Legacy Spotlight: From Modest Beginnings to Clever Girl Millionaire, Bola Sokunbi Embodies the Power of Financial Wellness
Bola Sokunbi was not always an influential financial wellness advocate and educator. Her life arc began in Nigeria, where her mother taught her – through perseverance and sacrifice – the importance of financial responsibility. After the family moved to the U.S., Bola's journey led her from navigating her own debt challenges; to earning dual college degrees; to becoming an educator, entrepreneur, and bestselling author; to creating one of the largest online financial education and media platforms for women in the world.
Bola Sokunbi is a Certified Financial Education Instructor and a leading financial author, best known for the Clever Girl Finance six-book series, which includes Clever Girl Millionaire, The Side Hustle Guide, and My Wealth Plan Workbook. Both Sokunbi and the Clever Girl Finance platform have been featured across major media outlets, including ABC News, BBC, TIME, Money, CNBC, Forbes, Fox Business, and The Chicago Tribune.
Bola Sokunbi’s Latest Book: Clever Girl Millionaire
Sokunbi is the bestselling author of the Clever Girl Finance book series, which includes the following titles:
- The Side Hustle Guide
- My Wealth Plan Workbook
- Ditch Debt, Save Money and Build Real Wealth
- Grow Your Money
- Choosing to Prosper
The newest book in the series, Clever Girl Millionaire, releases March 31, 2026. The book is subtitled “A Guide to Redefining What’s Possible, Turning Ambitions into Actions, and Dreams into Millions.” Sokunbi’s goal in this volume is to support women to build real wealth, step-by-step, on their own terms and along their own timeline. The book presents action steps, thoughtful prompts, and practical exercises to help readers navigate real-life financial choices to move toward true financial empowerment.
In Clever Girl Millionaire, Bola again draws upon her roots and journey toward becoming a self-made millionaire to provide real-world insight and an authentic pathway for those seeking wealth-building strategy.
Promoting Financial Education Through Advocacy, Collaboration, and Public Presence
Bola Sokunbi contributes to the financial wellness movement through multiple channels, all of which have earned her wide recognition and a reputation as a powerful advocate for women’s financial health and wealth-building. She is a much-sought-after keynote speaker with an authentic, relatable voice that engages and inspires audiences. Bola was named one of Money’s Most Influential Women by GoBankingRates and was the 2021 recipient of the NFEC’s prestigious Financial Education Instructor of the Year Award.
Sokunbi also furthers the financial education agenda by forging strategic community partnerships to empower underserved communities with financial education. She collaborates with financial institutions, community organizations, and other educators to amplify the financial wellness message and reach more individuals and families in need. Bola also maintains an active presence as an Advisory Board member of the New Jersey Financial Educators Council, a state-level chapter of the NFEC.
Actionable, Relatable Financial Education Content
Through the Clever Girl Finance platform, Bola Sokunbi and her team offer articles, workshops, mentorship calls, online courses, and videos covering a wide range of personal finance topics, from budgeting and getting out of debt to investing and wealth-building. These practical resources – particularly tailored to women – are designed to help people build confidence, make smart money decisions, and create real wealth. Clever Girl Finance also fosters a vibrant community of women who encourage each other along the financial wellness journey, making the platform a safe and supportive environment.
The Clever Girl Finance stated mission is to guide women to “build wealth with clarity, confidence, and intention – without shame or pressure.”
Engaging Live Training Events & Keynote Presentations
Bola Sokunbi offers live trainings and keynote presentations primarily focused on wealth, shifting mindset, and financial power for women. These high-impact speaking appearances help organizations support women to build greater confidence managing their money, make informed financial decisions, and create generational wealth. Bola’s presentations can be flexible across formats – encompassing keynotes, interactive workshops, fireside chats, and live Q & A sessions.
Sokunbi partners with a variety of organizations and institutions to provide these empowering presentations. Some of these collaborations include:
- Corporations and Fortune 500 companies
- Employee Resource Groups (ERGs)
- Conferences and summits
- Higher education institutions
- Nonprofits and mission-driven organizations
Commitment to Advancing Financial Education
Bola Sokunbi has demonstrated her status as a real community champion and a powerful voice for women’s financial empowerment. Through her international renown, strong media presence, and relatable resources, Bola has reached thousands of women from around the world.
Currently she is expanding her efforts to serve a youth audience. Clever Girl Finance is launching Financial Literacy Roadmaps for Teaching Kids About Money, a set of age-appropriate teaching tools that parents, educators, and caregivers can use to help children and teens build healthy money habits. Each roadmap consists of a flexible, six- to eight-week teaching unit, a companion teacher’s guide, discussion prompts, and easy-to-follow activities. The series includes:
- Elementary school roadmap (ages 8–11): Saving, spending, earning, and needs vs. wants.
- Middle school roadmap (ages 12–14): Budgeting basics, goal-setting, mindful spending.
- High school roadmap (ages 15–18): Real-world skills like budgeting, investing, and preparing for adulthood.
- The Clever Girl Finance teacher’s guide: Featuring discussion prompts and simple activities to support learning at home or in the classroom.
Bola Sokunbi has earned worldwide recognition and respect, building a legacy that not only empowers women, but also uplifts future generations. Her journey, accomplishments, and expertise show that people from all backgrounds can move closer to gaining financial empowerment and building generational wealth.