Open Access

Enjoy an evening in DC with the Open Access community, board members, and fellows discussing what’s up next for the organization! RSVP below

Open Access is proud to announce Wells Fargo as 2024 Leading Fiscal Sponsor at the Trailblazer Level for the nationwide fellowship program. The Open Access Fellowship is dedicated to increasing Black and Latinx representation within community development companies serving inclusive communities. Despite concentrated efforts in these areas, there is still a significant lack of diversity among professionals in the industry. Through comprehensive training and job placement assistance, the fellowship develops talent to bridge this representation gap. Donations from the Wells Fargo Foundation and other program sponsors directly support the program, which offers industry training with fellowship Sponsors throughout the country for 20+ professionals annually to gain experience in the Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) space. The program consists of three components: • Education: Provided by training partners to ensure fellows are equipped with industry knowledge. • Job Training: Offered by various firms providing paid job opportunities. • Mentorship: Includes organized events such as Fireside Chats and Virtual Networking Days to expose fellows to other industry professionals. Financing community development investments in Low-to-Moderate Income (LMI) communities often requires a creative mix of public, private, and philanthropic resources. The Open Access Fellowship, a three-month immersion experience, creates an opportunity for professionals from diverse backgrounds to be exposed to the world of community development finance by being placed in an environment where they can receive tutelage and be trained to ultimately pursue career paths in this industry. Thank you Wells Fargo for championing our cause as the the leading 2024 Fiscal Sponsor at the Trailblazer level! Read full press release below. To learn more about the program and how you can support the upcoming year, visit us online at Open-Access.us

Fellow News!! 🚨 Congratulations to Jessica McLemore Open Access Fellow 2023 on her new role at Novogradac & Company LLP as Junior Real Estate Analyst!! We know you will make us proud and as you continue the impactful work of community development! Thank you to the Novogradac team Mike Novogradac, Amy Hook and Danielle D. Sullivan for championing our cause!!

"Calling all Alumni and Sponsors! We're excited to announce our upcoming Alumni Day celebrations and we want YOU to be a part of it! Alumni Day is a great opportunity to hear the inspiring stories of Open Access Fellows, learn about the program from their perspectives and celebrate their achievements thus far! Join us tomorrow 7/16 from 4-8pm eastern, as we livestream the conversations here on LinkedIn.

Open Access is celebrating Alumni Day!! Make sure to attend to hear the following speakers: 4pm- Ari P. 5pm- Ty Thomas 7pm- John Moore

Juneteenth is a significant day in American history, commemorating the emancipation of enslaved African Americans in the United States. It's a day to celebrate freedom, equality, and the rich cultural heritage of African Americans. Our objective is to increase the representation of diverse professionals at all levels, including (but not limited to) accounting, legal, finance, consultancy, and development. Our goal is to lead by example and exhibit best practices within an industry that is dedicated to improving the lives of under-resourced and underrepresented communities nationwide. We intend to train talent that will go on to serve communities that have been disproportionately affected by historical disenfranchisement for many years. We are committed to Cultivating Leaders, Transforming Communities, and Bridging Gaps for a More Inclusive Future. Happy Juneteenth!!

To our newest Fellows, Alum, Board Members and Sponsors, thank you for your enthusiastic participation and energy at our 2nd Annual Up Next Mixer! Your presence truly made the event a success. To our Panelists David Clower, Sandra M. Moore and Bianca Cole, we are forever grateful for your inspiring words and generous spirit at our event! Your encouraging words and personal perspectives were a highlight of the evening. We are humbled by your willingness to share your time and talent with us. To every donor, thank you for your gift! We extend our deepest appreciation to our event sponsors U.S. Bank and Dantes Partners your support has made a tangible impact on our ability to Empower Diversity within Community Development Finance. Thank you for being a beacon of hope and inspiration to our community. We are honored to have you as part of our family and look forward to continuing our work together. With sincere appreciation, Open Access Team If you would like to give, text the words “UpNext” to 53555 and make a donation today.

Will you be joining us today in DC? Guest speakers: Sandra M. Moore Managing Director and Chief Impact Officer, Advantage Capital; Open Access Fellowship Sponsor David Clower President & CEO, National Trust Community Investment Corporation, Open Access Board Member Bianca Cole Tax Credit Underwriter, PNC, Open Access Alumna ’22 2nd Annual UpNext Mixer starts at 3pm Industry Leaders Panel at 4pm (reception to follow at 5pm) Thank you to our event sponsors: U.S. Bank and Dantes Partners Last chance to RSVP bit.ly/UpNext2024

We are excited to announce our 2nd Annual UpNext Mixer Event Sponsor Dantes Partners, specifically their development arm led by Buwa Binitie, CEO and Founder of Dumas Collective. Since founding Dantes Partners, Mr. Binitie and his team have closed nearly $2.3 billion of unconventional real estate transactions that utilize low-income tax credits, new market tax credits, tax-exempt bonds, and various other forms of alternative financing. These efforts have led to the financing of over 8,000 units of workforce and affordable housing. We commend your work and dedication! Thank you Buwa and Dantes Partnes for supporting Open Access as we celebrate our 4th year of creating impactful change within the CDF industry. #OARound4 #UpNext