On Saturday 19th, members of the FINTRAIL team will be celebrating ‘Juneteenth’. Also known as ‘Emancipation’ or ‘Freedom Day’, the day - the name of which combines the month and the date in which it falls - marks a major milestone in Black history.
President Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation on 22 September 1863, declaring that “all persons held as slaves” in the Confederacy “are, and henceforward, shall be free.” But the theoretical freedom the Proclamation afforded took time to enforce, dependent as it was on the advances of the Union Army even after the end of the Civil War in April 1865.It was not until 19 June, 1865, that the troops of the Union Army were able to march into the Texan city of Galveston, and announce that slavery in the state - the last of the Confederacy to retain it in law - was at an end.
From that point on, the date became a day of celebration in Texas, with people of all backgrounds coming together in parties, festivals and educational events. Eventually, the date became an official Texan state holiday in 1980, and one that then spread to over 40 other US states, and increasingly beyond the US too. But although it is primarily a celebration, the day has also served as a vital reminder; that the words of a proclamation, however resonant, cannot make a society fair; it takes action from all of us to translate words into reality.
We at FINTRAIL are committed to playing our part in this ongoing endeavour, with the promotion of Diversity, Equality and Inclusion essential to our core values. We are therefore delighted to have worked closely with the Association of Certified AML Specialists (ACAMS), to develop the Certified AML FinTech Compliance Associate (CAFCA) Scholarship Program, announced today. The program will support 30 Black, Indigenous and People of Color (BIPOC) professionals who wish to undertake CAFCA, and enhance their careers in FinTech compliance. The Scholarship will cover a full waiver of fees and the costs of both training materials and the course examination.
Speaking to ACAMS, Robert Evans of FINTRAIL, expressed his delight in being able to support the initiative, coming at such an important time; “we couldn’t be prouder,” he said. Speaking to the practical spirit of Juneteenth, he emphasised that the scholarship was part of the firm’s wider effort to make a real and not just a rhetorical difference. “Diversity is of paramount importance to the long-term sustainability of the FinTech industry,” he noted, “and this scholarship program is a step forward in helping to ensure that the sector’s compliance teams are able to meet the demands of a rapidly evolving and highly diverse sector.” He encouraged BIPOC professionals to “seize the opportunity.”
You can find out more about the program at https://www.stg.acams.org/en/resources/diversity-equity-inclusion/scholarships, and apply at ACAMS.org by completing an application form and submitting a short video. Good luck - and happy Juneteenth.