CCLF’S NEWSLETTER OF COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS, ISSUES & FEATURESCOMMUNITY BLUEPRINT:
In This Issue Page 1
“Wall Raising” Ceremony Held for New Pullman Community Center
Pages 2-3“Wall Raising” Ceremony, continued
CCLF Debuts Enhanced Workshop Series
Urban Land Institute Honors DL3 Realty
Pages 4-5CCLF’s Annual Stakeholders Meeting
Showcases Vision in Action
CCLF Board Member Eric Phillips Earns Promotion
CCLF Releases 2017 Annual Report
Pages 6-7Dowell Honored with
“Women of Excellence” Award
Holmes Moderates Mission Investors Exchange Panel
CCLF Credit Memos
CCLF Board of Directors
Page 8CCLF Noteworthy:
Thank You To Funders and Investors
CCLF Staff News
CCLF Staff
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“Wall Raising” Ceremony Held for New Pullman Community Center
New beams were launched May 2, 2018, in Chicago’s historic Pullman neighborhood when celebrants gathered for a “Wall Raising” – a ground-breaking ceremony for the new Pullman Community Center. Representatives from the Roseland Youth Center, Chicago Neighborhood Initiatives (CNI), and Chicago Community Loan Fund joined Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel, 9th Ward Alderman Anthony Beale, Chicago Cubs Chairman Tom Ricketts and others for the dedication of the new project, the largest of its kind in the state of Illinois.
The state-of-the-art, 135,000-square-foot Pullman Community Center, located at 10322 S. Woodlawn Avenue, will offer area youth, residents and visitors year-round athletic programs, educational opportunities and community activities. Situated on 12 acres of land previously left vacant for years, the Pullman Community Center will provide a climate-controlled environment with three indoor playing fields able to host a variety of sporting events and neighborhood functions. Annually, the Center will have the capacity to house up to 1,200 teams, welcome up to 50,000 visitors, and employ at least 100 full- and part-time area residents. Construction on the new facility is scheduled for completion in fall 2018.
CNI is leading the revitalization of the historic Pullman neighborhood, having most recently celebrated the opening of Potbelly Sandwich Shop on 111th Street and Doty Avenue. CCLF has provided housing financing for CNI in the past and is now supporting CNI’s efforts in Pullman through Activate Retail©, CCLF’s commercial real estate development initiative which offers financing and funding for transformative projects that grow retail in depressed neighborhoods in need of revitalization. CCLF received funding from JPMorgan Chase’s PRO Neighborhoods Initiative which helped launch
2nd Quarter/2018
Scheduled for completion in fall 2018, the Pullman Community Center will bring year-round athletic programs,
educational opportunities and community activities to the historic
Pullman neighborhood and will serve 50,000 people annually.
(continued on page 2)
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Activate Retail© and is supporting CNI’s small business lending and other commercial retail projects.
The historic Pullman neighborhood was established in the early 1800s as a model industrial community for the employees of George Pullman’s Pullman Palace Car Company. In 1925, a group of African American Pullman employees formed to establish the Brotherhood of the Sleeping Car Porters (BSCP) under the leadership of civil rights pioneer A. Phillip Randolph and Milton Webster. The BSCP made history by establishing the first Black union to secure collective bargaining rights and became renowned for their service as rail travel dominated American
transportation. At the same time, Pullman’s industrial community attracted workers and became a model for industrialized living.
The Pullman Community has experienced a transformation in recent years. In 2015, President Barack Obama formally designated the Pullman Park district a national monument. Commercial retail has been growing, most recently with the opening of Potbelly Sandwich Shop and Star Cleaners joining U.S. Bank, Method Products and Gotham Greens in the community. A new Whole Foods distribution center is also currently under construction in the area, creating more job opportunities for its residents.
CCLF joins additional donors and investors in the Pullman Community Center project, including: the Chicago Bears, Chicago Cubs Charities, Chicago’s Environmental Fund, Chicago Housing Authority, the Chicago Park District, Citibank, the City of Chicago, ESPN, Exelon, Ford Motor Co., LISC-Chicago, National Community Investment Fund, NFL Grassroots, State of Illinois DCEO, U.S. Bank and Wintrust Financial Corporation.
