why. Whether you believe the DTCC is just a well-oiled machine or something more sinister, one thing is clear: it’s one of the most powerful organizations you’ve never heard of.

Final Thoughts

Should one company—run by bankers and ex-spooks—have this much control over the world’s wealth? Why is so little public attention paid to the DTCC, when it holds the keys to the entire stock market? And if the next financial crisis hits, will we even know what’s happening behind the curtain?

The next time you check your portfolio, remember: the real owner of your stocks might not be you. It’s the $87 trillion secret hiding in plain sight.

What do you think? Should we trust the DTCC with this much power? Drop your thoughts below—because this is one club that affects us all, whether we know it or not.