News and Events Type: News

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 2.0 moves from planning to execution. This next phase will provide intensive, high-touch support to a small cohort of Alliance members prepared to achieve measurable policy progress on housing justice policy campaigns within defined political windows. For more details, see attached RFP.

Letter of Intent Due: May 26, 2026
Proposal Due: June 1, 2026
For questions or concerns related to the attached RFP, please contact: Nucdalie Cherident, Policy & Research Director at [email protected].

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.  

What follows is a snapshot of where we’ve focused, what we’ve learned, and where we’re headed next. 

Strengthening the Foundation  

I firmly believe that a thriving organization is built on a foundation of integrity, mission-aligned values, unwavering commitment, and measurable impact. Our members are the heartbeat of everything we do, and it is essential that the right operational systems are in place to support their work and allow our mission to advance.  

That’s why my early focus has been strengthening our internal structures, refining our processes, and ensuring that every layer of our organization is aligned and equipped to serve at the highest level. 

Amplifying the Story of Black-Led CDFIs 

One of the most rewarding aspects of this role is having a platform to amplify the critical work of Black-led CDFIs on a national stage. I joined The SmallBizChat Podcast to share how Black-led CDFIs expand capital accessfor small businesses, combat predatory lending, and prepare entrepreneurs for financing. 

The Develop This: Economic & Community Development Podcast provided a platform to highlight the ways our members leverage our tools and resources to build economic resilience nationwide. The conversation also underscored the importance of Black-led financial institutions becoming CDFI certified as a gateway to unlocking meaningful funding opportunities and scaling their impact in the communities that need it most. 

Advancing the Work Through Broader Ecosystem Collaborations 

Contributing to the broader ecosystem of community development work has been a priority from the start.  

The Bay Area Regional Health Inequities Initiative (BARHII) offered a close look at the critical anti-displacement work being carried out across the country by 11 organizations within their community of practice; work that closely mirrors the values driving our own mission.  

U.S. Bank’s Impact Summit in St. Louis convened dynamic voices and surfaced actionable strategies for deepening community impact.  

The Federal Reserve Rural Investment Convening reinforced the vital role that community development investment plays in sustaining and strengthening rural economies, a reminder that our members’ work touches every corner of this country. 

Engaging in each of these convenings has reinforced the value of The Alliance’s voice in shaping collaborative strategies, and I look forward to channeling these insights into our programming and partnerships going forward. 

Expanding Our Regional Impact  

This year, we launched regional huddles to bring our support closer to the communities our members serve. In March, we hosted our Midwest Huddle & Exchange in Roseville, Minnesota, our first regional convening of 2026. The room was filled with leaders, partners, champions, and building power for Black-led financial institutions. We tackled candid conversations about the realities our members face, exchanged insights on navigating change across finance, housing, philanthropy, and explored how collaboration and capital shape what comes next.  

Additional huddles are planned for the Northeast, Southeast, and Southern California regions later this year. 

Onward to New Orleans 

This June, we’ll gather in New Orleans for our 2026 Annual Conference, and I could not be more excited about what’s ahead.  Our theme, “Onward,” speaks for itself. This is a moment to move forward with boldness, clarity, and collective purpose. 

For the first time, we are opening our doors to external change agents and ecosystem partners on an application basis, creating a powerful opportunity to expand our network. We invite you to be a part of this pivotal moment — submit your application here.  

What’s Next 

As we move through the remainder of the year, I am filled with optimism about what lies ahead. The foundation we have built over these first 100 days positions us to show up for our members and communities in powerful new ways.  

I am energized by what we’ve already accomplished and clear-eyed about what’s still required of us.  The road ahead is full of possibility and responsibility. The gravity of this moment reminds us that Black-led CDFIs are community cornerstones whose impact is irreplaceable. Our work at The Alliance has never been more essential, and we are committed to doing everything in our power to help these institutions gain ground, grow their impact, and continue serving the communities that need them most. 

To our members: Thank you for trusting us with this work.  

To our partners and funders: thank you for standing alongside us.  

To everyone who believes that Black-led financial institutions are essential to a just and thriving economy: there is a place for you in what we’re building. The best is yet to come. 

