Clemons To Step Down As ConnCORP CEO

by Staff

The Dixwell Plaza redeveloper ConnCORP announced on Friday that the organization’s founding CEO, Erik Clemons, will be stepping down from his post on Oct. 7.

See below for Friday’s full press release, and read more here about the newly opened first building in ConnCORP’s First Haven project. Clemons, who serves as one of the proprietors of the New Haven Green, also recently stepped down from his role as CEO of ConnCAT, a job-training nonprofit affiliated with ConnCORP.

New Haven, CT (September 25, 2026) — Erik Clemons, founding CEO of Connecticut Community Outreach Revitalization Program (ConnCORP), today announced that he will step down effective Oct. 7.

“One of the most important things a leader can do is recognize when it’s time to step aside and make room for others,” said Clemons. “For eight years, I’ve had the honor of building alongside people who believe in this community as much as I do. Now it’s time for fresh eyes and new perspectives to lead what comes next. I have full confidence in our board, our leadership team, and the staff who make this work possible every day. I’m answering a new call, and I’m leaving ConnCORP in good hands.” 

During his tenure, Clemons founded the Wealth Accelerator, which began in 2021 with a question he posed: ‘What would it take to aggressively eradicate poverty in Connecticut?’ That question has since grown into a partnership of local and national organizations, working alongside a council of New Haven residents, to close the racial wealth gap for low- and moderate-income families. Its first program, Cash Catalyst, will distribute more than $500,000 in investable capital to young adults in Greater New Haven to help them buy homes, start businesses, save for retirement, or further their education.

In 2020, as the pandemic hit New Haven’s hardest, Clemons raised significant funds to launch ConnCAT and ConnCORP’s COVID-19 relief efforts, as well as the ConnCORP Economic Justice Fund, which began by putting resources directly into the hands of families in Dixwell and Newhallville and grew to invest in established Black-owned businesses. He co-founded Orchid Gallery at The Lab at ConnCORP, which gives early-career artists of color from the region a place to show their work, and he led the build-out of the First HAVEN development and ConnCAT’s new headquarters at 150 Dixwell Avenue.

Behind each of these programs are the people they reached: the families, entrepreneurs, artists, and students who have found opportunity through ConnCORP. Under Clemon’s leadership, ConnCORP has become one of New Haven’s leading voices for community-driven economic development, a reputation built by consistently showing up for the neighborhoods it serves. That commitment remains unchanged. ConnCORP’s work will continue moving forward, including the next phase of First HAVEN, with the same care for the people and communities at its center.

Clemons said his approach has always started with building trust with residents and neighborhood leaders, many of whom have been part of ConnCORP’s work from the beginning.

“Erik has always understood that community development starts with the people who live in the community,” said Diane Brown, Branch Manager of the Stetson Branch Library. “Many come to our community with preconceived plans that lead to broken promises. Erik is a true visionary and champion of the people. Under his leadership, ConnCORP took the time to listen, to show up, and to earn our trust. They followed through! We believe in this work, and we are grateful for all that he has done for New Haven. I am excited for what’s to come as ConnCORP continues to build and strengthen our community.”

ConnCORP’s Board of Directors is expanding and will guide the search for the organization’s next permanent leader, with the continued support of ConnCORP’s funders, lenders, and community partners. ConnCORP’s programs and development work, including First HAVEN, will continue as planned during the transition, and the organization will share additional updates, including interim leadership, in coming weeks.