“Wall Raising” Ceremony Held for New Pullman Community Center (cont.)
CCLF Debuts Enhanced Workshop Series
With the support of Capital One, CCLF underwent a
year-long restructuring of its technical assistance services by examining industry best practices and assessing the
needs of our customers and potential customers. In
response to the research and participants’ feedback, CCLF has introduced an enhanced
workshop series for 2018. Each workshop has been
specially designed to benefit organizations new to the field of community development and will help participants lay the foundation for successful
project planning. The workshop format was
refreshed to provide a more encompassing overview of what it takes to be a developer while
comprehensively addressing attendee concerns and
questions through a series of 2- to 3-hour long workshops.
Each installment includes presentations that explore key components of the community
development process and
(from left) Judge Fredrick H. Bates, Circuit Court of Cook County, 6th Municipal District in Markham, Maurice Johnson,
Executive Director of the Roseland Youth Center, Chelsi Cicekoglu, CCLF’s Lending Consultant, Patrick C. Watson, Legislative Aide with the Office of Alderman Anthony
A. Beale and Wendell Harris, CCLF’s Director of Lending Operations, meet at the
“Wall Raising” ceremony for the new Pullman Community Center.
CCLF’s Kevin Truitt (left) and Taft West conducted Workshop 1 in May as part of a revitalized workshop series introduced
for 2018.
Local representatives gathered for the dedication of the new Pullman Community Center, the largest
of its kind in the state of Illinois.
(continued on page 3)
(continued from page 1)
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Urban Land Institute Honors DL3 Realty
CCLF Debuts Enhanced Workshop Series (cont.)
relevant topics to consider, including access to capital, project design and funding
strategies. The workshops are held in CCLF’s office (29 E.
Madison Street, Suite 1700).CCLF’s Kevin Truitt and Taft West launched the series in May with
Workshop 1: “Underwriting Basics” and “Selecting a Great
Rental Partner.” Workshop 2, held in June, featured “An Overview of the Community
Development Process,” presented by Joy Arguete of Bickerdike
Redevelopment Corporation, and “Borrower Basics,” presented by
CCLF’s Lycrecia Parks. The series continues July 25 with
Workshop 3: “Cooperative Basics,” presented by CCLF Board Member
Charles Daas of City Solutions-Chicago, CCLF Board Member
Kathy Tholin, Albany Consensus Cooperative, and Sharon Hoyer, Dill Pickle Food Co-op, a CCLF
borrower. On August 21, William Skalitzky, Applegate & Thorne-
Thomsen, will conclude the series with Workshop 4, presenting:
“Regulatory Requirements, Legal Issues of Housing and Community
Development.” Registration for the upcoming
workshops is $25. For additional information, please contact the
workshop coordinator, Taft West, at [email protected].
The Urban Land Institute (ULI) awarded CCLF customer DL3 Realty a 2018 Community Impact Vision Award for its Englewood Square Retail Center in Chicago. Presented during the organization’s 7th Annual Vision Awards Ceremony in June, the Englewood Square Retail Center and DL3 Realty were recognized for serving as catalysts for revitalization in a community suffering from years of disinvestment and neglect. Rian Walker and her son, Adam Walker, accepted the award on behalf of her husband and DL3 Realty founder, Leon Walker.
Located at 63rd and Halsted in Chicago, Englewood Square strengthens the community by providing high-quality options for food and services. The center offers 50,000 square feet of retail space anchored by Whole Foods Market Englewood, which provides fresh foods to local consumers and procurement opportunities to more than 35 local suppliers. Chipotle, Starbucks and Oak Street Health Center are also part of the retail center, providing 200 jobs to local residents.
DL3 Realty is a commercial real estate company with a mission to develop projects that help improve and sustain neighborhood life in Chicago’s urban communities. CCLF provided a predevelopment loan of $500,000 to DL3 Realty for the Englewood Square project using U.S. Treasury CDFI Fund Healthy Food Financing Initiative dollars. Other funders for the project included PNC Bank, Chicago Development Fund and Fundrise.
