The Society for Financial Education and Professional Development recently held its 20th anniversary gala at the Grand Hyatt Washington in northwest D.C., celebrating the organization’s two decades of service and honoring leaders in the financial literacy movement.
Ted Daniels, founder and president, launched the organization after realizing that first-generation college students and underrepresented groups lacked access to knowledge on financial literacy.
To date, the organization has trained more than 350,000 individuals in financial management skills, including more than 200,000 students at 90 colleges and universities, 70 of which are historically black Colleges and universities.
Columnist and author Rodney Brooks served as the gala’s master of ceremonies, and renowned journalist Roland Martin provided a powerful keynote address on the urgent need to focus on financial literacy for underserved communities.
During the June 26 ceremony, the following organizations and financial advocates received awards:
Outstanding Public Leader Award: U.S. Rep. Steny Hoyer (D-MD-5)
Corporate Partner Leadership Award: Ally Financial
University Leadership Award: HBCU Business Deans Roundtable
Community Equality Leadership Award: Prosperity Now
Faith-Based Leadership Award: Dr. Rev. DeForest Soaries Jr.
Nonprofit Leadership Award: Jump$tart Coalition for Personal Financial Literacy