NAFCU Speaks Out on Social Justice: ‘Our Duty’ to Take Action

In an open letter emailed to industry contacts and LinkedIn post on Wednesday, NAFCU President/CEO B. Dan Berger asserted the trade association’s stance on fighting racial injustice, and pledged to raise funds and awareness for diversity, equity and inclusion efforts within the credit union industry.

“No amount of days, weeks or months passing is enough to remedy, rectify or heal the level of pain and suffering that hundreds of years of racism has inflicted on the Black community,” he said in the letter. “Even so, that is not an excuse to do nothing. It is our duty, especially for those of us who are CEOs, leaders and policymakers, to make sure we take action within our communities, our schools and our companies. We must make pronouncements against hate and we must do so unequivocally and everywhere we see it, not just when men and women are unjustifiably killed or when acts of hate are captured on camera.”

Berger’s statement followed those of other credit union groups that spoke out publicly about their commitment to fighting racial injustice following the killing of George Floyd by police officers in Minneapolis on May 25. Those organizations included CUNA Mutual Group; the NCUA; CUNA, which passed a resolution to work with credit union system partners to create measurable ways to commit to action by Aug. 10; the World Council of Credit Unions; CUES; and the African American Credit Union Coalition, which launched a new initiative named “Commitment to Change: Credit Unions Unite Against Racism.”

In NAFCU’s open letter, Berger emphasized the importance of holding one another accountable “when we engage in racist and discriminatory behaviors that bring down our peers,” and noted there is strength in numbers when it comes to fighting racism.

“It is not enough to simply say that we believe in diversity and inclusion, or that we are not racist. As the African American Credit Union Coalition’s new initiative states, all of us must commit to change if we want to see change,” he said.

Berger added NAFCU is “putting our money where our mouth is and backing the people and groups who will lead us in bringing about change. At NAFCU, we believe credit unions have a particular role to play.”

“If this is your first time stepping into the arena of fighting racism, don’t be afraid,” he continued. “There is no perfect way to navigate the complexities of our history, but doing something is better than doing nothing at all. Take the time to become educated on the many prominent Black and non-white leaders and organizations who have been fighting for equality for decades and centuries. Taking it a step further: Don’t speak for them; ask them to speak to you and your staff about equality and how we can go about achieving it today. Change begins with all of us.”