Bell & Wright Financial Group
James Benjamin Bell Jr
Co-Founder and Partner|CLTC®
Short Biography
James Bell “JB” has been a Financial Advisor and Field Director with Northwestern Mutual for 10 years. He and his partner Erica Wright, MBA, CFP operate under the DBA Bell & Wright Financial Group. James is blessed to be the longest lasting African American advisor in his agency’s over 137-year history and Erica is the first female African American appointed Certified Financial Planner in Wisconsin for Northwestern Mutual.
James is a native of Milwaukee, Wisconsin and a graduate of Marquette University. Prior to becoming an adviser, he was attending graduate school to become a professor of history when his father was diagnosed with a rare skin cancer.
After sitting with his mother’s financial advisor to work out his father’s financial affairs, a deep desire to help other individuals, families, and businesses with financial planning was created.
Since he’s become an adviser, he has won numerous sales awards, services clients across the country, advises and sits on various boards focused on Science and Technology, and lectures frequently throughout the year at both non and for-profit organizations.
Despite all his professional accomplishments however, James is most humbled and proud of the fact that every day he GETS to be a husband to his wife Tierra, and father to his daughters Alani and Michelle, and son Ian.
"A happy family is but an earlier heaven."
"We make a living by what we make. We make a life by what we give"
Below are several organizations I am proud to either sit on the board of or frequently contribute to.
Chairman of The Board of Directors For HouseCall Wisconsin (MERA Response Team)
MERA Response Team provides preventative care and crisis intervention with its CIT unarmed response team uniquely designed to assist in fulfilling this commitment. MERA utilizes assistive technology along with an array of services focused on trauma informed care and first response to crises experienced by individuals with mental illness. Additionally, MERA integrates Wisconsin state-licensed and certified mental health counselors for substance abuse treatments, elderly care, and family support services to children, adolescents, and adults. MERA Response Team will help reduce mental health crisis, lower substance abuse, and lessen the burden on Milwaukee Police resources.
Board Member for Milwaukee Simba's Soccer Club
Founded in 1996, the Milwaukee Simba Soccer Club is a nonprofit, city based soccer club, which works in Milwaukee’s central city, focusing on the development of young athletes as good citizens and excellent soccer players. The Simbas emphasizing soccer fundamentals, physical fitness, nutrition, and healthy life skills, Simba teams are noted for their competitiveness, and excellent sportsmanship.
Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation for Childhood Cancer (ALSF)
ALSF funds cancer research, raises awareness, and supports the families of children with cancer. Since 2012, Northwestern Mutual, its employees, and financial professionals like me have donated more than $20 million to support ALSF and fund over 400,000 research hours.
Board Member Inquire Higher Podcast Board
The mission of Inquire Higher is to encourage the improvement and success of Black students by providing access to educational, career, and business resources while promoting the accomplishments of minority professionals. Inquire Higher envisions existing as a bridge between Black students and professionals to foster a promising and confident group of individuals as well as strong relationships between generations.
Beads of Courage
Beads of Courage is an art-in-medicine program that helps kids with cancer tell their unique treatment story through colorful beads that are symbols of their courage.
Northwestern Mutual African American Field Advisory Council Member
This group of field members provides guidance on the work supporting African American advisors, including FR recruiting and retention strategy, the planning and sales process, training, marketing and other field facing activities. If you have any questions or suggestions, please feel free to reach out to any advisory council members.
Board of Ambassadors for American Cancer Society (Milwaukee Chapter)
Members of the Champions of Hope Board of Ambassadors are business leaders in southeast Wisconsin dedicated to the lifesaving mission of the American Cancer Society. This event will focus on helping fund the American Cancer Society’s lifesaving research program and make certain cancer patients continue to get the support they need. We need you to help accelerate our progress and ensure that no one dies of cancer because they can’t get the quality care they need, when they need it. The mission of this prestigious group will promote and support the success of the Milwaukee Champions of Hope Gala through the recruitment of dedicated corporate sponsors and event leadership.
Milwaukee Simba's Soccer Club