Onward, 

Amber Banks 

President & CEO, African American Alliance of CDFI CEOs

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 largest recent federal investments aimed at addressing longstanding structural inequities in American agriculture.  

Land access remains one of the biggest barriers to economic participation in agriculture. In 1910, Black farmers owned approximately 14 percent of U.S. farmland. Today, they make up less than 2 percent of the nation’s farmers. A decline widely tied to discriminatory lending practices, racial violence, heirs’ property challenges, and unequal access to federal farm programs. The USDA itself acknowledged systemic discrimination through the landmark settlement in the Pigford v. Glickman case, finding that Black farmers were routinely denied loans and assistance provided to White farmers, resulting in foreclosures and loss of family land. 

The Increasing Land, Capital, and Market Access Program was created in 2023 using pandemic-era federal funding. It supported nonprofit organizations, tribal governments, universities, and community groups working to help beginning and historically underserved farmers purchase farmland, obtain financing, and build viable agricultural businesses. Because many projects were already underway, the sudden termination of dozens of active grants eliminated anticipated financing, training pipelines, and technical assistance that farmers and partner organizations were counting on. 

The consequences fall disproportionately on Black farmers due to preference towards large and established landowners, while rising farmland prices have made entry into agriculture increasingly hard without inherited wealth or family land. Beginning farmers face persistent barriers to accessing credit, purchasing land, and navigating federal farm programs, a challenge for Black farmers who often lack generational land assets. Land access programs were therefore created not to give some farmers an unfair advantage but, rather, as corrective interventions addressing deeply unequal starting conditions shaped by earlier federal policies. Eliminating them risks reinforcing the same racial wealth gaps tied to land ownership that the program was trying to address. 

Beyond individual farmers, the cancellation carries broader implications for the resilience and diversity of the U.S. food system. Minority farmers, who make up roughly 5 percent of all US farmers, play important roles in regional food production, specialty crop markets, urban agriculture, and community food security initiatives. The average American farmer is 55-64 years old and approaching retirement, therefore, expanding access for new farmers is essential to ensuring long-term sustainability of domestic food production.  

In the USDA’s termination letter on March 2026, they argued that the ILCMAP promoted DEI, was discriminatory, wasteful, misused taxpayer dollars, and was not effective in improving land access. Supporters of the cancellation argue that federal programs should not target particular demographic groups and that removing DEI-associated initiatives restores fairness by treating all farmers equally. Critics counter that equal treatment within bias systems perpetuates inequality rather than correcting it. They point to the long history of agricultural policy that has shaped who gets land, who gets credit, and who can survive in the farm economy. The debate surrounding the canceled program reflects a broader national argument over whether equity-focused policies constitute unfair preference or a necessary response to documented civil rights violations and exclusion. 

At its core, the USDA’s cancellation of the land access program raises a fundamental question about agricultural opportunity and the role of public investment in expanding participation. Farming land remains foundational in shaping who can farm, who accumulates wealth, and who participates in rural economic life. While the removal of this initiative does not erase historical disparities in agriculture, it alters the mechanisms through which access challenges may be addressed moving forward. 

Major initiative supported by Truist Foundation 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE   

ORLANDO, Fla. — April 22, 2026 —The African American Alliance of CDFI CEOs (The Alliance) joins the Veteran Loan Fund (VLF), a national effort of Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs) advancing economic opportunity for military-connected entrepreneurs.  

The initiative is supported by Truist Foundation, through a grant to PeopleFund, Texas’ member of VLF, to establish and scale the Accelerator nationally through VLF. This partnership includes the launch of a Veteran & Military Spouse Business Accelerator designed to increase access to capital, training, and business support for Veteran and Military Spouse entrepreneurs nationwide.

Through this initiative, The Alliance will support its members by assessing capital, capacity, and service needs of veterans in the communities they serve. 

“We are honored to serve as a member of the Veteran Loan Fund network,” said Amber Banks, President & CEO of The Alliance. “This partnership strengthens our ability to equip our members with the capital, tools, and insights needed to support veterans and their families in building sustainable, thriving businesses.” 

