Diane Bell-McKoy is the President and CEO of Associated Black Charities (ABC), Maryland’s leading AfricanAmerican philanthropic organization, where she leads a team of “change agents” focused on closing the health and wealth gaps in the State of Maryland through strategic partnerships and investments. Their signature economic strategy is More in the Middle, focusing on a wealthier region by strengthening the assets of people of color, specifically African Americans.
To achieve this vision, ABC seeks to leverage relationships, advocate, inform, organize and financially invest in research based strategies. ABC through “building bridges” achieves a return on investment for all of Maryland’s citizens.
Diane was the President, now, Chair, of Empower Baltimore Management Corporation (EBMC)—the organization that managed the Empowerment Zone, which has placed more than 14,000 residents in jobs, more than 10,000 new jobs and now a multimillion dollar return on investment from the business loan funds. Diane is currently a board member for Business Volunteer Unlimited, Downtown Partnership; East Baltimore Development, Inc. (Biotech Park in association with Hopkins University); University of Maryland Research Park; and CMTA, Regional Transportation strategy. She is also a Trustee for Baltimore Community Foundation; and a board member, Association of Baltimore Area Grantmakers.
Diane Bell-McKoy attended the University of Maryland, College Park and University of Maryland Baltimore County, and received a Bachelor of Arts in Social Work as well as a Master’s in Social Work from the School of Social Work and Community Planning at the University of Maryland. She has received Leadership/Management certifications from a number of organizations, including Harvard’s Kennedy School of Government.
She is married to Richard McKoy and grandmother of seven.