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Center For Financial Advancement: Blogs

Your Homeownership Journey Can Start Before You Feel Ready

“I’d love to own a home. I just don’t know if I can.” For someone thinking about their future, that uncertainty can be enough to put the dream on hold. At HomeFree-USA, we want more people to feel comfortable asking questions, getting guidance and taking that first step. That’s why we’re proud to see our […]
  • October 20, 2026
  • 2 mins read
Mortgage Bankers Association scholarship recipient

Celebrating Marcus Harris: An Emerging Leader in Real Estate Finance

For Marcus Harris, real estate is already more than a subject in the classroom. In 2026, he acquired and renovated his first fix-and-flip property in his hometown of Augusta, Georgia—putting his knowledge to work in a community he knows personally. Now, his growing experience, academic achievements and commitment to leadership have earned him national recognition. […]
  • October 14, 2026
  • 2 mins read

From a Center for Financial Advancement® (CFA) Scholar to Silicon Valley: George-Michael K’s Journey 

When George-Michael K. arrived at Alabama State University in 2024 to pursue a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science, he already had ambition.  What he needed was a village that could help turn that ambition into exposure, relationships, and real-world opportunities.  Through the HomeFree-USA Center for Financial Advancement® (CFA), George-Michael became part of a community […]
  • September 21, 2026
  • 3 mins read

The Next Generation of HBCU Leaders are Stronger Through Financial Empowerment 

The future of leadership is being built today at HBCUs like Fisk University and Morgan State University, where students are gaining more than an education—they are gaining the confidence, knowledge, and opportunities needed to lead.  Through the HomeFree-USA Center for Financial Advancement® (CFA), now serving students at 15 HBCUs nationwide, young leaders are learning that financial […]
  • June 2, 2026
  • 1 mins read

How One of Our Scholars Built a Tool Helping Families Nationwide

When Nickola joined HomeFree-USA’s Center for Financial Advancement® Learn2Earn Internship Program, she didn’t just want professional experience—she wanted to make an impact. And thanks to a real challenge identified by Suzanne Garber, CEO of RiseUp, Nickola did exactly that. What started as one intern’s project has quickly become a resource used by affiliates around the […]
  • November 25, 2025
  • 4 mins read

Future-Proof Housing and Homeownership Strategies: Harness Gen Z’s Creativity

As the housing landscape rapidly evolves, the fresh perspectives and energy of Generation Z are indispensable assets for developers, policymakers, community organizations, and financial institutions. Born between the mid‑1990s and early 2010s, Gen Z has grown up amid rapid technological change, social activism, and economic uncertainty. Their deep fluency with digital tools, combined with a […]
  • August 13, 2025
  • 5 mins read

Center for Financial Advancement® Scholar Achieves Homeownership While in College

When Timiya Reese started college at Texas Southern University, her goal was to become a homeowner by the age of 21. As luck would have it, the Administration of Justice major learned about the Center for Financial Advancement® (CFA), and how the organization empowers students for financial and professional success. Timiya became a CFA scholar […]
  • August 6, 2025
  • 2 mins read
Hackathon winners standing together holding an oversized check

Hackathon Brings Credit Awareness to HBCU Students and Their Communities

Hackathon Brings Credit Awareness to HBCU Students and Their Communities Students with Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) are bringing credit awareness to their peers and families, thanks to an innovative program from the Center for Financial Advancement®, HomeFree-USA and Experian. Teams of students from Alabama State University, Fisk University, Morgan State University and Shaw […]
  • August 28, 2024
  • 1 mins read
Young and Middle aged African American women walking through the woods with coat and scarf

Meet O’Shaela, as she creates a new generation of Homeowners

https://youtu.be/JjwLiTuXBDs O’shaela, a Center for Financial Advancement® Scholar, embodies the spirit of empowerment and education in her journey towards homeownership. Her story, a beacon of hope and determination, is a testament to the transformative power of financial education and support. In a recent video shared by Freddie Mac, a valued partner of Center for Financial Advancement®, O’shaela […]
  • August 28, 2024
  • 1 mins read