casey ariel.
ABOUT CASEY ARIEL
Eradicating Barriers in Finance.
Corporate Foundation
Casey Ariel Thobias is an award-winning thought leader, published author, and financial strategist with over a decade of experience in corporate finance. At Bank of America Merrill Lynch, she served as Vice President, managing a $20 billion credit portfolio for pre-IPO, middle-market, and large corporate tech firms. Her leadership earned her the 2019 Global Diversity & Inclusion Award, recognizing her unwavering commitment to equity within institutional spaces.
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The Pivot to Blaze Group®
In 2020, Casey left Corporate America to confront the glaring absence of Black women on deal teams and lack of equitable capital access for Black-owned businesses. She founded Blaze Group — an educational technology firm built to decolonize financial pathways and shift power back into the hands of underserved communities. Through Blaze Group, she equips Black entrepreneurs with tools for sustainability and scalability, while consulting with fintechs to design inclusive financial solutions that actually work for the people they claim to serve.
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Global Recognition
Casey’s insights on equitable finance, reparative capital, and global strategy have been featured by Essence Magazine, the Kiva & OpenAI Initiative, and multiple Webby Award honors. She has spoken at leading conferences, such as the ESSENCE Festival and regularly shares her expertise at the intersection of financial education and community-innovation.
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Published Work
In her deeply personal memoir, Pain Unseen: The Truths That Lie Beneath My Strength, Casey unpacks her journey with vulnerability, courage, and healing from trauma. The book is available in paperback, ebook, and audiobook on Amazon, iTunes, and Audible.
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Education & Advocacy
A graduate of the University of South Carolina Honors College with a degree in Corporate Finance, Casey has also served as Chief Credit Officer of Hello Tractor in Nairobi, Kenya, and continues to serve on the Kiva U.S. Advisory Board. She currently resides in Huntsville, Alabama, where she remains committed to building bridges between financial institutions and marginalized communities.​
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Press: Kiva & OpenAI | Essence Magazine | 2024 Webby Awards Nominee | 2023 Webby Awards Honoree | Podia | 2022 Webby Awards Honoree | Pretty Women Hustle | Shoutout Atlanta | USC Magazine | Blaze Group
FREE
Small Business Advisory Sessions from the Alabama State Black Chamber of Commerce!
IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE ALABAMA SMALL BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT CENTER AT THE UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA
Are you an existing or aspiring business owner in Alabama? I invite you to take advantage of free business consulting, powered by the Alabama State Black Chamber of Commerce!
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As a fellow Alabamian and official Business Advisor for the Chamber, I'd love to support you. Simply schedule your session below!
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Let's work together to achieve your business goals.
HIRE ME TO SPEAK
FIRESIDE CHATS
I love vulnerable conversations about entrepreneurship, equity, and resilience as a Black woman navigating systemic barriers and creating change.
WORKSHOPS
I conduct interactive sessions on entrepreneurial finance, inclusive credit design, and leadership - offering practical tools, tailored to your audience.
KEYNOTE SPEECHES
Hire me for inspiring talks on equitable finance, global strategies, and building sustainable businesses. Your audience will be energized and ready to act.
ASK ME ANYTHING (AMA)
A crowd favorite! Engage with me in a candid Q&A, diving deep into my expertise in finance and entrepreneurship.
