Dear Reader,
The United States faces many societal challenges as a result of the persistent wealth gap that so often separates the haves and have-nots along racial lines. Tackling this challenge and achieving meaningful change requires the collective participation of diverse stakeholder groups.
This special publication is designed to introduce you to some of those key stakeholders, each of whom dedicate their operations to improving the outlook for millions of underbanked Americans in an effort to remove structural barriers.
Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs) can play a crucial role in expanding homeownership, affordable housing, access to financial services, and financial opportunity for communities in need. CDFIs are strongest when they are supported by investors, banks, corporate partners, the government, and policymakers on the federal, state, and local levels. Without strong partnerships for capital, technical assistance, and regulatory support, CDFIs are unable to meet the needs of the underbanked.
At a time when Black homeownership is the key economic issue, our hope is that this publication informs and inspires institutional firms such as private equity, mutual funds, asset managers, and other ESG investment fiduciaries to support the mission of CDFIs across America. Private equity can be a source of billions of dollars for CDFIs and the important communities they service across America. Just the 10 largest private equity funds hold more than $1 trillion in assets under management. For those funds focused on impact investing and addressing environmental, social, or governance issues, CDFIs offer advantageous investment opportunities.
We are excited to share the insights from experts and leaders across the country and profile leading CDFIs and the communities they serve. As this publication continues to elevate conversations and share information about the racial wealth gap, we hope to hear more from leaders in private equity, public pension funds, mutual funds, and other asset managers to understand how they are working with CDFIs or the hurdles to such partnerships. We look forward to expanding on the topics touched on here in an effort to further the dialogue in an effective and meaningful way.
To learn more about getting involved in future print and digital publications, please contact us at b2bpublishing@latimes.com.
Sincerely,
Anna Magzanyan
Anna Magzanyan | Chief of Staff to Executive Chairman & Head of Strategy and Revenue | anna.magzanyan@latimes.com
SALES DEPARTMENT
Helya Askari | Executive Director of Sales helya.askari@latimes.com
Karren Adamyan | Sales Project Manager
Wendy Hultgren | B2B Marketing Coordinator
Sergio Zaldivar | B2B Marketing Coordinator
MARKETING & CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
Mike Kechichian | EVP, B2B Publishing
Christianne Bradley | Director, Client Solutions
Ellen Varvarian | Senior Marketing & Planning Analyst
Helen Chang | Senior Project Manager
Paul Williams | Contributing B2B Publishing Editor
Alan LaGuardia | Associate B2B Publishing Editor
David Chee | B2B Publishing Copy Editor
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
Pamela Agava | Prosperity Now
Reverend Everett Bell Jr. | Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church
Faith Bautista | National Asian American Coalition
Kevin Golden | Homeownership Equality Research Organization
Katherine Peoples | HPP Cares CDE
Andre M. Perry | The Brookings Metropolitan Policy Program
Dr. Rashawn Ray | The Brookings Institution
Simone Robbennolt | Prosperity Now
Doug Ryan | Prosperity Now
Laura Yepez | Prosperity Now
PRODUCTION
Melinda Marquez | Director, Advertising Client Services
Maximilliano Enciso | B2B Publishing Art Director
Dave Novotney | Prepress Specialist
Kevin Chau | Designer
Larry Tomoyasu | Designer
