African American Alliance of CDFI CEOs, Inc.

Founded in 2019, the African American Association of CDFI CEOs is a membership-driven organization with 79 members and 30 associate members whose activities cover all 50 states and the District of Columbia. The Alliance seeks to disrupt systemic and structural barriers by increasing the financial stability and organizational capacity of its members with the ultimate goal of helping marginalized people, families, and communities to achieve financial stability, enjoy economic mobility, and pursue pathways to wealth. It aims to increase the capacity of member organizations; create bridges to economic stability, well-being, and wealth for individuals, families, and communities; and build power by challenging and influencing financial sectors to operate more equitably. This grant supports the organization’s focus on providing technical assistance, creating opportunities for knowledge sharing through peer-to-peer exchanges and mentorship programs, and increasing the visibility of Community Development Financial Institutions in order to increase investment in disinvested communities.

The African American Alliance of CDFI CEOs is a newly formed coalition committed to the support and growth of historically marginalized communities and the diverse executives leading the Community Development Financial Institutions that serve them. It aims to increase the capacity of member organizations; create bridges to economic stability, well-being, and wealth for individuals, families, and communities of color; and build power in these communities by challenging and influencing financial sectors to operate more equitably. Its work is grounded in three primary value propositions: the prioritization of the voices and needs of the Black community, the power of partnerships and collective action, and a focus on economic empowerment and freedom. Through this grant, the organization will invest in programs designed to bring financial, operational, and human capital capacity to its 56 member organizations. Programs will focus on providing technical assistance, creating opportunities for knowledge sharing through peer-to-peer exchanges and mentorship programs, and increasing the visibility of Black-led Community Development Financial Institutions in order to amplify the voices of and increase investment to communities of color.