Our mission
Increase equal access to credit, capital and banking services for low- to moderate-income communities; in accordance with the Community Reinvestment Act
foundation
Who We Are
- Building Alabama Reinvestment, (BAR) is a statewide consortium focused on community reinvestment that fosters dialogue and partnerships between community development organizations and financial service providers.
- BAR is an affiliate of the National Community Reinvestment Coalition (NCRC).
- BAR focuses on the advancement of the mission of the Community Reinvestment Act (CRA) in the state of Alabama, with emphasis on encouraging the reinvestment of resources into communities to create sustainability, and promote economic justice, fair lending and small business development throughout the state. The Community Reinvestment Act (CRA) was enacted in 1977 to encourage banks and savings associations to help meet the credit needs of all segments of their communities, including low- and moderate-income neighborhoods and individuals.
- BAR is a 501(c)(3) community-based organization that promotes access to basic banking services, affordable housing, entrepreneurship, job creation, and vibrant communities for Alabama’s working families.
objectives
What We Do
- BAR seeks to support, create, and implement long-term solutions, which include providing tools and resources to build the community and economic well-being.
- BAR seeks to offer nonprofit organizations the necessary tools to increase LMI community reinvestment activity by providing capacity building training and technical assistance programs.
- BAR seeks to offer non-profit organizations tools to enhance their ability to partner with banks delivering community reinvestment activities by providing capacity building training and technical assistance programs that will lead to stronger growth within the organizations and the communities they serve.
- Through a collaboration with the NCRC, BAR offers training the following training: Leadership Strategies for Non-Profits Managers and Directors, Financial Management for Successful Audits, Building Local Coalitions to Advance Missions, Database Management, and so much more.
objectives
What We Do
- BAR seeks to support, create, and implement long-term solutions, which include providing tools and resources to build the community and economic well-being.
- BAR seeks to offer nonprofit organizations the necessary tools to increase LMI community reinvestment activity by providing capacity building training and technical assistance programs.
- BAR seeks to offer non-profit organizations tools to enhance their ability to partner with banks delivering community reinvestment activities by providing capacity building training and technical assistance programs that will lead to stronger growth within the organizations and the communities they serve.
- Through a collaboration with the NCRC, BAR offers training the following training: Leadership Strategies for Non-Profits Managers and Directors, Financial Management for Successful Audits, Building Local Coalitions to Advance Missions, Database Management, and so much more.
in action
Accomplishments
- We have led efforts to engage three financial institutions and delivered billions of dollars in community benefits agreements.
- We have convened over 50 Alabama community-based organizations to form BAR, NCRC’s official statewide community reinvestment action consortium in Alabama.
- We have provided training and information to the groups of nonprofits through our workshops, seminars, and conferences, as well as NCRC’s online and HUD-approved housing counseling.
- We’ve hosted 13 annual conferences.
- We’ve sent hundreds of Alabama delegates from our member organizations to the National Community Reinvestment Coalition annual conference in Washington, D.C.
leaders
Our Team
Robert Dickerson, Jr.
Executive Director | BAR
Marketa Dickerson
Director of Programs and Member Engagement | BAR
Mary Ellen Judah
Board Member, PRESIDENT | BAR
Pamelia Harris
Board Member | BAR
Tim Thrasher
Board Member | BAR
Archie Hill
Board Member | BAR
Kris Rowe
Board Member | BAR
Teresa Bettis
Board Member | BAR
Ready to Collaborate?
All Alabama residents deserve the best.
Raise the bar in Alabama by becoming a member today.
our community
Building Alabama Reinvestment Community Council (BARCC)
- Building Alabama Reinvestment Community Council (BARCC) provides a forum for collaboration of nonprofits and financial institutions to successfully engage and work toward common goals.
- BARCC is a combination of BAR members who represent nonprofit organizations that serve low- to moderate-income (LMI) communities, banks, community investment officers, and others who are engaged in community economic empowerment.
- BARCC plays a vital role in helping nonprofits build capacity.
- BARCC is a valuable asset to banks that participate in it by providing an avenue to deliver their Community Reinvestment Act (CRA) activities. CRA has encouraged banks to open new branches, provide expanded services, and make a variety of community development loans and investments. Also, CRA has urged banks to offer substantial commitments to state and local governments and community development organizations to increase lending to underserved segments of local economies and populations.
- BARCC allows candid and confidential dialogue to take place among all stakeholders.
testimonials
What Our Members Say
Great Collaborations
I’ve had the fortunate opportunity to be involved with BAR since the launch. It’s been a very meaningful experience for both Urban Impact and the communities we serve. BAR provides direct access and interaction to financial institutions from the city, state, and region; a direct result has been several strategic investment collaborations!
Ivan Holloway
BAR Member| Urban Impact
Great Investment
Building Alabama’s Reinvestment provides our network of twenty community action agencies across the state with credible information, resources, and training opportunities directed toward improving the economic status of low-wealth individuals and families. BAR’s affiliation with the National Community Reinvestment Corporation allows our organizations to have a voice in national issues impacting the people we serve each day. An investment in BAR is an investment in improving the quality of life for our neighbors, our communities, and our state.
