Dear Friends and Allies,
In 2018, I sat in a room with 22 visionary Black CDFI CEOs bound not just by profession, but by purpose and passion. That meeting held in Raleigh, NC, was the beginning of a movement. Every person shared the mission to close the racial wealth gap and uplift Black communities through economic justice, leading to the birth of The African American Alliance of CDFI CEOs.
On May 10, 2020, The Alliance was officially incorporated as a 501(c)(3), boldly claiming our place in history and in service. Since that day, we have grown from an idea rooted in shared purpose to a national, 110+ member-led organization and force for change. Our work is grounded in the powerful truth that Black-led CDFIs are uniquely equipped to meet the needs of Black communities because we live in those communities, we lead in those communities, and we believe in their future.
We’ve led unapologetically and remained committed to confronting the inequities in capital access for Black communities.
In five years, The Alliance has secured more than $50M in funding to strengthen our organization, drive our mission forward, and fuel our members’ efforts on the ground in the communities they serve.
For The Alliance, the true measure of impact isn’t all in the numbers; it’s in the lives we touch. Through our collective efforts, small business owners gain access to capital they need to grow their dreams. Our members bring new housing investments in neglected neighborhoods. The businesses we support create jobs that help parents provide for their families and bring stability that nurtures hope. All of this is made possible through the powerful leadership of Black CDFI CEOs who are building legacies designed to shape the future for generations to come.
Reaching this five-year milestone has been nothing short of extraordinary and it wouldn’t have been possible without the unwavering support of so many. I’m deeply grateful to our funders who believe in our vision, to the community leaders who continue to walk alongside us, our dedicated Alliance staff whose hard work and belief in our mission has been a driving force, and to the remarkable Black CDFI CEOs whose leadership and commitment are the foundation of this movement.
What began as a dream has grown into a national force, and that has only happened because we built it together. This journey has always been a team effort and I’m profoundly thankful to each of you who helped bring it to life.
The work we do represents the spirit of this powerful quote by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., who said, “Make a career of humanity. Commit yourself to the noble struggle for equal rights. You will make a greater person of yourself, a greater Nation of your country, and a finer world to live in.”
As we celebrate five years, my heart is full of gratitude and excitement for the journey we’ve walked together and the deep belief that the best is still ahead.
Be Steadfast!
CEO Lenwood V. Long, Sr.
