CAAFP 2024 Recap: Expanding Our Collective Impact

For three days from August 12-14, 2024, attendees of the 18th annual event focused on empowering, educating, and advocating for the role of Black, African American, and DEI-committed professionals in the financial services industry experienced informative and inspirational workshops and coaching sessions plus invaluable networking opportunities.

The conference was truly transformational for all involved as it focused on the theme of Expanding Our Collective Impact: building solutions to the racial opportunity and wealth gaps that still persist in America today.

The Power of Insurance Planning

The first day of CAAFP 2024 opened with an insightful conversation between two financial services industry leaders: Salene Hitchcock-Gear, president of individual life insurance at Prudential; and Kam Harris, vice president of actuarial and risk at Atlanta Life Insurance. In their discussion, they focused on their diverse roles within the insurance planning space – one of The College’s foundational pillars thanks to the Chartered Life Underwriter® (CLU®) designation program – and how insurance can shape the futures of diverse communities.

Hitchcock-Gear and Harris also talked about the relationship between insurance and legacy planning, and how Black and African Americans have been left out of conversations about building generational wealth.

Along with a welcome dinner filled with fun and fellowship, attendees went to bed excited for the next day’s main events.

Financial Services Policy and Prosperity

The second day of CAAFP 2024 kicked off with a keynote address from Donna Brazile, a veteran political strategist and author. Brazile drew on her extensive history with Washington, DC and legislating to examine the current state of the country – and what can be done to narrow wealth gaps between diverse communities.

“Leadership comes in all kinds of flavors, shapes, sizes and colors,” she said. “We are not going back. We are going to celebrate who we are, and we are not afraid to claim diversity, equity and inclusion.”

After getting a chance to attend a series of workshops and coaching sessions and check out The College’s Networking Lounge – filled with information booths and activities, as well as shopping opportunities from local merchants – attendees enjoyed  lunch and a conversation between two more industry movers: George Nichols III, CAP®, president and CEO of The College; and Raphael Bostic, president and CEO of the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta.

In their discussion, Nichols and Bostic took a look at the role of the Federal Reserve, bankers, and the financial services industry in unlocking new opportunities for communities of color.

“Information is power, and we want to get that information into the hands of the public,” Bostic said. “Our job is to create certainty and an economy for everyone. If we’re doing our job, people will feel optimistic about the future.”

Finally, the evening was capped off with a celebratory White Party, where all attendees were invited to wear their best white outfits and dance to the beats of DJ Shakim and Dee-1. It was the perfect ending to an eventful day!

Empowering Future Generations Through Finance

While no one wanted CAAFP 2024 to end, day three of the event wasn’t short on excitement and insight. To kick off the day, Nichols hosted a fireside chat featuring Virgil Miller, president of insurance giant Aflac U.S.

Following that session, the CAAFP crowd heard a powerful address from Michelle Singletary, author and award-winning personal finance columnist for The Washington Post. Singletary stressed the importance of legacy-building for Black communities and families, returning to the themes of day one while adding her own ideas on how a change in mindset is necessary to close the racial wealth gap.

The College recognized the excellence of African American financial professionals with its annual presentation of the Lang Dixon Leadership and Excellence in Achieving Diversity (LEAD) Award. This year, two award recipients – Maceo A. Sloan, CLU® and Calvin F. Vismale, CLU® – were recognized posthumously as two of The College’s first Black alumni in the CLU® Program and among those who paved the way toward increasing diversity in the insurance business.

Finally, the entire event was capped off by a talk from Dawn Staley, a legendary figure in women's basketball. Staley is renowned both as a former player and as the current head coach of the South Carolina Gamecocks, leading the team to multiple national championships, SEC titles, and Final Four appearances. She played eight seasons in the WNBA as a stellar point guard for the University of Virginia, and was a three-time Olympic gold medalist with the U.S. women’s basketball team. In her address, Staley focused on critical elements of leadership needed to expand collective impact.

“I hope CAAFP attendees do three things after this great event: expand their knowledge, expand their network, and stay connected—both with The College and with each other. That’s how we’ll deliver on the promise of the conference and Expand Our Collective Impact.”

George Nichols III, CAP®
President and CEO 

Thanks to all who attended CAAFP 2024! We look forward to seeing even more financial professionals and continuing to expand our collective impact in 2025.

Get an inside look in this year’s recap video.

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