Business

Top-ranked political strategist Fredrick Hicks gets things done

ROLLINGOUT.COM — For Fredrick Hicks, politics is more than a prestigious profession or means to earn a paycheck.

Published

7 years ago

February 6, 2019

By Terry Shropshire

For Fredrick Hicks, politics is more than a prestigious profession or means to earn a paycheck. Like red blood cells, politics runs in his veins. It’s a way of life — his raison d’être.

“Politics is my ministry,” said Hicks, founder and CEO of Hicks Evaluation Group (HEG) LLC, a political consulting firm in the Atlanta area. “This is my way that I get to impact the world. This is how I can change lives every single day.”

Hicks, 41, and his company have amassed a vast portfolio that includes more than 200 political campaigns in Georgia and throughout the country and an astounding 93 percent winning clip during his illustrious career.

Chances are you have benefited from Hicks’ work even if you have not heard his name. He has led campaigns across north Georgia, including races at every level in Cherokee County. He was a key player in the renaming of Spring Street to Ted Turner Drive in downtown Atlanta. He helped elect the first-ever African American district attorney in Henry County, the first African American and woman mayor of Douglasville, and many of the judges and the district attorney in DeKalb County. He also managed the campaign for transit advocate Republican State Sen. Brandon Beach and collaborated with leaders who have changed the landscape of the Atlanta region.

Speaking of change, Hicks managed the first and only successful MARTA expansion campaigns, totaling more than $3 billion. Additionally, he helped lead the city’s $250 million infrastructure campaign as well as campaigns that improved waterways, roads and bridges and installed traffic lights and bike lanes throughout the city.

“What makes us the best at what we do is that we work with both Democrats and Republicans openly. We are the leading nonpartisan political consulting firm,” said the south Georgia native, who graduated from high school in Alaska and is an alumnus of Clayton State University, located about 20 miles south of downtown Atlanta, and Florida State University in Tallahassee. “The reason why we are like that is that we go beyond the red and blue, beyond race, and we focus on what exactly people care about.”

Hicks believes Atlanta has helped to facilitate his successful marriage of skill and opportunity.

“Atlanta is great. It’s the Black mecca. It’s a place where you can connect, make something of yourself and really build something,” said the father of two. “Other cities, such as New York and San Francisco, have an entrenched class that really doesn’t let you in. In Atlanta, if you have a gift, you can make room for yourself and really become something.

“What is really special about Atlanta is that you have all-Black everything,” Hicks added. “You see Black leadership, Black excellence, up and down the line. You have a strong, private Black middle class. This gives us the opportunity to be thought leaders and engage our brothers and sisters in movements for social justice and social equality.”

Follow Hicks on Instagram and Twitter via @hicksreport, Facebook @HEG, and visit his website at hickspolling.com.

A military veteran and Buckeye State native, I’ve written for the likes of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Atlanta Business Chronicle and the Detroit Free Press. I’m a lover of words, photography, books, travel, animals and The Ohio State Buckeyes. #GoBucks

This article originally appeared in Rollingout.com.

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Financial Wellness and Mental Health: Managing Money Stress in College 

While everyone’s financial situation is unique, several common sources of stress have the potential to strain your financial health. These include financial and economic uncertainty, existing debts, unexpected expenses, and mental or physical health changes. Financial stress may differ from situation to situation, but understanding the factors contributing to yours may help you begin to craft a plan for your unique circumstances.

Published

2 weeks ago

March 17, 2026

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Sponsored by JPMorganChase

As a college student, managing financial responsibilities can be stressful.

If you’ve found yourself staying up late thinking about your finances or just feeling anxious overall about your financial future, you’re not alone. In one survey, 78% of college students who reported financial stress had negative impacts on their mental health, and 59% considered dropping out. While finances can impact overall stress, taking steps to manage your finances can support your mental, emotional and physical well-being.

When it comes to money, the sources of stress may look different for each student, but identifying the underlying causes and setting goals accordingly may help you feel more confident about your financial future.

Consider these strategies to help improve your financial wellness and reduce stress.

Understand what causes financial stress

2. Determine your financial priorities

Start by reflecting on your financial priorities. For students this often includes paying for school or paying off student loans, studying abroad, saving for spring break, building an emergency fund, paying down credit card debt or buying a car. Name the milestones that are most important to you, and plan accordingly.

3. Create a plan and stick to it

While setting actionable goals starts you on the journey to better financial health, it’s essential to craft a plan to follow through. Identifying and committing to a savings plan may give you a greater sense of control over your finances, which may help reduce your stress. Creating and sticking to a budget allows you to better track where your money is going so you may spend less and save more.

4. Pay down debt

Many students have some form of debt and want to make progress toward reducing their debt obligations. One option is the debt avalanche method, which focuses on paying off your debt with the highest interest rate first, then moving on to the debt with the next-highest interest rate. Another is the debt snowball method, which builds momentum by paying off your smallest debt balance, and then working your way up to the largest amounts.

5. Build your financial resilience

Some financial stress may be inevitable, but building financial resilience may allow you to overcome obstacles more easily. The more you learn about managing your money, for instance, the more prepared you’ll feel if the unexpected happens. Growing your emergency savings also may increase resilience since you’ll be more financially prepared to cover unexpected expenses or pay your living expenses.

6. Seek help and support

Many colleges have resources to help students experiencing financial stress, like financial literacy courses or funds that provide some assistance for students in need. Talk to your admissions counselor or advisor about your concerns, and they can direct you to sources of support. Your school’s counseling center can also be a great resource for mental health assistance if you’re struggling with financial stress.

The bottom line

Financial stress can affect college students’ health and wellbeing, but it doesn’t have to derail your dreams. Setting smart financial goals and developing simple plans to achieve them may help ease your stress. Revisit and adjust your plan as needed to ensure it continues to work for you, and seek additional support on campus as needed to help keep you on track.

 JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. Member FDIC