SPEAKING APPEARANCES
2025
JUNE 3 • Learning Lab™ LIVE 98: Bank-Free Funding: How Blaze Group & Kiva Open New Doors to Capital, New Voices Fund/Foundation
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MAY 20 • 2025 National Small Business Week Learning Lab™ LIVE: Inventory & Shipping, New Voices Fund/Foundation
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MAY 15 • 2025 National Small Business Week Learning Lab™ LIVE: Pricing with Purpose, New Voices Fund/Foundation
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APRIL 28 • The Tenets of Equitable Finance, Kiva US National Ecosystem Quarterly Session
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MARCH 18 • The State of Black Women Owned Businesses Report®, Huntsville Metro Black Chamber of Commerce
MARCH 13 • Unpacking the State of Black Women Owned Businesses Report®, Birmingham Black Chamber of Commerce
MARCH 24 • Breaking Down the State of Black Women Owned Businesses Report®, Entrepreneur's Edge Radio Show with Jerry Mitchell
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FEBRUARY 28 • Economic Blackout - Community Significance & Impact, FOX54 Huntsville News​
FEBRUARY 20 • Cash Flow Cupid: Aiming for Financial Stability in Business, Global Impact Networking - A Queenpreneur's Plan
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FEBRUARY 9 • HBCU Queenpreneur Business Accelerator Program Facilitator, A Queenpreneur's Plan
2024
DECEMBER 9 • Founder to Founder Panel Discussion, New Voices Fund/Foundation's PACE Bootcamp
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OCTOBER 26 • Finally Get Funding, 2024 Power Plays Summit, The Women Entrepreneur Leadership Lab, Baltimore
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OCTOBER 16 • Calculating the Cost of Entrepreneurship, Black Chamber of Commerce Club, Alabama A&M University
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OCTOBER 14 • Advancing Financial Inclusion, Entrepreneur's Edge Radio Show with Jerry Mitchell
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SEPTEMBER 25 • Talk About Business, Black Chamber of Commerce Club, Oakwood University
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SEPTEMBER 18 • Business Funding Done Smart, The Women Entrepreneur Leadership Lab
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AUGUST 27 • Financial First Aid: Practical Steps to Stabilize Your Business, NV Learning Lab™ LIVE, New Voices Fund/Foundation
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AUGUST 22 • Founder Focus: Building A Sustainable Business, New Voices Fund/Foundation
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JULY 7 • Scaling Your Business: Getting Into Accelerators, Incubators, and More, 30th ESSENCE Festival of Culture, New Orleans
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JULY 5 • Scaling Your Online Business with Artificial Intelligence, 30th ESSENCE Festival of Culture, New Orleans
JULY 3 • Growing a Webby Nominated AI Company, The Blk + Grn Show Hosted by Dr. Kristian Edwards
MAY 31 • Co-Host of Intentional Conversations Vodcast, Hosted by Dr. Nika White, Nika White Consulting
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MARCH 20 • BLAZE: Advancing Women with AI, Women's History Month Series, DC Black MBA Association
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MARCH 15 • Virtual HERStory Alumni Panel for Women's History Month, SC Honors College, University of South Carolina
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MARCH 8 • You're Up Next, Sis: Pull Up and Pitch, International Women's Day Event hosted by BLAZE x Beauty & Brains Organization x DC Black MBA Association
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FEBRUARY 26 • Breaking Barriers: Leveraging AI to Advance Black Women Entrepreneurs, Kiva US
2023
NOVEMBER 25 • Rebuilding Your Life After Devastating Trauma, Bold Fearless Confidence Podcast
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OCTOBER 26 • Growing Through Vulnerability, Permission to Pivot Podcast
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AUGUST 26 • 5th Annual Women's Symposium - Money Management Panel, DC Chapter of the National Black MBA Association
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AUGUST 24 • Secure the Bag: From Home to Retail Webinar Event, Blaze Group & Blk + Grn
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JULY 28 • Raising Capital as a Founder, Hube Know's Best Podcast
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JUNE 23 • Closing Keynote Speech, Blaze Virtual Summit | Summer 2023
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MAY 11 • The Backbone Screening & Discussion: Women Leading from Where They Are, Blaze Group & The Literacy Lab
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APRIL 29 • Georgetown Africa Business Conference 2023 - AgriTech Panel, Georgetown University
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MARCH 30 • Women of Color in Leadership Webinar, The Literacy Lab​
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MARCH 08 • International Women's Day Event: The Road Less Traveled, Blaze Group and Beauty & Brains Organization​
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MARCH 02 • A Room of One's Own: Featured Authors Panel Discussion, KOFISI, Nairobi, Kenya
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FEBRUARY 18 • Black Honors Caucus Panel, University of South Carolina Honors College, Columbia, South Carolina
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FEBRUARY 10 • The Backbone Documentary Film, Featured Film Character, University of South Carolina
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JANUARY 4 • Blazing Trails for a Global Network, Amplify Ambition Podcast, Hosted by Kristen Edwards
2022
NOVEMBER 29 • Shades & Layers Podcast: BLAZE, Hosted by Kutloano Skosana Ricci
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OCTOBER 26 • Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging – From Commitments to Action, Wellbeing at Work Summit, South Africa
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OCTOBER 18 • Comma Convos Podcast featuring Casey Richardson, Hosted by Dricka Carter
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JUNE 19 • Closing Keynote Speech, Blaze Virtual Summit | Summer 2022
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JUNE 09 • How Black Women Can Blaze Their Own Path to Freedom, Other the Podcast, Hosted by Raphie Wagner
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APRIL 2 • Radio Interview, Love Da Beat Radio, London, England
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APRIL 1 • In Position to Win with Web 3.0, Table Talk with Tottie Podcast, Hosted by Natasha Weston
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MARCH 18 • International Women's Day Event: Women Making Power Moves, Amazon, Inc.
