With a spirit full of purpose, innovation, and legacy, The Alliance held their third in-person Annual Meeting & Conference in Charleston, SC, from June 24 – 27, 2025. Anchored in the theme, “The Power of Service: Leading with Purpose, Serving with Passion,” this year’s conference paid tribute to the visionary leadership and unwavering commitment of The Alliance’s founders, the late Inez Long, former CEO of BBIF; Donna Gambrell, President & CEO of ACC; and Lenwood V. Long, Sr., CEO of The Alliance. Born from a vision of collective strength, The Alliance has championed Black-led CDFI CEOs through targeted programs and support that expand their impact.
Additionally, the conference honored the services of Lenwood V. Long, Sr., The Alliance CEO who is retiring at the end of the year. During our Family Reunion Style Dinner & Game Night, Long shared heartfelt remarks and offered trailblazing advice alongside CDFI industry leaders Donna Gambrell and Victor Elmore, President of Texas Mezzanine Fund.
As the keynote speaker for the Sneaker Ball: Formal Dinner & Awards Ceremony, Long anchored his remarks with the reminder, “as others have labored and we enter into their labor,” as he reflected on the organization’s founding, highlighting the power of a committed team and the importance of creating something meaningful in uncharted territory — designed solely to serve our communities and uplift Black CDFI leaders. Inez Long and Donna Gambrell were among those early, steadfast leaders who shared his belief in the mission of The Alliance and helped bring it to life. Driven by conviction, Long carried the organization through its first year single-handedly guided by unshakeable determination to create a lasting change for Black-led CDFIs and the communities they serve.
In his stylistic way, he ended the keynote address by emphasizing the vital role Black-led CDFIs play in our communities and offering gratitude to the members, Board, and staff for their unwavering devotion and support. With powerful and encouraging words, Long spoke to the importance of legacy and leadership, underscoring the significance of passing the baton to our President/CEO Amber Banks-Bond in 2026.
The conference was expanded to four days with the intentionality to allow more time for meaningful networking, deeper collaboration, and enriched learning. There was a dynamic mix of member and partner-led breakout sessions. Sessions explored key topics such as scaling impact, leveraging the emergence of artificial intelligence, advancing climate finance, and exploring opportunities to scale micro-finance products.
In addition, the convening included insightful panel discussions that reflected the evolving priorities of the CDFI industry. A new panel was introduced with the focus of helping members adopt a funder’s perspective in order to position their financial institutions to attract and secure capital. Each conversation was designed to equip attendees with forward-thinking strategies and actionable insights to drive lasting change in Black communities.
Contributing to the energy and insight of the conference were engaging panels, keynote addresses, and remarks from influential voices, including:
- Harold Pettigrew, CEO, Opportunity Finance Network
- Marc Morial, President & CEO, National Urban League
- Bakari Sellers, Attorney, Political Commentator, and Former Member of the South Carolina House of Representatives
- Rodney Hood, Acting Comptroller of the Currency
- Amber Koonce, Sr. Director of Legal Research & Development, PolicyLink
- Xavier Ramey, Founder/CEO, Justice Informed
- Cynthia Alston Bell, Sr. Marketing Consultant, Cumulus Radio Station Group
- Torrence Moore, Head of Access to Capital, US Bancorp Impact Finance
- Kim Weaver-McDonald, VP & Sr. Community Development Officer, First Citizens Bank
- Tony Smith, SVP of Community Development – Territory Executive, PNC Bank
- Alison Clark, Associate Director of Impact Investments, MacArthur Foundation
- Nick Noel, Sr. Expert, McKinsey & Company
- Edgar Romney, EVP & Chief Strategy Officer, Amalgamated Bank
The conference concluded with the Closing Celebration Juneteenth Luncheon where Bakari Sellers, an attorney and political commentator, delivered an inspiring address. The afternoon wrapped up with a vibrant African dance performance that brought attendees to their feet in celebration. Throughout the conference, several Alliance members and staff were recognized for their outstanding contributions, embodying The Alliance’s mission.
Congratulations to the award recipients:
- Community Impact Award: Hilda Kennedy
- Innovation Excellence Award: Tiffany Taylor
- Equity in Housing Award: Marshall Crawford
- Financial Empowerment Award: Tiffany Taylor
- The Lenwood V. Long, Sr. “Good Trouble” Award: Watchen Harris-Bruce
- The Lifetime Achievement Award: Bill Bynum
- The Inez Long “Servant Leader” Award: Watchen Harris-Bruce
- Climate Justice Award: Deborah McKetty
- Alliance Trailblazer Award: Victor Elmore and Calvin Holmes
- Policy Trailblazer Award: Ryan Gremillion
- Extraordinary Service Award: Charmaine Grafton
- Visionary Leadership Award: Chavelle Sangokoya
We extend our sincere thanks to all our members and allies for joining us, and a special note of appreciation to our sponsors for their generous support: W.K. Kellogg Foundation, South Carolina Community Loan Fund, JPMorgan & Chase, PNC Bank, TD Bank, The Housing Fund, First Citizens Bank, US Bancorp Impact Finance, Truist, Goldman Sachs, MacArthur Foundation, PaySoko Systems, Living Cities, LoanWell, Friedman Associates, the Kresge Foundation, Capital One, Ned, Thirdspace Action Lab, BCA Culture, Fifth Third Bank, Amalgamated Bank, LISC, and NCIF.
The Alliance looks forward to advancing this critical work at the 2026 Annual Meeting and Conference in New Orleans, LA.
