Pathways to Prosperity

KING OF PRUSSIA, PA—July 7, 2025—The American College of Financial Services announces the upcoming 19th annual Conference of African American Financial Professionals (CAAFP), which will take place from August 11 to 13 at Signia by Hilton in Atlanta, GA. This year’s conference will revolve around the theme “Pathways to Prosperity,” a call to enhance representation within the industry, and to foster more opportunities for growth and success. 

“We are proud to be able to bring together such promising professionals every year to develop strategies for not only strengthening representation in our industry, but also laying the groundwork for transformational impact across generations,” said George Nichols III, CAP,® president and CEO of The American College of Financial Services. “We aim to make the CAAFP more than the typical conference experience, and instead provide participants with insights, tools, and networking opportunities to enable professional growth and benefit their communities.”

This year’s conference will feature 20 breakout sessions led by renowned industry experts, veteran practitioners, and change agents. Keynote speakers from a variety of backgrounds will share their insights. Speakers include:

• Chaunté Lowe, four-time Olympic medalist, author, TEDx speaker, and breast cancer thriver
• Denise M. Thomas, founder of The Effective Communication Coach
• Ryan Wilson, CEO and co-founder of The Gathering Spot
• Michael Finke, PhD, CFP®, professor of wealth management, WMCP® program director
• David Blanchett, PHD, MSFS, CFA, CLU®, CHFC®, CFP®, adjunct professor of wealth management
• Terrell Dinkins, MBA, ChFC®, RICP®, president and founder of OBN Wealth Advisors, LLC
• Don Graves, RICP®, CLTC®, CSA, business development manager at Mutual of Omaha Reverse Mortgage
• Angela (Angie) Ribuffo, CFP®, RICP®,ChFC®, CDFA, CLTC, WMCP®, president of Raion Financial Strategies LLC and registered representative at Cambridge Investment Research

Workshops will cover three strategic themes: Wealth Life Cycle, Scalable Sustainability, and Leading Forward, designed to equip attendees with the tools to grow wealth, build resilient businesses, and elevate leadership impact. Sessions will explore strategic planning, sustainable growth, and leadership development to empower professionals to drive innovation and deliver lasting impact for their clients and communities.

Last year’s CAAFP attracted nearly 1,000 financial professionals from 20 U.S. states, as well as more than 50 scholars from historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) and affiliates, and 450 first-time attendees. The 2024 CAAFP also featured almost 200 industry professionals with more than 20 years of experience and was supported by 20 corporate sponsors dedicated to expanding opportunities. 

“The CAAFP is a powerful industry resource for helping African American professionals thrive, and soar, individually and together,” said Mai Skyles, MBA, managing director of the American College Center for Economic Empowerment and Equality®. “This annual marquee event is key to our mission to promote inclusivity. We encourage African American financial professionals — and all financial professionals who serve our communities — to join us for the chance to forge new ‘Pathways to Prosperity’ for their businesses and their clients. Together, we are not only reshaping the financial services landscape — we are building a legacy of generational wealth, leadership, and economic advancement.” 

To learn more about the CAAFP and register for this year’s conference, please visit https://events.theamericancollege.edu/caafp-2025/. 

For more information, contact:

Jared Trexler
610-526-1268
jared.trexler@theamericancollege.edu

Taylor Genovese
973-524-4949
americancollege@jconnelly.com 

About The American College of Financial Services

The American College of Financial Services is the nation’s largest provider of financial planning education through its CFP® Certification Education Program* and ChFC® designation program. The College goes beyond foundational education with rigorous programs, ethical standards, and experience requirements for professionals who wish to specialize in areas such as retirement income planning, tax planning, philanthropic planning, and more.

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*Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards Inc. owns the certification marks CFP®, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™, CFP® (with plaque design), and CFP® (with flame design) in the U.S., which it awards to individuals who successfully complete CFP Board's initial and ongoing certification requirements.