Courtesy of Talladega College
The Center for Financial Advancement (CFA) Spring Regional Event was held on Tuesday, February 6, 2024, from 12-4 p.m. The event is scheduled to be hosted by Talladega College in Talladega, Alabama, and will take place in the Student Activity Center Ballroom.
âWe are pleased to host the Center for Financial Advancement Spring Regional Event on our campus. This event presents a wonderful opportunity for our students to gain valuable knowledge and life skills,â said Dr. Gregory J. Vincent, President of Talladega College. âWe look forward to welcoming all participants to our campus.”
The organization, which launched in 1994, creates paths to homeownership for students by providing financial education, professional development, as well as career growth opportunities.
âThe CFA serves as a signature program aimed at educating minoritized students about financial literacy. The program is powered by HomeFree-USA, which is a United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) approved homeownership development, foreclosure intervention, and financial coaching organization. The goals of the CFA program are to help create pathways to homeownership and opportunities for professional growth and development, specifically in the mortgage and real estate sectors. âHomeownership and access to credit are critical to building wealth in underserved communities,â said CFA Executive Director, Gwendolyn Garnett.
According to Garnett, lack of homeownership and knowledge of credit continues to be a national issue among people of color. Statistics show that African Americans have the lowest homeownership rate at 44% compared to the white homeownership rate of 72.7%. Talladega Collegeâs administration is proud to be at the forefront of this emerging partnership.
âAs the host institution for the Center for Financial Advancement (CFA) Regional Event by HomeFreeUSA, Talladega College is incredibly excited. This event not only underscores our commitment to financial education but also brings together students from six HBCUs, including Alabama State University, Fisk University, Fort Valley State University, Stillman College, Southern University at New Orleans, and of course, Talladega College. The leadership skills and homeownership knowledge that the event aims to impart are invaluable, especially in todayâs rapidly evolving financial landscape,â said Dr. Adrian Mayse, dean of the Division of Business Administration.
Not only will the event allow students an opportunity to engage with each other, but it will also open doors to discuss potential internship opportunities with Wells Fargo, an exclusive event sponsor.
However, the program not only benefits students and minorities in the communities but local businesses as well by bringing mortgage lenders together with non-profit leaders to help businesses increase their brand recognition within communities of color. These efforts also help to widen the pipeline of potential future homeowners in younger generations from underserved communities.
Faculty and staff at Talladega College and members of the community are encouraged to attend the âSimple Steps to Becoming a Homeownerâ session from 2:30-3:30 p.m. presented by Milan Griffin, co-founder of the Center for Financial Advancement and Chief People Officer for HomeFree-USA.
Dr. Mayse feels the sessionâs impact will be felt not only by the students but for those who champion them as well. âBy making this session accessible, we aim to empower not just our students but also those who guide and support them. My hope for everyone who attends this session is that they leave with a renewed sense of their potential and power in the realm of homeownership. The knowledge and tools provided are not just for individual benefit; they are meant to be shared and applied within families and broader communities. In doing so, we can extend the impact of this session far beyond the confines of our campus, contributing to a more financially savvy and empowered society,â he said.