Our Story
Our Mission
Baltimore Community Lending supports the revitalization and strengthening of underserved communities throughout the Baltimore metro area through innovative and flexible financial assistance designed to promote community development.
Our Story
Baltimore Community Lending is a Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) and mission-based lender serving the Baltimore metro area. We’re 100% dedicated to delivering responsible, affordable lending products to help low-income, low-wealth, and other disadvantaged people and communities join the economic mainstream. We’re making loans to real estate developers and small business owners committed to developing underserved neighborhoods.
We work with the government, foundations, financial institutions, community stakeholders, anchor institutions, and small business owners early in the planning process to provide small-to-mid-sized capital solutions leading to a more diverse and economically balanced Baltimore region.
Since our inception in 1989, BCL has sought to strengthen neighborhoods through flexible financing. Click here to see our impact. In 2018, we expanded our lending products to include small businesses based on a recognition of community needs and BCL’s capabilities amongst a variety of stakeholders throughout the city.
1989
Baltimore Community Development Financing Corporation (CDFC) is established under the Baltimore City government, in partnership with local banks and foundations.
2002
Baltimore CDFC transitions into Baltimore Community Lending, Inc. (BCL), an independent agency that received certification as a Community Development Financing Institution (CDFI) by the US Department of Treasury.
2018
Baltimore Business Lending (BBL) is established as a subsidiary to provide funding to underserved small business owners.
2020
Watchen Harris-Bruce becomes the President & CEO of Baltimore Community Lending; BBL merged into BCL, resulting in the establishment of our Small Business Division and the Real Estate Division.
BCL launches a three-year strategic plan and a five-year capital growth plan to move us closer to our goal of self-sufficiency.
2021
BCL hosts “Re-Imagine Baltimore” at the Reginald F. Lewis Museum — a fundraising event to share information about and raise funds for our future Business Development and Resource Center.
2022
We expand our service area to include the Greater Baltimore Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA), specifically Baltimore City, Anne Arundel County, Baltimore County, Carroll County, Harford County, and Howard County.
2023
We officially acquire the building that is slated to become our Business Development and Resource Center and office headquarters.
Baltimore Community Lending Statements
Race, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (REDI) Statement
At Baltimore Community Lending, we are committed to revitalizing and strengthening underserved communities that face ongoing oppression due to systemic inequities. We support the creative and productive capacity of our staff, board of directors, stakeholders, and partners who represent a wide array of diverse backgrounds and experiences. Our ability to fulfill our mission is strengthened when we include the perspectives of individuals who represent a variety of differences, which may include but is not limited to: race, ethnicity, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, physical and cognitive abilities, culture, religion, spiritual beliefs, and socioeconomic background.
Our work is focused on removing barriers for real estate developers and entrepreneurs who are unable to access mainstream financing. Black, Indigenous, and people of color and women disproportionately face these barriers as a consequence of historical and current economic disenfranchisement. Thus, our work emphasizes helping these populations join the economic mainstream. We believe in fostering intentional economic inclusion so that all individuals can have access to capital and thrive in clean, healthy, safe, and vibrant communities.
Civil Rights & Equal Opportunity Statement
In accordance with federal law and U. S. Department of the Treasury policy, this institution is prohibited from discriminating based on race, color, national origin, sex, age, or disability. Submit a complaint of discrimination to U.S. Department of the Treasury, Office of Civil Rights and Equal Opportunity, 1500 Pennsylvania Avenue N.W., Washington, DC 20220, (202) 622-1160 (phone), (202 622-0367 (fax), or emailrcomplaints@treasury,gov (email).
Our Staff
Our highly skilled team is experienced in making affordable lending to small real estate developers and small business owners committed to developing underserved neighborhoods. Meet the team membersworking behind the scenes.
Executive Team

Watchen Harris Bruce
President and CEO

Clarence Snuggs
Senior Vice President & Chief Operating Officer
Small Business Lending Division

Walter Lara
Loan Officer (Bilingual/Spanish)

Atsouco Saint Louis
Technical Assistance Associate

Sean Chrysostom
Small Business Training & Development Officer

Bonnie Crockett
Vice President & Director of the Small Business Lending Division

Don Cutwright
Loan Officer, Small Business Lending Division

Ulric Donawa
Loan Officer, Small Business Lending Division

David Freeman
Small Business Training & Development Officer

Jaclyn Whitley
Small Business Associate, Small Business Lending Division
Real Estate Lending Division

Reno Pratt
Loan Officer & Loan Analyst

Sean Russell
Vice President & Chief Lending Officer

Ned Fields
Manager of Building Facilities and Construction

Dierdra Pressley
Loan Officer, Real Estate Lending Division

Tracy Evans
Loan Officer, Real Estate Lending Division

Roy Miller
Loan Administration Coordinator, Real Estate Lending Division
Administration & Finance

Vachee’ Anderson
Administrative & Fundraising Assistant

Jessica Brockington
Marketing & Communications Officer

Susan Kelly
Chief Financial Officer

Patricia “Pat” Clements
Major Gifts Cultivator, Operations Administrator, and Executive Assistant

Edwina Vinton
Loan Portfolio Manager and Finance Assistant
Our Boards
Our governing and advisory boards help us implement creative and innovative solutions, leading to significant results for our funders, investors, communities, and program participants.
Our Governing Board

George A. von Zedlitz
Governing Board Membe

JEFFREY C. WILKE
Governing Board Member

MICHAEL TAGG
Governing Board Chair

ANTONY GROSS
Governing Board Treasurer

LINDA HARRINGTON
Governing Board Secretary

ALEX AARON
Governing Vice Chair

ALICE KENNEDY
ALICE KENNEDY

PAUL GRAZIANO
Governing Board Member

WATCHEN HARRIS BRUCE
PRESIDENT & CEO

GERARD JOAB
Governing Board and Advisory Board Member
Our Advisory Board

Maurice Ames
Advisory Board Member

PAUL TAYLOR
Advisory Board Chair

MATT CALHOUN
Advisory Board Member

STEPHANIE CHIN
Advisory Board Member

WATCHEN HARRIS BRUCE
PRESIDENT & CEO

RANDALL JAMES
Advisory Board Member

GERARD JOAB
Governing Board and Advisory Board Member

MARY MILLER
Advisory Board Member