With heavy hearts and profound gratitude for a well-lived life, we honor the memory of a remarkable individual who dedicated her life to serving others and leading by example.
Inez Long nurtures Black enterprise through the Black Business Investment Fund (BBIF).
Inez Long’s unwavering dedication to service is a beacon of inspiration for us all.
Long was a radiant light in our community, a true champion of compassion, kindness and selflessness. Her career in the financial industry began with credit management and commercial lending at Florida National Bank, followed by First Union and SunTrust banks. Throughout her career, Long served on several boards, including the National Community Advisory Board for Fifth Third Bank, WMFE Public Broadcasting Company, the African American Chamber of Commerce of Central Florida, the Central Florida Expressway Authority, the Orlando Orange County Expressway Authority and the Opportunity Finance Network, Community Advisory Committee for TD Bank. Long possessed an unwavering commitment to making the world a better place. That commitment touched countless individuals’ lives, leaving an indelible mark on all who had the privilege of knowing and working with her. Long’s vision, courage and steadfast determination paved the way for positive change and progress, setting a shining example for future generations. She was perhaps best known for her pivotal role in creating opportunities for Black and minority-owned businesses. Long’s organization provided 516 Black and minority-owned small businesses with nearly $70 million in loans, creating more than 14,000 jobs and leveraging over $475 million in community economic development projects.
In 1999 and 2010, Long was a Women Who Mean Business honoree. In 2020, she was presented with the Ned Gramlich Lifetime Achievement Award by the Opportunity Finance Network for Responsible Finance, the highest honor in the industry that an individual could receive. Other rewards bestowed upon her during her lifetime include being a 2012 C-Suite Awards honoree and a 2022 Power Players honoree.
We remember not only Long’s remarkable achievements and contributions as President and CEO of the Black Business Investment Fund Florida and board member and co-founder of the African American Alliance of CDFI CEOs, but also the humility and grace with which she carried out their work and her deep devotion to her family and faith. Her modesty and elegance in her service and leadership was inspiring and spread light and love in a world that sorely needs it.
