Message From Leadership
Five Years of Impact
2025 - 2026
The Foundation is Set
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Founded by 22 Black-led CDFI leaders in Raleigh, North Carolina, united around knowledge sharing, capital access, and building Black financial power
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Officially incorporated as a 501(c)(3)
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Formal launch of the African American Alliance of CDFI CEOs
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Established as a national, membership-driven intermediary
The Power of Us
Voices Across the Movement
The Alliance was never built by one voice. It was built by many—founding members who dared to imagine something greater, funders who invested early and boldly, and staff and fellows who continue to carry the work forward every day.
"As a young executive director— both in age and experience—I have deeply appreciated the time I’ve spent engaging with Alliance members. The multigenerational diversity of experiences within the Alliance has been invaluable, and I look forward to the opportunity to connect with other African American leaders across the country.
The abundance of resources available through The Alliance will be instrumental in strengthening our small operation, ensuring that my staff remains informed and connected to current events. Additional access to capital is another critical opportunity that will support our organization’s growth and impact. "
Dr. Alvertis Brooks, Jr.,
Executive Director
RVCDF
The Alliance Membership
As a membership organization, The Alliance is focused on deepening its impact on current members while continuing to grow our reach by adding new members to the organization. In 2026, we will strengthen alumni engagement to preserve and share the wisdom of industry trailblazers across our network, while broadening Annual Conference access to welcome additional equity-focused partners.
Our Programs & Initiatives
Black Renaissance Fund:
Expanding Affordable Capital at Scale
The Black Renaissance Fund (BRF) advanced its mission in 2025 by delivering affordable, flexible capital to Black-led CDFIs nationwide. Building on foundational investments and operational readiness achieved in prior years, BRF scaled deployment, strengthened internal lending capacity, and expanded support
through both loan and grant capital.
African American Equity Impact Scorecard
The African American Equity Impact Scorecard is an initiative of
The Alliance that serves as an accountability framework driving
practice change across the CDFI ecosystem. Designed to embed
racial equity into underwriting, investment, and portfolio decisions,
the Scorecard helps lenders and investors align capital with
measurable community wealth outcomes.
Financial
Summary
In 2025, The Alliance continued to strengthen its financial foundation while expanding lending and mission-driven investments supporting Black-led CDFIs.
Growth through the Black Renaissance Fund and increased total assets position The Alliance for deeper impact and long-term sustainability.
Standing Firm: Funding Through Headwinds
In 2025, as national conversations around DEI and economic equity intensified, The Alliance remained steadfast in advancing our mission. Many financial partners deepened their support, while others continued to champion our work internally, even amid changing corporate and political dynamics.
At the same time, we diversified our funding strategy, expanding engagement with private philanthropy and individual donors to strengthen long-term sustainability.
While some partners paused commitments due to shifting external pressures, we remain confident that the long-term case for economic justice and the role of Black-led CDFIs in strengthening our economy remains clear.
Our development strategy focused on two priorities: securing sustainable funding and elevating The Alliance’s impact within the broader CDFI and economic justice ecosystem.
These investments ensure that The Alliance can continue equipping Black-led CDFIs with the tools, advocacy, and capital access needed to close the racial wealth gap.
We extend our sincere gratitude to our foundation, corporate, and capital partners for their continued commitment to this work.
Thank You to
Our Sponsors
In 2026,
We Move Onward.
Five years ago, the Alliance was born from a convening. Today, it stands as a
national intermediary with influence, infrastructure, and impact.
“Onward” signifies both reflection and resolve.
2026 marks an important leadership transition. With Lenwood V. Long, Sr.’s
retirement in 2025, President Amber Banks will step into the next era of executive leadership. This transition reflects continuity and evolution, building on a strong foundation while advancing a bold vision for the future.
301 E.Pine Street, Ste. 175
Orlando, Florida 32801
Phone: +1 984 263 9380
E-mail: communications@aaacdfi.org
