About The College Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Insights
CAAFP 2024 Recap
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.
More From CAAFP:
Learn About the Event.
Visit the Center for Economic Empowerment and Equality.
About The College Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Insights
Lang Dixon and the Origins of CAAFP
Established in 2018, The College’s Lang Dixon Leadership and Excellence in Achieving Diversity (LEAD) Award is given annually at CAAFP to an African American financial services professional who has significantly impacted the financial services profession. For 2024, two men received the Lang Dixon Award posthumously: Maceo A. Sloan, CLU®, and Calvin F. Vismale, CLU®, two of The College’s first Black alumni in the Chartered Life Underwriter® (CLU®) Program.
Along with recognizing Sloan and Vismale, those offering tributes to them at CAAFP 2024 took time to reflect on the man who provided the inspiration for the award in the first place. Lang Dixon was a successful life insurance agent and mentor who believed in giving back to his profession, and was part of The College’s inaugural African American Advisory Committee dedicated to increasing diversity and inclusion in financial services.
When Dixon passed away in 1994, the members of the still-active committee decided to commemorate his legacy with a Lang Dixon Education Day – and, thanks to the backing of some generous corporate sponsors, the idea evolved into the first CAAFP event held in 2001!
See the full story in this year’s tribute video.
About The College Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Podcasts
Sowing the Seeds of Financial Success
In this episode of our Shares podcast, host Lindsey Lewis, MBA, ChFC®, CFP® speaks with Valencia Gabay, program director for financial educational and wellbeing at The College and one of the many minds behind Know Yourself, Grow Your Wealth®: a non-credit certificate program that helps improve financial decision-making, increase financial security, and put into practice strategies to achieve financial goals. She discusses the ideas and goals behind Know Yourself, Grow Your Wealth® and how the program is fundamentally engineered to help learners take control of their financial future.
Also featured is Tony Sanchez, a community affairs specialist at OneAmerica Financial in Indianapolis and graduate of the program, to speak about the program benefits he has seen personally and in his capacity as a mentor for others.
Valencia Gabay is the program director for financial education and wellbeing at The College. With a dedication to fostering partnerships and guiding community engagement, she strives to enhance financial wellbeing for diverse populations. As an accomplished learning experience designer and academic professional, she excels in creating inclusive learning environments through a design thinking approach. An organizational leadership scholar, her research interests lie in humility and inclusive leadership practices that promote team resilience, creative thinking, and innovation within the virtual workforce. With over 20 years of experience in higher education, she has contributed significantly to academic literature and has shared her expertise on international platforms. Gabay is also the co-author of Group Coaching and Mentoring: A Framework for Fostering Organizational Change. She completed her undergraduate and graduate work at the University of Florida and is completing her doctoral studies in Organizational Leadership at Indiana Wesleyan University.
Antonio “Tony” Sanchez is a community affairs specialist at OneAmerica Financial. He serves on the community affairs team, helping run the groundbreaking Pathways Program which provides students in underserved areas of Indianapolis with journeys that build skills, connections, and a path to sustainable income through jobs, mentorship, and opportunities in the financial services industry. He is a former OneAmerica Financial intern and is now a OneAmerica Financial full-time associate. Before joining OneAmerica Financial full-time, he also worked as an accountant intern at Mutual Savings Bank in Franklin, Indiana. Sanchez graduated from Franklin College with two degrees in economics and has worked and volunteered at the Boys and Girls Club in Franklin.
Any views or opinions expressed in this podcast are the hosts’ and guests' own and do not necessarily represent those of The American College of Financial Services.
Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Podcasts
NextGen in 10: Finding Your Path to Financial Planning
In this episode of our NextGen in 10 podcast, host Matt Aaron, CFP®, RICP® speaks with Rianka Dorsainvil, CFP® about her unique career path into financial services and how people from non-financial backgrounds are finding great success and satisfaction in the industry.
