Growing up on the lower east side of Manhattan, Irv Ashford, Jr.’s life changed when a mentor introduced him to an opportunity to take an exam. His score on the exam led him to earn a scholarship to the Webb School, a boarding school in Bell Buckle, TN. This opened him up to new experiences and opportunities and led him to attending Oberlin College in Ohio where he earned his BA in Religion and was a Woodrow Wilson Scholar. Following his master's education, he began to work for a series of local non-profits dedicated to community development. He eventually relocated to Texas and following his graduate business degree he began his banking career with a position in the community development division of Bank One. He has worked for the last 20 years at Comerica Bank, where he now serves as Chief Community Officer.