Spike Lee, Venus Williams, Tracee Ellis Ross, Shaquille O'Neal, Killer Mike, Big Sean, and More to Headline; 'NAACP Powershift Entrepreneur Grant' Submissions Are Now Open — Awarding $150,000+ in Black Business Grants

NEW CITY, N.Y. - October 6, 2022 - (Newswire.com)

Daymond John, the founder and CEO of FUBU and co-star of ABC's four-time Emmy Award-winning show Shark Tank has announced the third annual Black Entrepreneurs Day presented by Chase. In conjunction with Medium Rare and The Shark Group, Black Entrepreneurs Day presented by Chase is an annual celebration of Black business, aiming to empower and celebrate entrepreneurs everywhere. Focused at the intersection of Business & Entertainment, Black Entrepreneurs Day presented by Chase has quickly become one of the largest and most awarded Diversity & Inclusion events in America. Last year's event attracted over 6.5 million viewers and won its third and fourth Webby Awards as the Best Remote Business & Finance event on the internet. This year's free global live-stream will air on Thursday, Oct. 27, beginning at 7 p.m. ET across the Black Entrepreneurs Day website, Facebook, and more.

Black Entrepreneurs Day presented by Chase will feature Game Changer Conversations presented by The General Insurance®. The thoughtfully curated segment includes one-on-one discussions with Black businesses leaders and cultural icons including Shaquille O'Neal, Tracee Ellis Ross, Spike Lee, Venus Williams, and Killer Mike, moderated by Daymond John. Musical superstar Big Sean will cap off the evening with a live performance. All new for 2022, The Build Black with Shopify's Pitch Competition will be a highlight of the program as budding entrepreneurs pitch their businesses live.

Since its inception, Black Entrepreneurs Day has provided guidance and inspiration to the next generation of rising entrepreneurs as well as over $500,000 in business grants via the "NAACP Powershift Entrepreneur Grant," created by Daymond John. Black entrepreneurs and small business owners across the country can apply now for a $25,000 NAACP Powershift Entrepreneur Grant on the event website through Oct. 12, 2022, at 11:59 p.m. ET.

"Being in year three accomplishes one of my original goals of making Black Entrepreneurs Day one of the most fun D&I events of the year that brings icons of the Black community to participate in important conversations and moments. I want to thank Chase for sharing my vision to make this possible and help bring in an incredible lineup. Black Entrepreneurs Day will once again inspire, educate, learn from, and celebrate those that are hustling, pushing forward, pursuing their dreams and, in many cases, thriving. It is truly my honor to return to Harlem's iconic Apollo Theater and bring BED to a place near and dear to my heart while ensuring audiences throughout the world can stream the show for free," said Daymond John.

Black Entrepreneurs Day is excited to welcome its A-list guests and business leaders to the world famous Apollo Theater in Harlem in front of a live studio audience. The legendary Apollo Theater plays a vital role in cultivating emerging artists and launching legends. Since its founding in 1934, the Apollo has served as a center of innovation and a creative catalyst for Harlem, the city of New York, and the world.

"Black Entrepreneurs Day provides an invaluable resource to a community that is historically overlooked when it comes to resources and funding. It is truly economic inclusion for us, by us. As we work to improve every aspect of the Black community — from education and health to building generational wealth — we know Black entrepreneurs and an inclusive, thriving economy are key. The NAACP will continue to ensure economic growth and sustainability for Black people. For the third year, we're looking forward to seeing the ways that Black businesses are changing the landscape in industries like tech, beauty, travel and retail, and helping them scale through the NAACP Powershift Entrepreneur Grant," said Derrick Johnson, President and CEO, NAACP.

