The S&P 500 is a stock market index of the largest 500 companies in America. The average return for the S&P 500 Index over the last 40 years has been 10.7 percent despite the recent volatility of the stock market. This 10.7 percent is of specific significance because it has the potential of unlocking the chain of poverty that has held down the Black community.

By utilizing the power of compound interest, the Black community can change its financial picture in one generation. Here's the plan. If we invest just $50 a month for a child for the next 20 to 40 years, this would dramatically change a child's financial future.

Here's a snap shot of what any child's road map has the potential to become:

• $50 a month with an interest rate of 10.7% for 20 years will yield a return of $41,973.98.
  
  
• $50 a month with an interest rate of 10.7% for 40 years will yield a return of $395,361.59.
  

Allow your imagination to run wild with the opportunities that could be opened for your child's future.

Imagine the opportunities that you can give to your children. The opportunities are endless.

But this can only be attributed to them if we learn how to set our priorities in the correct order. Just think ... you can afford to pay for their college education, or buy them a house, and allow them to have Financial Freedom.

Children that are aware of their financial future will not be on a street corner somewhere engaged in illegal or immoral activity. They would be too busy learning how to make money using compound interest. Kids love money, just as adults do.

If you do not have any children, invest in other family member's children or your next-door neighbor's children. Better yet invest in yourself.

What could you do with extra $395,361? If you are thinking, "I don't have another $50 to save," you are wrong.

If you have cable TV, you have an extra $50. If you have voicemail ($8), eat fast food ($10), go to the movies ($30), and buy coffee ($5) you have more than $50 to invest. We have to learn to sacrifice what some may call "luxury" items, to attain greater things in life.

Ask yourself, "Is what I have or what I'm spending money on an asset or a liability?" If it's an asset to your future, you're doing the right thing. If it's a liability, something you can live without, you may want to rethink where you spend and how you spend.

Some people will read this and realize the impact of sacrificing that $50 cable bill that can lead to greater things, while others may say, "It's not worth the time or the effort." But for those who value what life has to offer them, I challenge you to take some time and think of how you can positively contribute to the life of your children, as well as yourself.

Do what you can. The reward is well worth the sacrifice.