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FEBRUARY 25 • Sister Circle Forum 2022 | Lunch & Learn, University of Kentucky
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FEBRUARY 17 • Black History Month Series: Black Coaches, Anasa Law Firm
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FEBRUARY 2 • Creator's Corner: Routable with Podia's Most Successful Community Creators, Podia Labs, Inc.​
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JANUARY 24 • Stepping into Entrepreneurship Early (Young Teens Discussion), God's Butterfly Effect Nonprofit
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JANUARY 06 • YNG BLK HR Podcast, Hosted by Honest HR Consulting
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2021
DECEMBER 30 • Innovative Ways to Automate Your Business, SIS Table Talk, Sisters Inspire Sisters
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DECEMBER 19 • Misconceptions of Domestic Violence, ABevy + The Choose TRUE Project
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DECEMBER 05 • Closing Keynote Speech, Blaze Virtual Summit | Winter 2021
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OCTOBER 12 • Special Podcast Show Guest, Anamolous Black Woman
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JUNE 22 • Loans & Grants 101 Workshop, Everybody E.A.T.S. Nonprofit
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MAY 6 • Panelist: Beyond Banking – FinTech and AgTech, Tuck School of Business (Dartmouth College)
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APRIL 22 • Feature in AHA! Magazine, published by the University of South Carolina Honors College
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MARCH 26 • PAYG Product w/ Hello Tractor, Wharton Fintech: Africa Trek, Wharton School of Business (University of Pennsylvania)
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MARCH 18 • HERStory Alumni Panel, University of South Carolina Honors College
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FEBRUARY 22-28 • BlackCEO Iconic Conference Keynote + Workshop Facilitator, National Virtual Conference
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FEBRUARY 16 • “Black Women in Business: Blazing Trails” Panel Discussion Moderator, Virtual Event
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JANUARY 29 • Levels of Self-Love by K. Marie, Virtual Broadcast
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JANUARY 10 • Mental Health & Movement Virtual Event, Brooklyn
2020
JULY 14 • “Black Women Speak: Marginalization within the Margins” Moderator, San Francisco
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JUNE 19 • NorCal & SoCal Juneteenth Celebration Moderator + Singer, Virtual
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MARCH 25 • Bank of America Book Club Debrief, San Francisco
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MARCH 15 • Diva Discussions Book Club Debrief, San Pablo
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FEBRUARY 25 • Brwn Girl Talk Spotlight, Charleston
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FEBRUARY 16 • Book Launch Event, Oakland
2019
DECEMBER 9 • Bank of America Global Diversity & Inclusion Award Winner, Charlotte Headquarters
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OCTOBER 3 • Bank of America Global Credit Executive Summit, Featured Life Event Panelist, Charlotte
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AUGUST 23 • Our Collective ERG Summit Workshop: Gaining & Maximizing Sponsorship Relationships, San Francisco
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JUNE 19 • Bay Area Juneteenth Celebration Organizer w/ Bank of America, Twitter & Airbnb, San Francisco