Black Entrepreneurs Day presented by Chase Show Program:

●  Game Changer Conversations presented by The General Insurance featuring Shaquille O'Neal, Tracee Ellis Ross, Spike Lee, Venus Williams, and Killer Mike

●  Live Musical Performance by Big Sean

●  "NAACP Powershift Entrepreneur Grant" Celebration & Showcases

●  Build Black with Shopify's Pitch Competition

●  Building Generational Wealth Featuring Tiki Barber presented by J.P. Morgan Wealth Management

●  Fulfill Your Dreams: A Small Business Roundtable Featuring Metta Sandiford-Artest presented by Alibaba.com

●  Elevating Access presented by Lowe's Featuring Lowe's Chairman and CEO Marvin Ellison

●  Historically Better powered by Pepsi Stronger Together

●  Empowering Entrepreneurs presented by Chase

●  Innovating for Health Equity Roundtable presented by Johnson & Johnson

●  Magenta Edge Roundtable presented by T-Mobile for Business

●  #FundBlackFounders presented by Google

●  The Breakdown presented by The General Insurance

● Build Black with Shopify Roundtable

For the third year in a row, Daymond is honored to partner with JPMorgan Chase to power the Black Entrepreneurs Day broadcast. Through Chase resources, the firm offers financial tools and guidance to support business owners who want to start, run and grow their businesses. Through its Advancing Black Pathways (ABP) initiative, JPMorgan Chase is striving to strengthen the economic foundation of the Black community globally. In 2020, ABP partnered with Chase for Business to launch Advancing Black Entrepreneurs (ABE), an educational program that offers practical advice and resources to help business owners navigate challenges and prepare for long-term success. Brian Lamb, Northeast Segment Head of Middle Market Banking & Specialized Industries for JPMorgan Chase Commercial Banking, will discuss ABE during the Black Entrepreneurs Day program and will be joined by Earl "Butch" Graves Jr., President and CEO, Black Enterprise, and Mindelyn Anderson, founder of Mirror Group LLC. Additionally, during Building Generational Wealth presented by J.P. Morgan Wealth Management, Tiki Barber and Daymond will speak about how clients can become financially savvy and Barber's career from a famed athlete to successful entrepreneur. "The journey of Black entrepreneurs can be a mosaic of highs and lows, but that journey can serve as an inspiration to generations. As a firm, we're committed to helping Black entrepreneurs get access to the critical resources they need to be successful, and we are proud to be a part of Black Entrepreneurs Day, which seeks to support and celebrate this inspiring community," said Byna Elliott, global head of Advancing Black Pathways at JPMorgan Chase.

For the third year in a row, The General Insurance will power the event's "Game Changer Conversations" featuring Daymond in inspirational one-on-one conversations with Black business leaders and cultural icons. Prepare for game-changing conversations featuring Shaquille O'Neal, Tracee Ellis Ross, Spike Lee, Venus Williams, and Killer Mike. In addition to this year's Game Changer Conversations, The General Insurance will also present a conversation entitled "The Breakdown," featuring Morgan DeBaun, founder and CEO of Blavity, Inc., Ryan Wilson, CEO and co-founder of The Gathering Spot, and EJ Reed, co-founder of Slim & Husky's Pizza Beeria, alongside Daymond John, focused on the importance of overcoming adversity and scaling Black-owned businesses.

PepsiCo is committed to addressing inequity and creating opportunities for Black communities and consumers through its various teams, programs, and initiatives including Historically Better powered by Pepsi Stronger Together. Historically Better is a platform that celebrates HBCU talent and culture, elevates and engages HBCU students, alumni and fans, and inspires the next generation of Black leaders. From highlighting industry trailblazers to awarding scholarships and internships, Historically Better utilizes the power of PepsiCo's diverse brand portfolio to address inequity and level the playing field for HBCU students with an end-to-end experience celebrating Black excellence in all its forms. This year, Historically Better will host an exclusive conversation between Daymond John and Kenny Thompson, Jr., Vice President of External Affairs for North America at PepsiCo, on the importance of inspiring the next generation of Black leaders, live from Howard University amongst a select group of undergraduate and graduate students. "Historically Better powered by Pepsi Stronger Together celebrates the Black excellence that lives and thrives at our nation's HBCUs. I'm proud to bring this program to Black Entrepreneurs Day and to highlight PepsiCo's work to confront inequity and empower Black communities and businesses. By nurturing the next generation of cultural changemakers and supporting Black business owners as they grow and lift up their communities, PepsiCo can help drive change," said Kenny Thompson, Jr., PepsiCo.