The Veteran and Military Spouse Business Accelerator uses a coordinated model that delivers business education and mentorship, capital readiness and financial training, marketing and operational support, access to affordable loan capital and grants. Participants will complete a free, 8-week program combining weekly instruction, structured assignments, one-on-one business coaching and free access to LivePlan a business planning and financial forecasting platform used to build plans, model projections, and track performance.

Those who successfully complete all program requirements will receive ongoing technical assistance for up to three years, access to up to $350,000 in loan capital, a grant ranging from $3,000 to $5,000, and complimentary access to the Business Beyond Battlefield Conference at the National Medal of Honor Museum in Arlington, Texas in October 2026. 

The program is delivered in collaboration with member CDFIs and veteran-serving organizations, with the University of Texas at Arlington Veterans Business Outreach Center (UTAVBOC) and the Veteran Women’s Enterprise Center (VWEC) leading the curriculum and content delivery. 

Through this initiative, VLF aims to deploy an additional $15 million in loans and up to $1.5 million in grants, supporting approximately 300 Veteran and Military Spouse entrepreneurs and helping create or retain 1,500 jobs within the next year. 

Veterans and Military Spouses nationwide can learn more and apply to participate in the Accelerator here. 

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About Veteran Loan Fund: 

The Veteran Loan Fund is a national effort of a growing number of Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs) and specialized technical assistance partners dedicated to helping Veterans and Military Spouses start and grow small businesses. Member CDFIs currently include Access to Capital for Entrepreneurs (GA), Ascendus (NY), Appalachian Community Capital (VA), BBIF (FL), Business Impact Northwest (WA), Colorado Enterprise Fund (CO), DreamSpring (NM), Economic and Community Development Institute (OH), Justine Petersen (MO), Pathway Lending (TN), PeopleFund (TX), Pursuit (NJ), Wisconsin Women’s Business Initiative Corporation (WI) and members of African American Alliance of CDFI CEOs. Learn more at www.veteranloanfund.com. 

About The African American Alliance of CDFI CEOs    

The African American Alliance of CDFI CEOs (The Alliance) is a national coalition of 90+ CEOs of Black-led Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs), comprising loan funds, mission-driven organizations, credit unions, venture capital firms, and non-profit developers. Since 2018, The Alliance’s network collectively services all 50 states and the District of Columbia. Learn more about The Alliance and its programs at http://www.aaacdfi.org.  

About Truist Foundation 

Truist Foundation is committed to Truist Financial Corporation’s (NYSE: TFC) purpose to inspire and build better lives and communities. The Foundation, an endowed private foundation established in 2020 whose operating budget is independent of Truist Financial Corporation, makes strategic investments in a wide variety of nonprofit organizations centered around two focus areas: building career pathways to economic mobility and strengthening small businesses to ensure all communities have an opportunity to thrive. Embodying these focus areas are the Foundation’s leading initiatives – the Inspire Awards and Where It Starts. Learn more at Truistfoundation.org. 

Media Contact: 

Iyanna Peoples  

Associate, Marketing & Communications   
African American Alliance of CDFI CEOs   
[email protected], (910) 518-9201  

For many, climate change can feel distant and is often perceived as something unlikely to impact our daily lives or immediate future. Growing evidence makes clear that taking action now is essential to slowing its effects and preserving the health of our environment. Environmental changes are already impacting critical aspects of daily life, from food systems to infrastructure and overall quality of life. Unfortunately, underserved communities bear the greatest burden of these challenges, experiencing disproportionate impacts that deepen existing racial and social inequities. 

Community Housing Development Corporation (CHDC) is working to change that reality. Through the Driving Clean Assistance Program (DCAP), the organization is advancing solutions that are both people-centered and planet-focused. The program is intentionally designed to assist California’s low-income and disadvantaged residents that have historically been left out of clean energy programs by assisting them with purchasing clean air vehicles.  

CHDC partners with credit unions that provide the loans for electric vehicles (EVs), aligning with the organization’s mission to create economic opportunity and stability for underserved communities.  

The EV Process and Its Impact on Underserved Communities 

DCAP is built with accessibility at its core. The process begins with residents checking their eligibility and submitting an application. Approved applicants work with a network of enrolled dealerships to select a qualifying battery electric, plug-in hybrid, or fuel cell vehicle, and the grant is applied directly during purchase. DCAP pairs vehicle grants of up to $12,000 with interest rate caps, while CHDC expands access to credit and provides financial coaching to help combat limited access to affordable capital and predatorylending practices.  

