ST. PETE BEACH, Fla.–The African American Credit Union Coalition offered updates on its many programs as well as the programs that are to come during its annual meeting here.
Among the first programs announced by AACUC President Renee Sattiewhite was a new initiative in which billion-dollar credit unions will provide assistance and mentorship to smaller CUs, those below $100-million in assets.
“Not to take them over, but to help them,” said Sattiewhite, eliciting numerous “yesses” from the audience.
Also coming later this year: an affinity credit card that will generate income for the organization.
Sattiewhite said the AACUC, which has now grown to more than 1,200 members, in addition to a growing list of sponsors, has become a leader in numerous ways, including two that she highlighted:
- The adoption of the 8th Cooperative Principle, which is a commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) and which has been championed by Maurice Smith, the retiring president of Local Government FCU. Sattiewhite noted the 7 Cooperative Principles were created (1844) at a time when slavery still existed.
- The Commitment to Change initiative, which the AACUC has led across a number of forums. More than 500 people have participated in Commitment to Change events, she said.
Leading the Way
“We have led the way in helping credit unions to become more diverse,” Sattiewhite said. “It’s an obligation and an opportunity.”
She noted that earlier this year the AACUC received the 2022 Herb Wegner Anchor Award from the National Credit Union Foundation for its “global efforts to unite financial industries in eradicating racism.”
“To me, that was the equivalent of receiving the Nobel Peace Prize,” Sattiewhite said.
Other highlights of the last year touched on by Sattiewhite:
- AACUC presented its inaugural Commitment to Change Leadership Awards, which were presented to seven people.
- AACUC has seen significant increases in financial support. That includes 11 companies that have pledged $100,000 a year over five years.
- It has introduced numerous professional development efforts, including the 1to1 Women development program, a mentorship program, a cross-cultural exchange program and more, some of which are described in more detail below.
Additional Updates
In addition, to Sattiewhite, numerous other people offered updates on AACUC programs, including:
Dohnia Dorman, AACUC, Chief Experience Officer
Dorman joined AACUC from Suncoast credit Union and said the group has added 156 new members this year and is now more than 1,200 people strong. The Southeastern U.S. has been the biggest source of new members, she said.
Dorman said AACUC has also refreshed its website, with dedicated real estate for all newsworthy events, including a blog.
Chrystal Hunter, Training & Events Manager, Maryland and DC Credit Union Association
Hunter offered an update on the 1to1 Women’s Program, which she said continues to grow for the benefit of everyone involved.
Michelle Nearon, Senior Associate Dean for Graduate Student Development and Diversity at Yale University, and who heads up AACUC’s DEI Leadership Academy for Financial Professionals
The program, said Nearon, is “designed to inspire professionals to lead with the DEI mindset. That’s important if we are going to change the narrative to move away from DEI as a problem that needs to be fixed to instead them about DEI as a solution for success.”
The next DEI Leadership Academy is set for Sept. 6.
Janice Robinson, CEO, BoardReady
Robinson said eight people have now graduated from the BoardReady program, which is designed to prepare someone to serve on the board of a non-profit. Robinson noted there are more than seven-million non-profits in the U.S. “(Participants) have taken the training they need to actually serve as board members at nonprofits. They can utilize that information to make changes and make impact to really work in those communities,” she said.
LaSonya Berry, CEO, McPherson/Berry, who is also chief HR officer with AACUC
Berry has been heading up the Rosemary Brinkley C-Level Leadership Development Program, which she said is built upon Brinkley’s “mantra that we can do better.” Berry said the program is designed to develop leaders and was launched in March of this year and will run for 12 months. It offers coaching, ongoing assessments and more, she said.
Dan McCue. SVP-Corporate Relations, Alaska USA FCU
McCue offered an update on the AACUC’s Cross-Cultural Exchange Program, which he called “one dynamite program.”
“There is so much going on in the world, so much hatred, and we had to find a way to come to the table and talk,” McCue said.
Forty people participated in the pilot program in 2021, he explained, everyone matched so the discussions would be cross-cultural, meaning the individuals in discussions did not share backgrounds, histories or cultures.
“That’s what made it unique,” he said. “Our charge is what are we going to do about racism? What steps can we take to eliminate racism?”
Initially, the program ran eight weeks, but the current program is running 10. “It’s a really trusted environment for hard conversations,” McCue said. “We can’t fix the past, but we can do something about the future.”
Grace Thompson, SVP Engagement, Diversity and Inclusion, Local Government FCU
Thompson offered an update on AACUC’s Mentorship Program. Its first cohort in February of 2021 was all virtual. The second cohort in February of this year had 42 mentees and 44 mentors.