Held this year at the newly renovated Theater on the Lake in Chicago, the ULI Vision Awards annually recognizes projects, programs and young professionals that define the standard of real estate development in the Chicagoland area.
Joy Arguete of Bickerdike Redevelopment Corporation informed attendees during
Workshop 2 in June.
Accepting on behalf of DL3 Realty, (from left) Choudhry Muzaffar, Alex Sparhawk, Adam Walker and Rian Walker receive the Urban Land Institute’s 2018 Community
Impact Vision Award for DL3’s Englewood Square project.
Adam Walker and Rian Walker proudly display
DL3 Realty’s 2018 Community Impact
Vision Award.
Over 60 CCLF funders, investors and community partners negotiated severe storms to join CCLF staff and Board Members for CCLF’s Annual Stakeholders Meeting. Held Thursday, June 21st, at the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago, the meeting highlighted CCLF’s influence in changing Chicagoland through its lending, fiscal capacity, and portfolio services in underserved communities.
The meeting began with a message on behalf of CCLF’s Board of Directors from Erik L. Hall of GCM Grosvenor and CCLF Board Vice Chair. Hall introduced CCLF Board Members in attendance and acknowledged the support and participation of CCLF’s partners, investors, funders and supporters. Hall went on to note that attendees could expect a high-level summary of CCLF’s 2017 and first quarter 2018 performance, as well as an overview of the market impact within the communities CCLF serves.
Jason Keller, Economic Development Director for Illinois at the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago, welcomed attendees and discussed Community Reinvestment Act (CRA) reform from the perspective of Federal Reserve Board Governor, Lael Brainard. He observed that the public has the ability to help shape the modernization of CRA though the comment process.
The program shifted to CCLF staff who each presented performance data in key areas. Bob Tucker, Chief Operating Officer and Executive Vice President of Programs, began with a look at CCLF’s 2017 Lending Performance and provided an update of the 2017-2020 Strategic Plan. Tucker explained to the group that CCLF closed 34 loans totaling $22.8 million at 2017 year-end. He stated that key goals of the Strategic Plan already have been implemented, including the development of a liquidity model, completing a revamp of CCLF’s Technical Assistance Program and an expansion of the fund’s efforts in suburban areas.
Angela Dowell, Chief Financial Officer, followed with a review of CCLF’s Financial Performance. “CCLF had a tremendous year financially in 2017,” Dowell began. She went on to explain that CCLF’s most recent audit resulted in an unqualified opinion and a surplus due to an infusion of investment capital at year-end and a recovery on a defaulted loan. Dowell also added that CCLF’s balance sheet continues to be very strong while the fund
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CCLF’s Annual Stakeholders Meeting Showcases Vision in Action
CCLF funders, investors and community partners attended the Annual Stakeholders Meeting at the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago in June.
CCLF Board Member Eric Phillips
Earns Promotion
Eric S. Phillips has been promoted to Senior Vice
President, Chief Credit Officer – Small Business & Business
Banking for Wintrust Financial Corporation. Previously serving Village Bank & Trust (a Wintrust
Community Bank) as Senior Vice President and Chief Credit Officer, Phillips has extensive,
diverse experience in commercial banking. Prior to his tenure with
Wintrust, he held leadership positions with Park National
Bank, LaSalle Bank, and Comerica Bank. He is a frequent speaker and panel participant on small
business lending topics and has served as a CCLF Board Member
since 2014.
