A movement for economic justice.

The Alliance has brought together Black-Led CDFIs from all over the nation with funds of all sizes. We began with a few institutions but have now grown exponentially.

What We Do

We believe we are stronger together

We prioritize and center the voices and needs of Black communities to inform our work. The Alliance supports and empowers CDFI CEOs to lead and grow their institutional operations, teams, and social impact.

  • Advocate for institutional and public policies

    We address the barriers to community and economic development, Black business growth, wealth creation, and financial protections in African American communities

  • Empower a national network of African-American CDFI CEOs

    We strengthen our member fiscal and impact capacity using best practices to facilitate social and economic advancement in their communities.

  • Create a digital marketplace of Black-owned firms

    We help Alliance members expand their capacity and efficacy while providing marketplace firms with increased revenues to expand wealth creation in the African American community.

Who We Are

Become a member

We support and believe in the unique experiences, strengths, talents, and opportunities presented by our members. By coming together as chief executives, we amplify the voices of the Black community and economic development finance leaders and elevate the specific personal and professional challenges they face.
Membership

  • Advocacy

    We elevate the voices of Black community leaders by serving as a thought-leader for CDFI public policy issues and engaging in research that are in the best interest in the of Black CDFIs’ sustainability and stakeholders

  • Access to Capital

    Utilize research tools to elevate the disproportionate investment in Black-led CDFIs, and to advocate for a redistribution of capital flow to these CDFIs.

  • Peer Mentoring Programs

    Support to help lead and grow their institutional operations, teams, and social impact.

  • Training Opportunities

    Access to webinars and educational opportunities to help members build capacity and grow their CDFI.

African American Equity Scorecard

The Scorecard aims to orient around wealth-building among Black communities and shifts the criteria by which organizations assess every project and helps to address the ways in which we have mirrored inequitable institutionalized practices.

  • Equity & Power Building

    Black leaders creating a path toward equitable policies and practices within the Black community.

  • Economic Development and Job Creation

    Non-profits, cooperatives, and businesses working toward a living wage, basic benefits, career-building, wealth-building opportunities and/or a fair and engaging workplace.

  • Equity

    Projects proactively addressing historical and current systemic oppression in order to ensure fairness in the access to opportunities, resources, and rights for the Black community.

Our Partners

Our partners and funders help us to strengthen our communities. We thank each of them and those that will join us in the near future as we work to close the racial equity gap nationwide.
Partners

Latest News & Events

Check out our latest news on our work towards closing the racial wealth gap.
  • September 27, 2022

    Black Renaissance Fund: $125M of Capital Investments in Black-Led CDFIs Brings Catalytic Resources to Black Communities

    Bank of America’s $12.5M investment marks the launch of a new national loan fund, critical to building wealth and racial equity in Black communities    [September 27, 2022] – Orlando, FL. – Today the Alliance announced the launch of its Black Renaissance Fund, a $125 million fund providing patient capital to Black-led Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs)

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  • September 2, 2022

    The Alliance Rebrands to Celebrate a Bright, United Future for Black America

    The African American Alliance of CDFI CEOs (The Alliance) is thrilled to announce its new brand identity. Guided by our Strategic Plan, this is a bold step forward for our organization, and we’re excited to be taking it.  We’re proud of our history, and we’re committed to building on it—and shaping a brighter future. That’s

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  • August 22, 2022

    Alliance Member Spotlight: Economic Resilience and the Commitment to Community Development

    ECONOMIC RESILIENCE AND THE COMMITMENT TO COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT: AN INTERVIEW WITH WATCHEN BRUCE, PRESIDENT AND CEO OF BALTIMORE COMMUNITY LENDING Economic resilience means more than providing financial services and financial education to those who are underserved. It means an investment in leadership development, physical capital, building of human capital, and efforts to create positive perceptions

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  • August 8, 2022

    Annual Report 2021: A Year of Growth

    A Message from our President & CEO, Lenwood V. Long, Sr. Friends and Family of The Alliance,  It is with great pride that I present to you our first annual report, showcasing our work and impact in 2021. My sincere thanks to you for being a part of our incredible journey. Despite an extraordinarily challenging

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  • August 8, 2022

    CRA Reform: A Call on Equitable Lending, Public Comment Letter from The Alliance

    The Community Reinvestment Act (CRA) has served as a critical tool in mitigating the effects of redlining and increasing access to credit for low-income and minority communities. The CRA also incentivizes banks to reinvest in these underserved communities, as evidenced by increased lending activity after the financial crisis. However, as found in our research, banks

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  • July 21, 2022

    Fintech and Transparency in Small Business Lending: Testimony of Lenwood V. Long, Sr., to the House Small Business Subcommittee on Oversight, Investigations, and Regulations

    President / CEO of the Alliance, Lenwood V. Long, Sr., submitted the testimony below delivered to the House Small Business Subcommittee on Oversight, Investigations, and Regulations: ———————- Chairman Phillips, Ranking Member Van Duyne and distinguished members of House Small Business Subcommittee on Oversight, Investigations, and Regulations Subcommittee, my name is Lenwood V. Long, Sr., President

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More News & Events

Contact Us

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African American
Alliance of CDFI CEOs

301 E.Pine Street, Ste. 175
Orlando, Florida 32801

Phone: +1 984 263 9380