The community's capital
We are a local, community-based economic development organization, working with and on behalf of the low-and-moderate income community we reside in. Over 51% of our board of directors are representatives of this low-and-moderate income district. To ensure that low-income and local needs are taken into account, we have invited members from low-and-moderate income neighborhoods, businesses, the community development community and financial institutions to sit on the loan fund committee. The loan fund committee will have the responsibility to approve all loans. As we grow the IMPACT fund and seek CDFI certification in year two, we will create a separate entity that will have board members with 1/3 low-and-moderate income representatives.
Loan Fund Committee Member Profiles
Brandon Cleveland - committee chair
Brandon M. Cleveland is a native of Birmingham, AL and a product of the Birmingham City School system. He has been in the finance & banking industry for nearly 10 years and is a graduate of the University of Montevallo’s Michael E. Stephens College of Business, where he received his degree in Business Administration. Currently, Brandon is the executive director of the Daniel Payne Legacy Village Foundation. A business and property owner in the downtown Historic Ensley Business District, he also serves on the Mayor's Small Business Council for the City of Birmingham. Committed to civic engagement, Brandon is a board member with several local non-profit organizations in , including Urban Impact, Inc. and IGNITE! Alabama. He is a recipient of the 2019 Civic Leadership Award from the Jefferson County Democrat Millennials and the Birmingham Business Journal's "Rising Stars in Money" award in 2020.
Tresor Bertrand - Smithfield resident
A native of New Orleans, Ms. Tresor Bertrand relocated to Birmingham and the Smithfield neighborhood following hurricane Katrina. Since coming to Birmingham she has been a longtime community volunteer, connecting with various causes. She is the founder and owner of Tresor’s Birmingham Barbeque Sauce, now retailed in Piggly Wiggly stores. Ms. Bertrand is in the current BE BHM ("Birmingham"), J.O. Diffay accelerator cohort. She is also an active member of the Civil Rights Activist Committee and Founder of Magic City Snappers Social Aid and Pleasure Pond.
“I am a black woman business owner. If We all support each other we all win, and it makes a strong business network within the community. In return the community grows and prospers.”
-Ms. Tresor Bertrand
Wesley Mindingall - PNC Bank
Wesley Mindingall, a New Orleans native but raised in Tuscaloosa, serves as vice president and commercial relationship manager with PNC. In this role Wesley serves as an advisor to businesses across the central Alabama region, providing financial solutions, efficiencies, and strategies to help clients grow their companies. Mr. Mindingall has been in the banking industry for 16 years, in the time he has worked at every level from retail to commercial.
“My time working with different CRA initiatives compounded with a few years under Bob Dickerson [Birmingham Business Resource Center] spurred me to take every opportunity to assist and champion organizations and causes attempting to bridge the gap.”
-Wesley Mindingall
Antonia Martinez Revell - Fourth Avenue Historic District merchant
Mrs. Antonia Martinez Revell is the Owner and Principal Consultant for The Martinez Group Inc., the parent company of Freedom Line Tours. The company headquarters is located within the Historic 4th Ave. Business District in the Lee Building. Mrs. Martinez-Revell provides the senior-level interface on behalf of the company and ensures the timely performance and completion of all obligations for the companies' contracts and services. She directs major strategic initiatives and ensures that the goals and objectives are accomplished within budgetary parameters. Mrs. Martinez-Revell also serves on the Central Alabama Hospitality Association board of directors and the 4th Avenue Forward committee. As an African American female business owner, she was able to grow her business by applying for her first microloan in 2002 for $500. Over the past 21 years, she has used many microloans to maintain and grow the business. Mrs. Martinez Revell looks forward to supporting other business owners in becoming successful.
Carolyn A. Hammell - Fountain Heights resident
Longtime Fountain Heights resident Ms. Carolyn Hammell joins the committee with a long history in the medical field. She worked in healthcare for 30 years as a registered nurse. Hammell has an extensive educational background with three degrees including a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from The University of Alabama at Birmingham. After retiring Ms. Hammell dedicated her life to community service, volunteering for dozens of organizations here in Birmingham, providing food, first aid, and toiletries to those in need. Ms. Hammell says she gets her passion for service from her mom, who was also a nurse. Hammell also facilitates the advisory board of the Fountain Heights neighborhood to ensure the community is safer, cleaner, and more productive.
“There’s a sense of satisfaction when I can aid others for no other reason than to be ABLE to make a positive difference.”
- Carolyn A. Hammell