The future is now with Shopify. Through initiatives such as Build Black and its support of the 1MBB movement, Shopify has continued to reshape the ways in which minorities are supported and businesses, especially Black-owned businesses, are given a platform to be seen. Together with Daymond John and Black Entrepreneurs Day, Shopify will introduce an exciting new component of the show — Build Black with Shopify's Pitch Competition. A live pitch competition taking place at the Apollo in front of a panel of judges, this year's Pitch Competition will feature three Shopify merchants from their Build Black Community who are looking to win $25,000 and exclusive mentorship from Daymond John to further their business journey. In addition to the Pitch Competition. Shopify will also present a Build Black Roundtable featuring the three Black women who are actively working towards supporting and amplifying the thousands of Black businesses that come into the Build Black program, custom content and Daymond John's BED Picks — a hand-selected list of Black-owned Shopify brands from the Build Black Community that we can't get enough of.

Johnson & Johnson (J&J) is proud to partner with Black Entrepreneurs Day for the second year, as part of its Our Race to Health Equity initiative, a bold aspiration to help eradicate racial and social injustice within public health by eliminating health inequities for people of color. One of the ways the company is working to change the culture of healthcare is by investing in and supporting care models and solutions that drive healthier outcomes. During the Johnson & Johnson Innovating for Health Equity Roundtable, Daymond will host a dialogue with Vanessa Broadhurst, Executive Vice President, Global Corporate Affairs, Johnson & Johnson, Dr. Uché Blackstock, founder and CEO of Advancing Health Equity, and Barbara Rhoden, PhD, Head of Marketing, Primasun and Johnson & Johnson Innovation Board Fellow, to discuss how Black entrepreneurs are aligning business acumen and purpose-driven passion to address racial health inequities. The conversation will also cover some of the tools and resources that the company has put in place through Johnson & Johnson Innovation and Johnson & Johnson Impact Ventures, a fund within the Johnson & Johnson Foundation, to empower early-stage innovators to drive more inclusive healthcare solutions created for the community by the community.

Lowe's has remained committed to supporting Black entrepreneurs through various programming and initiatives. Live from the Apollo Theater, Daymond John will sit down with Marvin Ellison, Lowe's chairman and CEO, to discuss the unique ways Lowe's has supported diverse communities and minority-owned businesses.

Alibaba.com, one of the world's largest B2B e-commerce marketplaces and a business unit of Alibaba Group, is proud to partner with Black Entrepreneurs Day to present a groundbreaking conversation entitled Fulfill Your Dreams: A Small Business Roundtable centered on Alibaba.com's innovative initiatives to support small businesses. Featuring past Alibaba.com Grants Program winners Eva Jane Bunkley and Matt Jones, as well as Alibaba.com's Alex Tsai and renowned Metta Sandiford-Artest (formerly Metta World Peace), this conversation will further inspire entrepreneurs globally. Alibaba.com recently launched the Alibaba.com "Manifest" Grants Program, which aims to celebrate the innovativeness of U.S. small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) and enhance the competitive edge of their products. Entrepreneurs can now apply for the Alibaba.com Manifest Grants Program HERE, which will provide monetary funds and procurement resources to small businesses that have innovative product ideas and go-to-market strategies. In addition, one lucky winner will receive one-on-one mentorship from Daymond John.

Google's dedication to supporting Black communities and entrepreneurs is unmatched through various initiatives such as the Google for Startups for Black Founders Fund and so much more. During this year's Black Entrepreneurs Day, Daymond John and Melonie Parker, Google's Chief Diversity Officer, will host a conversation entitled #FundBlackFounders, focused on the Black startup founders who are building great companies yet are locked out of access to the funding that is critical to their success. At its core, Google is on a mission to support diverse startup communities globally — and that's precisely what Melonie and Daymond will dive into in this impactful discussion.