The mission of Chicago Community Loan Fund is to provide 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.(continued on page 5)
CCLF’s Annual Stakeholders Meeting Showcases Vision in Action (cont.)
continues to maintain conservative expenses, with 77% of expenses going toward program-related activities. She concluded her presentation by assessing the financial performance against other peer CDFIs, indicating that CCLF’s loans outstanding and deployment is performing at or above its peers based on Aeris data for FYE 2017.Sharing CCLF’s current portfolio and projected future growth, Lycrecia Parks, Vice President of Portfolio Management, noted that CCLF strives to continue its mission of being a “gap filler”—providing financing to commercial retail projects, large community facilities and for 1-4 unit developers to support recovery efforts throughout the Chicagoland area, including suburban geographies. Parks shared that as of first quarter 2018, CCLF had an outstanding principal balance of $61.3 million over 126 loans with a delinquency rate of 1.8%. Forty-nine percent of the portfolio was in the housing sector, 25% in commercial retail development, 21% in community facilities and 5% in social enterprises. Mini-permanent financing comprised 58% of the portfolio. Parks highlighted the goals for growing the portfolio as part of CCLF’s Strategic Plan, including growing commercial retail development from 25% to 33% of the total portfolio. Maurice Williams, Vice President of Economic Development, updated the audience on CCLF’s commercial retail activities. Williams highlighted two endeavors serving low- to moderate-income communities: Chicago TREND and Activate Retail©. He concluded by noting the positive effects CCLF’s commercial endeavors have left in the communities served.Calvin L. Holmes, President, summarized the agency’s achievements noting population growth, rising home values and a decline in foreclosures in places like Pullman, South Shore and Woodlawn as signs of revitalization. Yet, he emphasized CCLF’s work must continue to help alleviate unemployment, crime and lack of business nodes in neighborhoods with shrinking populations.
The highlight of the Stakeholders Meeting was a special presentation by Juan Carlos Linares, Executive Director of Latin United Community Housing Association (LUCHA), illustrating the impact of CCLF’s financing of LUCHA’s Tierra Linda project on local gentrification, affordable housing for Hurricane Maria displaced families and on sustainability. Tierra Linda is a series of housing developments along the 606 Trail in Chicago where property values and rents have skyrocketed. Tierra Linda’s Passive House is introducing rigorous energy efficiency standards which will save 75% on utility expenses for residents annually. This is a model project that has already received the attention of local and national developers as a way to achieve environmental justice. CCLF has worked with LUCHA for nearly 20 years and recently nominated the organization for the 2018 OFN Justice Award, which will be announced this fall. To learn more about LUCHA, visit www.lucha.org.
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CCLF Releases 2017 Annual Report
CCLF has released its 2017 Annual Report, “Unlocking
Potential.” Demonstrating the theme of unlocking potential in neighborhoods that have
long been denied opportunity for growth, the report profiles
CCLF’s financial results, visionary people and CCLF-funded
projects that have helped reshape
Chicagoland communities. Featured in the annual report
are conversations with Kathryn Tholin, CCLF Board Member and Founder; David Block, Director of Development at Evergreen
Real Estate Group (EREG); Lyneir Richardson, Co-founder and CEO of Chicago TREND; Brad
McConnell, CEO of Accion Chicago; and Kristin Ginger, CCLF Investor. Each profile illustrates CCLF’s mission
and purpose. To access the report online,
visit CCLF’s website, www.cclfchicago.org.
(from left) Erik L. Hall of GCM Grosvenor and CCLF Board Vice Chair, Calvin L. Holmes, CCLF President, Angela Dowell, CCLF Chief Financial Officer, and
Juan Carlos Linares, Executive Director of LUCHA, addressed attendees of CCLF’s Annual Stakeholders Meeting.
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Angela Dowell, Chief Financial Officer of CCLF, was honored on April 5, 2018, as one of The Chicago Defender’s 2018 “Women of Excellence” award recipients. Dowell joined the class of 50 African American women recognized for their business success and community service.
The Chicago Defender, founded in 1905 by Robert Sengstacke Abbott, is the oldest and most respected African American newspaper in Chicago. Through its “Women of Excellence” program, The Chicago Defender celebrates Chicago-area African American women who inspire others through their vision and leadership, exceptional achievements, and participation in community service. According to the “Women of Excellence” awards committee, “They are women who exemplify extraordinary strength, poise and grace. These women do it all while maintaining
the delicate balance of filling the roles of helpmate, mother, teacher and professional.”
