Washington, D.C. skyline. (Source: f11photo/Shutterstock)
The African-American Credit Union Coalition will be inducting three credit union leaders, Dr. Willie L. Bryant Sr. (posthumously), Herbert "Bertie" Bowman and Mike Mercer, into its Hall of Fame during a reception at CUNA's Governmental Affairs Conference on Tuesday.
Bryant was a civil rights activist and volunteer at the $38.3 million Rockland Employees Federal Credit Union in Spring Valley, N.Y., for more than 20 years. He also was a founding member of the AACUC and the first chair of the Reaching toward the Future Internship program.
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Arriving in the nation's capital in 1944, Herbert "Bertie" Bowman is one of the longest-serving African-American staff members on Capitol Hill, according to the AACUC.
From sweeping the steps to working in the coffee shop and the Capitol barbershop, Bowman held several jobs in the Senate, ultimately rising to become assistant hearing coordinator for the U.S. Senate's Foreign Relations Committee, one of the most powerful committees in Congress.
He has been a board volunteer at the $1 billion United States Senate Federal Credit Union in Alexandria, Va., since 1975. What's more, the credit union named its new headquarters building in honor of Bowman last year.
Mike Mercer, who recently retired as CEO of the League of Southeastern Credit Unions & Affiliates, led efforts to support the AACUC for more than two decades.
In addition to providing the first monetary contribution to the AACUC from a state league, he continued to support the coalition in meaningful ways, including facilitating support from credit union leagues across the country to identify African Americans serving as credit union CEOs. This critical data is used by the AACUC to develop best practices for diversity, equity and inclusion throughout the industry.
The induction ceremony will be held at the Marriott Marquis in Washington, D.C., during the AACUC networking meeting reception.
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Peter Strozniak
Credit Union Times reporter covering credit union operations, fraud, M&As, leagues, business continuity, and breaking news.