As a returning partner, T-Mobile for Business and its small business content destination Magenta Edge have joined forces with Daymond John for year three to present an exclusive Magenta Edge roundtable. Featuring three savvy, successful small business owners, this year's Magenta Edge Roundtable unpacks how Black entrepreneurs can raise the odds of running a thriving business over the long run. They discuss the value of strong connections, how to better access capital, and the role the community plays in the staying power of a business. Magenta Edge is an initiative created by T-Mobile for Business on a mission to help American small business owners navigate the ups and downs of entrepreneurship. With a foundational focus on minority-owned small businesses, Magenta Edge has a growing library of original content, educational programming, real stories, and insights to help teach and inspire all entrepreneurs.

An avid supporter of Black-owned businesses and organizations as well as a returning partner of Black Entrepreneurs Day, Facebook will be the preferred streaming partner of this year's event. Tune in to Daymond John's Facebook page on Oct. 27 to watch for free.

The one-of-a-kind historic live-stream will take place on Thursday, Oct. 27, 2022, at 7 p.m. ET, live from Harlem's World Famous Apollo Theater. The studio audience will be made up of NAACP groups, HBCU students, and those lucky enough to get a free ticket to the event taping on BlackEntrepreneursDay.com — Apply Now. For the millions of viewers watching at home, Black Entrepreneurs Day will be completely free and available worldwide beginning at 7 p.m. ET on the Black Entrepreneurs Day website, Facebook via Daymond John's page and across all other social media channels.

Final Event Flyer — CLICK HERE

ABOUT DAYMOND JOHN

Daymond John is CEO and founder of FUBU, a much-celebrated global lifestyle brand, and a pioneer in the fashion industry with over $6 billion in product sales. John's marketing strategies and ability to build successful brands has made him a highly influential consultant and motivational speaker today. John is also an author of four best-selling books, including his New York Times best-selling books The Power of Broke (2016) and Rise and Grind (2018). A Presidential Ambassador for Global Entrepreneurship under the Obama Administration, John is celebrating his 14th season on ABC's four-time Emmy Award-winning show Shark Tank where, as one of the original Sharks, he demonstrates his marketing prowess and entrepreneurial insights.

ABOUT MEDIUM RARE

Focused at the intersection of Sports & Entertainment, Medium Rare partners with athletes, celebrities, and brands to build iconic media properties. Medium Rare is the creator and producer of Webby Award-winning brands including Shaq's Fun House, Daymond John's Black Entrepreneurs Day, Guy Fieri's Restaurant Reboot, The Sports Illustrated Awards, Rob Gronkowski's Gronk Beach, SHAQ vs GRONK, and more. Medium Rare was founded by Joe Silberzweig and Adam Richman, who were recently honored with 4X Webby Awards, Forbes 30 Under 30, and Pollstar's Next Gen Impact. Learn more at www.Medium-Rare.com.

ABOUT SHARK GROUP

The Shark Group's team of expert communicators, strategic analysts, and creative heavyweights excels in propelling brands into the fabric of pop culture. Founded by award-winning entrepreneur Daymond John, the agency's culture is deeply rooted in thinking like entrepreneurs to create value for its partners and clients. Some of its clients include Chase, Shopify, T-Mobile, AARP, Daymond John, Carlos Santana, Catherine Zeta-Jones, and many others. Learn more at www.TheSharkGroup.com.

Contact Information:
Zachary Rosenfield
CEO, Rosenfield Media Group
[email protected]
310.429.5555

Amanda Brocato
EVP, Corporate Strategies & Events, Rosenfield Media Group
[email protected]
512.743.3941
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Original Source: Black Entrepreneurs Day presented by Chase: A Celebration of Black Business Curated by Daymond John Streaming Live From the Apollo Theater, Thursday, Oct. 27

New forms of cheap credit enticed many consumers to overextend their finances. Now as the bills come due, many are left asking, "Is instant gratification worth the price?"

