On semi-finals Friday, while many were in Charlotte to enjoy the festivities of the CIAA (Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association – an NCAA Division II conference of historically African American institutions) basketball tournament, Wells Fargo invited members of numerous African American media outlets to lunch to witness Wells Fargo reiterate its commitment to the African American community. The luncheon was held at Wells Fargo’s east coast headquarters in Charlotte.
“We started the Wells Fargo national African American Media tour in 2010 with stops in Washington, DC; Houston, TX and New York, NY,” stated Michelle Thornhill, Sr. V.P. Diverse Segments Enterprise Marketing, Wells Fargo. “This year, Charlotte, NC is our first African American media tour stop, followed by Atlanta, GA; Philadelphia, PA; San Francisco, CA; Los Angeles, CA; Miami, FL and my hometown Richmond, VA.”
While Wells Fargo is a major sponsor of the CIAA tournament and other ancillary events surrounding the series, its investment in the African American community goes much deeper than backing special events.
“In 2000, Wells Fargo committed to a ten-year plan of loaning one billion dollars to African American small businesses,” stated Wells Fargo Sr. V.P. Business Banking – Charlotte Region Bob Marshall. “Not only did we reach this goal, we reached it two years early in 2008.”
Economically empowering African American business owners by financing their dreams is only one example of Wells Fargo’s commitment to the African American community. Wells Fargo continues to make significant investments in education, community development, health and human services, arts and culture and other economic initiatives in African American communities across the country. –al weems