Families that have benefited from the program report resulting in less financial stress allowing remaining funds to be redirected toward savings, homeownership, and building generational wealth. 

“The goal is to meet people where they are and build a pathway to ownership that is genuinely accessible, not just technically available,” Donald Gilmore, Executive Director of CHDC, said. “Environmental justice isn’t just about reducing emissions; it’s about ensuring that the communities who have suffered disproportionate environmental harm are the first to benefit from solutions. Everything we do at CHDC, from affordable housing to clean transportation to community engagement, is designed to make that a reality in the neighborhoods we serve.” 

Since launching in 2024, DCAP has provided EVs to 1,670 participants across California. In December 2025 alone, 394 residents completed their vehicle purchasereflecting significant improvement in processing capacity and overall program volume. 

Shaping a More Equitable Future Through Green Finance 

As a leader in green finance, CHDC drives sustainable efforts through key initiatives like the North Richmond Waste and Recovery Mitigation Fee Joint Expenditure Planning Committee, which directs resources toward cleanup efforts in historically impacted neighborhoods. The organization also hosts an annual Earth Day event and integrates sustainability into its affordable housing developments. Through strategic partnerships with NeighborWorks America affiliates, CHDC is working to close critical gaps and expand its impact across the communities it serves. 

“I hope we see a fundamental shift in who gets to participate in the clean energy transition — not just in California but nationally. Programs like DCAP demonstrate that equity and climate outcomes are not competing goals, and I’d like to see that model replicated and expanded so that every income-qualified household that wants a clean vehicle has a real pathway to get one,” Gilmore said. 

To learn more about CHDC’s work in advancing environmental and community resilience, visit https://communityhdc.org/. 

National convening brings together Black-led CDFI leaders, funders, and partners to advance equitable access to capital and shape the future of community finance 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

April 16, 2026 

NEW ORLEANS – The African American Alliance of CDFI CEOs (The Alliance) will host its 2026 Annual Conference, ONWARD, from June 16-18, 2026, at The Westin New Orleans (100 Iberville St). This three-day convening will bring together leaders of Black-led Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs), alongside funders, policy makers, and industry partners, to exchange ideas, strengthen partnerships, and shape the future of community finance.  

Centered on the theme “ONWARD: Our Legacy. Our Leadership. Our Charge,” the conference reflects The Alliance’s commitment to advancing and protecting the leadership, impact,and long-term future of Black-led CDFIs. The event is supported by sponsors such as J.P. Morgan Chase and U.S. Bancorp Impact Finance, whose continued investment underscores a shared commitment to closing the racial wealth gap. 

Attendees will engage in dynamic, solutions-driven programming designed to accelerate measurable impact across the community development sector.  

This year’s agenda includes:  

• National forums sharing key insights from national leaders, including Harold Pettigrew, CEO of Opportunity Finance Network, and Xavier Ramsey, Founder & CEO of Justice Informed 

• Breakout sessions on climate resilience, technology and data integration, inclusive housing solutions, and portfolio management 

• Capital connection opportunities for mission-driven financial leaders to meet directly with capital partners to advance economic opportunity 

• A Juneteenth closing celebration highlighting pathways to expanding capital access  

“As the largest national gathering of Black-led CDFIs, this conference reflects the strength of our collective leadership and our shared commitment to move onward in advancing Black equity,” said Amber Banks, President & CEO of The Alliance. “This is our charge to lead with conviction and curate a space where strategy turns into action. Black-led CDFIs are on the frontlines of expanding access to capital and we are committed to ensuring they have the tools, partnerships, and resources needed to deepen their impact.” 

Non-members and ecosystem partners interested in attending must submit an application for consideration.  

At a time of continued economic uncertainty and systemic inequities, this conference comes at a pivotal moment to convene Black CDFI CEOs working to build stronger, more equitable systems.  

For more information or to apply, visit here.

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About The African American Alliance of CDFI CEOs   

The African American Alliance of CDFI CEOs (The Alliance) is a national coalition of 90+ CEOs of Black-led Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs), comprising loan funds, credit unions, venture capital firms, and non-profit developers. Since 2018, The Alliance’s network collectively services all 50 states and the District of Columbia. As a result, members are uniquely positioned to address issues related to housing and access to capital for African American communities.  

