Lenwood V. Long, Sr.

Founder/Advisor

Lenwood V. Long, Sr. is co-founder of the African American Alliance of CDFI CEOs, founded in 2018.

As Founder and Advisor of The Alliance, Lenwood supports strategic development, stakeholder relationships, and the organization’s continued growth. Having previously guided day-to-day management, financial growth, and administration of the organization, he continues to work with staff, members, and stakeholders to build the financial, organizational, and political capacity of Alliance members and the organization. During his tenure as President/CEO, he assisted the Alliance in surpassing its fundraising goal of over $1 million in the first six months of operation, and established and managed a grant management system that awarded over $1.1 million in grants to its members within the first five months.

Lenwood has more than three decades of experience in community economic development, human resources, and business management, including leadership positions in a variety of organizations, statewide economic and community development agencies, national consulting firms, and nonprofit organizations. In particular, he has expertly directed organizations through periods of transformational growth and strategic shifts. He is especially noted for his work with African-American small businesses, women entrepreneurship, veterans, and Historically Black Colleges and Universities.

He is the founder and president of the consulting firm BV&L Associates and has previously held positions as the president/CEO of Carolina Small Business Development Fund, the Minority Affairs Assistant in the office of former North Carolina Governor James E. Holshouser, and the Chief of Staff for former congresswoman Eva M. Clayton. He has a Bachelor of Science in Sociology from St. Augustine’s University in Raleigh, NC, a Master of Science in Urban Administration from Georgia State University, and specialized training from programs including Harvard University Kennedy School of Government’s Executive Education Program. He is also a recipient of The Order of the Long Leaf Pine by the Governor of North Carolina, a recently retired Senior Pastor Emeritus of New Bethel Baptist Church in Rolesville, NC, and a United States Army Veteran.