Can volunteerism lead to quality job options? What steps should entrepreneurs follow to achieve success in the marketplace? What happens to your retirement savings if you divorce? What about if you are an LGBT couple? How can you recover from the financial implications of a major health issue? How soon should you start saving for college?

These are just a few of the personal finance concerns that will be addressed this Fall when Prudential Financial, Inc and The Root premiere Season 3 of The Root Live: Bring It To The Table, an online 16-week series of 10-minute episodes featuring thought leaders discussing personal finance, careers and long-term financial planning. The weekly series also covers topics like marriage and money, female breadwinners, charity, and social pressure to live beyond your means.

Programming resumed on September 10, with a special segment exposing the business of finance for upcoming designers, an episode that was taped live during New York Fashion Week. Airing every Wednesday via www.theroot.com/therootlive, the series continues through the end of the year.

“The Root Live is a great medium for us. The programming allows Prudential to deliver important information through an extensive network of experts on financial, career and personal challenges to a diverse audience,” said Mark Hug, executive vice president of Product and Marketing for Prudential Individual Life Insurance.

“This series provides a dynamic platform to share expertise and knowledge on critical financial and retirement planning decisions that are too often ignored or delayed,” Hug continued. “We are looking to take a deeper look at some of the issues that hinder many of our communities and potentially stall Americans from achieving their financial goals.”

Hosted by author, media personality and The Root's contributing editor, Harriette Cole, The Root Live: Bring It To The Table presents a slate of diverse guests including African American thought leaders, including Lynnette Khalfani-Cox, best-selling author and personal finance expert; Rev. DeForest “Buster” Soaries, author and pastor of the 7,000-member First Baptist Church of Lincoln Gardens senior pastor of the First Baptist Church of Lincoln Gardens in Somerset, N.J; and Lauren Bias, author and strategic marketing and branding expert, among others.

Prudential executives and financial professionals appearing throughout the series include Jim Mahaney, vice president, Strategic Initiatives, who shares financial considerations for the LGBT community following the repeal of DOMA (Oct. 22); ShirleyAnn Robertson, financial professional, on financial implications of divorce (Oct. 29); and, Spring Lacy, vice president, Corporate Social Responsibility, provides advice on how volunteerism is an important part of candidates’ career journey, especially among millennials (Nov. 12) and Delvin Joyce, Prudential managing director and former NFL player who shares insight on prioritizing education over sports and entertainment (Nov. 26).

"Our readers have engaged enthusiastically with The Root Live series, a reflection of their strong interest in smartly produced programming that can help improve and enhance their lives. We’re grateful for Prudential’s support in bring this important content to The Root," said Lyne Pitts, Managing Editor

The Root is the leading online source of news and commentary from an African-American perspective. Founded in 2008 under the leadership of Prof. Henry Louis Gates Jr. of Harvard University, The Root offers a unique take on breaking news, provides solid analysis and presents dynamic multimedia content. The Root raises the profile of black voices in mainstream media and engages anyone interested in black culture around the world. The Root is owned by the Washington Post Company.

Prudential Financial, Inc. (NYSE: PRU), a financial services leader, has operations in the United States, Asia, Europe, and Latin America. Prudential’s diverse and talented employees are committed to helping individual and institutional customers grow and protect their wealth through a variety of products and services, including life insurance, annuities, retirement-related services, mutual funds and investment management. In the U.S., Prudential’s iconic Rock symbol has stood for strength, stability, expertise and innovation for more than a century. For more information, please visit www.news.prudential.com.

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