Learn more about The Alliance and its programs at http://www.aaacdfi.org. 

Media Contact 

Iyanna Peoples 

Associate, Marketing & Communications  
African American Alliance of CDFI CEOs  
[email protected], (910) 518-9201 

Editor’s Note: Through collaborative storytelling, this reflection brings forward Alliance member Bill Bynum’s leadership experience, values, and vision in a first-person narrative. 

When I reflect on the beginning of my career in community finance, my thoughts often return to my childhood. At a young age, I was aware of the stark disparities in access to resources and opportunities between communities. I began to understand that success was not determined solely by talent, intelligence, ingenuity, or effort particularly for African Americans due to systemic inequities.  

That realization guided the path I chose to help rebalance the scales of opportunity and build a career in community finance. 

Since establishing Hope Credit Union (HOPE) in 1995, I’ve seen firsthand how a CDFI rooted in Jackson, MS, can grow to serve communities across the Deep South. Today, HOPE reaches 55 counties and parishes across Mississippi, Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Louisiana, and Tennessee, providing critical access to retail banking, homeownership resources, and business lending for both rural and urban communities. With roughly $1.3 billion in total assets, our institution serves a membership base in which 77% of member-owners are Black and 59% are women. 

Due to current shifts across the economic landscape, the work we do as CDFI leaders has become clearer and more urgent. Unprecedented times like Hurricane Katrina, the Housing Crisis, and the COVID-19 Pandemic have strengthened my leadership by pushing me to respond with innovative solutions to develop stronger pathways to financial stability.  

Today, as wealth is being created and transferred through advances in technology and AI, those of us with access to decision-making spaces have a responsibility to ensure the voices of historically disenfranchised communities are present in the rooms where policies and systems are formed. 

HOPE’s commitment is demonstrated through the measurable impact of our work. In 2024, our organization deployed over 4,000 loans totaling $205 million, including: 

• Funding businesses and community development projects 

• Providing affordable housing to families and renters 

• Expanding access to healthcare 

• Advancing educational opportunities for students 

Expanding Opportunity Through Education 

Students in a classroom at I Dream Big Academy 

Founded by lifelong educator Dr. Angela Lang, I Dream Big Academy is a public charter school serving grades 6–12 in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. The school opened its doors in 2025 with a mission to expand access to high-quality education. It also aims to strengthen college readiness for students in the city’s West End, a community that has historically faced high povertyrates and low levels of college attainment.  

HOPE provided approximately $4.5 million in facility financing to support construction of a purpose-built school on Stillman College’s campus, making I Dream Big Academy Alabama’s first HBCU-affiliated charter school. 

Nearly half of the nation’s HBCUs are in HOPE’s service area, positioning our organization to finance more than $120 million in campus infrastructure. To be rooted in a region where civil rights history was written reinforces the responsibility to serve Black communities and advance economic opportunity. I was deeply moved when civil rights leader Myrlie Evers, the widow of Medgar Evers, said that if Medgar were alive today, he would be doing the work we are doing at HOPE. That moment reminded me to carry the baton forward for future generations. 

Every loan deployed and every person served represents meaningful progress, but I understand that the need is far too great for any single organization to solve alone. A comprehensive financial service strategy, bolstered by collaboration with mission-aligned allies, and force-multiplied by advocacy to influence policies and practices (at the governmental, corporate and philanthropic levels) is central to our effectiveness. 

Building stronger communities across the Deep South takes more than financial resources. It requires ensuring that individuals have the tools and knowledge to realize their potential, support their families, and prosper.  

To learn more about HOPE’s mission and impact, visit hopecu.org. 

As federal support for the CDFI industry remains uncertain, The Alliance has shifted its focus to where power is moving and where impact can be made now: cities and states.  

In September 2025, The Alliance launched Housing Justice Champions (HJC), a first-of-its-kind accelerator designed to equip Black-led CDFIs with the tools, skills, and confidence to build power locally and advance equitable housing policy. 