“The Chicago Defender has a long and important history in celebrating accomplishments in the African American community,” Dowell says. “I am honored to be a part of that history and to be among 49 incredible honorees.”
Dowell, a CPA, holds a Bachelor’s degree in Accounting from Southern Illinois University-Carbondale and a Master of Business Administration from DePaul University. Profession-
ally, she has more than 10 years of accounting experience in both for-profit and not-for-profit sectors, most recently earning a promotion in March 2018 to CCLF’s Chief Financial Officer from Vice President of Finance.
Dowell inspires others through her many volunteer deeds, serving on the Not-for-Profit Committee for the Illinois CPA Society, as a member of the Finance and Audit Committee for Disability-CDFI Coalition, and as a member of the Minority Advisory Board for Southern Illinois University’s College of Business. Even more, she devotes time as a guest speaker on not-for-profit finance and accounting for various groups. “After working in the nonprofit industry for several years in the accounting and finance sector, I have learned first-hand that many nonprofits lack resources for proper accounting and finance support,” Dowell says of her dedication to community service. “This has fueled me to volunteer my time and services to provide assistance to organizations and to teach classes to nonprofit professionals so they may better understand finance and accounting and how it affects their organizations.”Dowell and the other 2018 “Women of Excellence” honorees were celebrated at an Awards Gala held at the Hyatt Regency Chicago. “Many of the members of the 2018 induction class are women I am very familiar with and whom I’ve admired. I enjoyed learning about their journey. There are many executives, community leaders and entrepreneurs represented within the 2018 induction class. Getting a chance to connect with these women beyond the award ceremony is a great honor.”
Dowell Honored with “Women of Excellence” Award
Holmes Moderates Mission Investors Exchange Panel
Calvin L. Holmes, CCLF President, moderated a discussion panel
entitled “Approaching and Investing in Catalytic Projects” at Teamwork Englewood in Chicago
during the May 2018 Mission Investors Exchange Conference. Fifty-five attendees, including leaders in the field of impact
investing, were able to experience the impact of investments first-hand through off-site sessions at various locations throughout Chicago. Holmes led a dialogue reflecting on CCLF’s motivation to finance such neighborhood projects as Englewood Square,
XS Tennis and The Plant Chicago. Panelists Leon Walker, Managing Partner, DL3 Realty; Renell Perry,
Business Manager, XS Tennis; and Carolee Kokola, Director of Enterprise Operations at Bubbly
Dynamics, LLC (The Plant Chicago) discussed the nuances they each
experienced developing and operating these catalytic projects.
Mission Investors Exchange’s biennial conference offers impact
investors in philanthropy a focused and collaborative space to build partnerships and experience on-the-ground impact investments. In addition to moderating the
panel, Holmes also served on the conference’s local Chicago host
committee this year.
Calvin L. Holmes (far left) moderated a panel of CCLF borrowers—(from left): Renell
Perry, Business Manager, XS Tennis; Leon Walker, Managing Partner, DL3 Realty, and Carolee Kokola, Director of Enterprise Operations
at Bubbly Dynamics, LLC.
CCLF’s staff joined The Chicago Defender in honoring Angela Dowell
and the other 2018 “Women of Excellence” award recipients.
