SNELLVILLE, Ga.–The African American Credit Union Coalition’s (AACUC) is reporting it has received strong response to its invitation to join an effort to dismantle systemic racism.
The initiative, “Commitment to Change: Credit Unions Unite Against Racism,” focuses on unification, education, conversations, and investments to move the credit union movement into a future where diversity, equity and inclusion can thrive, the AACUC stated.
“AACUC invites credit unions throughout the United States and abroad to join the effort to eliminate racism through the Commitment to Change effort,” the AACUC said.
Elements of Initiative
Elements of the initiative include:
- Creating a safe space for AACUC members to have “real talk” on the emotional and psychological impact of current events and how to bring about sustainable change. In the ongoing series of virtual conversations, topics will include the impact of police brutality, the fears of being profiled, what it’s like to experience microaggressions, and the reality of trauma that can happen to an individual and/or groups as a result of oppression, the AACUC said.
- Launching the Diversity Equity and Inclusion Leadership Academy for Financial Professionals (DEI Academy). “To further illuminate DEI among credit unions, AACUC’s interactive program will be offered four times a year, inviting in-depth exploration of diversity, equity, inclusion, and how to better understand the nuances of racism,” AACUC said.
“In addition to the time, expertise, and resources that several credit unions and industry organizations have contributed to AACUC, the credit union movement is making new financial investments that will have a long-term impact for current and future credit union professionals. Many AACUC partners have stepped up to join the Commitment to Change: Credit Unions Unite Against Racism, including key support from credit unions, state leagues, and CUSOs,” the AACUC said.
Financial Supporters
The contributors include:
- As CUToday.info reported, State Employees’ Credit Union based in Raleigh, N.C., has donated $125,000 to AACUC to support the efforts to educate the credit union community with a DEI Academy. “We are proud to host the DEI Academy at our corporate headquarters in Raleigh,” said Mike Lord, SECU president and CEO.
- Coastal Credit Union, also Raleigh, has pledged $50,000. “We’re not just supporting the initiative. We’re taking it to heart and looking inward to see how we can do more ourselves,” said Coastal President and CEO Chuck Purvis.
- In St. Petersburg, Fla., PSCU has pledged $20,000 and will continue to provide in-kind support, the CUSO said.
CUs Can ‘Lead Nation’
“I am convinced more now than ever that the credit union industry can lead the nation in eliminating racial discrimination. Credit union people do not have all the answers, but as practitioners of financial institutions, we have a commodity that everyone needs,” said Renée Sattiewhite, AACUC president and CEO. “AACUC urges all credit union professionals to see their colleagues through a different lens, especially colleagues of color. Moving forward, interaction must consist of empathetic, honest, respectful, and thoughtful discussions that are geared toward understanding, not blame.”
For info, Sattiewhite can be reached at renee@aacuc.org.