Host: Dr. Sagashus Levingston
Guests: Suzanne Johnson (VP, Park Bank) and Jeff Mack (VP, Park Bank)

Episode Overview

In this episode of Books, Bullets, and Babies, Dr. Sagashus dives into a critical conversation about the trust gap between financial institutions and women of color, especially Black women. How do community banks like Park Bank bridge this trust gap, and what role do banks play in helping to build generational wealth for women who don’t fit traditional profiles?

Joining the discussion are two seasoned professionals from Park Bank, Suzanne Johnson and Jeff Mack, both Vice Presidents, who bring their personal and professional experiences to the table. They share how their bank is working to create a more inclusive financial landscape and support women and communities of color on their journey to wealth creation.

Key Topics:

Introduction to the Guests:

Jeff Mack: With 15+ years of experience in the financial industry, Jeff focuses on client relationships and development, helping businesses with banking, mortgage, wealth management, and commercial services. He is also deeply involved in the community, supporting organizations like SSM Health, UW Athletics, and Boys and Girls Club of Dane County.
Suzanne Johnson: A financial expert with 15+ years of experience in business banking, Suzanne works directly with businesses to create customized solutions. She also manages Park Bank’s nine locations in Dane County, focusing on leadership development and the client experience. Suzanne is an active community member, serving on the Wisconsin Bankers Association Financial Literacy Council.

The Role of Community Banks vs. National Banks:

The panel discusses the differences between community banks like Park Bank and national banks. Community banks focus on client relationships, offer personalized service, and are more flexible in decision-making, whereas national banks follow more rigid corporate structures.

The Importance of Building Trust:

Jeff and Suzanne emphasize the importance of trust in banking relationships. They stress how crucial it is to create a space where clients feel comfortable sharing their full financial picture so that bankers can offer the best advice and services tailored to their needs.
Jeff shares insights into how Park Bank actively works to close the trust gap with communities of color through genuine engagement and providing a safe, welcoming space for conversations about finances.

How Banks Help Build Wealth:

The episode explores how financial institutions can be catalysts for wealth creation, particularly for women and people of color. Banks provide access to capital, loans, and resources that help businesses grow, buy property, and ultimately build generational wealth.
Suzanne points out that financial literacy and understanding banking tools are key components in wealth-building. Park Bank’s approach includes educating clients on how to leverage their assets effectively.

Challenges Women Entrepreneurs Face:

Dr. Sagashus discusses the unique challenges faced by non-traditional entrepreneurs, especially single mothers, who often lack the support of a traditional family structure. Jeff and Suzanne explain how Park Bank is committed to helping women entrepreneurs who may not fit conventional profiles by offering personalized services and understanding their unique financial goals.

Representation Matters:

Suzanne and Jeff discuss the importance of representation in banking. Suzanne highlights how having a diverse leadership team at Park Bank, including Black women like herself, helps foster trust and break down barriers for clients of color. Dr. Sagashus shares how seeing a Black woman in a leadership position at Park Bank gave her confidence to work with the bank.

Closing the Trust Gap:

The episode concludes with insights into how financial institutions can bridge the trust gap. Jeff and Suzanne stress that it all starts with a conversation—creating a space where clients feel heard, valued, and empowered to share their financial stories. Park Bank is focused on fostering these relationships and making banking more accessible and relatable for everyone.

Book cover of *The Book of Negroes* by Lawrence Hill, also published as *Someone Knows My Name*. The cover features a portrait of a Black woman, representing the protagonist Aminata Diallo, whose story of survival and resilience inspires reflections on the power of names, identity, and self-affirmation.

Disrespectful Tidbit of the Day

In today’s "Disrespectful Tidbit," Dr. Sagashus shares a personal reflection on the power of names, inspired by the protagonist Aminata Diallo from Lawrence Hill’s Someone Knows My Name. She emphasizes the importance of reclaiming one's identity in the face of life's challenges and how declaring one’s name can be an empowering act of self-affirmation.

Sponsor Shout-Outs:

CUNA Mutual Foundation
UW Health
Mortgage Family Foundation

Where to Find Us:

Audio: Available on Spotify, Apple Music, and other podcast platforms.
Visual: Catch the video version on YouTube for a more immersive experience.

Stay Connected:

Follow us on social media and subscribe for updates. Don’t miss out on upcoming episodes filled with inspiration, laughter, and practical insights for your wealth-building journey.

Special Thanks:

A big thank you to Suzanne Johnson and Jeff Mack for sharing their expertise and personal insights on this episode. Your dedication to supporting our community and building trust in financial institutions is inspiring!

Want the Books, Bullets and Babies Card Game?

It’s the companion to the Books, Bullets & Babies podcast — designed to spark raw, real conversations about money, motherhood, and survival. Play it with friends, in your book club, or as a journaling tool to go deeper into the stories we share here.

About Dr. Sagashus Levingston
Dr. Sagashus Levingston is the creator and producer of the Books, Bullets & Babies podcast, as well as the visionary behind Infamous Mothers. She is an author, entrepreneur, and cultural architect whose work spans books, journals, card games, and national tours — all designed to affirm, inspire, and offer tools and community for badass moms who do extraordinary things at home, at work, and beyond.

This podcast is part of the Infamous Mothers lifestyle brand that Dr. Sagashus created so that these moms have not just a place to belong, but the support, resources, and community they need to be infamous—messy, ambitious, broken, sexy, flawed, spiritual, whole—without apology.