Clark Atlanta University proudly presents its 7th Annual Financial Literacy, Innovation & Technology Conference, scheduled from April 21-26, 2024. Themed “Charting New Paths and Shaping Lives,” this event promises to engage CAU students, staff, faculty, and the wider community, thanks to partnerships and sponsorships with Kaiser Permanente, Cash App, My FAB Finance, PNC Bank, Wells Fargo, PWC, BnDorsed Sports, and FICO. The conference strongly emphasizes inclusion and overall wellness, echoing the belief that health is wealth.
Bringing together participants from over 25 organizations and professionals spanning diverse sectors, the conference aims to explore the crucial link between financial well-being, mental health, physical health, and overall wellness. Attendees can anticipate gaining valuable insights and strategies for achieving holistic health and prosperity.
Congresswoman Nikema Williams will deliver the opening address, focusing on purposeful leadership to bridge the wealth gap. Across the five-day event, workshops will cover various financial topics relevant to college students, ranging from basic budgeting and saving techniques to navigating student loan forgiveness and harnessing AI tools for financial empowerment.
“Our comprehensive, holistic approach underscores the conference’s mission,” remarked LaKesha Landers, Adjunct Professor and Director of Financial Literacy. “We’re committed to fostering student interest, faculty support, community engagement, and cross-industry participation, highlighting not just financial services and technology but also diverse sectors within the innovation economy.”
The conference will also give participants direct access to industry professionals and seasoned educators who will offer insights into career paths and emerging trends in the financial landscape.
“African Americans remain significantly underrepresented in the fintech industry. We’re driving financial awareness by immersing our scholars in hands-on competitions where they can apply their knowledge to real-world scenarios through case studies and critical thinking exercises,” added James Stotts, Vice President of Financial Aid. “Moreover, we’ve diligently cultivated a culture of collaboration by assembling diverse teams with unique backgrounds and skills. This assembly fosters a rich learning experience, where participants learn from experts and draw upon each other’s wealth of experiences.”
Conference Overview
(All events will be held in the Bishop Cornelius L. Henderson Student Center, Juanita P. Baranco
Multipurpose Room on the CAU campus, excluding the Battle of the Bands)
Battle of the Bands
Sunday, April 21, 3:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m., Panther Stadium
Kick-off event that integrates financial literacy segments
FINCARE Expo
Monday, April 22, Noon – 4:00 p.m.
Engagement with organizations and professionals
FINCARE Speakers/Workshops
Tuesday, April 23, 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Includes a Fireside Chat presented by PNC Bank and a panel discussion with Congresswoman Nikema Williams and FICO.
FINCARE Reality Run
Wednesday, April 24, Noon – 4:00 p.m.
Interactive learning experiences and workshops for local middle and high school students empowered by Wells Fargo.
“The FLIQ” (Financial Literacy IQ) Battle
Thursday, April 26, 4:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Financial literacy competition followed by a recognition celebration partnered with PNC Bank.
For more information on the conference, visit https://www.cau.edu/annual-financial-literacy-innovation-and-technology-conference/
About Clark Atlanta University
Clark Atlanta University was formed with the consolidation of Atlanta University and Clark College, both of which hold unique places in the annals of African American history. Atlanta University, established in 1865 by the American Missionary Association, was the nation’s first institution to award graduate degrees to African Americans. Clark College, established four years later in 1869, was the nation’s first four-year liberal arts college to serve a primarily African American student population. Today, with nearly 4,000 students, CAU is the largest of the four institutions (CAU, Morehouse College, Spelman College, and Morehouse School of Medicine) that comprise the Atlanta University Center Consortium. It is also the largest of the 37-member UNCF institutions. Notable alumni include: James Weldon Johnson, American civil rights activist, poet, and songwriter (Lift Every Voice and Sing – “The Black National Anthem”; Ralph David Abernathy, Sr., American civil rights activist; Congressman Hank Johnson, Georgia District 4; Kenya Barris, American award-winning television and movie producer; Kenny Leon, Tony Award-winning Broadway Director; Jacque Reid, Emmy Award-winning Television Personality and Journalist; Brandon Thompson, Vice President of Diversity and Inclusion for NASCAR; Valeisha Butterfield Jones, Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer at the Recording Academy. To learn more about Clark Atlanta University, visit www.cau.edu.