Bed-Stuy Restoration Corporation appoints Blondel Pinnock as new president/CEO

Worked for Bank of America, Department of Housing Preservation and Development

June 29, 2022 Brooklyn Eagle Staff

Blondel Pinnock, the newly appointed CEO and president of the Bedford-Stuyvesant Restoration Corporation. Photo courtesy of Blondel Pinnock on Twitter, @blondel

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The Bedford-Stuyvesant Restoration Corporation, also referred to as “Restoration,” the nation’s first “community-economic” development corporation, announced that Blondel Pinnock will be taking on the role of president and CEO, the first new executive in 20 years.

“I’m humbled by the opportunity to lead Restoration at a pivotal moment. Colvin has done so much to realize the potential of this organization over the past 20 years, and I intend to continue his legacy of forward-thinking leadership,” said Pinnock.

“In many ways our mission to reduce the racial wealth gap and achieve equitable economic growth in Central Brooklyn has only become more urgent over the past two years, as Black and Brown neighborhoods have borne the brunt of the Covid-19 crisis.”

Pinnock is succeeding Colvin W. Grannum, who led Restoration through crisis and reestablished the corporation as a leader in community and economic development on a local and national scale.

Pinnock’s experience in supporting responsible development in communities of color made her a “standout” candidate, said Restoration in a press statement. Before taking on her new position, she served as COO at the Greater Jamaica Development Center (GJDC), focusing on integrating small businesses in Downtown Jamaica with virtual equipment to adapt to post-covid conditions. Prior, she worked at Carver Federal Savings Bank as Chief Lending Officer, Senior Vice President at Bank of America for nearly a decade and before that Deputy Director at the Department of Housing Preservation and Development Tax Incentives Unit. Pinnock serves on the Board of Directors of numerous organizations including the NYC Economic Development
Corporation and Harlem YMCA.

Pinnock’s previous experience in city government lasted from 1997-2000, as part of the mayoral agency, the Department of Housing Preservation and Development – at the time, under the administration of Mayor Giuliani – to “effectuate” tax exemption and abatement policy, which resulted in designations of affordable housing, according to her LinkedIn.

The Restoration also said that Pinnock will play a “crucial” leadership role as the corporation prepares for a new construction project, dubbed, the “Innovation Campus.”

“Blondel is the right candidate at this time to lead Restoration as the organization embarks on a new chapter,” said Kevin G. Chavers, Chairman of the Board of Directors at Restoration. “Her expertise connecting our community with the capital and resources needed to succeed is exactly what our neighbors in Bed-Stuy need as we emerge and rebuild out of the pandemic. I’m confident Blondel will continue the tradition of vigorous leadership on behalf of the community that Colvin has held to such a high standard throughout his tenure.”

“Bedford-Stuyvesant Restoration Corporation has worked tirelessly for decades to uplift families and residents of Central Brooklyn, and I want to thank Colvin Grannum for his many years of service to this community,” said Mayor Eric Adams.

“Restoration’s commitment to health and prosperity offers a model for our community development and economic recovery work in Central Brooklyn and across the city.”

“Bed-Stuy’s challenges are in many ways the borough of Brooklyn’s challenges. After two years of a pandemic that has deepened inequities across our city, Restoration’s mission to put Central Brooklyn on a path for sustained economic growth carries a special urgency,” said Brooklyn
Borough President Antonio Reynoso.