NEW YORK - October 6, 2022 - (Newswire.com)

Carrot, the leading shopping app for visual product bookmarking with a mission to bring joy to online shopping, issued a response to recent Consumer Financial Protection Bureau warnings about the significant risks to consumers posed by "Buy Now, Pay Later" (BNPL) services.

"The current cycle of spendthrift behavior is coming to an end," says Nick Kuzma, head of growth at Carrot. "Not only are consumers missing payments, but our data also shows shop browsing—a key intent signal for purchases—is down ~15% in recent months, with actual purchases lagging even further. For consumers to delay or defer a purchase is one thing. For them to avoid browsing altogether is a clear reflection of a change in consumer psychology and sentiment toward spending."

BNPL companies rose to prominence during the coronavirus pandemic, fueling a glut of online spending, particularly for high-cost items like home furnishings and home gyms. Over 40% of Americans were at some point persuaded by marketing that promised an antidote to the pitfalls of traditional credit cards. But now 18% of Americans, nearly one in five, have missed a payment, incurring late fees and, for many, damaging their FICO credit scores. Missed payments and reduced spending are natural parts of the long-term debt cycle in every economy, but the recent entry of BNPL services into the market has exaggerated consumers' ability to borrow against future earnings in a way not previously seen.

"The bulk of e-commerce has become fast food, designed to trigger cravings and feel good in the moment, but ultimately leaves you with regret," says Bobby Ghoshal, serial startup founder and CEO of Carrot. "It's a symptom of a greater malady—the inability to stay top of mind, connecting authentically with customers and building relationships. Instead of addressing the root cause, brands have understandably focused on removing friction; optimizing for FOMO, cheap credit, one-click checkout, discounts, and 'buy-right-this-second' messages; because they know that if a prospective customer leaves their website without converting, they're unlikely to ever see them again. BNPL takes this to an extreme, giving folks the ability to supersize their purchases, ultimately leaving them in worse shape and with even greater regret."

Now, as the economy tilts towards a recession, consumers have responded by directing a greater share of spending to big box retailers like Amazon, which in September commanded a 16% greater share of transaction volume in online spending compared with the same month last year, according to Carrot data. The bulk of this growth is the result of a reduction in spend across other retailers, especially smaller independent merchants, more so than growth of Amazon directly. These smaller merchants now have to make spend reduction decisions of their own, a contributing factor towards a wider economic contraction.

Against this backdrop, Carrot's internal research shows that what consumers desire most is not "instant gratification" but "increased gratification," reports Bobby Ghoshal. The same research suggests that consumers who consider their purchases for longer and evaluate a range of options report higher degrees of satisfaction than those who purchased items on impulse using buy now, pay later services.

"Carrot was designed to let consumers enjoy being power shoppers without the pressure of being immediate power buyers," says Louis Kearns, Head of Product at Carrot. "Users get the dopamine rush of adding products to cart, with the benefit of the time and space they need to feel good about a product they might want to buy. The peace of mind knowing they can always find all those products inside their Carrot is a natural extension of the shopping experience consumers now expect. Carrot lets consumers shop with confidence, on their own terms."

Consumers have responded enthusiastically to this alternative focus on intentionality, making Carrot a top mobile Safari extension in the Apple App Store. Items saved by users are added to their accounts where they can be easily accessed across devices, organized into collections, and shared with others.

"The most remarkable thing has been seeing how users apply the tools we've built to their shopping journeys," says Ramin Bozorgzadeh, co-founder and CTO at Carrot. "The more consideration involved in the purchase—whether that's because it's an expensive purchase, one with many comparable options, or a very visible purchase like a gift—the more they turn to Carrot to visualize their options and make the decisions with confidence."

