About Us

Our mission is to increase the representation of Black leaders across the finance industry. We focus on supporting the retention and advancement of the current generation of Black leaders while cultivating a strong pipeline of emerging talent.

We prioritize intentional community-building and leadership development through peer connections, mentorship, and business development opportunities.

Our mission is comprised of two components:

1. Retention and Advancement of Current Black Finance Professionals.

We run two distinct cohorts that bring together professionals at similar career stages. Our cohort members represent nearly 100 financial and legal firms, including leading industry firms such as Advent, Apollo, Apax, Bank of America, BDT&MSD, BlackRock, Blackstone, Brightwood Capital, Cahill, Davis Polk, Fitch Group, Goldman Sachs, J.P. Morgan, Jefferies, Latham & Watkins, Milbank, Morgan Stanley, Oaktree, and Wells Fargo. 

Senior Cohort – representing senior leadership in finance (Managing Directors, Partners, and Corporate Finance Management professionals)

Rising Star Cohort – designed for mid-level finance professionals (Directors, Principals, and Vice Presidents)

2. Growing the Pipeline of future Black leaders

NextGen Series - Provides curated programs and resources for junior Black finance professionals

Inspire Series – Attracts more Black talent to finance by making a finance career more relatable to historically underrepresented African-Americans through profiling the stories of Black trailblazers

CBLF cohorts meets regularly throughout the year, with an annual Signature Event uniting senior, mid-level, junior finance professionals, and allies.

Our motto embodies our mission: Connect. Empower. Inspire.

We are also grateful to our generous sponsors:

Fitch Ratings, Advent International, BDT&MSD, Cahill, Davis Polk, Latham & Watkins, Merrill Lynch, Morgan Stanley, Oaktree, and Wells Fargo.