The Harbor Bank of Maryland hosted an exclusive event featuring funk legend and Afrofuturist pioneer George Clinton on Wednesday evening.
The celebration, titled ‘On the Move: An Evening with George Clinton and HBM,’ was marked by the unveiling of the Thangularity Mothership, an original art piece created by Clinton and his collaborator Overton Loyd.
Following the exhibition, Clinton engaged in a candid conversation with Harbor Bank President and CEO John Lewis.
The sculpture will be a permanent installation at Harbor Bank’s new downtown Silver Spring branch, located next to Java Nation in the Station Square office complex at 1010 Wayne Avenue.
As Harbor Bank expands into the Silver Spring market with this seventh branch, Lewis emphasized the significance of the event, stating that it represents more than just physical expansion; it embodies access, visibility, and the creation of a financial home for new customers and communities.
“It’s only fitting that we celebrate with a visionary like George Clinton, whose work has always pushed boundaries, uplifted voices, and looked forward to a brighter future,” Lewis remarked.
Founded in 1982 with $2.1 million in assets, Harbor Bank has been a cornerstone in the Black community for over 40 years. Today, the bank boasts more than $400 million in assets and operates as a community development financial institution.
Harbor Bank is recognized for its support of minority-owned small and midsize businesses, first-time homebuyers, and churches that often do not qualify for traditional loans.
The new downtown Silver Spring branch is an extension of the bank’s presence in the area, complementing the loan production office established in the Station Square office complex back in 2018.
In a recent statement, Lewis highlighted the bank’s origins, saying, “One of the great things about Harbor Bank is it was born out of a need.”
He explained that the bank’s efforts have always been a response to the demands of clients and communities seeking accessible financial services.
Lewis elaborated, “At the time of Harbor Bank’s establishment, [African Americans] did not have broader participation and access to mainstream financial services.”
Beyond retail banking and loan operations, Harbor Bank CDC supports small real estate developers through its Emerging Developer Program.
The bank also offers various entrepreneurship resources, including speaker series, workshops, and co-working spaces at the Joseph Haskins Jr. Center for Community Economic Development.
Recently, Harbor Bank partnered with Affordable Homes & Communities and Habitat for Humanity Metro Maryland to launch Allium Place, a multifamily development providing 168 affordable apartments and 27 Habitat for Humanity homes along Gannon Road.
Lewis stated, “It’s the relationships that unlock the potential to do amazing things.”
He reflected on the historical experiences of African Americans with banks regarding redlining and discrimination, which have impacted trust in financial institutions.
“When somebody walks in our door, I know that they are expressing their hopes and dreams to me—whether we’re talking about buying a house, purchasing commercial property, or starting a business,” Lewis said.
“It’s incredibly meaningful to them and what they’ll do in the rest of their lives.”
A public grand opening and ribbon-cutting ceremony for the new Harbor Bank branch in downtown Silver Spring is scheduled for September 23.
image source from：sourceofthespring