Carrot plans to continue expanding its consumer offerings, bringing greater intention and satisfaction to online shopping. "The purchase journey doesn't have to end in regret—we can address the root cause of the current issues in e-commerce and, in doing so, support consumers and merchants, especially smaller independent brands who don't possess Amazon-sized marketing budgets. Our number one focus will continue to be bringing increased gratification to our users—that joy you feel when you buy a product you love from a brand you believe in," says Bobby Ghoshal. "We're excited to bring several new products to market in the coming months, the likes of which have never been seen before, helping consumers to find inspiring products from the best brands, and empowering brands to connect with their most loyal shoppers."

Contact Information:
Nick Kuzma
Head of Growth, Carrot
[email protected]
(503) 327-6957

Bobby Ghoshal
CEO & Co-Founder, Carrot
[email protected]


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Original Source: Buy Now Pay Later Services, Marketed as Better Alternatives to Credit Cards, Leave Many With Regret

Support service in partnership with Mayor of Boston and Boston Public Health Commission

BOSTON - October 6, 2022 - (Newswire.com)

Whittier Street Health Center, a community health center with a mission to serve as a center of excellence that provides high quality and accessible health care and social services that achieve health equity, social justice, and the economic well-being of a diverse patient population, has launched a Day Engagement Center in partnership with the office of Boston Mayor Michelle Wu and the Boston Health Commission to provide health care, social services, and support to unhoused and vulnerable residents of Boston.

The Day Engagement Center is located at 1290 Tremont Street, in Roxbury. The new daytime center is partial funded by the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), the Boston Public Health Commission and through generous donors. 

"We're thrilled to be partnering with the City of Boston and the Boston Public Health Commission on this important initiative to improve the well-being of the unsheltered throughout Boston neighborhoods," said Frederica M. Williams, president and CEO of Whittier Street Health Center. "This effort aligns directly with our mission, and this unique partnership between our community-based organization, governmental agencies, and private donors has the potential to address the disparities and inequities among our most vulnerable populations."

"I'm optimistic to see the outcomes of these collaborations, and I am also proud to be part of these efforts to improve and enhance the lives of vulnerable populations in our communities," added Diana Sencion, Day Engagement Center manager.

The Day Engagement Center, open Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., offers harm reduction services, medical care, substance abuse services, mental health services, nutrition counseling, health and social support groups, and wellness activities for the homeless and other underserved populations. In addition, clients will have access to clothing, food, beverages, case management and linkage to social services. 

About Whittier Street Health Center

Whittier Street Health Center is an independently licensed community health care center with a mission of providing high quality, reliable and accessible primary healthcare for diverse populations while promoting wellness and eliminating health and social disparities.

Contact Information:
Nicole Hales
president, PRfirst
[email protected]
617-947-7983


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Original Source: Whittier Street Health Center Launches Day Engagement Center

MIAMI - October 6, 2022 - (Newswire.com)

Gotham Cigars, one of America's leading cigar retailers, recently marked its 20th year and is celebrating the landmark achievement with the release of a special cigar that has been three years in the making.  

The Gotham 20th Anniversary blend has been crafted by the Gotham team, with their 40 years of experience, in partnership with the Esteli boutique cigar factory, Interamerican Tabac de Nicaragua. The cigar is constructed using an Ecuadorian Habano wrapper, Sumatra binder and filler tobaccos from Condega and Jalapa in Nicaragua along with Paraguayan Ligero, resulting in a medium-bodied cigar that delivers a full-flavored smoke.  

"I have been interested in introducing a cigar to the market that is totally different, and delivers a great smoke that is appealing to aficionados and beginners alike," says Manny Balani, owner and President of Gotham Cigars. "This cigar is dedicated to all of our loyal customers who have made us a great company for over 20 years…I think they will love it."

Gotham 20th Anniversary cigars feature a commemorative band around the foot, are packaged in a 10ct bundle, and are currently available in two vitolas, Churchill and Toro.

The new 20th Anniversary cigar from Gotham Cigars is available at www.gothamcigars.com/gotham-20th-anniversary-habano/.

About Gotham Cigars

Gotham Cigars was created out of a passion for providing consumers with the freshest cigars and fast delivery at great prices. Combine this with personalized customer service and a hand-picked selection of cigars and accessories for every smoker and you have the five-star customer experience for which Gotham Cigars is known.

