Bank of America today announced the second group of honorees of its Neighborhood Builders: Racial Equality Award, which recognizes the impactful work of leaders who strive to advance racial equality and economic opportunity in Black, Hispanic-Latino, Asian American, and Native American communities. The five individuals were selected for their extraordinary contributions to breaking racial barriers and creating opportunities for people of color across the country.
Bank of America also announced today a $24 million investment in support of nonprofit leadership and sustainability through Neighborhood Builders® and Neighborhood Champions – its signature philanthropic programs that provide funding and leadership training to nonprofits, advancing economic mobility and enriching underserved neighborhoods.
The Racial Equality Award – established in March of this year – is an extension of Bank of America’s signature philanthropic program, Neighborhood Builders®. Awardees have the opportunity to direct a $200,000 grant to a nonprofit of their choice, and the selected organizations can participate in the company’s year-long Neighborhood Builders Leadership Program, which provides strategic growth and development training to establish organizations for long-term success.
“At Bank of America, supporting nonprofits and their leaders has been core to our commitment to advancing racial equality and economic opportunity,” said Ebony Thomas, President of the Bank of America Charitable Foundation. “Through this award, Bank of America is recognizing a diverse slate of inspiring leaders who are investing in their communities – including Black, Hispanic-Latino, Asian American and Native American -- and addressing the specific issues impacting them. We are proud to honor their dedication and work supporting communities of color.”
The awardees for the Neighborhood Builders: Racial Equality Award include:
Calvin Holmes: President of Chicago Community Loan Fund (CCLF) – Chicago, IL
Calvin L. Holmes has served as the President of Chicago Community Loan Fund (CCLF) since 1998. With a career in community development spanning more than 30 years, Holmes is a recognized expert in community development finance and issues involving access to capital. Holmes plans to direct Bank of America’s funding to the Chicago Community Loan Fund. Nominated by the local market team in Chicago for his impact in the community, Holmes is a former member of the bank’s National Community Advisory Council (NCAC), a forum of senior leaders from social justice, consumer advocacy, community development, environmental, and research organizations who provide perspectives, guidance, and feedback on topics important to our clients and communities.
Vida Lin: Founder and President of Asian Community Development Council (ACDC) – Las Vegas, NV
Vida Chan Lin has worked closely with the Las Vegas Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) community for the past 28 years. She 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 fastest-growing demographic in the United States. Lin plans to direct Bank of America’s funding to the Asian Community Development Council.
Arencio López: Executive Director of Mixteco/Indigena Community Organizing Project (MICOP) – Ventura, CA
Arcenio López is a Ñuu Savi leader from Oaxaca, México, 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 before he was hired by the Mixteco/Indigena Community Organizing Project (MICOP) as its first community organizer and eventually became its first indigenous Executive Director. López plans to direct Bank of America’s funding to the Mixteco/Indigena Community Organizing Project.
David Robinson: Co-Founder of Admiral Capital Group – San Antonio, TX
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.
Mary Kim Titla: Executive Director of United National Indian Tribal Youth (UNITY) – Mesa, AZ
Mary Kim Titla is the Executive Director of United National Indian Tribal Youth, Inc. (UNITY), a high-impact Native youth development nonprofit. Born on the San Carlos Apache Reservation, Titla was Arizona’s first Native American TV news reporter. She carried her passion to UNITY, where she serves as the Executive Director, to foster 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.
The inaugural class of National Builders: Racial Equality Award honorees was announced earlier this year. Since 2004, through its Neighborhood Builders® and Neighborhood Champions programs, Bank of America has invested more than $300 million in 92 communities across the nation, partnered with more than 1,500 nonprofits, and helped more than 3,000 nonprofit leaders strengthen their leadership skills. Nearly 18 years after its launch, Neighborhood Builders is one of the nation’s largest philanthropic investments in nonprofit leadership development.
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