New awards recognize members expanding access to capital and creating lasting economic opportunityAccelerator (M2M) 

SAN ANTONIO, Texas — September 17, 2026 — NALCAB, the National Association for Latino Community Asset Builders, announced the recipients of its inaugural NALCAB Awards during its 2026 National Conference, Juntos en la Lucha: Activating Our Power. 

Conexión Américas of Nashville received the Member of the Year Award, and Uplift Bank, formerly Southern Bancorp, received the Capital Access Award.  “These inaugural awards recognize what makes the NALCAB network so powerful: organizations that turn capital, relationships, and local knowledge into real opportunity,” said Marla Bilonick, President & CEO of NALCAB. “Uplift Bank (formerly Southern Bancorp) and Conexión Américas show what is possible when trusted institutions invest deeply in the people and communities they serve. Their work reminds us that lasting economic progress is built locally, strengthened collectively and scaled through partnership.” 

Member of the Year: Conexión Américas 

The Member of the Year Award recognizes a NALCAB member whose work changes what is possible for the families, entrepreneurs and communities it serves. 

Founded in 2002, Conexión Américas served 22,000 children and adults across 27 Tennessee counties in the past year, connected 683 adults to employers, helped 166 entrepreneurs grow their businesses, and supported 489 students through Escalera and Padres Comprometidos. 

Its Casa Azafrán community center houses nine nonprofits and welcomes 8,000 visitors annually. Inside, Mesa Komal has supported more than 300 food entrepreneurs, helping more than 100 grow into independent businesses. 

Conexión Américas also expanded food distribution, legal and family support services, and launched a microloan program to increase access to capital. “We are deeply honored to be named NALCAB’s Member of the Year. This recognition celebrates the dedication of our team and the courage and dreams of the families and entrepreneurs who remind us every day why this mission matters: building communities where every Latino family has the opportunity to reach its full potential, belong, contribute, and thrive,” said Tara Lentz and Martha Silva, Co-Executive Directors, Conexión Américas. 

Maura Escobar, Associate Director of Economic Prosperity, and Tomás Yan, Director of Programs, accepted the award on behalf of Conexión Américas. 

The inaugural NALCAB Awards will continue to recognize leadership, innovation and community impact across NALCAB’s national network. 

Capital Access Award: Uplift Bank 

The Capital Access Award recognizes a NALCAB member that moves capital to people and places conventional finance has too often overlooked. 

Uplift also pairs lending with coaching and operates each branch as an Opportunity Center. Through its Hispanic Roadmap strategy, the organization delivered more than 300 loans totaling over $30 million to Latino borrowers in 2025. 

“We’re honored to receive NALCAB’s inaugural Capital Access Award. This recognition reflects our commitment to expanding access to affordable capital and economic opportunity for families and entrepreneurs too often overlooked by traditional finance,” said Miguel Lopez, Market Strategy Executive – Hispanic/Latino Market at Uplift Bank. 

About NALCAB 

NALCAB is a one-of-a-kind CDFI intermediary with 200+ member CDFI and economic development nonprofit organizations working to maximize the economic contributions of the Latino population to the U.S. economy. NALCAB’s network reaches communities in all 50 states, Washington, D.C., and Puerto Rico. 

Media Contact: 
Nicole Barrera 
NALCAB 
[email protected] 
210-378-2610