#United States #Baltimore #CDFI #Baltimore Community Lending #Calvin Gladney

Baltimore Community Lending Welcomes a New Leader

Baltimore Community Lending (BCL) has recently announced that Calvin Gladney will be serving as its new President and CEO. This significant leadership transition follows a thorough national search that was spearheaded by Tracy McMillan from BroadView Talent Partners. Gladney will be taking over the role from the esteemed Watchen Harris-Bruce, who has been instrumental in establishing BCL as one of the preeminent community development financial institutions (CDFI) focused on improving access to capital while generating economic opportunities in Baltimore.

BCL is stepping into this new chapter equipped with a strong foundation, bolstered by historical achievements. Under Harris-Bruce's leadership, BCL has showcased remarkable growth, including deploying over $17.4 million in funding and providing invaluable technical assistance to 423 businesses in the fiscal year 2025. With an A- rating from Aeris, BCL has demonstrated its financial viability and operational proficiency, poised for sustainable growth.

Reflecting on her tenure, Harris-Bruce emphasized the rewarding nature of their work, stating, "What we have built at BCL is a mission-driven organization grounded in community, partnership, and impact. I am incredibly proud of how far we've come and confident in handing over the reins to Calvin."

Calvin Gladney arrives at BCL with over two decades of extensive leadership experience spanning the nonprofit, public, and private sectors. He brings a specialized focus on community revitalization, economic development, strategic partnerships, and innovation aimed at addressing community needs. Most recently, he was the President and CEO of Smart Growth America, a national nonprofit committed to furthering equitable community and economic progress. During his time there, he significantly enhanced the organization's national influence by securing major philanthropic support and building strategic partnerships concentrated on equitable real estate development and small business growth.

In addition to his role at BCL, Gladney is also a board member of the Low-Income Investment Fund (LIIF), where he has played a critical role in overseeing complex lending decisions and organizational growth strategies.

Expressing his enthusiasm for joining BCL, Gladney stated, "I am honored to join Baltimore Community Lending and build upon the incredible foundation created by Watchen Harris-Bruce, the Board of Directors, staff, community, and capital partners. BCL's commitment to expanding access to capital and creating economic opportunity is more important than ever. I look forward to working alongside the BCL team, the Board of Directors, and our partners to continue advancing this important mission throughout Baltimore and its surrounding counties."

Alex Aaron, Chair of the Board of Directors at BCL, remarked, "BCL was built through strong governance, dedicated staff, committed partners, and years of intentional planning. We are grateful for Watchen's extraordinary leadership and excited to welcome Calvin as we continue building on this strong foundation."

The coming years hold immense promise as BCL aims to perpetuate the impact achieved over decades, harnessing Gladney's vision and expertise to propel economic opportunity and community development in the region.

About Baltimore Community Lending

Baltimore Community Lending is a nonprofit community development financial institution dedicated to revitalizing underserved communities. By offering innovative financing solutions, BCL aims to support real estate development and small businesses while investing in people and neighborhoods to enhance Baltimore's strength.