Now, I work to create access, opportunity, and equity across generations and genders.
My Broker Story
After majoring in finance at Tuskegee University in 2001, I left my roots in Alabama to embark upon a career in sales and finance at Merrill Lynch. It was a whirlwind for me working in a dynamic, fast-paced, male-dominated environment with high stakes trading activity, a steep learning curve, and little to no room for error. After three years the Head of the Floor for Merrill Lynch told me that he thought I had the wherewithal to become a broker; I was quite nervous about this generally. I would later learn that it would ultimately designate me as a historic first - the 1st African American female equity trader for Merrill Lynch on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange and only active African-American woman seatholder among its then 1,366 members. (Before the NYSE became public in 2006, individuals and companies had to either purchase or lease a seat to serve as a broker).
You can imagine this was quite a humbling title for a young overachiever from Montgomery, Alabama. Of course, with great success, comes great responsibility.
What I am most proud of during my time at the NYSE was advocating for a mock trading night for about 70 Scholars from SEO. Access, exposure, and mentorship are factors when considering the dearth of underrepresented talent on Wall Street. I believe firmly that talent is broadly distributed, but not always evenly developed. I am thankful to God for the opportunity to get plugged in to Sponsors for Educational Opportunity- the chief provider of diverse talent to wall street for high-achieving students of color - which helped me get my foot into the door of Wall Street nearly 20 years ago.
My professional journey has taken me to many places from Merrill Lynch, to business school, to US Trust. One of the most fulfilling roles I have ever served in was as SEO’s Senior Director, Alternative Investments Program, hosting conferences in NYC with allocators of capital for emerging managers and managing an Alternative Investment Fellows program designed to help underrepresented first and second year investment banking analysts more effectively compete for roles in private equity.
I now serve as Chief of Strategic Partnerships at Access to Capital for Entrepreneurs (ACE), whose mission is to provide community economic development to underserved people and communities.
Topics I am passionate about
How I became the first African-American female equity trader on the New York Stock Exchange.
Your circumstances do not define your future.
Yes, you really can have it all - family, career, relationships, success.
How you can blaze your own path, even in the face of adversity.
Own your greatness - taking your seat at the table.
“Our leadership team thoroughly enjoyed hearing Martina share her courageous story of success achieved through boundless determination and a passion for helping others along the way. Her journey as a trailblazer and her charge for each of us to realize our own greatness is an inspiration to us all.”
– Travis Bell, Georgia Power Customer Care Center Director
In The News
Easy As C-C-C: How Access to Capital for Entrepreneurs Uses Capital, Coaching, and Connections to Help Georgia’s Small Business Owners Thrive
CNote | June 10, 2022
Martina Edwards, One of Wall Street’s First Black Women Traders, is Building a Legacy of Wealth in Underserved Communities
Butter ATL | February 11, 2021
Martina Edwards Joins Zane Venture Fund
Atlanta Inno | March 15, 2021
Skegee Spotlight: Martina Edwards
Tuskeegee University | 2018
The Fragility of Small Businesses - and Why It Matters
Atlanta Inno | October 15, 2020
Employee Spotlight: Equipping Community Members to Build Brighter Financial Futures
Points of Light | January 25, 2019