Marlon Mitchell

www.hbdi.org

As the CEO of Houston Business Development, Inc., I’m honored to serve on Ponce’s CDFI Advisory Board because our missions are deeply aligned. We share a commitment to supporting small businesses and fostering economic opportunity in historically underserved communities, so contributing to Ponce’s efforts allows me to share insights from our work while learning from other leaders across the country. Together, we’re helping to build a more inclusive financial system that empowers individuals, strengthens neighborhoods, and creates pathways to economic sustainability.
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Houston Business Development, Inc. embraces a unique and holistic approach to revitalizing communities—expanding access to capital, developing affordable housing, transforming public spaces, and supporting entrepreneurs. We provide hands-on business development through procurement opportunities, acceleration and incubation programs, meeting and office space, and a robust network of small business coaches and mentors. Through this comprehensive approach, we are building strong, vibrant neighborhoods where residents can access real economic opportunity, cultivate generational wealth, and fully participate in the mainstream of prosperity.

Marlon Mitchell

Houston Business Development Inc

Marlon Mitchell is the President and Chief Executive Officer of Houston Business Development, Inc. (HBDi), a Community Development Financial Institution engaged in revitalizing neighborhoods and stimulating economic growth throughout the Houston metropolitan area and surrounding counties. As a mission driven, non-profit corporation for more than 38 years, HBDi is committed to a holistic approach to investing in and building strong, healthy, and vibrant communities. The organization’s mission is accomplished through providing resources vital to the expansion and growth of small and minority businesses, including access to investment capital, affordable office space and management and technical support services tailored to the needs of emerging entrepreneurs. HBDi is also engaged in developing undervalued commercial real estate and affordable and mixed-income residential housing. Under Mitchell’s leadership, HBDi has been certified as a Community Development Financial Institution by the U.S. Treasury Department. He is also the founder and President of Lone Star State Capital Corporation, a Certified Development Company licensed by the U.S. Small Business Administration to make SBA 504 commercial real estate loans throughout Texas.

Mitchell is responsible for having spearheaded the redevelopment and adaptive reuse of Houston’s oldest shopping center (Palm Center) and converting it into a 160,000 square feet mixed-use business complex, which today is home to over 60 small businesses, nonprofit corporations, and government agencies. To date, he has helped facilitate over $250 million in funding to small and minority businesses, resulting in the creation of 4,500 jobs for citizens in the Houston Metro area.

Formerly trained in commercial lending, with combined experience in banking and community development financing, Mitchell has a broad knowledge of government lending programs and community/economic development tools and resources and is responsible for HBDi’s strategic planning and managing the operations and resources of the corporation. A native of Fort Wayne, Indiana, Mr. Mitchell holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration with a concentration in Finance from Ball State University. He has been certified as an Economic Development Finance Professional by the National Development Council and the Council for Urban Economic Development.

Marlon is engaged in supporting several community-based organizations and currently serves on several advisory boards including the Mayor's Office of Business Opportunity, Credit Coalition of Houston, Stellar Bank, SCORE, and the HGAC Gulf Coast Economic Development District. Marlon is married to his lovely wife Tammie and is an active member of Windsor Village United Methodist Church.