Gotham was born in New York City in 2001. A couch, laptop and bedroom humidor, along with a drive to provide amazing service and selection to cigar smokers, is how it all got started. Since then, Gotham has grown into one of the most successful online cigar retailers in the U.S. Our selection is unique with cigars for every smoker (occasional to aficionado) and every budget (highly rated exclusive cigars to value-priced machine-made), creating an unforgettable one-stop shop for every consumer. We are also proud to offer a wide variety of cigar-related accessories and gifts.

Service to our customers is a critical component of our culture. Gotham receives consistent five-star ratings for our fast shipping and best-in-class customer service from the most trusted online comparison websites. Whether it is helping you place an order, track your order or answer questions about cigars, our professional customer service team is ready to help.

The cigars have to be great, and they are with Gotham's freshness guarantee! We work closely with all of our manufacturers to ensure their products have been thoroughly inspected prior to arriving at our facility. Then, utilizing the latest technology for cigar storage, we pride ourselves on delivering cigars to our consumers that feel as fresh as when they were made. 

Contact Information:
Kelly Michols
New Business Development
[email protected]
305-597-1501


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Original Source: Gotham Cigars Releases 20th Anniversary Blend Cigar

The Fellowship Program Gives Military Spouses Resources and Accreditation to Help Their Community Overcome Financial Strains and Advance Their Careers

WASHINGTON - October 5, 2022 - (Newswire.com)

The FINRA Investor Education Foundation (FINRA Foundation) and the Association for Financial Counseling and Planning Education® (AFCPE®) announced today the 2022 FINRA Foundation Military Spouse Fellowship recipients.

Forty-five military spouses representing more than 40 bases globally will receive free training and assessment to earn their Accredited Financial Counselor^® (AFC^®) designation, which can help kickstart a career in financial empowerment and improve their own financial capability. The AFC offers comprehensive life-cycle financial education, providing the knowledge and skills to assist clients in complex financial decision-making.

The fellowship program is part of an ongoing effort to increase financial readiness within the military community. Military members and their families face unique financial circumstances, often including the strain caused by regular duty station changes and deployments around the world. Moreover, a 2021 study by the Military Family Advisory Network found that a substantial number of military families have less than $500 in an emergency fund. This international opportunity, funded by the FINRA Foundation and delivered by AFCPE, offers military spouses the tools, resources, education, experience, and a network of peers to help their communities address these concerns while at the same time enhancing their careers by earning the AFC. 

"The pandemic and high inflation have created financial hardships and uncertainty for many Americans, including military families. Military Spouse Fellows understand the added financial stressors service members face," said Gerri Walsh, President of the FINRA Foundation. "Our Fellows provide expert financial counseling and education to minimize financial distress and disruptions for service members and their families. The fellowship also allows military spouses to advance in portable, rewarding careers in communities around the globe."

Financial counseling has become a viable career opportunity that supports the military family lifestyle of moving every few years while helping spouses advance their careers and give back to the military community. More than 1,700 FINRA Foundation Military Spouse Fellowships have been awarded since 2006. In return, Fellows have dedicated over 522,000 hours providing financial counseling and education to more than 253,000 members of the military community.

"Becoming an AFC will greatly impact my personal goals of gaining more knowledge in the area of finance that will help my family and I build personal wealth," said Amanda Brodman, 2022 Military Spouse Fellow. "It will also allow me to help others grow financial freedom as well, which I am very passionate about."

As part of the program, Fellows gain access to hundreds of hours of training resources, a network of more than 3,000 financial professionals within and outside the military community, and hands-on experience and support needed to succeed valued at $2,500, all at no cost to them. 

"The 2022 class already possesses the qualities to make a real impact in their communities," said Rachael DeLeon, Executive Director of AFCPE. "All of these Fellows have experienced firsthand the unique financial circumstances that today's military community face. Gaining the AFC accreditation will provide a solid foundation to expand their career opportunities and help this population improve their financial situations."

