Without affordable financial services, including loans and bank accounts, many Black Americans cannot access affordable homes, capital to launch community businesses or build credit. Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs) provide fair, transparent financing and financial education to people and underserved communities. These institutions create high-quality jobs, affordable housing units, community facilities and financial services for low to moderate income people.
CEO Action for Racial Equity is committed to advancing policies that support CDFIs in order to improve economic opportunities and equity for the Black community. The data demonstrates the urgency to act now to address barriers to financial inclusion and bridge the racial wealth gap.
> Meet Dafina Williams from Opportunity Finance Network
> Meet Lenwood Long from the African American Alliance of CDFI CEOs
> Meet Dimitrius Hutcherson from First Independence Bank
> Meet John Holdsclaw IV from Rochdale Capital
> Meet Donna Gambrell from Appalachian Community Capital
> Meet Colleen Hafner from St. Louis-based Rise Community Development
Additional episodes available here.
“My mother was a member of a black-owned, community credit union, which provided financial security by sometimes keeping food on the table or our lights on. That small, community-based credit union was our security blanket.”
– Bryan Daniels, PH.D., Ameren Corporation
