In a recent appearance on The Breakfast Club, the founders of Earn Your Leisure (EYL)—Rashad Bilal and Troy Millings—stirred controversy by highlighting what they described as insufficient support from the City of Atlanta for their flagship event, Invest Fest. The financial literacy and entrepreneurship festival has called Atlanta home for six years, drawing thousands of attendees annually to the Georgia World Congress Center.
During the interview, the duo noted that despite the event’s growth into one of the country’s largest financial literacy gatherings, they have received “minimal” backing from city officials and major corporate sponsors. They emphasized their grassroots approach, self-funding much of the operation—which reportedly costs around $4 million—while relying on partners in the business world.
City of Atlanta Official Responds To Earn Your Leisure Comments
“We flirted with the idea [of moving it] just because… the lack of support that we’ve gotten from the city of Atlanta has been something that has been puzzling,” one of the hosts shared, underscoring their commitment to Atlanta despite the challenges.
Invest Fest 2026 is scheduled for August 7–9 at the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta, featuring speakers, networking, performances, and vendor opportunities focused on investing, business, and wealth-building.
Pushback from City Officials and Residents
The comments quickly sparked a heated online debate, with some Atlanta residents and officials pushing back against the characterization. Critics argued that the city provides resources for businesses and events, and questioned whether Invest Fest has fully leveraged available support. Social media reactions ranged from defense of the city’s business climate to accusations that the remarks felt like a slight against Atlanta.
This response contrasts with prior public endorsements. In previous years, Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens has spoken positively about the event, highlighting financial literacy’s role in economic success and noting Atlanta as a hub “to secure the bag.” Press conferences and announcements have featured city involvement in promoting past iterations.
EYL has consistently touted Invest Fest’s independent success and economic impact. One post noted it has already generated a $100 million economic boost for the city.
Context and Broader Implications
Invest Fest blends financial education with pop culture, entertainment, and networking, attracting high-profile speakers like Steve Harvey, 50 Cent (in past lineups), and business leaders. It has grown significantly since its early days, drawing tens of thousands despite occasional attendee criticisms about logistics in prior years.
The current controversy underscores ongoing tensions in how cities support large-scale cultural and educational events, particularly those targeting Black entrepreneurship and financial empowerment. While EYL positions itself as a self-made success story, detractors point to Atlanta’s established resources for business development.
As Invest Fest 2026 approaches, the conversation has amplified visibility for the event. Tickets and vendor spots remain available via investfest.com. Whether this exchange leads to stronger city partnerships or fuels further debate remains to be seen, but it has undeniably put a spotlight on the intersection of private event production, municipal support, and community expectations in one of America’s premier Black economic hubs.
The story continues to evolve, with Atlanta’s vibrant entrepreneurial scene providing fertile ground for such discussions.