Celebrating the leaders and nonprofits driving progress for communities of color

Calvin L. Holmes has served as the President of Chicago Community Loan Fund (CCLF) since 1998. His passion for rejuvenating communities was sparked from watching his mother and grandmother review blueprints and site plans at the dinner table, as both of them worked for a federal redevelopment program in East St. Louis, Illinois. Holmes is a recognized expert in community development finance and issues involving access to capital. CCLF is a nonprofit Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) with more than $140 million in assets that provides responsible financing and technical assistance for community stabilization and development efforts that benefit low- to moderate-income neighborhoods throughout Chicago.

Holmes plans to direct Bank of America’s funding to the Chicago Community Loan Fund.

“I fundamentally believe that we all prosper together when no community is left behind. I am grateful that Bank of America has always been an indelible partner in CCLF’s community development efforts for more than 25 years,” said Holmes.

Vida Chan Lin is the Founder and President of the Asian Community Development Council (ACDC), the first non-profit community development corporation in Nevada established to educate, connect and empower the Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) community—the fastest-growing demographic in the United States. Through the creation of ACDC, Lin has created a space for vital resources for the AAPI community. She developed the first Asian food pantry in Nevada in response to the pandemic, providing culturally-appropriate food as part of the first steps to tackle food insecurity. She also created both COVID-19 and flu pop-up vaccination clinics to serve individuals with limited English proficiency and make patients feel comfortable and welcomed by medical providers.

Lin plans to direct Bank of America’s funding to the Asian Community Development Council.

“In 2020 during the height of the pandemic, ACDC was tasked to provide more direct services to our community. We opened a culturally-sensitive food pantry, registered more than 35,000 people to vote and enrolled more than 1,300 in affordable health insurance plans. We facilitated more than 2,300 vaccine shots and have helped 700 clients with free citizenship assistance. This is just the beginning. With Bank of America’s help, we can step in to provide more vital resources for our community. We are taking every step to ensure that language should never be a barrier, meeting our community right where they are. Thank you for this wonderful opportunity!” said Lin.

Arcenio J. López is a Ñuu Savi leader from San Francisco Higos, Oaxaca, México, who is dedicated to elevating the voices of Hispanic-Latino indigenous people across California. After immigrating to the U.S., he worked as a farmworker in strawberry fields while attending night school to learn English. López began volunteering at a local immigrant rights organization after recognizing the discrimination against undocumented immigrants and indigenous people. Later, he volunteered with the Mixteco/Indigena Community Organizing Project (MICOP)’s food distribution and literacy programs before joining the group as its first community organizer and was named MICOP’s first indigenous Executive Director in 2014. Under López’s leadership, MICOP has grown into a preeminent immigrant organization in Southern California, reaching an estimated 50,000 indigenous people.

López plans to direct Bank of America’s funding to the Mixteco/Indigena Community Organizing Project.

“I felt speechless when I heard that I was selected to receive Bank of America's Neighborhood Builders Racial Equity Award. I had no idea that I was even nominated. I am thankful for Bank of America’s partnership, trust, and recognition for the work I am honored to do for the Indigenous Community along California's Central Coast. This award is not only a privilege to receive, but also gives me an amazing opportunity to nominate an organization and an emerging Indigenous leader to build on the conversation around racial equity. This award is a unique, innovative and courageous example that Bank of America has established,” said López.

David Robinson is a former NBA center for the San Antonio Spurs and Co-Founder of Admiral Capital Group, where he has focused on private equity and real estate programs and projects that create a positive social impact. Robinson graduated with a mathematics degree from the U.S. Naval Academy and honored his military commitment to serve two years in the Navy before joining the National Basketball Association, where he spent 14 years with the San Antonio Spurs. He was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame in 2009 and has won two NBA championships and two Olympic Gold Medals. Robinson is recognized as one of the preeminent philanthropists in professional sports, leading to the NBA's creation of the David Robinson Plaque, which is awarded to current players in recognition of their outstanding community service.

Robinson plans to direct Bank of America’s funding to the Friends of Carver, which supports the IDEA Public Schools system in San Antonio, Texas.

“Too many young people in low-income communities – particularly Black communities – lack access to strong schools and face barriers that can put higher-education out of reach. I am grateful that I’ve been able to use my platform and business to invest in education in low-income communities and am honored to be recognized by Bank of America with the Neighborhood Builders: Racial Equality Award. With Bank of America’s support, we can further our commitment to close achievement gaps, foster opportunities for every student to attend college regardless of which neighborhood they come from,” said Robinson.

Mary Kim Titla is the Executive Director of United National Indian Tribal Youth, Inc. (UNITY), a Native youth development nonprofit established in 1976. Born on the San Carlos Apache Reservation in central Arizona, Titla broke barriers as Arizona’s first Native American TV news reporter, launching a multifaceted career that spans journalism, teaching and even a Congressional run. Guided by the Native adage, “The honor of one is the honor of all,” she carried her passion for storytelling and uplifting Native voices to UNITY – the largest and oldest organization dedicated to empowering Native youth. The organization fosters the spiritual, mental, physical, and social development of Native youth.

Titla plans to direct Bank of America’s funding to United National Indian Tribal Youth, Inc.

“I'm extremely grateful to be named alongside other amazing nonprofit leaders who work tirelessly to serve others. Thanks to my mentor, the late J.R. Cook, who founded this wonderful organization, I fully understand what it means to lead with passion and purpose. Our Native American youth are worth every minute we invest in their lives. Ahiyi'e' (thank you in Apache) to Bank of America for investing in the future of our tribal communities. I also accept this award on behalf of my team; without them, the UNITY organization wouldn't be what it is today,” said Titla.