Rianka Dorsainvil, CFP®, co-founder and co-CEO of 2050 Wealth Partners, focuses on empowering entrepreneurs and first-generation wealth builders to own their money story and pursue their biggest dreams. As a financial planner and an advocate for diversity, equity, and inclusion, Dorsainvil believes that first-generation wealth-builders are a community that has been underserved by the financial planning profession for too long – and she’s here to help change the tides. She serves as a member of CNBC's Digital Financial Advisor Council and CFP Board’s Diversity Advisory Group, is a Forbes Personal Finance contributor, and has been recognized for her accomplishments and leadership within the industry by leading publications and organizations, such as InvestmentNews’ inaugural 2017 Women to Watch Rising Star award and Wealth Management’s Ten to Watch in 2018. She has been published in PBS NewsHour, Forbes, USA Today, Black Enterprise, CNBC, Women’s Health, and more.
Any views or opinions expressed in this podcast are the hosts’ and guests' own and do not necessarily represent those of The American College of Financial Services.
Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Podcasts
NextGen in 10 Reimagining Financial Service
In this episode of our NextGen in 10 podcast, host Matt Aaron, CFP®, RICP® speaks with Rianka Dorsainvil, CFP® about the need for more women in financial services, how an advisor can learn about a client's diverse cultural background, and why an advisor must be knowledgeable about taxes.
Rianka Dorsainvil, CFP®, co-founder and co-CEO of 2050 Wealth Partners, focuses on empowering entrepreneurs and first-generation wealth builders to own their money story and pursue their biggest dreams. As a financial planner and an advocate for diversity, equity, and inclusion, Dorsainvil believes that first-generation wealth-builders are a community that has been underserved by the financial planning profession for too long – and she’s here to help change the tides. She serves as a member of CNBC's Digital Financial Advisor Council and CFP Board’s Diversity Advisory Group, is a Forbes Personal Finance contributor, and has been recognized for her accomplishments and leadership within the industry by leading publications and organizations, such as InvestmentNews’ inaugural 2017 Women to Watch Rising Star award and Wealth Management’s Ten to Watch in 2018. She has been published in PBS NewsHour, Forbes, USA Today, Black Enterprise, CNBC, Women’s Health, and more.
Any views or opinions expressed in this podcast are the hosts’ and guests' own and do not necessarily represent those of The American College of Financial Services.
Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Insights
Military Support Groups
In 2004, Troopathon, formerly known as Move America Forward, was founded by Melanie Morgan as a nonprofit organization with a mission to provide emotional and tangible support to active-duty troops as well as offer assistance and resources to military families and veterans in need. Since its founding, Troopathon has sent over 1,000 tons of care packages to troops on the frontline thanks to the unwavering support of thousands of pro-troop civilians, veterans, and military families nationwide.1
The organization hosts an annual Troopathon fundraiser, which is the largest and only nationally televised annual care package telethon. It aims to send as many military care packages as possible to our troops on the front lines.
Troopathon provides numerous opportunities to get involved including donating, volunteering, and spreading awareness.
Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Insights
Generation Z Employment Insights Survey
With months of dedicated research and design, Wright Research Fellow Alisha Cook and director of research Kaylee Ranck, PhD, have developed a strong foundation for understanding the career interests and intricacies of the next and upcoming generation of financial professionals, Generation Z. As the financial services industry evolves, understanding and harnessing the potential of these emerging professionals becomes paramount for the future success of institutions and the clients they serve.
The survey aims to understand the career interests, experiences, and preferences of Gen Z individuals (aged 18-27), who are either interested in or already within their first three years of a career within the financial services industry. It covers a range of critical topics including but not limited to:
Career interests and experiences
Perceptions of the financial services industry
Financial literacy, digital skills and AI adaptiveness
Career advancement goals and aspirations
Consisting of over 40 questions and around 15 minutes in length, the survey dives deep into the minds of Gen Z, capturing the nuances of their career motivations and expectations. Participants' involvement will have no foreseeable risks and responses will remain anonymous, ensuring their safety and confidentiality.
