Chicago Community Loan Funds Shows Up for Communities of Color During Civil Unrest

Civil unrest and the aftermath of a global pandemic forced Chicago Community Loan Fund to show-up for small businesses, communities of color across Chicago, and community organizations like never before.   During a recent chat with Wendell Harris, Vice President of Lending Operations, they discuss how CCLF is helping to keep mom and pops shops operating, why Black & Brown representation matters in Investments, and how CCLF is building up communities by providing access to working capital for small businesses, social enterprises, and plus more.    Wendell Harris has over 20 years of commercial real estate, property management, and banking experience. He was promoted to Vice President of Lending Operations in March 2019, after serving as Director of Lending Operations following a brief tenure as Senior Loan/Program Officer for CCLF.   In the past five years, he has underwritten investments at CCLF that leveraged $253.20 million in real estate transactions that strengthen lower-wealth communities. He has held various positions in Treasury Management, Retail Management, Business Banking, and Commercial Real Estate at leading financial institutions such as Northern Trust, LaSalle Bank N.A., Charter One, GE Capital, and Urban Partnership Bank. He also worked for Midway Broadcasting (WVON radio) in Marketing and Sales.   Chicago Community Loan Fund provides flexible, affordable, and responsible financing and technical assistance for community stabilization and development efforts and initiatives that benefit low- to moderate-income neighborhoods, families, and individuals throughout metropolitan Chicago.  Follow @RashanahBaldwin everywhere – Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter. Want to see the showcase of Someone You Need To Know, visit www.rashanahbaldwin.com Have thoughts about the episode? Share on social media using the hashtag #SomoneYouNeedToKnow. Email [e-mail] with feedback or questions! Be sure to subscribe to her youtube channel as well! @RashanahB