African American Knowledge Circle Town Hall

Crystal Alford-Cooper, CFP®, CDFA™, CRC®, currently serves on the board of directors for the Financial Planning Association® (FPA®), the leading membership organization for CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professionals and those engaged in the financial planning process.

Always interested as a child in saving and investments, Alford-Cooper recently rejoined Law & Associates Wealth Management and Planning as Director of Financial Planning after previously being with the firm for almost 20 years. She loves talking to everyone and likes to say that she has “no sense of stranger danger.” Her appreciation for others, blended with her lifelong passion for financial wellness, has made helping others forge a path to a sound financial future a way of life for Alford-Cooper.

Alford-Cooper has been a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ practitioner since 1996; having graduated from the College of Financial Planning’s CFP® program.  She is also a Certified Divorce Financial Analyst (CDFA®) and a Certified Retirement Counselor (CRC®).  She is a registered representative with Raymond James Financial Services, Inc. and holds the designation of Investment Management Consultant from Raymond James’ Institute of Investment Management Consulting (IIMC). She holds a Maryland license for life, health and variable life insurance.  She also has held an adjunct faculty position at Howard Community College.

Alford-Cooper has served in several key leadership roles.  Her previous board volunteer involvement includes the CFP Board Council on Education (Committee Member), Financial Planning Association of Maryland (Chair 2018), Association of African American Financial Advisors (Past President) and Howard County Police Foundation (Director). Alford-Cooper is also a graduate of Leadership Howard County’s Leadership Premier program and a women’s ministry team leader for her church in Columbia.

Raised by a phenomenal single Mom, Alford-Cooper remains inspired and proudly carries on her Mom’s legacy – her love for family. She loves spending time with her husband and best friend, Dennis.  Both are proud parents to a son serving in the United States Navy.