In the Black
2008 Annual Benefit

Emily Appel, Laurent Ross, IDA Check

CAAB Board Member Laurent Ross, Citi's Adedoyin Onimole, and CAAB Savings Program Director Emily Appel present a ceremonial check representing her savings and the match funding she has earned in the IDA program to La Shawn Wonson, CAAB's 500th Successful Saver!

"In the Black"
October 7, 2008
The True Reformer Building Washington, DC

Councilmember Mary Cheh receiving the Economic Opportunity for All Advocate Award from CAAB's Executive Director Colleen Dailey.

CAAB hosted its In the Black Annual Benefit on October 7, 2008. More than 100 attendees helped us celebrate the successes of our Savers and raise funds for our continued investments in people and communities. During the program we presented our Advocacy Award to DC Councilmember Mary Cheh for her efforts to encourage Economic Opportunity for All and recognized La Shawn Wonson, our 500th Successful Saver.

Attendees also heard from Savers like Karen Davis who, with her husband Prince, raised her family’s credit scores by a combined total of more than 200 points and is now using the money earned in a matched savings account to pay for continuing education and an advanced degree. Guests also heard from Stephanie Vann, a former payday loan user who, with the help of CAAB’s financial education and one-on-one credit and budget counseling, as well as a better loan product, is on her way to achieving her financial goals and was the winner of Essence magazine’s “Brighten Your Financial Future” essay contest. Finally, Mary Knighton-Brenner, a CAAB partner who, using what she learned coordinating a recent Roundtable on Financial Education for Greater DC Cares, took the leap into first-time homeownership, shared her enthusiasm for informed financial decision-making.

Thank you to our sponsors, Savers, and guests who participated in the event!

The In the Black Annual Benefit featured:

Live jazz from the Donnie West Trio

A Silent Auction that raised nearly $6,000 for CAAB's programs

Testimonials from Savers and others who have benefited from CAAB's work to promote economic security

Special thanks to our Institutional Investor Sponsor:

The Taste of Salt Fund of the
Community Foundation for the National Capital Region

CAAB Staff, L-R: Linda Stroman, Financial Education Coordinator; Roslyn Williams, former Office Manager; Matthew Peterson, Program Associate; Donna V.S. Ortega, Associate Director; Emily Appel, Savings Program Director; Adam Perry, Progam Associate; and Colleen Dailey, Executive Director. Not pictured: Meg Newman, DC EITC Campaign Coordinator.