SNELLVILLE, GA – The African-American Credit Union Coalition (AACUC) is pleased to announce a commitment from BECU, one of the country’s largest community credit union, of $500,000 over the next five years.

The gift is intended to support AACUC’s mission to:

• Increase the overall interest and strength of the credit union movement in the Pacific Northwest region.

• Strengthen diversity, equity and inclusion with a focus on African Americans in the credit union industry, membership opportunities and access to training and development.

• Assist in creation of curriculum aimed at addressing wealth equity in communities of color.

• Support the development of a model focused on reaching and building partnerships in diverse communities for large credit unions.

“At BECU, we are committed to bringing people together to improve the financial well-being of our members and their communities, and that includes supporting equitable access to financial tools, education and resources,” said Benson Porter, BECU’s president and chief executive officer. “AACUC’s important work exemplifies the cooperative spirit, of which many credit unions were founded, by bringing the industry together to lead change for communities of color.”

“By partnering with AACUC, we are committed to supporting the collective work to empower our communities through financial education, remove barriers to increase the earning potential of underserved individuals, and promote the personal and professional growth of diverse members and advocates,” said Solynn McCurdy, BECU’s senior vice president of Social Impact. “Only together can we begin to make meaningful impacts and strengthen the financial health of our Black members and communities.”

“Support from corporate partners, like BECU, further an optimistic outlook for the credit union movement. We are hopeful that other credit unions and organizations will follow their example and invest in the future of credit unions. We are grateful for the support and the outward Commitment to Change that BECU and its leaders have taken,” said Renée Sattiewhite, AACUC president and chief executive officer.

AACUC urges all credit union professionals to see their colleagues through a different lens, especially colleagues of color. Going forward, interaction must consist of empathetic, honest, respectful, and thoughtful discussions that are geared toward understanding not blame.

“I am convinced more now than ever that the credit union industry can lead the nation in eliminating racial discrimination. Credit union leaders do not have all the answers but as practitioners of financial institutions we have a commodity that everyone needs,” said Sattiewhite. 

To learn more, participate and support the “Commitment to Change” initiative, visit www.aacuc.org or email Renée Sattiewhite at renee@aacuc.org.

About AACUC: The African-American Credit Union Coalition is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization of African-American professionals and volunteers in the credit union industry. Affiliation with AACUC offers a unique opportunity to influence and shape the credit union movement and its governmental affairs. The organization works to promote personal and professional growth of its members and advocates to improve economic development of surrounding communities that are often underserved. AACUC supports programs that include expanding the interest and increasing the number of minorities in the credit union movement, increasing outreach of the credit union movement in African countries and in the United States through mentoring, scholarship programs, and much more.

About BECU: With more than 1.2 million members and more than $22.2 billion in assets, BECU is the largest not-for-profit credit union in Washington and one of the top five financial cooperatives in the country. As a member-owned credit union, BECU is focused on helping increase the financial well-being of its members and communities through better rates, fewer fees, community partnerships and financial education. The credit union currently operates more than 50 locations in Washington and two financial centers in South Carolina. For more information, visit www.becu.org.