By participating in this survey, Gen Z professionals will provide critical insights that can help shape the future of the financial services industry. These insights will empower institutions to tailor their recruitment and retention strategies more effectively, aligning them with the expectations and needs of young professionals.
We invite all eligible Gen Z individuals to share their perspectives and contribute to this important research. This survey will provide valuable data that can help shape the future of financial services, ensuring that it remains responsive to the next generation of talent. To participate, simply click the link below:
https://theamericancollege.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_d4IBCrNvFQvXefA
Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Insights
Women Working in Wealth on the Road for Women's History Month
The InvestmentNews Women Advisor Summit provided a unique platform for advisors and their supporters to explore the latest industry trends, practice management strategies, and career development opportunities. The American College of Financial Services, serving as the education partner, was proud to contribute its expertise to this talented group of financial professionals.
Returning from the summit, attendees, including myself, felt inspired and equipped with practical ideas, new tools, and invaluable connections with peers and industry leaders. Some of the key lessons that resonated with me included the following:
- The practice of a financial professional is to become a translator and speak the language of your clients
- Spend the time getting to know your clients during all seasons of life and put in the reps to develop a rapport with clients
- Organic growth aside from M&A takes concentrated effort
At the Wealth Management EDGE conference, discussions centered on the future of diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEIB) in the industry. Representing The College, I had the privilege to discuss how the industry can increase awareness and accessibility for diverse communities. Addressing the obstacles that hinder entry into the financial services industry and ensuring firms retain and invest in diverse talent is crucial.
As the financial services industry continues to evolve, embracing diversity and fostering an inclusive environment will be key to its sustainability and success. By engaging with passion and committing to DEIB principles, the industry can ensure a bright and equitable future for all professionals and clients. Read more about the discussion here.
Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Insights
Military Resource Group Consortium’s First Quarterly Webinar
On June 6, the Center for Military and Veterans Affairs’ Military Resource Group Consortium hosted its first free hour-long webinar featuring panelists from various tribes in the financial services industry. The webinar began with each panelist describing their transition from the military into the industry and highlighting the opportunities and challenges they each experienced. They continued by discussing the educational opportunities they each took advantage of and how it has led to their success in the industry.
Each panelist delved into which hard and soft skills learned in the military they believe are most transferable to the industry. “In the military you learn how rules and regulations work and how to apply and live by them, but you also learn humility which will come when helping clients navigating life,” said Daniel Kopp of Wise Stewardship Financial Planning.
Matt Stephens of Willow Chute Financial also felt that the military provided him with valuable skills that he has transferred to financial services. “You learn how to ask pointed specific questions and network well, which strengthens your influence,” Stephens said.
Christopher Smiley stated his belief that the regimented environment prepared him for success in financial services as well, “In the military you are always used to having a manual that helps you build efficiency; you can build efficiency and discipline into financial practices.”
In total, the webinar had 57 registrants with many scholars from the Center for Military and Veterans Affairs and members from each consortium’s company resource group in attendance.
The consortium will be hosting its next webinar during the 2024 Military Summit.
Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Insights
Military Appreciation Month
In 1999, the United States Congress designated May as National Military Appreciation month to provide citizens the opportunity to publicly honor and recognize the contributions, sacrifices, and services of members of the armed forces, past and present.
According to Military.Com, “the month plays a crucial role in raising awareness and understanding the challenges faced by the military community and provides a platform for education and dialogue about the experiences of service members, veterans, and their families.”
The month highlights several military anniversaries and events including Military Spouse Appreciation Day, Children of Fallen Patriots Day, U.S. Armed Forces Day, and provides an opportunity to pause and reflect on those who gave all on Memorial Day.
May was chosen because of the military’s historic achievements throughout the month including Victory in Europe (VE) Day, which commemorated the end of WWII in Europe in 1945.
There are numerous opportunities for citizens to show their appreciation, including attending events in their local community, purchasing a meal for a service member in uniform, volunteering at a VA hospital or veterans’ shelter, donating to a veterans’ charity, or sending a care package.