Your Success is Our Success

When Frederick was a child, he heard stories about his great-grandfather, Silas Griffin, and how he fought in the Civil War. In 1864, he joined the 55th regiment of the United States Colored Infantry. It made his family proud for Silas to be a soldier during that time, fighting to end slavery and winning recognition at the African American Civil War Memorial Museum in Washington, D.C. His son, Ward, Frederick’s grandfather, often told stories about how to be independent. He once said, “It’s better to own a popcorn stand than to work for any man.” His encouragement and principles carried through Edward Griffin, Frederick’s father, who, along with JoAnn Griffin’s father, served as paratroopers with the 82nd Airborne. Financial independence and living with dignity were values well-impressed upon Frederick and JoAnn.

Silas & Ward Financial Group bears their names because we believe that each of our clients should have financial literacy, the power to make their own decisions, the ability to live a full life, and the chance to pass on their legacy to generations to come.

Rooted in Legacy and Family

Our Core Values

At Silas & Ward Financial Group, our core values form the foundation of our business and guide our everyday actions. We believe in:

• Integrity – Maintaining the highest ethical standards.
• Client-Centric Approach – Prioritizing the best interest of the client above all else.
• Excellence – Striving for excellence in all that we do.
• Collaboration – Leveraging diverse talents and perspectives.
• Knowledge – Empowering our clients with knowledge and expertise.
• Long-Term Relationships – Establishing a dedicated partnership over time.
• Community Involvement – Giving back to our community.
  

Fred Griffin

Founder & CEO

Fred began his financial services career in 1994, winning American Family Insurance performance awards and becoming a top-performing financial advisor with MetLife Securities. Today, Fred offers strategies to help his clients prepare for retirement and leave a meaningful legacy. He also serves as an educator with the American Retirement Institute. One of Fred’s most inspiring business experiences was being a partner in The Versia Group, which he and his deceased partner and fraternity brother of Omega Psi Phi Inc., Galen Kimbrue, owned. Fred served as a board member of several non-profits, including Habitat for Humanity, the Retired Military Officer’s Association, BUILD/Washington, D.C., Mid-Tier Advocacy, and the Transition Zone.



His hobbies include gardening, karate, and yoga.

JoAnn Griffin

Co-Founder & President

JoAnn’s expertise as former Director of Operations at United Airlines, Director of HR at P/Strada, and former catering business owner is utilized by making sure the company is run as efficiently as possible. JoAnn has a global view of the world, being the daughter of Willie Pandy, an Army medal recipient and veteran. By seeing life globally, she knows that people from all walks of life want to be financially free.

In the same way that she has advocated for employee rights in corporate America, she advocates for economic empowerment. JoAnn’s concern for human rights is displayed through her leadership role in managing the food donations to a local food bank for the Arlington South Glebe community garden, as well as her experience managing non-profit relations for United and her current presence as a board member for Transition Zone. JoAnn is a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.

Her hobbies are gardening, cooking, hiking, and pilates.

Anthony Stevens

Financial Professional

Anthony V. Stevens is a proud small-business operator & father. He is the operations lead for a EDWOSB with a Hub-zone designation, the Vernon Group. There, Anthony is focused on consistently and strategically increasing the planning firms’ small-business portfolio while also committing himself to enhancing the experience of his firm’s clients through education, inspiration, and motivation. He believes people deserve the best in class and he understands the power in our collective ability to shrink the wealth-gap; through pathways to the middle-class. 

Anthony serves on the board of directors for Young Black & Giving Back, Inc., the DC Credit Union, and is the founding board vice-chair of the DC Credit Union Foundation. He has held appointed positions with the DC Government, United Way NCA, and the DC Pan-Hellenic Council. He is a life-member of the NAACP & of the Omega Psi Phi fraternity.

“It came to me like a vision in the night, that my life’s purpose is to serve others and have fun.”

Anthony completed his MBA at the George Washington University and received his B.A. from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, neither of which would be possible without North Carolina Agricultural & Technical University. Anthony is a proud DC Native with strong roots in the South. He currently resides in the beautiful Congress Heights community of Ward 8 in the District of Columbia with his growing family.