PORTLAND, Ore.–The Young Credit Union Professionals of Oregon and SW Washington (YCUP) and the Cascadia Chapter of Credit Unions have concluded a three-part series of virtual events aimed at championing inclusion and equity for all while supporting the Q Center in Portland.
The PRIDE series was called “WALK, LEARN, LISTEN,” and was aimed at celebrating the LGBQ2SIA+ communities.
The first in the series, WALK, carried forward the PRIDE march, due to the Portland PRIDE parade’s cancellation, the organization said.
“Over the course of the week leading up to the virtual meeting on July 18th, participants got outside and went for walks, runs, strolls, and more, capturing and sharing their activities with pictures and videos using the hashtag #CUStrideforPride,” YCUP and the chapter reported.
Part 2: LEARN
The second installment, LEARN, was a panel focused on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. Hosted by CUbroadcast’s Mike Lawson, the panel consisted of Dr. Derreck Kayongo, founder of the Global Soap Project and CEO of the National Center for Civil and Human rights in Atlanta; Troy Stang, president and CEO of the NWCUA and CUNA board chair; Amy Nelson, president and CEO of Point West Credit Union; and Victor Corro, CEO of Coopera. The panelists answered questions relating to DEI initiatives, including how to create a more equitable and inclusive place for all within the credit union space, and beyond, the organizations said.
Part 3: LISTEN
The three-part series concluded with LISTEN, a “storytelling event gathering several industry professionals that identify with the LGBTQ2SIA+ community,” according to the organizations. Participants included:
- Rachel Farrell, Northwest Community Credit Union
- Daniel Marquez, Corelation
- Chris Blias, First Tech Federal Credit Union
- Sam Jensen, Blue Federal Credit Union
- Tyler Isaman, Trailhead Credit Union
- Moriia Drahos-Vacheresse, First Tech Federal Credit Union
Personal Journeys Shared
“Over the course of the evening, these special guests shared their personal journeys and insights in a safe space, providing an extremely valuable experience in helping others open their minds to the critical mission of inclusion and equity,” YCUP and the chapter said.
Sponsors included Cutting Edge Credit Union, Rivermark Community Credit Union, and First Tech FCU, the Cascadia chapter and YCUP, successfully raised $6,505 for the Q Center, exceeding the goal of $5,000.
“How humbling to see such engagement and voice in supporting our LGBTQ2SIA+ communities and how special to know that systemic change is on our collective minds so that a failure of vision in how we grow and change may one day lapse,” said Michael Murdoch, president of YCUP.
Added Sarah Buck, president of the Cascadia chapter, “A critical step in creating a more inclusive and equitable space for all is to begin the conversation. We must make the commitment to understand, value and respect the differences amongst us.”