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WASHINGTON – On Friday, July 12, 2024, the U.S. Department of the Treasury is hosting the annual Freedman’s Bank Forum featuring U.S. Deputy Secretary of the Treasury Wally Adeyemo, Governor Roy Cooper, Biden-Harris Administration officials, and key leaders from the public, private, nonprofit, and philanthropic sectors. The Forum will highlight the Administration’s continued efforts to increase economic opportunity for communities of color and spotlight local success stories in and around Raleigh, N.C., home to one of 19 original Freedman’s Bank branches. 

The Freedman’s Savings and Trust Company was established in 1865 to provide newly emancipated Black Americans with the financial tools to safeguard their earnings, build financial security, and generate family wealth. In 2015, then Treasury Secretary Jack Lew christened the Treasury Annex building, which was built on the site of the “Freedman’s Bank Building” and launched an annual conference to showcase strategies to address racial economic disparities. 

A detailed schedule is available below. All events are open press and times are approximate. 

1:00 PM – 3:00 PM – Symposium 

1:00 PM – Opening remarks: 

• Speakers include: Pre-recorded remarks by Secretary Janet L. Yellen; Governor Roy Cooper; Dr. Paulette Dillard, President of Shaw University; Congresswoman Valerie Foushee; and John Hope Bryant, Chairman of Operation HOPE; Mayor Mary-Ann Baldwin, City of Raleigh
• Location: Estey Hall, Shaw University

1:30 PM – Fireside chat with Deputy Secretary Wally Adeyemo: 

• In-depth conversation about the Administration’s efforts to deliver capital to underserved communities, Treasury’s investments in Black financial institutions, and the legacy of Freedman’s Bank.
• Moderated by John Hope Bryant, Chairman of Operation HOPE, featuring Deputy Secretary of the Treasury Wally Adeyemo
• Location: Estey Hall, Shaw University

2:00 – 2:10 PM – Opening remarks and introduction to the panel:  

• Speakers include: Carolina Ferrerosa Young, Ph.D., Chief Economic Advisor, White House Office of the Vice President; Congresswoman Valerie Foushee, North Carolina’s 4th Congressional District
• Location: Estey Hall, Shaw University

2:10 PM – Panel discussion:  

• This panel will delve into how local and regional organizations in Raleigh are using funds from national initiatives to increase capital and tech assistance among Black entrepreneurs.
• Moderated by Armer Kenchen, NC Rural Center, featuring Travis Rouse, M&F Bank; Crystal German, Self-Help Credit Union; Roberta McCullough, Institute Capital · National Institute of Minority Economic Development
• Location: Estey Hall, Shaw University

2:55 PM – Closing remarks:  

• Mayor Stephen K. Benjamin, Assistant to the President, Senior Advisor to the President and Director of the White House Office of Public Engagement will deliver closing remarks.

3:00 PM – Open house:  

• Booths and resources will be present from local organizations such as Operation Hope, M&F Bank, Shaw University Entrepreneurship Center, NC IDEA, Self Help Credit Union, and the City of Raleigh to provide information and support for small businesses. Interagency partners participating include the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, the Department of Transportation, the Minority Business Development Agency and the Small Business Administration,
• Location: Estey Hall, President Conference Room, Shaw University

What: Freedman’s Bank Summer Symposium – Raleigh, NC 

Who: U.S. Deputy Secretary of the Treasury Wally Adeyemo
Mayor Stephen K. Benjamin, Assistant to the President, Senior Advisor to the President and Director of the White House Office of Public Engagement  
Carolina Ferrerosa Young, Ph.D., Chief Economic Advisor, White House Office of the Vice President 
Governor of North Carolina Roy Cooper 
Dr. Paulette Dillard, President, Shaw University 
Congresswoman Valerie Foushee, North Carolina’s 4th Congressional District  
Chairman John Hope Bryant, Operation HOPE 
Mayor Mary-Ann Baldwin, City of Raleigh  
Mayor Leonardo Williams, City of Durham  

When: July 12, 2024, at 1:00 pm  

Where: Shaw University, Raleigh, NC 
118 E South St, Raleigh, NC 27601 

Press: Media interested in covering this event can RSVP to press@treasury.gov 

A livestream will be available here.

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