The Institute for Worthy Living was born from a pivotal moment when founder Michelle Hollinger, an author and coach, was challenged by a business consultant on her tendency to undercharge for her services. That eye-opening encounter revealed a deeper truth—her pricing was a reflection of an underlying belief in unworthiness. Having already authored books on unworthiness and coached women seeking to reconnect with their innate worth, Michelle recognized that this issue wasn’t just personal—it was systemic.
What started as a journey to help women reclaim their worth has expanded into a powerful mission: to transform the lives of children and families in marginalized communities by helping them break free from generational poverty. The Institute partners with progressive, nonconforming community organizations committed to going beyond traditional approaches and instead empowering families to shift their belief systems, heal from financial trauma, and embrace their power to create wealth.
At the heart of this work is The Family Legacy Meeting, a revolutionary, strength-based process that equips families with the mindset, tools, and strategies to move beyond survival mode into a future of abundance. Unlike conventional financial literacy programs that focus solely on teaching money management, The Family Legacy Meeting helps families rewire their relationship with money, dismantle limiting beliefs rooted in systemic oppression, and step boldly into their worthiness.
Through strategic training, thought leadership, and innovative programming, The Institute for Worthy Living is creating a movement—one where families reclaim their power, rewrite their financial legacies, and build generational wealth from a foundation of worthiness.
It’s time to stop merely surviving. It’s time to thrive. Welcome to the revolution of worthiness.
Margaret Mead
Michelle is a born social worker, beginning her career as a foster care case manager for Miami's child welfare program. She spent 15 years in that system as a foster care supervisor, manager of a court-based foster care review program, child welfare trainer and the director of a family empowerment program in one of Miami's most impoverished communities.
Frustrated with the antiquated, anti-family and racially biased practices that did far more harm than good to mostly Black families, Michelle left the field for a career in journalism. She served as editor of two of Miami's Black newspapers, The Miami Times and South Florida Times before founding and publishing her own magazine, The Sisterhood.
Michelle is also an author of several books, a poet, prayer chaplain, New Thought spiritualist, life coach, budding filmmaker and the founder and Chief Worthiness Officer of The Institute for Worthy Living.
She is a board member for Rdevia (HBCU support), Dreamcatchers for the Soul (children's mindfulness) and Miami Children's Initiative (community building). Michelle earned a Bachelor's in sociology from Florida State University and is slated to begin work on her MSW at Clark Atlanta University in August 2025.
An avid reader, Michelle enjoys meditating, writing, listening to music, attending live concerts, and discovering great indy movies and documentaries. She's the mother of three amazing young adults, a cool son-in-love, grandma to an awesome granddaughter and a wonderful grandson.
Michelle's favorite quote is "The authentic self is the soul made visible," by Sarah Ban Breathnach.
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