Lincoln Financial Network Launches African American Financial Professional Network

Lincoln Financial Network (LFN), the retail wealth management affiliate of Lincoln Financial Group (NYSE:LNC), today announced the launch of its African American Financial Professional Network (AAFPN), a new enterprise-wide initiative designed to better support the unique needs of African American financial professionals and clients.

The AAFPN is part of Lincoln Financial Group’s ongoing action plan to advance racial equity, and to driving meaningful, measurable change. The AAFPN is designed to support advisor development efforts, attract more Black financial professionals to LFN, and to help define new strategies for supporting multicultural clients.

“Lincoln has made commitments to amplify our support of racial justice – taking action around our talent practices, our business, how we’ll track our progress in Diversity & Inclusion, and how we’ll help our communities,” said David Berkowitz, president of LFN. “The AAFPN is a critical component of that commitment to lifting up and supporting our African American financial professionals. We have significant work to do but I am excited about the work this network has undertaken and I look forward to the progress we will make together as a team.”

The Network’s core objectives center on inspiring African Americans to pursue opportunities in financial services to increase the overall number of Black financial professionals in the industry; supporting new and experienced LFN African American financial professionals in the growth and development of their practice through strategic partnerships and mentoring; and providing financial wellness education to Black communities to help with financial preparedness. Overseeing the Network is a leadership committee from Lincoln Financial including Network Director, Nicole Spinelli; current board chair, Kelby Edwards; LFN affiliated financial professionals, Sandi Becks, Carl Myers, Lawrence Smith and Caira White; and LFN leadership board members, Celeste Gurule, Vice President and Managing Director, Financial Professionals Group; and LFN Senior Vice President, Ed Walters.

Recent statistics from the U.S. Department of Labor indicate that African American financial managers, investment analysts and personal financial advisors make up just a small fraction, less than ten percent, of the finance industry. These statistics showcase the need for investment in African American communities about financial wellness and the career opportunities associated with the industry.