The Financial Alliance for Racial Equity (FARE) was honored as part of ThinkAdvisor’s Luminaries class of 2021 at a Nov. 9 awards event in New York.

The ThinkAdvisor Luminary Awards honors individuals and firms that are taking the most creative and the boldest steps to push the industry and clients’ best interests forward, while having the biggest impact, shining a spotlight on how individuals and firms are changing the investment advisory industry where it matters most.

FARE was honored in the Diversity & Inclusion category, which honors firms and organizations that meaningfully embrace and genuinely strive to incorporate individuals of different ethnicities, genders, ages, religions, disabilities and sexual orientations through creative and effective programs within their organizations and within their community.

“It’s exciting to be part of this tremendous coalition of financial services firms, partners and academic institutions,” said Kristi Martin Rodriguez, SVP of the Nationwide Retirement Institute. “This award is a testament to the commitment of our members who have come together to form FARE and drive meaningful change in our industry.”

FARE was formed in late 2020 when a group of leading financial services organizations, associations and historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) came together to focus on increasing the number of Black professionals entering the financial services industry and supporting and investing in them once there. FARE’s efforts include providing resources, scholarships training and connections to diverse students and professionals, which are important components to career success.

The FARE coalition includes Morgan Stanley, M Financial Group, NFP, Employee Benefit Research Institute, Huntington Bank, Franklin Templeton, Miami Life, Advisor Group, DCIIA, the American College of Financial Services, Capital Group and Nationwide, in partnership with six HBCUs, including Hampton University, Howard University, Lincoln University, Virginia State University, Virginia Union University and Winston-Salem State University. 

FARE was recently honored with a Diversity Champion Award by Investment News and a WealthManagement.com industry award. 

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