STAFFORD, Texas, Aug. 27, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Money Management International (MMI), one of the nation’s leading providers of nonprofit financial counseling, today announced that client advocate and elementary educator Chandra Hawkins-Black has been named a 2026 National Foundation for Credit Counseling (NFCC) Client of the Year, making her MMI’s fourth honoree in six years.
The NFCC Client of the Year award recognizes individuals whose lives have been transformed through nonprofit financial counseling and debt repayment programs. Winners celebrated and shared their stories at the NFCC Connect conference, which took place August 24–26, 2026, in Washington, D.C. Hawkins-Black is one of three honorees selected this year.
MMI’s growing record in this program reflects a counseling model that consistently produces life-changing outcomes - not measured only in dollars repaid or credit scores raised, but in futures transformed. Previous MMI client honorees include Tiana Moore (2025), Johnika Dreher (2022), and Jennifer Myers (2021).
A Story of Resilience: From Crisis to Homeownership
Hawkins-Black first connected with MMI in 2022 after experiencing homelessness and unemployment as a single mother following a divorce. Like many women rebuilding financially after major life transitions, she had limited assets and little established credit history. Seeking stability and a path forward, she engaged in credit counseling with longtime MMI counselor Marla Puckett and entered a debt management plan.
"Financial recovery isn't a sprint; it takes patience, consistency, and someone in your corner reminding you that progress is happening even when it doesn't feel like it,” said Puckett. “Chandra did the hard work. We just helped her see the finish line."
Over the next 30 months, Hawkins-Black paid off her debt five months ahead of schedule, significantly improved her debt-to-income ratio, and raised her credit score by nearly 100 points. Her financial progress ultimately enabled her to qualify for a zero-down USDA mortgage and build a new home with her husband, whom she married in 2023.
“MMI didn’t just help me pay off debt,” said Hawkins-Black. “They helped me believe that my future could look different. Becoming a homeowner once felt impossible, but with guidance, support, and a plan, I was able to rebuild my credit, regain confidence, and create stability for my family. I’m honored to be recognized, and I hope my story reminds others that financial recovery is possible.”
Today, Hawkins-Black describes her journey as “homeless to homeowner” - a transformation featured in national and local media, including a KMOV St. Louis profile and a Bankrate feature detailing her financial recovery. She is also a middle school special education teacher in the St. Louis area, was named her school’s Educator of the Month in 2025, and is a published author of a book exploring education, race, and equity through her lived experience.
“Chandra’s story reflects the resilience, determination, and hope we see every day in the people we serve,” added Thomas Nitzsche, Vice President of Public Relations at MMI. “When I first connected Chandra with her counselor in 2022, she was navigating significant financial challenges. Through hard work, perseverance, and a willingness to ask for help, she completely transformed her financial future. We’re incredibly proud of her and inspired by the way she now uses her voice to encourage others.”
As part of her ongoing advocacy, Hawkins-Black now serves as an MMI Peer Advocate, working with MMI’s public relations team to share her story through traditional and social media. Her experiences illuminate the critical role nonprofit financial counseling can play in helping families rebuild after setbacks.
About Money Management International (MMI)
For over 65 years, Money Management International (MMI) has been at the forefront of financial health solutions, helping individuals and families break free from debt and build a secure financial future. As a trusted nonprofit leader, MMI is dedicated to transforming how Americans navigate financial challenges by providing expert guidance, innovative programs, and culturally relevant financial education. Recognized by major financial institutions and media outlets with a network of over 500 Peer Advocates in all 50 US states, DC, and Puerto Rico, MMI's award-winning services and financial wellbeing advocacy support long-term financial stability and success. Learn more at moneymanagement.org.
Media Contacts
Thomas Nitzsche, Vice President of Public Relations
Money Management International
404.490.2227 | Thomas.Nitzsche@MoneyManagement.org
Jackie Callaway, Media Relations
Money Management International
813.610.8241 | Jackie.Callaway@MoneyManagement.org
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Thomas Nitzsche Money Management International 404.490.2227 Thomas.Nitzsche@MoneyManagement.org Jackie Callaway Money Management International 813.610.8241 Jackie.Callaway@MoneyManagement.org