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In a Tuesday webinar that attracted hundreds of professionals from credit unions worldwide, the World Council of Credit Unions and African American Credit Union Coalition announced they have formed an alliance to support credit unions in fighting discrimination around the globe.
"World Council has always been about building bonds across borders and across cultures. One of the ways we fight racism and discrimination is through building bonds through exchanges and shared experience: 'una viventem' – living and working together," WOCCU President/CEO Brian Branch said in a statement. "We knock down the walls that separate us in this global community."
WOCCU and the AACUC will start by addressing discrimination through scholarship exchanges between the two organizations, WOCCU said.
Renee Sattiewhite During the webinar, "Today's Racial Turmoil and the Credit Union Answer," AACUC President/CEO Renee Sattiewhite discussed the systemic challenges facing African Americans in the U.S., and how the AACUC and the entire credit union industry can work to enact change. Questions from attendees ranged from issues dealing with racism, rioting and white privilege, to how credit unions can successfully employ more diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) initiatives for African American employees and members.
Sattiewhite said the AACUC is taking its mission a step further by rolling out a "Commitment to Change" initiative this week.
"We want credit unions all across the nation, and those of you who are international, to please join with us in eliminating and eradicating racism. Unite against racism – because it could be me that's under somebody's foot or dying," Sattiewhite said in a statement.
In related news, CUES announced its commitment to fighting racial injustice Wednesday and released new resources for credit unions looking to strengthen their DEI initiatives. The professional development organization rolled out a new resource page, which includes making its Elite Access Virtual Classroom courses open to everyone in the industry regardless of their membership status.
"The senseless killing of George Floyd, which led to the current social unrest, peaceful protests and calls for change around the globe, was merely the most recent case of racial injustice, and the latest catalyst in a long history of social bias and systemic racism that has plagued humanity," CUES said in a statement. "CUES stands with those who stand for change. To that end, CUES is making a commitment to help the industry take on the uncomfortable conversations that must happen to truly address the problems of racism and bias humanity faces."
Last week, the CUNA board of directors passed a resolution to publicly acknowledge its stand against structural racism, and other credit union leaders have been vocal over the past week about their commitment to fighting for equality as well.
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Natasha Chilingerian
Natasha Chilingerian has been immersed in the credit union industry for over a decade. She first joined CU Times in 2011 as a freelance writer, and following a two-year hiatus from 2013-2015, during which time she served as a communications specialist for Xceed Financial Credit Union (now Kinecta Federal Credit Union), she re-joined the CU Times team full-time as managing editor. She was promoted to executive editor in 2019. In the earlier days of her career, Chilingerian focused on news and lifestyle journalism, serving as a writer and editor for numerous regional publications in Oregon, Louisiana, South Carolina and the San Francisco Bay Area. In addition, she holds experience in marketing copywriting for companies in the finance and technology space. At CU Times, she covers People and Community news, cybersecurity, fintech partnerships, marketing, workplace culture, leadership, DEI, branch strategies, digital banking and more. She currently works remotely and splits her time between Southern California and Portland, Ore.