Ron Gilbert
BAR Member | Community Action Association of Alabama
Great Benefits
On behalf of Stream Innovations, I am thankful for the opportunity I received to present at a recent Building Alabama Reinvestment Community Council meeting. Making the seven banks and other community stakeholders aware of what we do at Stream Innovations is important, and I trust will benefit our students.
Dr. Adrienne Starks
BAR Member | Stream Innovations
Great Community
Being new to the market and Board, Valley Bank and I both received a warm, hospitable welcome from Building Alabama Reinvestment and all of its members. Their Executive Director, Bob Dickerson, shared a depth of knowledge of Alabama’s unique culture landscape and historically significant communities. BAR and Bob truly embody our collective mission of empowering the next generation of advocates and overcoming the obstacles to creating affordable housing, economic empowerment, and community development.
As part of our ongoing commitment to strengthening communities and being new to the area, we had a listening session in 2017 with various BAR members in Birmingham, Alabama. The event was hosted by BAR and the Birmingham Resource Center. Through collaborative efforts and input from non-profit agencies in attendance, we implemented and enhanced products and services that will benefit the needs of the people we serve and address critical issues in the local community.
We rolled-out residential mortgage community products such as USDA, VA, FHA, and Community Advantage products, to better address affordable housing. We also increased staffing with Home Loan Consultants and will continue to grow this department across the region. Like the other regions where we have a footprint, we assembled a Community Advisory Board with experienced local leadership to provide feedback and assessment about the needs of the community.
Additionally, with the input and collaboration from the BAR Leadership and members, we acted on the recommendation to onboard an Alabama based Community Development Officer along with expanding our footprint by opening a branch and lending group in downtown Birmingham. The new location is in a moderate-income census tract, thus sensitizing our bank to serve local consumers and businesses while supporting the needs of the community.
Bernadette Mueller
BARCC Member | Valley National Bank
testimonials
What Our Members Say
Great Collaborations
I’ve had the fortunate opportunity to be involved with BAR since the launch. It’s been a very meaningful experience for both Urban Impact and the communities we serve. BAR provides direct access and interaction to financial institutions from the city, state, and region; a direct result has been several strategic investment collaborations!
Ivan Holloway
BAR Member| Urban Impact
Great Investment
Building Alabama’s Reinvestment provides our network of twenty community action agencies across the state with credible information, resources, and training opportunities directed toward improving the economic status of low-wealth individuals and families. BAR’s affiliation with the National Community Reinvestment Corporation allows our organizations to have a voice in national issues impacting the people we serve each day. An investment in BAR is an investment in improving the quality of life for our neighbors, our communities, and our state.
Ron Gilbert
BAR Member | Community Action Association of Alabama
Great Benefits
On behalf of Stream Innovations, I am thankful for the opportunity I received to present at a recent Building Alabama Reinvestment Community Council meeting. Making the seven banks and other community stakeholders aware of what we do at Stream Innovations is important, and I trust will benefit our students.
Dr. Adrienne Starks
BAR Member | Stream Innovations
Great Community
Being new to the market and Board, Valley Bank and I both received a warm, hospitable welcome from Building Alabama Reinvestment and all of its members. Their Executive Director, Bob Dickerson, shared a depth of knowledge of Alabama’s unique culture landscape and historically significant communities. BAR and Bob truly embody our collective mission of empowering the next generation of advocates and overcoming the obstacles to creating affordable housing, economic empowerment, and community development.
As part of our ongoing commitment to strengthening communities and being new to the area, we had a listening session in 2017 with various BAR members in Birmingham, Alabama. The event was hosted by BAR and the Birmingham Resource Center. Through collaborative efforts and input from non-profit agencies in attendance, we implemented and enhanced products and services that will benefit the needs of the people we serve and address critical issues in the local community.
We rolled-out residential mortgage community products such as USDA, VA, FHA, and Community Advantage products, to better address affordable housing. We also increased staffing with Home Loan Consultants and will continue to grow this department across the region. Like the other regions where we have a footprint, we assembled a Community Advisory Board with experienced local leadership to provide feedback and assessment about the needs of the community.
Additionally, with the input and collaboration from the BAR Leadership and members, we acted on the recommendation to onboard an Alabama based Community Development Officer along with expanding our footprint by opening a branch and lending group in downtown Birmingham. The new location is in a moderate-income census tract, thus sensitizing our bank to serve local consumers and businesses while supporting the needs of the community.
Bernadette Mueller
BARCC Member | Valley National Bank
Our Supporters
office location
205-250-6380
1500 1st Ave. North | Unit 12 Birmingham, AL. 35203
info@buildingalabama.biz
opening hours
Mon - Fri 8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Saturday Closed
Sunday Closed