Gail Perry-Mason of Detroit, Michigan, has come a long way, from foster care to caring for others. A respected authority in the financial industry, Gail is also a bestselling author. Her years of experience coupled with her “down-to-earth” but also “down-to- business” style has made her a sought after speaker and presenter. Regularly addressing capacity crowds, she educates people on financial literacy conducting financial training sessions and workshops for companies such as Chrysler, Ford, General Motors, MGM, CBS News, Comcast, Blue Cross, Wells Fargo, Comerica and many more. Along with her regular national speaking engagements, which includes keynote addresses at the University of Notre Dame, All Star Game, the NAACP Image Awards Women’s Reception, NBA Wives, University of Hawaii and the Allstate Purple Purse Movement, to name a few, in October 2022 she was a speaker for TedX when they came to the Music Hall in Detroit Michigan. Gail’s wisdom also hit the airwaves as she co-hosted an award-winning talk show entitled “Building Wealth,” via broadcast on iHeartRadio affiliate WMXD (MIX 92.3 FM) and a television broadcast on Comcast Cable. She has appeared on national outlets such as BET, Fox News, PBS, CNN, CBS, MSNBC, CNBC, RadioOne and NPR Radio. In 2014, Gail was a featured financial speaker at the Essence Women’s Festival, and keynote speaker for Harvard University Black History Month.

Ms. Perry-Mason is a prolific, published writer and has written articles for local and national print media. Her features can be found in many publications, including: Ebony, Black Enterprise, On Wall Street, Research Magazine, Quick and Simple-Good Housekeeping Magazine, Essence, Jet, Free Press and Detroit News, Signature Magazine, Corp!, Washington Post and by the Associated Press.
While juggling her demanding financial career and public appearances, Gail found the time to write and publish her first book, Money Matters for Families, which served as a manual for the employees at DaimlerChrysler on managing finances. The book is geared toward families and focuses on the critical elements for building a strong financial foundation. It sold out of its original printing in the first year and is currently out of print. Gail’s second book, Girl, Make Your Money Grow, written with co-author Glinda Bridgforth, was a national best seller. This highly successful financial guide, featured on Oprah’s Debt Diet, has helped build Gail a national following.

Gail is extremely visible and active in her community. Recognizing the necessity of teaching youth the importance of money management, she has mentored over 30 young women who are now professionals in the financial industry. Ms. Perry-Mason has implemented a program within the Detroit Public Schools cultivating financial literacy and outlining the steps to entrepreneurship. She has served as Chairperson for the Tavis Smiley Youth to Leaders Program in Detroit and was honored for her work with Mr. Smiley at a benefit in Los Angeles. Gail is an honorary member of Elliottorian Business and Professional Women’s Club and a member of The Links, Incorporated. She currently serves on boards of many local and national organizations, including DMC Harper- Hutzel Hospital (formerly Women’s Hospital), Detroit Music Hall, Detroit Development Fund, Nevada Women’s Money Council and Morgan State University. Gail is also an ambassador for The Walker’s Legacy & Walker’s Legacy Foundation. She has been keynote speaker for Stocks & Stilettos Society and has been a diversity and inclusion speaker for CBS News and many other corporations. In July, 2020 Gail spearheaded the first ever Virtual Money Camp for Money Matters For Youth, which reached across the globe from Detroit to Canada to Africa. In September, 2022 Gail was a 2022 Eastside Extravaganza Award Winner.

Continuing her community involvement, she founded the original Money Camp for Teens and the first youth investment club, now known as the Money Matters for Youth Camp. Since 1996, Gail has instructed thousands of young people throughout Metropolitan Detroit, Denver and Jamaica. Money Matters has taught the core values of financial awareness and literacy, development of diverse, positive relationships and entrepreneurship, while emphasizing a message of giving back through service and philanthropy. Its ultimate goal is to provide a program that is committed to fostering the social, emotional and cognitive growth of young people while preparing them for professional and personal success. Gail’s program has received national recognition, with Money Matters receiving an invitation from Warren Buffett to be the first youth group to attend the Berkshire-Hathaway Shareholder Meeting in Omaha, Nebraska, and was featured in a national documentary on Mr. Buffett, in 2017.

Gail has received numerous awards, including honors from Ford Motor Company, Michigan Women’s Foundation, New Detroit Inc., Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority and Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity. For her work in the community, she has been honored with the Michigan’s Local Hero Award by Bank of America, the Community Role Model Award from Alternatives for Girls and the Economic Empowerment Award from 100 Black Men. Named as one of Michigan’s Top 10 Business Women by the National Association of Women Business Owners in 2007, Ms. Perry-Mason has also received the Community Service Award from the Michigan Women’s Foundation. Named Phenomenal Business Woman of the Year, Gail was honored by the former Governor of Michigan with an award for fundraising on behalf of Non-Profit Organizations, and named a Community Ambassador by the present-day Governor of Michigan. She was recognized as one of Crain’s 100 Most Influential Women in Michigan for 2021. Gail is a Microsoft Legacy Project Honoree – Celebrating Black Changemakers and their contributions to modern day American History. In September 2022, Gail Perry-Mason was the winner of the Invest In Others (IiO) Lifetime Achievement Award, and recipient of IiO’s grand prize of $75,000.00! Then in November 2022 she was a winner of the “2022 Governor’s Service Award As A Lifetime Humanitarian.”
With the many accomplishments and accolades already under her belt, Ms. Perry-Mason shows no signs of slowing down anytime soon. Through the newest addition to her resume, 4ever39, Gail seeks to motivate 40, 50, and 60 year old women to optimize their daily life experiences with a focus on three areas: fitness, wine and funds. The 4ever39 product line, which will feature items related to all three categories, is expected to be released within a year.
Gail is a mother of three terrific sons. Her mottos are “Success Benefits Others First” and “OpportUNITY Doesn’t Happen Without UNITY.”