From Recognition to Realization

When Juneteenth became a federal holiday in 2021, it marked a long-overdue recognition of a critical chapter in American history. For many of us in leadership, that moment also came with an ongoing responsibility: to move from symbolic acknowledgment to sustained, measurable action.

Now, four years later, we ask not just what we’ve celebrated, but what we’ve changed.
At The American College of Financial Services, we have worked with purpose to advance financial freedom for many years, including through our Four Steps Forward initiative that began in 2020 and focused on: empowering Black women through financial research and education, recruiting and training Black financial services professionals, developing executive leadership programs for Black professionals in financial services, and building collective impact for Black communities through financial education. We began with a focus on Black women, professionals, and communities, and today, these programs have expanded to reach broader populations. 

For us, Juneteenth is not only about reflecting on the past and the end of slavery in America; this is an opportunity to honor our country’s history by building a stronger, more inclusive financial future for all.

Since Juneteenth was first recognized in 2021, we’ve taken real steps forward:

• In 2021, the American College Center for Economic Empowerment and Equality (CEEE) produced research called Black Women, Trust, and the Financial Services Industry, which delivered meaningful insights to help financial professionals build better relationships with and better serve this important group. In 2022, WealthManagement.com awarded the research a prestigious Wealthies award.
• In 2022, CEEE introduced the Executive Leadership Program, an innovative development opportunity for Black and DEI-committed professionals. Its success has led us to expand the program’s reach to include more leaders from diverse backgrounds.
• That same year, we rolled out Know Yourself, Grow Your Wealth®, a consumer education program distributed through more than 35 historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs). It’s now reaching broader audiences across communities. As of the 2024 annual impact report, 15% of participants say they improved their financial knowledge as a result of completing the program, 46% adjusted their credit card use, and 68% increased their savings or began saving for the first time.
• Our Conference for African American Financial Professionals, now in its 19th year, attracted record attendance, most recently drawing nearly 1,000 financial professionals, more than 50 HBCU and affiliate scholars, and 20 corporate sponsors to the 2024 event.

These initiatives are more than checkboxes. They are expressions of our belief that economic empowerment is the next chapter in the story Juneteenth asks us to tell. It’s a story in which opportunity is not merely promised, but delivered.

The College has used its platform to advocate for positive change within our profession and society at large. Today we’ve made representation one of our top three strategic priorities, underscoring our commitment to advancing education, access, and opportunity across the financial services profession.

In the past year alone, I’ve had the privilege of sharing my perspectives on representation and inclusion at industry gatherings such as Future Proof, Tiburon, and the Financial Services Institute, as well as in podcasts and publications. And while those are just some examples of my activities in the past year, they are not isolated or individual. Rather, our work represents a sustained commitment by our executive leadership team, board of trustees, and many strategic philanthropic partners.

Juneteenth is a reminder of resilience and responsibility. In pursuit of The College’s mission to provide applied financial knowledge and education, promote lifelong learning and advocate for ethical standards to benefit society, we have a responsibility to continue opening doors, challenging assumptions, and equipping more people to thrive. We remain dedicated to that work through research, education, and action.

This year’s Conference for African American Financial Professionals in August will center on the theme Pathways to Prosperity. On this Juneteenth, please join me in reflecting on how we can continue forging new pathways from the freedom brought by emancipation to the freedom that comes with financial prosperity.

More From The College

Get to know the Center for Economic Empowerment and Equality
Learn about the Conference for African American Financial Professionals (CAAFP)