Building for the future, while honoring the past.
Regions Bank presented a $100,000 grant to the Africatown Redevelopment Corporation (ARC) to help expand affordable housing options in the heart of the Africatown Historic District in Mobile, Alabama. The funding will support ARC’s mission to revitalize and preserve this culturally rich community while ensuring families have access to quality, attainable homes.
“Regions is committed to investing in communities to make a real difference,” said Bruner Binion, Mobile market executive for Regions. “By supporting the development of affordable housing in Africatown, we’re helping ensure current and future residents can continue to thrive in meaningful, lasting ways.”
The contribution was covered by TV station WALA. Karlos Finley, executive director of the ARC, talked to the local news about the impact it would have, not only on perspective homeowners, but on the neighborhood.
“They will see homes. They’ll see children playing; that’s how it will enhance this community. It won’t be hard to see this $100,000 at all,” Finley told WALA. “Over the last year, we’ve built two homes. We have two new families in those homes. We recently closed on bids for six new homes, and we’ve got two more bids coming about.”
By supporting the development of affordable housing in Africatown, we’re helping ensure current and future residents can continue to thrive in meaningful, lasting ways.
Bruner Binion, Mobile market executive for Regions
With more forever homes on the way, these houses are part of a broader strategy that includes everything from permitting and inspections to contractor engagement and project management—ensuring each development is completed in a timely fashion and within budget.
“This support doesn’t just fund construction—it builds capacity,” said Lajuana Bradford, head of Corporate Philanthropy and Partnerships at Regions. “We are committed to supporting affordable housing and economic development. Together, we are helping to lay down the framework for the future of Africatown.”
Neighbors are seeing a difference already. WALA-TV reports community members appreciate the investment and are looking forward to seeing more families move back to the area.
“Contributions like this are essential to creating lasting impact,” said Finley. “This gift from Regions will allow us to strengthen our operations, keep projects on schedule, and continue moving forward with purpose.”
This gift from Regions will allow us to strengthen our operations, keep projects on schedule, and continue moving forward with purpose.
Karlos Finley, executive director of the ARC