Rapid City, S.D. – Black Hills Federal Credit Union received Rapid City Community Conversations’ first-ever Community Innovator Award for cultural engagement during the organization’s Community Unity Celebration earlier this month.

The award recognizes BHFCU’s efforts to reach out to the Native American community through their ground breaking, Lakota-voiced television commercials - Tiospaya Wicasa, Tiospaya Winyan and Mitakuye Oyasin. RCCC also acknowledged the credit union’s participation in outreach programs and support of community projects and youth activities, many of which serve the Native American community.

“We are honored to receive this award for the work we’ve done to highlight and celebrate South Dakota’s unique traditions and cultural heritage,” said Roger Heacock, President and CEO of BHFCU. “Alongside Rapid City Community Conversations, we’re proud to take a lead in embracing the cultural diversity of our community and live our mission to improve lives.”

Formed in 2015, Rapid City Community Conversations’ mission is to foster community innovation to reverse institutional and individual racism through conversations focused on relationship building and share values. They have organized and hosted several events for citizens of all races and leaders in public health, business, law enforcement and public education.

Established in Rapid City in 1941, Black Hills Federal Credit Union is a member-owned, not-for-profit cooperative serving more than 66,000 members. The community-chartered credit union has locations in Rapid City, Custer, Eagle Butte, Hot Springs, Pierre, Sioux Falls, Spearfish, Sturgis and Wall, South Dakota. For more information about Black Hills Federal Credit Union, please visit www.bhfcu.com.