AAAA Foundation announced the LeCount R. and Jewel W. Davis Scholarship, which will be awarded to African American undergraduate students who have demonstrated success while enrolled full-time at a Historically Black College and University (HBCU) CFP Board-Registered Program.
The Davis Scholars will receive $2,500 to advance their financial planning academic achievement and professional development. Applicants can apply at www.AAAAFoundation.org.
LeCount R. Davis, who became the first African American to earn the Certified Financial Planner (CFP) designation in 1978, had no support system while pursuing an education in financial planning. As a result, AAAA Foundation’s central focus is to provide resources and support to underserved students and schools -- what better place to begin than HBCUs, said Lazetta Braxton, CFP, founder of Financial Fountains
The AAAA Foundation plans to continue expanding its support for students beyond the scholarship and looks to collaborate with organizations that are dedicated to creating a sustainable pipeline of support for African-American advisors, said Braxton. The goal is to develop talent and make sure they are well developed and well received when they enter the profession, she said.
The scholarship is only one component of ongoing support. While the AAAA Foundation focuses primarily on students, the AAAA membership organization offers professional development, mentorship, educational opportunities, and various career-focused initiatives for members in the financial services industry.
This scholarship was named after, LeCount R. Davis, Sr., CFP, EA, a pioneer in the financial services industry, and his wife, Jewel W. Davis, whose continuous support allowed Davis to achieve great success as a financial planner and entrepreneur.