America can do better,
because America has no
choice but to do better

Thurgood Marshall

Former Supreme Court Justice

Sustainable, Economic Change.

The American College Center for Economic Empowerment & Equality

The American College Center for Economic Empowerment and Equality is committed to narrowing the wealth gap and promoting economic justice with collective, community-focused solutions that last.[1]

The American College Center for Economic Empowerment & Equality

The Wealth Disparity is Real.[2]

Underserved communities have faced institutional barriers to financial security and wealth for decades, leaving a significant gap between those benefiting from the current system, and those being left behind. [3]

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3x

Whites inherit generational wealth at 3x the rate of Blacks[4]

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55%

Whites participate in employer retirement plans at a 55% higher rate than Latinos

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2x

Whites are 2x more likely to own a home than Blacks

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$16T

Disparities cost the U.S. an estimated $16 trillion in economic output since 2000

Blacks could boost GDP by $1.5 trillion through 2026.[5]

Latinos could account for 85% of the new-age U.S. workforce.

Women could add $12 trillion to GDP through 2025.

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The Right Solution Integrates Community Needs with Business Goals.

THE FINANCIAL SERVICES INDUSTRY, nonprofit organizations, corporate America, and government agencies must look at underserved communities as an investment, and focus on “doing well by doing good.” Pursuing this goal is a business imperative – and significant opportunity – as America readies to become minority-majority by 2045.

New Ideas from Tomorrow's Leaders

Access to Potential Employees and Future Leaders

Opportunity to Grow
 Your Business

We Must Create a New Reality.[6]

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THE CENTER FOR ECONOMIC EMPOWERMENT AND EQUALITY is the flagship center for research, thought leadership, curriculum and course development, programming, and scholarships aimed at narrowing the wealth gap and cultivating lasting relationships between financial services and all underserved groups.

Trailblazing Research.

The Center for Economic Empowerment and Equality will execute path-breaking research led by The American College of Financial Services’ faculty, researchers, and thought leaders and supported by industry partners in academics, financial services, and at all levels of government.

A SPIRIT OF COLLABORATION.

The Center for Economic Empowerment and Equality will create initiatives and develop or refine products and services by convening partners across financial services, community and private foundations, and corporate America, and meeting directly with the underserved groups we aim to impact. It’s a win-win opportunity for business and community collaboration.

AN EVIDENCE-BASED APPROACH.

By leaning on robust data and boots-on-the-ground evidence, The Center for Economic Empowerment and Equality will measure success, as well as identify gaps and new opportunities quickly and efficiently. Impacting underserved communities is a dynamic process, and our approach will remain flexible and nimble.

A LASTING INFRASTRUCTURE.

Insular solutions built on contingent capital have failed in the past. By desiring both the financial and intellectual capital of our partners, The Center for Economic Empowerment and Equality is committed to establishing a lasting infrastructure that supports sustainable, generational solutions.

Four Steps Forward for Black America.

THE CENTER FOR ECONOMIC EMPOWERMENT AND EQUALITY'S approach to create lasting change begins by tapping into the urgency to promote upward mobility and wealth building for Black women, financial services professionals, executive leaders, and communities across America.

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Financial Education for Black Women.

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Black women are gatekeepers of their families and communities. They serve as a primary breadwinner for 63% of Black households and make up 68% of Black baccalaureate degree holders. The Center for Economic Empowerment and Equality proposes financial education programs targeted to Black women depending on life stage, profession, or interests and focused on building trust and addressing financial access, actions, and attitudes.

Recruiting and Training for Black Financial Professionals.

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Black professionals experience challenges from lack of training, resources, and opportunities. While Blacks make up roughly 13% of America, they make up just 6.9% of financial advisors. The Center for Economic Empowerment and Equality will conduct research, focus groups, and firm-level assessments to provide blueprints to aide diversity initiatives and organize study groups with moderators to facilitate participation and data collection.

Executive Leadership Program for Black Leaders.

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Blacks are 12% more likely than white professionals to indicate ambition, but just 31% have access to senior leaders at work. The Center for Economic Empowerment and Equality will create an executive leadership curriculum drawn from best-in-class instructional design and the insights of current Black executives. An adjacent executive track will help non-Black executive sponsors understand changing demographics and potential biases at work.

Collective Impact for Black Communities.

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Census estimates show the percentage of Blacks will grow 34% by 2045. With the minority fast becoming the majority, the Center for Economic Empowerment and Equality will conduct robust research to understand key challenges, develop new pathways, and convene financial services leaders to offer more open access to products and services. The results must meet defined metrics and deliver sustainable outcomes.

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The Right Convener to Lead The Way.

FOR NEARLY A CENTURY, The American College of Financial Services has forged lasting partnerships with the nation’s leading financial services companies. As the nation’s largest accredited, nonprofit institution devoted to applied knowledge and education, The College is uniquely positioned to make a lasting impact. Since its founding in 1927, The College has helped create generational wealth-building through the transfer of knowledge to advisors and the consumers they serve.

Delivers applied knowledge to 1-in-5 financial professionals

Engages a community of over 170,000 alumni[12]

Over 20 years of experience in distance and e-learning

Resources

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Insights

CAAFP 2022 Graphic

Conference of African American Financial Professionals 2022

Insights

  /  01.24.2022

Know Yourself, Grow Your Wealth

Research

  /  11.9.2021

Black Women, Trust, and the Financial Services Industry

Press

  /  02.17.2022

Financial Education Critical When “Most Relevant”: American College of Financial Services CEO

Press

  /  10.25.2021

George Nichols III Recognized as a Forbes "Culture 50 Champion"

SOURCES

  1. Federal Reserve Board. 2019 Survey of Consumer Finances.
  2. Citi. Closing the racial inequality gaps. 09/01/2020.
  3. McKinsey & Company. The economic impact of closing the racial wealth gap. 08/13/2019.
  4. Peterson Institute for International Economics. 2019.
  5. McKinsey & Company. How advancing women’s equality can add $12 trillion to global growth. 09/01/2015.
  6. Brookings. The U.S. will become ‘minority white’ by 2045, Census projects. 03/14/2008. 2 Census. Projections of the size and composition of the U.S. Population: 2014 to 2060. 03/2015.