LITTLE ROCK, Ark.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Today Stephens Inc., an independent, full service investment banking firm, announced the launch of a multi-media series titled “This is Capitalism”. This branded content series aims to redirect the currently negative narrative around capitalism to the positive aspects of the free market. In recent years, the perception of capitalism has dramatically shifted in the United States. According to Harvard’s 2016 IOP poll, 51% of millennials do not support capitalism.
“This is Capitalism” presents a series of videos telling the compelling stories and experiences of inspiring individuals who significantly influenced the American economy or utilized the free market system in order to build their respective businesses and better their surrounding communities. The series launches with six films, articles, and other content featuring influential American business leaders, historians and academics. The series can be found on www.ThisIsCapitalism.com.
“Throughout my tenure, I have become increasingly concerned by a shift in the perception of capitalism and what it means to our country. Few ideas and institutions are as misunderstood as capitalism is today,” said Warren Stephens, President and CEO of Stephens Inc. “No other economic system has lifted more people out of poverty than capitalism. It is why America today serves as the gold standard across the globe. It is time to reclaim the term in recognition of the inherent social contract that underlies capitalism and the good it can do for our society. It is our hope that with these uniquely American stories we will start a dialogue about the positive impact free market enterprise has on our country and communities.”
The films, which serve as the cornerstone of the series, highlight the accomplishments of:
- Alexander Hamilton: An immigrant who rose through the ranks to become George Washington’s aide-de-camp and later the “father” of the American economic system
- Madam CJ Walker: A woman, born on the same plantation where her parents were enslaved, who through her hair care business became the United States’ first African-American female self-made millionaire
- Helena Rubinstein: A Polish immigrant to the United States who forged her own path in the beauty industry and helped make it more approachable for women across the globe
- Jack Stephens: An Arkansan who simultaneously helped transform a family company, his home state and the financial services sector
- Chuck Williams: A veteran whose passion for French food and cookware inspired him to create an entire industry of high-end culinary products for the American home chef
- Sam Walton: A retailer who was told that his idea for lowering prices for consumers, by streamlining production was impossible, later founded Wal-Mart, the world’s largest company by revenue
“This is Capitalism” is an ongoing initiative and will be regularly updated with new American stories and perspectives.
About Stephens Inc.
Stephens Inc. is a full-service investment banking firm headquartered in Little Rock, Arkansas. Since its inception in 1933, privately held Stephens Inc. has served a broad client base which includes corporations, state and local governments, financial institutions, institutional investors and individual investors throughout the United States and overseas. For more information, visit www.stephens.com.
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