Baltimore, MD. October 15, 2020
Baltimore Community Lending (BCL) is pleased to present its inaugural Advisory Board, comprised of professionals who are deeply connected to Baltimore through their experience in community development, small business growth, entrepreneurship, banking, and finance. The Advisory Board, created in alignment with the merger of Baltimore Business Lending (formerly a subsidiary of BCL), will provide advice and guidance to BCL’s small business division and promote the growth of the program. The organization is pleased to welcome the following members to its Advisory Board:
- Watchen Harris Bruce, Chair – President and CEO, Baltimore Community Lending
- Paul Taylor, Vice Chair – Director, Mayor’s Office of Small, Minority, and Women Business
- Nichole Battle – Chief Executive Officer, Govans Ecumenical Development
- David Bramble – Managing Partner, MCB Real Estate LLC
- Matt Calhoun – Market Manager/Greater Baltimore Market, M&T Bank
- Stephanie Chin – Assistant Director/Entrepreneurship, Maryland Institute College of Art
- Randall James – Treasurer and SVP, Howard Bank
- Gerard Joab – Executive Director, St. Ambrose Housing Aid Center
- Mary Miller – Senior Fellow, Johns Hopkins University 21st Century Cities Initiative
- Christopher Rockey – Greater MD Marketing Manager of Community Development Banking, PNC Bank
- John Walsh – Senior External Advisor, McKinsey and Co.
Advisory Board member and BCL Chair Nichole Battle said, “I am pleased that we have successfully merged Baltimore Business Lending and Baltimore Community Lending. Baltimore Business Lending has always been considered as an entity that provided an opportunity for BCL to have a greater impact in Baltimore City by addressing the access to capital needs by small businesses. It took 30 years to become the premier organization that we have become. As we learned during our 30 year anniversary ceremony, BCL and BBL have invested in communities and businesses in Baltimore City where others have not focused on. Our investment has leveraged millions of dollars that have contributed to making Baltimore City’s small business and real estate market stronger.
Our success did not come over night and it will take years to have the true impact we want to have in the city. Thanks to our leadership, partners, and volunteers that make up the Baltimore Community Lending board and the Advisory Board, we are, and will continue, to make things happen. I am extremely proud and grateful to be a member of the Baltimore Community Lending family. I look forward to the wonderful things we will do with our partners moving forward.”
