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Center for Financial Advancement®

Empowering Students for Financial and Professional Success

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Center for Financial Advancement®

Empowering Students for Financial and Professional Success

View Event Photo Gallery
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Center for Financial Advancement® Journey

Established in 2017 at Fisk University, the Center for Financial Advancement® program aims to enhance financial literacy, professional development, leadership, and homeownership knowledge among students at Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). Founded by visionaries Jim and Marcia Griffin, with Gwen Garnett as Executive Director and Nicholas Whiteside as Student Director and the program's first scholar, the initiative began by visiting HBCU campuses to promote financial freedom. As the program expanded, LuWanna Williams and Chardonnay Lee joined in 2021 as University Director and Program Analyst, respectively, bringing the team to four members. The curriculum and partner programs have grown, reaching 16 HBCUs by 2024, demonstrating its commitment to financial empowerment and leadership. The program continues to thrive and aims to further expand its impact in the future.

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Our Approach

Addressing the challenges and opportunities for HBCU students involves recognizing that non-finance/business majors often miss interview opportunities despite being strong candidates. HBCU students need exposure to industry professionals who reflect their backgrounds, as success at HBCUs is built on relationships. The focus is on underrepresented schools with prepared students. Consistent follow-up and a year-round engagement are essential to fostering these connections and opportunities.

Program Insights

  • The 8-month program starts with a 2-day in-person training at our Money4Life Leadership Summit for 400+ HBCU scholars on financial, homeownership, and leadership topics, including partner engagement in educational and career discussions.

  • ​Continuous learning is supported through our customized Learning Management System (LMS), reinforcing Summit topics.

  • ​Partners engage with scholars through the LMS and partner-specific programs.

  • ​Internship and job discussions begin at the Summit, with hiring continuing throughout the school year.

  • ​Scholars attend regional events on homeownership and leadership training with partners.

  • The student development team maintains ongoing engagement with scholars and HBCU leaders.

  • All majors are welcome.

Our Impact

  • 18,029+ Students and faculty were introduced to money management and success skills through our Day of Empowerment, Learn to Earn sessions and Mortgage Basics.

  • 2073 scholars engaged in an 8-month program starting with the Money4Life Leadership Summit, enhancing professionalism, work performance, and financial awareness.

  • 228 reported an increase in savings in 2025 following CFA Curriculum 211 reported a reduction of debt in 2025 Following CFA Curriculum

  • 443 Students enrolled in the CFA partner financial education and certification programs.

  • 249+ Students have received internships through partners. HomeFree-USA is focused on helping partners enhance or design value-added internships.

  • 11 scholars have become homeowners or are in the homebuying process.

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Funders & Partners

Hear from Our Scholars

“Being a part of the Center for Financial Advancement® program really helped me get the real-life work experience and exposure I needed. I want to thank HomeFree-USA without whom any of this would have been possible. Therefore, I am really grateful for everything I learned in the program and am blessed to make life long friends and mentors along the way.”
Roshan
"Center for Financial Advancement® has been a blessing to me. I’ve been granted invaluable opportunities to learn about and experience the world of finance, real estate, and business. Being a student at Fisk University has taught me about humility and how to be assertive in what it is that I want. Thank you to the funding partners for believing in HBCU students enough to invest in us!"
Saraya
“My experience in the Center for Financial Advancement® has enhanced my knowledge of entrepreneurship, and has taught me how to create a solid financial foundation. I am more confident in starting a business because of this program.”
Nicholas