The 2022 Military Spouse Fellows were selected from a competitive, global pool of applicants and will immediately begin their training in military communities worldwide. 

The program is open to qualifying spouses of active-duty or retired Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, Space Force, Coast Guard, and Army or Air National Guard or reserve component service members, as well as to spouses of the Public Health Service Commissioned Corps and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration professionals. For more information and to sign up for program updates, visit afcpe.org/certification/military-spouse-fellowship.

2022 Military Spouse Fellowship Class: 

• Angelina Adame-Gignac, Army, Alabama 
• Daniela Agudelo, Navy, Italy
• Nina Bergmark, Army, Missouri
• Christina Blackford, Army, New York
• Amanda Brodman, Navy, California
• Laurel Browning, Navy, California
• Patti Busque, Air Force, Florida
• Andrea Corpening, Air Force, Florida
• Michele Coughlin-DeRosier, Army, Germany
• Gina Di Nola, Army, Texas
• Matthew Diehls, Army, Germany
• Kristina Ellis, Navy, Hawaii
• Dana Elmini, Navy, Italy
• Noel Estrada, Navy, Florida
• Jaime Farrell, Marine Corps, California
• Andrea Fisher, National Guard, Arkansas
• Tracey Gordon, Army, Tennessee
• Cortney Howard, Navy, Virginia
• Nicole Jameson, Air Force, Germany
• Sergio Jimenez, Air Force, North Carolina 
• Stephanie Jones, Marine Corps, South Carolina
• Sara Justice, Navy, Florida
• Rachel Konchinsky-Pate, Navy, Indiana
• Tabatha Leard, Navy, Florida
• Betsy Leese, Navy, Rhode Island
• Genie Madson, Air Force, Texas
• Aimee Mensinger, Navy, California
• Julie Mitchell, Marine Corps, Japan
• Christina Molnar, Army, Germany
• Jaye Moncier, Navy, California
• Angelica Mutai, Navy, Italy
• Jessica Oxley, Army, Washington
• Shalini Patel, Air Force, Louisiana
• Cinthia Raez, Army, Germany
• Megan Riley, Army, North Carolina
• Sergio Rodriguez, Navy, Georgia
• Ayannah Rovira, National Guard, South Carolina
• Gaby Sanchez-Manney, Air Force, California
• Brandon Shurn, Air Force, Maryland
• Anthony Sisti, Navy, Japan
• Lindsey Slattery, Army, Kansas
• Rose Sloan, Army, Florida
• Jamie Thomas, Navy, Florida
• Alysse Turner, Navy, Italy
• Ashley Walker, Marine Corps, North Carolina

About the FINRA Investor Education Foundation

The FINRA Investor Education Foundation supports innovative research and educational projects that empower underserved Americans with the knowledge, skills, and tools to make sound financial decisions throughout life. In 2006, the FINRA Foundation launched a multifaceted program to expand the saving and investing knowledge of military service members and their spouses. The FINRA Foundation is an active participant in the Department of Defense Financial Readiness Network and holds a U.S. Coast Guard Qualified Organization Designation. For more information about FINRA Foundation initiatives, visit finrafoundation.org.

About AFCPE®

The Association for Financial Counseling and Planning Education® (AFCPE®) ensures the highest integrity of the financial counseling profession by certifying, connecting, and supporting diverse professionals. Our comprehensive certification programs represent the gold standard for financial counseling, coaching, and education, including the AFC® (Accredited Financial Counselor®) which is accredited by NCCA and nationally recognized by both the CFPB and DoD. AFCPE supports its professionals by providing career advancement and professional development opportunities, including exceptional financial education training, the Journal for Financial Counseling & Planning, and the Annual AFCPE Symposium. Visit afcpe.org for more information.

Contact Information:
Rita De Ramos
6463157255

Haylie Schmoll
[email protected]
7406441313


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Original Source: FINRA Foundation Announces 2022 Military Spouse Fellows