Through HJC, The Alliance brought together a geographically diverse cohort of CDFI leaders who are passionate about playing a larger role in the policy change in their communities. The inaugural HJC cohort included 10 competitively selected Alliance members based in red, blue, and purple states and cities across the Northeast, Southeast and the Deep South, Midwest, and Southwest. The cohort also included both seasoned and novice advocates who represent organizations with asset sizes ranging from $5 million to $42 million. 

At the start of the program, each cohort member identified policy barriers their organizations face in pursuing housing justice in their communities, which often included a shortage of affordable housing stock, rising home prices, and increased pressure on state and local governments as federal funding declines and policies restrict equitable housing solutions.  

Over two months, these members rapidly grew their policy advocacy knowledge, skills and confidence through targeted expertise and hands-on support.  

Stewarded by solidarity economics law firm Gilmore Khandhar LLC, the program combined an original curriculum and facilitated group trainings with more than 30 hours of individualized coaching, through which Alliance members: 

• Collected and analyzed data on their local housing ecosystems to set advocacy priorities 

• Conducted power-mapping exercises to identify advocacy allies, targets, and key decision-makers 

• Set specific, measurable, and achievable campaign goals that were meaningful to their organizations and their communities 

• Developed clear strategies and implementation plans grounded in their organizations’ realities.  

In creating these tools for their organizations, participants learned how to institutionalize their influence and shift their advocacy from reactive to intentional. 

“[HJC] gave us a way to succeed even if I’m not in the room,” said Rose Washington-Jones, CEO of TEDC Creative Capital. “Initially, I thought that advocacy was about connecting with a decision-maker and passionately making a case. I never really thought through the case with hard data that really matters. And I’ve always resisted advocacy because it’s something that we don’t have funding to do, since many of our grants restrict lobbying. This experience opened my eyes to the importance of data. When the data is present, you don’t have to convince—your case speaks for itself.”  

In addition to tools and strategy, Alliance members also gained confidence in collective power to shape the policies that directly impact their localities. CommunityWorks serves as a great example of how The Alliance can inspire Black-led CDFIs to identify new collaborators that can help drive more investment and impact in housing justice locally.  

“[HJC] allowed us to look at power-building in a different way,” said Latorrie Geer, CEO of CommunityWorks, a South Carolina-based CDFI working on a campaign to enlist the local business community to support affordable housing creation. “It sometimes feels like we’re one organization in a wheel and supplying this engine of information. But we have power—we’re boots on the ground, and we speak for a group of people who are unable to speak for themselves. We should be leading these conversations…our organization can provide much-needed information to others, but we should also be able to utilize that on our own.” 

HJC also inspired participants to expand coalitions and forge new partnerships. Andre Whittington, Executive Director at Growth Partners Arizona (GPAz), applied his learnings from HJC to join the Arizona Housing Coalition, where his organization helped secure a systems change grant. GPAz is now exploring a partnership with a local housing funder to create a predevelopment loan product for small start-up developers. 

“If you don’t go through this process, you can’t even have the conversation,” Whittington said. “Now I can sit with partners and know exactly what I’m talking about.” 

This work is made possible through the continued support of Melville Charitable Trust, whose partnership helps advance housing justice through Black CDFI leaders by expanding insight, opportunity, and impact for underserved communities.  

As we look ahead, The Alliance remains committed to filling in gaps in federal-level support by empowering Black-led CDFIs to grow their power, strategy, and voice for local policy change. 

Housing Justice Champions Inaugural Cohort: 

• African Economic Development Solutions (St. Paul, MN) 

• Community Works (Greenville, SC) 

• Growth Partners Arizona (Phoenix, AZ) 

• Historic District Development Corporation (Atlanta, GA) 

• Neighborhood Development Center (St. Paul, MN) 

• Neighborhood Housing Service of Chicago (Chicago, IL) 

• Neighborworks Sacramento (Sacramento, CA) 

• TEDC Creative Capital (Tulsa, OK) 

• The Housing Fund (Nashville, TN) 

• Urban League of Philadelphia (Philadelphia, PA) 

The African American Alliance of CDFI CEOs mourns the passing of Rev. Jesse L. Jackson, Sr., a towering figure in the fight for civil rights, economic justice, and Black political power. 