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CCLF Board of DirectorsMatthew R. Reilein, ChairO’Brien Staley Partners
Erik L. Hall, Vice Chair
GCM Grosvenor
Charles S. Walls, TreasurerComEd (retired)
Mohammed M. Elahi, Secretary
Cook County Department of Planning and Development
Patricia Y. McCreary, Assistant SecretaryOffice of the Clerk of the Circuit Court of
Cook County
Ailisa Herrera, Assistant SecretaryMB Financial Bank
Dorothy Abreu
PNC Bank
Jody AdlerCommunity Law Project
Robert G. Byron
Blue Vista Capital Management, LLC
Charles F. DaasCity Solutions-Chicago
Dr. Amara C. Enyia
ACE Municipal Partners, LLC
Thomas P. FitzGibbon Jr.Evergreen Bankgroup
Kevin R. Goldsmith
Chase
Stephanie S. GreenPro Creative Law, LLC
Edward J. Hoynes
Community Accounting Services, LLC
Andrew W. HuggerBank of America
Michael Kauffman
BMO Capital Markets
Raymond S. McGaughMcGaugh Law Group, LLC
Eric S. Phillips
Village Bank & Trust (a Wintrust Community Bank)
Elias Rosario
Gary Comer Youth Center
Mark C. SpearsCIBC
Kathryn Tholin
Center for Neighborhood Technology (retired)
John L. Tuohy
Chapman and Cutler, LLP (retired)
Calvin L. HolmesPresident, CCLF (Non-Voting)
Black Ensemble Theater Corporation received a $1,000,000 mini-permanent loan to catalyze the development of an expanded arts and retail complex in the Uptown neighborhood. This mixed-use development is part of CCLF’s and Chicago TREND’s partnership to foster strategic retail development in underinvested communities. Thanks to Rachel Tenin of Chapman and Cutler LLP for serving as counsel on this transaction.
Churches United CDC received a $68,700 mini-permanent loan to acquire a single family property in the West Pullman neighborhood. This loan is part of the CCLF’s Neighborhood Investor Lending Program and the Preservation Compact. Thanks to Gregory Bauer of Kirkland & Ellis for serving as counsel on this transaction.
Greater Auburn Gresham Development Corporation received a $100,000 revolving line of credit for a single family home in Auburn Gresham community. This loan is part of CCLF’s Neighborhood Investor Lending Program, Preservation Compact, and the City of Chicago’s Micro-Market Recovery Program (MMRP). Thanks to Mark O’Meara of Chapman and Cutler LLP for serving as counsel on this transaction.
Javon Realty, LLC received a mini-permanent loan in the amount of $136,000 for purchase of a minority-owned real estate company that will lease the property to a day care service provider in the Chatham neighborhood. This is part of CCLF’s Activate Retail©. Thanks to Eli Korer from Barnes & Thornburg for serving as counsel.
Kushetse, LLC received a mini-permanent loan in the amount of $75,000 for a single-family home in West Pullman. This is part of CCLF’s Neighborhood Investor Lending Program and the Preservation Compact that preserves affordable housing in a low- to moderate-income community. Thanks to Jeffery Stevens at McDermott Will & Emery for serving as counsel on this transaction.
Maplewood Wood, LLC received a $200,000 mini-permanent loan for a 7-unit apartment building in the South Shore community. This is part of the Preservation Compact that preserves affordable housing in a low- to moderate-income community. Thanks to Jeffery Stevens at McDermott Will & Emery for serving as counsel on this transaction.
Rimland Services, NFP received a construction/mini-permanent loan in the amount of $303,600 for the acquisition and rehabilitation for a single family home in Evanston, IL. This loan is part of CCLF’s Neighborhood Investor Lending Program and the Preservation Compact, and will serve as a group home for adults with autism. Thank you to Ben Herrington from DLA Piper LLP for serving as counsel on this transaction.
Tudor Gables Cooperative received a $3,400,000 permanent loan for cooperative housing in the Kenwood neighborhood. This loan is supported by CCLF’s Bond Guarantee Program and the Preservation Compact. Thank you to Jeff Gray of Barnes & Thornburg LLP for serving as counsel on this transaction.
Urban Equities, Inc. received a $100,000 revolving line of credit for its neighborhood real estate development focusing on Chicago’s lower income communities. Thanks to Patrick E. Loughery and Chris Butler from Kirkland & Ellis LLP for serving as counsel on this transaction.
Ruth Shriman House LP, received a $1,750,000 construction rehab/permanent loan for multifamily housing in the Uptown neighborhood. This is part of Preservation Compact that preserves affordable housing in a low- to moderate-income community. Thanks to Melissa Oka of Perkins Coie LLP for serving as counsel on this transaction.
Green Property Acquisitions received a mini-permanent loan in the amount of $453,500 for a residential rental property with 13 affordable units in the Chatham neighborhood. This is part of the Preservation Compact that preserves affordable housing in a low- to moderate-income community. Thanks to Kirkland & Ellis LLP for serving as counsel on this transaction.
