2025 Center for Economic Empowerment and Equality NextGen Program

CAAFP is one of the largest gatherings of its kind in the country, and undergraduate students chosen for the American College Center for Economic Empowerment and Equality’s NextGen Program (formerly the CAAFP NextGen Program) will be able to attend the conference at no cost, including travel and lodging (additional details apply).

Before the conference, students will be paired with a mentor from the Financial Alliance for Racial Equality (FARE) and participate in virtual workshops. During the conference, students will engage in relevant seminars and inspiring sessions with a diverse community of Black and DEI-committed financial services professionals, entrepreneurs, academics, and executives.

Post-conference, students can access additional resources, apply for a designation or certification scholarship, and continue to connect with the Center for Economic Empowerment and Equality. Program slots are limited.

Application Process

Students can nominate themselves OR be nominated by someone they know for the opportunity to join the NextGen Program. Those accepted into the program will receive an email notification with additional details about the conference and the program's expectations.

If you are College faculty or staff or a community partner interested in bringing five or more students to the CAAFP, please contact Tori Phillips, Program Director for the American College Center for Economic Empowerment and Equality, at tori.phillips@theamericancollege.edu.

Program Eligibility

To be eligible, a student must meet the following criteria:

• Be nominated by themselves, an instructor, a supervisor, or a mentor
• Be a Black/African American undergraduate student enrolled in good standing, preferably at a Historically Black College or University (HBCU)
• Be studying a business-related major or minor and show a strong interest in a financial services career
  Demonstrate leadership qualities and academic potential

Program Requirements

Accepted students must:

• Complete all program forms, including the CAAFP registration form
• Finish the Know Yourself, Grow Your Wealth certificate program by June 1, 2025, if not already completed
• Participate in the pre-conference workshops, hosted in collaboration with FARE
• Attend CAAFP 2025 at the Signia by Hilton in Atlanta, GA, August 11-13, 2025

Applications for the NextGen Program open on January 6, 2025, and close on February 14, 2025. Nominations must be submitted via the official form. Awardees can expect to receive notifications in March and should engage in virtual monthly meetings with their FARE mentors ahead of the event from April through July.