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
Alliance members

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.

  • Advance Racial Equity & Black Wealth

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

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 Impact 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.

  • 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.

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In Memoriam: Inez Long

We honor the life and legacy of Inez Long, who served as President and CEO of the Black Business Investment Fund (BBIF) Florida and was a cherished board member and co-founder of the African American Alliance of CDFI CEOs.

Inez was a visionary leader whose unwavering commitment to economic justice transformed the landscape for Black and minority-owned businesses. For over 30 years, she led BBIF with passion, integrity, and a steadfast dedication to innovation and excellence.

As a co-founder of The Alliance, Inez was a driving force in advancing Black-led CDFIs, ensuring that communities of color had the resources and support needed to thrive. Her advocacy and leadership were instrumental in shaping policies and initiatives that continue to uplift historically marginalized businesses.  Her legacy of empowerment, community development, and economic resilience will continue to inspire generations to come.

Support The Alliance: Invest in Transformative Change

Donate
At The Alliance, we empower thousands of persistently underserved entrepreneurs and Black communities through our growing network of over 110+ members. Your generosity fuels impactful programs, influential policy advocacy, and accessible loan funds —strengthening financial and operational capabilities so Black-led CDFIs can better serve entrepreneurs who would otherwise lack access to capital and technical assistance. Together, we can close the racial wealth gap and build a more equitable economy.
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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.
  • July 7, 2026

    The Alliance Hosts 2026 Annual Conference: ONWARD 

    From June 16–18, 2026, The Alliance welcomed members, funders, policymakers, industry leaders, and community partners to New Orleans for ONWARD: Our Legacy. Our Leadership. Our Charge. The three-day convening celebrated the legacy of Black-led CDFIs, elevated the leadership driving transformative change today, and challenged attendees to embrace the collective responsibility of advancing economic opportunity.  This year’s conference

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  • July 2, 2026

    The African American Alliance of CDFI CEOs Announces its 2026 Board of Directors 

    The African American Alliance of CDFI CEOs is proud to announce its 2026 Board of Directors, a distinguished group of leaders whose expertise, vision, and commitment to advancing economic opportunity will help guide The Alliance’s mission in the year ahead. Each is also a member of The Alliance, leading a CDFI in their own community. That dual role

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  • June 29, 2026

    Congress Passes Bipartisan Housing Bill as Final Action Remains Uncertain

    Congress has passed the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act, a bipartisan housing bill aimed at addressing housing affordability and supply challenges across the country. The bill passed the Senate and House with overwhelming support and now awaits final action by the President.  As of this update, the bill has not been signed into law. President Trump

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  • May 12, 2026

    New RFP Opportunity: Housing Justice Champions 2.0 – Advancing State & Local Housing Advocacy 

    The African American Alliance of CDFI CEOs is releasing a new Request for Proposals to support Housing Justice Champions 2.0 (HJC 2.0), an implementation-focused initiative designed to advance active state and local housing policy campaigns led by Black-led CDFIs.  Following the success of Housing Justice Champions 1.0, which equipped members with foundational advocacy knowledge and campaign plans, HJC

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  • May 12, 2026

    First 100 Days as President & CEO: Leading with Purpose, Building with Intention 

    When I stepped into the role of President & CEO of the African American Alliance of CDFI CEOs on January 1, I did so with a clear conviction: that this organization has both the mandate and the momentum to reshape what economic opportunity looks like in Black communities across the country. One hundred days in, that conviction has only deepened.  

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  • April 23, 2026

    USDA Cancels $300 Million Land Access Program: What It Means for Black Farmers and the Future of American Agriculture 

    The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) decision to end the Increasing Land, Capital, and Market Access Program, which was designed to help underserved farmers gain access to land, marks a major policy shift with real consequences for minority farmers, especially Black farmers. Framed as part of a broader federal rollback of DEI initiatives, the cancellation of nearly $300 million removes one of the

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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