2010 Archive

FOR IMMEDIATLE RELEASE May 21, 2010	Contact: Lance Jones (202) 596-1693 ljones@cbcfinc.org
CBC Foundation Hosts Economic Empowerment Forum in Oakland Oakland Forum Discusses Financial Empowerment, Foreclosure Prevention

OAKLAND, Calif. – The Congressional Black Caucus Foundation (CBCF) hosted an economic empowerment forum focusing on three core areas of education: community economic empowerment; consumer financial protection; and financial literacy. The daylong event offered important information on how the federal government is focusing on housing and community banking and development and on financial empowerment through the proposed consumer financial protection legislation. The forum, offered at no cost and open to the general public, took place on Saturday, May 22 at the Hilton Oakland Airport, located at 1 Hegenberger Rd from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

 

“Financial literacy and economic empowerment are baseline issues which have long plagued our nation’s African-American community,” said Elsie. L. Scott, Ph.D., president and chief executive officer for the CBCF. “CBCF’s economic empowerment forum in Oakland brings together experts from across the country to discuss these issues and to offer workable solutions for the district’s residents.” The keynote luncheon speaker was Valerie Coleman, a former CNN business anchor and author on business and finance. She discussed how to successfully navigate the current financial challenges facing families and individuals. Ms. Coleman also offered insight for creating and staying on a path to financial stability and wealth.

 

CBCF is committed to closing the economic gaps between the success of African Americans and others. As a result, the Foundation works to bring about events such as this to bring together African Americans to discuss and exchange ideas, to gain new perspectives and to take something valuable back to their communities.

 

Attendees included Reps. Barbara Lee and Maxine Waters (invited); Lee Bowman, national coordinator for community affairs, FDIC; Linda Marie Marmolejo, San Francisco regional director, Minority Business Development Agency; James Carr, chief business officer, National Community Reinvestment Coalition; Roger A. Clay, Jr., president, Insight Center for Community Economic Development; Lisa Ransom, vice president of federal affairs, Center for Responsible Lending. Joining them were other federal, state and local government officials, community representatives and Oakland residents to discuss financial empowerment, home ownership, entrepreneurship, small business, and wealth creation.

The Congressional Black Caucus Foundation Inc. was established in 1976 as a nonpartisan, nonprofit, public policy, research and education institute to help improve the socioeconomic circumstances of African Americans and other underserved communities