On behalf of our entire organization and the economic development community, we are deeply saddened by the loss of our dear partner and friend, Inez Long, President and CEO of the Black Business Investment Fund (BBIF).  

Inez was a trailblazing leader who devoted her career to advancing Black business enterprises across the country. She guided the BBIF with an unwavering dedication to creativity and quality. Throughout her three-decade tenure, BBIF reached countless significant achievements and broadened its influence within the sector.  

Inez was deeply involved with IEDC as one of 10 participants in the IEDC’s second Equity Community Cohort in 2023, which was focused on equitable economic development work in CDFI’s. BBIF’s emphasis was on deepening the impact of their existing mission by exploring how to provide entrepreneurship and workforce development services.  

“We are shocked and saddened to learn of Inez’s sudden passing. Inez Long and BBIF were one of the10 participants in IEDC’s Equity Community Cohort. She was a force to be reckoned with, always making sure we had the difficult but necessary conversations to propel everyone’s work forward. She was unafraid to take on new challenges, and forged a path for those committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion in economic development and access to capital”, said Zytha Kock, Senior Economic Development Associate, IEDC. 

“Inez was a true pioneer in the field of CDFIs and someone I considered a friend. I met Inez early in my days at the Federal Reserve and spoke at her events, and engaged her consistently over the last decade. The field has truly lost a great woman, and she will be missed,” said Dell Gines, Chief Innovation Officer, IEDC.  

Inez will be remembered for her passionate dedication to her community and will be greatly missed by the entire economic development sector.