02.26.25
Meet the Recipients of the 2025 BVU and FARE Student Partnership
by: BISA Staff
Last year, the BISA Black Voices Unmuted (BVU) Subcommittee launched a partnership with the FARE to support their mission of advancing inclusion within the financial services industry through education, professional development and community empowerment. As part of this partnership, BVU extended an invitation to two students — Jasmine Pierce and Imani B. Washington — to attend the BISA Annual Conference in March. Pierce and Washington were recommended by FARE for this opportunity.
Nicole Ridley, executive director for FARE, shared a comment on this student sponsorship: “FARE is thrilled to support two dynamic students from our HBCU partner campuses in attending the 2025 BISA Conference. Selected for their passion for finance and commitment to leadership, these students represent the next generation of changemakers in financial services. Their selection reflects both their career aspirations and the alignment of this conference with their professional growth. This opportunity not only provides them with valuable industry insights and expanded professional networks but also positions them to showcase their talent, perspectives, and potential to industry leaders. We are excited to support their journey and look forward to the impact they will make in the financial services industry.”
BISA staff also reached out to Pierce (a senior at Virginia State University) and Washington (a senior at Delaware State University) to learn more about their career and professional development goals. Their responses are shared below.
What was your reaction to learning you had been selected for this opportunity?
Jasmine Pierce (JP): I was both excited and honored to be selected for this opportunity! Being recognized for my dedication to marketing and financial services is incredibly rewarding, and I look forward to gaining insights from industry leaders at the BISA Annual Conference.
Imani B. Washington (IBW): I was thrilled when I received the email confirming my acceptance for this opportunity. I'm eager to learn, absorb new knowledge and refine my understanding in areas where I can grow. Additionally, I look forward to challenging myself in environments alongside individuals I admire and aspire to reach the same level as.
How did you become interested in a career in financial services?
JP: My interest in financial services stemmed from my marketing internships, where I worked with data-driven strategies to improve business performance. While interning at Dominion Payroll, I saw firsthand how financial services support businesses across various industries. That experience, combined with my love for marketing, sparked my interest in exploring how financial services firms leverage branding, analytics and technology to engage clients and drive growth.
IBW: My interest in financial services began during my sophomore year when I had the opportunity to attend the Conference of African American Financial Professionals (CAAFP) and earn my financial literacy certificate in less than six months. With the encouragement of my former professor Dr. Das, who believed in my potential despite my initial lack of knowledge in the field, I decided to pursue a minor in financial planning. I ended up finding a love for it and wanting to help people who look like me learn and be educated about finances.
What are your career goals, and how has FARE helped your work toward them?
JP: My goal is to pursue a career in marketing, with a focus on brand strategy and digital engagement within the financial services or consumer goods industry. FARE has provided me with valuable exposure to financial services, networking opportunities with professionals and insights into industry trends. The program has reinforced the importance of strategic marketing in financial services and given me a clearer vision of my career path.
IBW: I am committed to breaking generational curses in Black wealth and striving to be a beacon of hope for financial empowerment in my community. FARE has supported me in numerous ways — through mentorship, conferences and most recently, helping me obtain the resources for me to eventually obtain my Securities Industry Essentials® (SIE®) license. Their support extends beyond just my career; they have also invested in my personal growth, which is essential for both professional and personal development. For that, I am especially grateful to Morgan Williams, Nicole Ridley and the entire FARE team.
Is there anything you are particularly excited about experiencing at the BISA Annual Conference?
JP: I am excited to hear from industry leaders about the future of financial services, particularly in areas like digital transformation and customer engagement. I am also looking forward to networking with professionals and fellow students, exchanging ideas and gaining mentorship from experienced professionals in the field.
IBW: I'm excited to connect with individuals who are excelling in financial services and learn from their experience — especially those who have navigated similar paths or challenges I may encounter. I'm eager to expand my knowledge of insurance and other financial sectors, as well as explore how the new administration may impact the industry. Most importantly, I look forward to engaging in thought-provoking conversations that challenge my perspective and push me to think beyond the surface.
Anything else you’d like to share?
JP: I’m grateful for the opportunity to be part of this experience and look forward to learning, growing and contributing to the conversation on the evolving role of marketing in financial services. Thank you to BISA and FARE for this incredible opportunity!
IBW: I’m extremely excited about this experience. I look forward to learning as much as I can while being at the BISA Annual Conference and pouring back into the communities at home who pour into me.
Jasmine Pierce is a senior marketing student at Virginia State University (VSU) with a passion for digital marketing, brand strategy and content creation. As president of the American Marketing Association (AMA) at VSU, she has led initiatives to connect students with industry professionals and career opportunities. Pierce has gained hands-on experience through internships at Fortune 500 companies and startups, focusing on social media management, analytics and strategic marketing. She is dedicated to bridging the gap between creativity and data-driven decision-making in the marketing and financial services industries.
Imani B. Washington is a graduating senior at Delaware State University (DSU), majoring in political science with a minor in financial planning. A Harlem, New York native, she is a lifelong member of the Girl Scouts of Greater New York. Throughout her time at DSU, Washington has been deeply involved in campus life, serving as HBCU Miss Sophomore of the Year 2022-23, corresponding secretary of the Student Government Association, and now the 68th Miss Delaware State University. She is passionate about leadership, service and financial literacy — aspiring to financially empower her community. In her free time, she enjoys traveling, trying new foods and writing poetry.