CONNECTIONS A meeting place for community bankers Detroit-based First Independence Bank opened two branches in Minneapolis last year, becoming the first Blackowned bank in the state. " We are hopeful that our bank can be [a beacon] of hope and maybe inspire others in another city, in our country or in other countries around the world to create equality. " -KENNETH KELLY, FIRST INDEPENDENCE BANK Go to page 70 to read about how First Independence Bank is fighting the wealth gap. independentbanker.org // 69http://www.independentbanker.org