Credit Memos: CCLF Lends $7.6 million in 2nd Quarter
CCLF StaffCalvin L. Holmes
PresidentBob Tucker
Chief Operating Officer/ Executive Vice President of Programs
Angela Dowell
Chief Financial Officer Juan Calixto
Vice President of External RelationsMaurice WilliamsVice President of
Economic DevelopmentLycrecia Parks
Vice President of Portfolio Management
Taft West
Vice President of Technical Assistance and Sustainability
Wendell HarrisDirector of Lending Operations
Deborah Sabol
Director of OperationsCandace Gregory
Accounting ManagerKevin Truitt
Senior Loan/Program OfficerChristian Dorsey
Senior Loan/Program OfficerAnthony Mosely
Senior Program Officer - Economic Development
Holly Kavis Loan Closing Officer
Maya ChandlerSenior Accountant
Deandre TannerStaff Accountant
Aaron AkersAsset ManagerKelly Shelton
Asset ManagerAmorita Falcon
Portfolio Management AssociatePamela Graves
Marketing and Communications Associate
Naima Bergen Project Assistant
ConsultantsChelsi Cicekoglu
LenderSean Harden
TA and Special Initiatives
Newsletter CreditsCompiled by:Pamela Graves
Juan CalixtoCalvin L. Holmes
Bob TuckerPrinted by:
Salsedo Press
Thank You to Funders and Investors
CCLF Noteworthy
For their recent grants, CCLF thanks: CIBC, Citibank, First Midwest Bank, Marquette Bank and The Northern Trust Company.
For their recent investments, CCLF thanks: Greg & Maria Jobin-Leeds, Alexander Simcha Jobin-Leeds, Caledonia Raviv Jobin-Leeds and Casey Aviva Jobin-Leeds.
Calvin L. Holmes, President, participated in a panel discussion during the Third Annual South Shore Summit: “Shore Up! Action for Neighborhood Revitalization,”
held May 19 at Adam Clayton Powell Academy on Chicago’s South Side. Aarti Kotek, Managing Deputy Commissioner, Bureau of Economic Development at City of Chicago, Department of Planning and Development; William Towns, Executive Director of Benefit Chicago; and Duane Hirst also participated. The presentation focused on the South Shore community’s efforts to restore the area with a commercial corridor, mixed-income housing, and cultural and recreational venues and opportunities. Additionally,
Holmes participated in the Community Development Finance and Community Development Financial Institutions Forum June 14 in Merrillville, Indiana. Holmes and Phil Black, Executive Director, Community Investment Fund of Indiana; Brad McConnell, Chief Executive Officer, Accion Chicago; and Jodi Reeves, Director of Community Development, Woodforest National Bank provided to 61 participants an overview of community development finance and highlighted how CDFIs work with community and financial institutions to achieve positive, measurable impact in the communities they serve. Wendell Harris, Director of Lending Operations, participated in a table discussion during the IFF Stronger Nonprofits Initiative’s Kickoff and
Demystifying Capital event. Harris joined Torrence Moore, Managing Director of Lending at IFF, to discuss “Navigating the World of Debt,” providing attendees a chance to meet with financial professionals and learn how nonprofits can better assess private and public sources of capital. The event was held at Chase Tower in Chicago with 35 participants attending Harris’ discussion.
Pamela Graves joined CCLF in May 2018 as Marketing and Communications Associate. In this role, Pam directs the planning, development, and
implementation of CCLF’s branding which includes marketing, communications, and public relations activities. Prior to joining CCLF, she served as Editorial Director of three industry print and online trade magazines, and held positions of writing, editorial, print production, design, digital development, special events, and video development for a diverse range of organizations including MetLife Insurance, the Pritzker family’s Marmon Group, greeting
card publisher Recycled Paper Greetings, and Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund, one of the state of Illinois’ largest pension funds. Pam holds a B.A. in English from the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign and a Master in Communications from DePaul University.
Staff News
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