For decades, Rev. Jackson challenged America to live up to its promise. Through his leadership of the Rainbow/PUSH Coalition and his unwavering advocacy for marginalized communities, he elevated issues of economic equity, voting rights, access to capital, and corporate accountability long before they became mainstream conversations. 

Rev. Jackson understood that civil rights without economic power leaves communities vulnerable. His work consistently centered the importance of ownership, access to opportunity, and investment in Black communities, principles that are foundational to the mission of Black-led Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs) and to our work at the Alliance. 

He taught us that equity is a demand. That justice requires structure. That power must be organized. And that hope must be paired with action. 

As an organization committed to closing the racial wealth gap, we stand on the shoulders of leaders like Rev. Jackson who expanded the moral imagination of this nation and insisted that economic justice is civil rights work. 

We extend our deepest condolences to his family, loved ones, and the generations of leaders he mentored and inspired. 

May we honor his legacy not only with words, but with continued action: organizing, advocating, and building institutions that move us closer to true economic equity. 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

The Alliance ushers in next chapter of leadership and growth as Founder & CEO Lenwood V. Long, Sr. retires 

Orlando, Florida — January 6, 2026 — The African American Alliance of CDFI CEOs (“The Alliance”) proudly announces that Amber Banks has been appointed President & CEO, effective January 1, 2026. Banks succeeds Founder & CEO Lenwood V. Long, Sr., who is retiring after more than three decades of service in community finance and economic justice. 

With more than two decades of experience at the intersection of economic development, social justice, and nonprofit leadership, Banks brings a bold vision for expanding access to capital, strengthening Black-led CDFIs, and elevating the Alliance’s voice on the national stage. 

“Amber’s appointment marks an exciting new chapter for the Alliance,” said Watchen Harris Bruce, President & CEO of Baltimore Community Lending and Chair of the Alliance Board of Directors. “Her deep expertise in racial and economic equity, her proven ability to build inclusive leadership, and her passion for community-driven solutions make her uniquely qualified to guide the Alliance into the future.” 

Banks has led initiatives that unlocked millions of dollars in lending for entrepreneurs of color, built national coalitions to channel philanthropic and federal resources into underserved communities, and mentored a new generation of diverse leaders in community finance. She has also been a cornerstone of the Alliance’s leadership team since its early years, serving first as Executive Vice President & Chief Operating Officer, where she strengthened operations, improved systems and processes, and aligned staffing and resources with strategic priorities. She was then promoted to President in 2024, where she spearheaded strategies to advance the organization’s mission, oversaw financial planning and resource allocation, cultivated national partnerships, and represented the Alliance as one of its lead spokespeople with media, policymakers, and stakeholders. 

“I am honored to carry forward the Alliance’s legacy, to strengthen our membership, and to confront the racial wealth gap as a united force,” said Amber Banks, President & CEO of the Alliance. “This is not just my leadership moment, it is our movement – and I can’t wait to roll up my sleeves, work with our members, and take our fight for equity to the next level.”  

Under her leadership, the Alliance will focus on: 

• Expanding lending and capitalization for Black-led CDFIs. 

• Elevating the voice of Black economic leaders in national policy and industry conversations. 

• Strengthening member services with measurable benefits and expanded support. 

Founded in 2020 under the leadership of Lenwood V. Long, Sr., the Alliance has grown into a national membership organization representing more than 80 Black-led CDFIs and 40 mission-driven organizations. The Alliance has secured historic federal and philanthropic funding, launched groundbreaking initiatives such as the Equity Impact Scorecard, Black Renaissance Fund, and established itself as a leading voice for racial and economic justice. 

To learn more about The Alliance, visit www.aaacdfi.org.  

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About the African American Alliance of CDFI CEOs 

The African American Alliance of CDFI CEOs is a coalition of 129 Black-led community development financial institutions (CDFIs) and mission-driven organizations committed to closing the racial wealth gap and expanding economic opportunity in Black and historically excluded communities. Through advocacy, capacity-building, and partnership, the Alliance equips its members to grow their institutions and strengthen their impact. 

For more information, visit www.aaacdfi.org.  

Media Contact 

Iyanna Peoples 
Associate, Marketing & Communications 
African American Alliance of CDFI CEOs 
[email protected], (910) 518-9201