The African American Alliance of CDFI CEOs is a thought leader organization that focuses on advancing Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs) of Color and Black and Brown community economic development across the United States. The African American Alliance of CDFI CEOs is comprised of 75 full-time member organizations and 14 associate members, representing 35 states. These organizations are leading the fight for racial wealth equity and financial inclusion.  

Alliance members work in areas like venture capital, commercial real estate, small business lending, housing, tax credits, and more. They disrupt the existing systems, advocate or policies that support racial economic equity, and develop CDFIs to boost community wealth and prosperity. 

This month, we had the privilege of interviewing Lenwood V. Long Sr., the President & CEO of the African American Alliance of CDFI CEOs. 

Lenwood V. Long Sr. has a long history of working with credit unions and CDFIs and has a passion for the “ministry of help”. He takes pride in his ability to advocate for those who need assistance in areas such as lending, economic development, and public policy.  

Under Lenwood's leadership, the Alliance successfully implemented a three-fold strategic plan. The first strategy involves building capacity among member organizations by increasing their operational, management, and professional development abilities, as well as their capital resources to better serve their communities. Lenwood emphasized the importance of getting money directly into people's hands to achieve this goal. 

The second part of the strategic plan, "building bridges," emphasizes the need for member CDFIs to listen to the needs of the communities they serve and advocate for policies and programs that reflect those needs. The third component aims to build up the power of community voices and Black-led CDFIs to impact public policy and challenge existing systems. 

An example of the African American Alliance of CDFI CEO’s work is with the Community Builders of Color Coalition, in which they are a member. The Community Builders of Color Coalition is a collection of 12 national BIPOC-led organizations working to improve racial and financial equity, including Prosperity Now. Recently, the Coalition put together a joint application to apply for funding from the Environmental Protection Agency's Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund. If received, these funds would be distributed to disadvantaged communities and households often overlooked in environmental funding considerations. 

The Alliance and the Community Builders of Color Coalition are working to ensure that disadvantaged Black and Brown communities are not left behind in the EPA's efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The Coalition is actively pushing for environmental justice and the recognition of the historical environmental injustices that these communities have faced. 

Moving forward, the Alliance remains unapologetic in their fight for equity and financial inclusion. They use intersecting strategies and approaches to incorporate the voices and needs of as many Black and Brown individuals and organizations as possible. The Alliance is committed to overhauling and redesigning systems that have interrupted Black and Brown progress for centuries by empowering BIPOC-led CDFIs and advocating for policies that promote the closing of the racial wealth gap. Lenwood and The African American Alliance of CDFI CEOs will not let the interruption of Black and Brown progress continue. 

Lenwood is optimistic about the Alliance's and the Community Builders of Color Coalition's ability to make progress in enhancing racial equity and closing the racial wealth gap across the country.