Building Community and Financial Empowerment in North Texas

By Richard Sandoval, HispanicLifestyle.com

 From her deep community roots in Fort Worth’s north side to her leadership across multiple organizations, Amanda J. Arizola, MBA, MHSM, embodies the spirit of service, empowerment, and financial education. A nonprofit executive, policy strategist, and civic leader, Arizola has dedicated her career to ensuring that equity and opportunity reach every household in North Texas.

“My grandmother always opened her doors to the community,” Arizola recalls. “Whether it was food, support, or just a place to gather helping others has always been part of our family’s legacy.”

Rooted in Community and Legacy of Service

A fourth-generation Fort Worth native, Arizola traces her motivation to serve back to her family’s example. Her mother, a licensed vocational nurse, and her aunt, a neighborhood leader, modeled compassion and leadership from an early age.

“That legacy of giving back it’s in my DNA,” she says. “My family’s example shaped the way I see service: it’s not something extra; it’s part of who we are.”

That ethos continues through her civic leadership. Amanda serves as COO of CoACT North Texas, North Texas Program Officer for Asset Funders Network, and Chair of the Hispanic Women’s Network of Texas (HWNT) Arlington Chapter.

Education and Policy: Creating Change from Within

A proud first-generation college graduate, Arizola earned her undergraduate degree from the University of Texas at Austin and dual master’s degrees in Business Administration and Health Systems Management from Texas Woman’s University.

“Big institutions need people on the inside who can make change on the outside,” she explains. “I went into health systems management because I saw firsthand how policy impacts health outcomes and access.”

Her policy work began early, observing state legislative processes that affect everyday Texans. Those experiences shaped her commitment to health equity, affordable care, and financial stability particularly for women and families navigating systemic barriers.

Championing Financial Empowerment and Generational Wealth

Much of Arizola’s work centers on improving financial capability and breaking cycles of poverty. She began as a volunteer in the VITA program (Volunteer Income Tax Assistance), helping families understand taxes and budgets.

“Sitting in front of a tax professional financially naked is an intimate moment,” she reflects. “It’s also a moment to talk about survival—many families I met were working multiple jobs and still barely earning $36,000 a year.”

Through her work with the Asset Funders Network, she connects philanthropy, public institutions, and grassroots organizations to create equitable financial systems.

Financial Insights and Coaching Lessons

Arizola blends behavioral economics and cultural awareness in her coaching. She emphasizes that money is deeply emotional and understanding our relationship with it is essential to achieving financial stability.

“Money is tied to emotion,” she notes. “For some people, spending is comfort. For others, it’s fear. We have to recognize our patterns before we can change them.”

Her key financial education principles include:

• Know Your Numbers: “Understand what’s coming in and going out. That awareness is the first step to control.”
• Use Credit Strategically: “Credit can be a tool for opportunity, but only when managed intentionally.”
• Avoid Fee Traps: She warns that overdraft and payday loan fees are “the cost of poverty,” compounding debt over time.
• Teach the Next Generation: “Talk openly about money at home, don’t make it taboo. Financial knowledge is a gift that keeps giving.”

Housing Realities and Homeownership Wisdom

A first-time homeowner herself, Arizola offers a candid look at the true cost of maintaining a home.

“Every year, something breaks—and it’s always about $10,000,” she laughs. “It’s not just about qualifying for a loan. You have to budget for repairs, emergencies, and even a few gallons of paint.”

She emphasizes that renting can also be a smart financial choice, especially for those prioritizing flexibility and time.

“It’s not always about the asset—it’s about peace of mind. Sometimes renting gives you the freedom to focus on other goals.”

Breaking Barriers and Building Equity

As a leader in financial equity, Arizola also advocates for systemic change, including loan reform, fair wage policies, and community lending models.

“It’s going to take 100 to 150 years for us to reach wage parity,” she says. “But we can accelerate progress through education, entrepreneurship, and supporting Latina-owned businesses.”

She points to Latina entrepreneurs as one of the fastest-growing forces in the U.S. economy:

“Latinas aren’t just building businesses they’re creating jobs and bringing their communities with them.”

Leadership and Mentorship: Hispanic Women’s Network of Texas

For nearly three decades, Arizola has been part of the Hispanic Women’s Network of Texas (HWNT)—an organization she joined as a teenager in the Latinas in Progress (LIP) program.

“You can’t be what you don’t see,” she reflects. “Seeing women like Rosa M. Nava and Hardev Bonilla leading in the community inspired me to do the same.”

Today, she continues to mentor young Latinas through HWNT, helping them pursue education, professional growth, and civic leadership.

“Our mission is to elevate and connect Latinas in public, professional, and corporate life,” she says. “We walk alongside one another lifting as we climb.”

Amanda’s Financial Wisdom: Quick Takeaways

1. Budget as a Form of Empowerment: “A budget isn’t a restriction it’s a plan for freedom.”
2. Watch Emotional Spending: “Recognize when you’re spending to feel better. That awareness helps you redirect your energy toward goals.”
3. Build Credit Intentionally: “Access to credit is powerful, but only if you use it as a bridge, not a burden.”
4. Pay It Forward: “Financial knowledge should be shared within families it’s how we build generational wealth.”

Amanda J. Arizola’s story is one of perseverance, purpose, and passion for her community. Whether she’s designing equitable financial systems, mentoring young women, or advocating for affordable housing, her work reflects a deep belief in the power of knowledge and collective care.

“Our communities are resilient,” she says. “When we share what we know and lift each other up, we all move forward together.”

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