Five years ago, in February 2018, 22 African American CDFI CEOs gathered in Raleigh, North Carolina with a shared conviction: Blackled institutions needed collective power, coordinated advocacy, and equitable access to capital. That moment marked the birth of what would become the African American Alliance of CDFI CEOs. 

By May 2020, The Alliance was officially incorporated. In 2021, I was honored to serve as its first President and CEO. Together, we launched our inaugural Strategic Plan, released our PPP Impact Report highlighting $4.4 billion deployed by our members, and began building the national infrastructure necessary to strengthen Black-led CDFIs. 

Since then, our growth has been both measurable and meaningful. Membership expanded from 22 founding leaders to more than 100 institutions nationwide. We launched the Black Renaissance Fund, unveiled the African American Equity Impact Scorecard, hosted our first in-person Annual Meeting & Conference, and advanced 
climate justice through the Community Builders of Color Coalition and the Justice Climate Fund. We strengthened partnerships with federal agencies, including the U.S. Small Business Administration, and introduced new initiatives to support women-led CDFIs, housing equity, certification readiness, and technology advancement. 

Yet we have navigated these milestones amid real industry challenges. Shifting policy landscapes, uncertainty in federal funding, and increasing pressure on community development finance demand resilience and innovation. Black-led CDFIs continue to stand in the gap, serving entrepreneurs, homeowners, and developers who remain 
overlooked by traditional systems. The Alliance exists to ensure they have the capital, capacity, and influence necessary to thrive. 

As we celebrate five years of building capacity, building bridges, and building power, we also enter a season of transition. In 2025, I will retire as CEO. Leading this organization has been one of the greatest honors of my career. I am confident that the foundation we have built is strong and that the next chapter of leadership will continue advancing our mission with clarity and courage. 

The work of economic justice is ongoing. Systems must continue to evolve. Capital must flow equitably. And Black communities deserve nothing less than full access to prosperity. 

The movement we began in 2018 is stronger than ever. And together, we move forward—steadfast, united, and unapologetic in our pursuit of Black equity. 

Be Steadfast!

CEO, Lenwood V. Long, Sr.