MADISON, Wis. – The Cooperative Trust has announced the African American Credit Union Coalition (AACUC) is hosting 20 Crashers from across North America to attend AACUC’s Commitment to Change 5-part series this week.
Renee Sattiewhite, CEO of the AACUC, said the sponsorship of the Crashers followed a discussion with Doug Leighton, Jacque Sinatra and Becca Davies at Visa, who approached her after the AACUC Networking Meeting and Hall of Fame Induction during CUNA’s GAC earlier this year.
The Cooperative Trust, which is managed by Filene, said Crash is a non-stop, career-changing program for credit union young professionals that allows them to participate in the industry’s conferences (in-person and virtually) with complimentary registration, exclusive networking opportunities, leadership development tools, and sessions with industry leaders from organizations such as Filene Research Institute, Visa, CUNA Mutual Group and NCUA.
“It is an honor to partner with AACUC and support the Crashers attendance at the Commitment to Change Conversation Series. Crashers are the future of the credit union movement and we are excited to be a part of their experience,” said Leighton, head of community accounts at Visa.
One-Year Membership
Accepting the invitation to Crash this event comes with a one-year membership to AACUC that was gifted by the association.
“We are thrilled to have a strong partner with Visa who has made it possible to bring Crash to AACUC,” said Filene Director for Community Development Cortney Angeley. “The Cooperative Trust and the Crash program provides exceptional experiences to help emerging leaders develop their careers. Most importantly, the opportunity to be part of AACUC’s Commitment to Change Series will bring even more awareness to racial injustices that take place within our industry, as well as provide tools and a network of people who believe in the same mission, ending racism.”
According to the Cooperative Trust, Crash events are designed to spark new ways of thinking and build lasting relationships for emerging leaders and rising talent within the credit union industry.
‘A New Hunger’
“Crashers will end this series with a new hunger to help strengthen their communities and organizations,” the organization said. “Crash is a launching pad for many young professionals’ careers and gives them the confidence and insight to make a profound and lasting impact in the industry.”
In the wake of COVID-19, the Cooperative Trust said in a statement it has evolved the Crash program to “ensure we are living our purpose and mission – to provide emerging leaders a voice and development opportunities they wouldn’t normally have access to.”
Beginning in January 2021, Filene will take Crashers on a 10-month journey through Filene’s research Centers of Excellence. Crashers will participate in monthly virtual sessions that will include the cutting-edge research Filene is known for, while providing a space and cohort for the Crashers to continue to network and develop, the organization said. Recruitment begins Sept. 1, 2020.