BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — Nearly 100 homeowners, potential first time home buyers, and renters attended the second Wells Fargo – CEAF Homeownership and Financial Empowerment Conference. Partners and sponsors of the event were Farmers Insurance, Omicron Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., Trinity Baptist Church, Trinity Community Development Center, Inc., Birmingham Urban League, National Coalition of 100 Black Women – Birmingham Metro chapter, and Neighborhood Housing Services of Birmingham.
Glenita Holley-Chandler moderated a panel of eight presenters which included Lyord Watson, Jr. of the Birmingham Urban League, Damian Gilbert of Wells Fargo Home Mortgage, Leah Wiggins of Farmers Insurance, Gabriel Henderson of Keller-Williams, Attorney Lisa Blackmon, David Ogden, Jr., Certified Property Appraiser, Bruce Smith of Rescue Me Home Inspections and John Colon, Director of Community Development – City of Birmingham. The expert panelists provided tips and information about finding and purchasing a home, avoiding foreclosure, credit management, protecting assets, life insurance, appraising and inspecting property.
Leah Wiggins, conference chairman and presenter said, “This year’s conference was expanded to also include ways to pass on generational wealth through real estate and wills. The conference’s goal was to share practical ways citizens could protect and expand their wealth base through homeownership.”
“In addition to our expert panelist presentations, on-site credit guidance and financial resources, we concentrated on removing barriers by providing free breakfast and childcare services to all attendees,” said Dr. Gwendolyn Tilghman, Omicron Omega Chapter president.
Attendees had positive feedback. “The land banking information helps strengthen the Birmingham community and gives me the opportunity to own more, build wealth.” said one attendee. “This information makes me more knowledgeable of ways I can invest in real estate,” said another attendee.
Conference committee members included Dr. Gwendolyn Tilghman, Tammy Fincher, president of CEAF, Inc., Leah Wiggins, Rhonda Allen, Glenita Holley-Chandler, Nanette Baldwin, Harriett James, Pauline Parker, Sharon Johnson, Gennia Baldwin, Theadora Fancher, Janice Orange, Samuetta Drew, Damita Pitts, Cecily Chaney and Beverly Snoddy Smith.
CEAF, Inc. is a nonprofit organization that provides educational and cultural enrichment to the community by supporting charitable work and advocating a comprehensive quality of life for all people. The Foundation was established in 2000 by members of the Omicron Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. to maximize and increase service projects, create educational programs for underserved youth and meet the needs of the Greater Birmingham area. CEAF has provided thousands of dollars in scholarships to college students, life skills seminars, financial aid and educational workshops, and community outreach to families and other charitable organizations.
Omicron Omega will celebrate 90 years of exemplary service in 2014. The chapter was chartered in 1924 becoming the 15th chapter of the sorority. The chapter has supported and provided charitable donations to organizations that include, but are not limited to, Children’s Hospital – Magic Moments, March of Dimes, The American Heart Association and the United Negro College Fund. Collectively and individually, members volunteer hundreds of hours impacting lives at First Light, Pathways and other programs. The chapter supervises four undergraduate chapters on college campuses in the Birmingham area.
Alpha Kappa Alpha (AKA) is an international service organization founded on the campus of Howard University in Washington D.C. in 1908.
For more information about Omicron Omega Chapter and CEAF or AKA visit www.akaomicronomega.net or www.aka1908.org.
