The Federation and AACUC celebrate African American Credit Unions
Social media campaign features credit unions' impact throughout Black History Month
NEW YORK, NY (February 6, 2018) — This Black History Month, the National Federation of Community Development Credit Unions (Federation) and the African-American Credit Union Coalition (AACUC) have joined forces to celebrate African American credit unions in a social media campaign that illustrates the impact of credit unions on their members and communities. The Federation promotes financial inclusion by organizing, supporting, and investing in credit unions that specialize in serving communities with limited access to affordable financial services, and includes many minority designated credit unions among its members. AACUC works to expand interest in and increase the number of minorities in the credit union movement and provides scholarship and internship programs to encourage African-American students to seek employment in the credit union movement.
Despite continuing growth in the US economy, African American households lag in income earned and wealth owned compared to White and Latino households. Research on the racial wealth divide by Prosperity Now reports a 75% decline in wealth between 1983 and 2013, while median White household wealth rose by 14%. African American credit unions serve some of the most vulnerable communities in the US. While credit unions are the better choice for all consumers, they are the best choice for low- and moderate-income earners who might otherwise resort to predatory lenders.
“The Federation was organized over 40 years ago by primarily minority credit unions to represent the unique needs of vulnerable communities and the credit unions that serve them. Diversity among credit unions, our leaders and our members makes our movement stronger and guarantees the relevance of credit unions for all people, including those who most benefit from the credit union difference,” said Cathie Mahon, Federation CEO.
“AACUC’s history in the Credit Union Movement is a shining example of how credit union professionals and organizations come together for the common good of everyone,” said Renee Sattiewhite, AACUC Executive Director.
The impact stories that the Federation and AACUC will be sharing on Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter and Instagram are designed to increase the visibility of African American credit unions within our industry, communities of color, the community development finance sector, and legislators. Find the first post today on Facebook, on Twitter, on LinkedIn and on Instagram.
About The National Federation of Community Development Credit Unions
The National Federation of Community Development Credit Unions is a certified CDFI intermediary representing community development credit unions (CDCUs). The Federation's member CDCUs provide credit, savings, transaction services and financial education to more than 6 million residents of low- and moderate-income urban, rural and reservation-based communities across the US, and hold over $60 billion in community-controlled assets. Founded in 1974, the Federation is headquartered in Lower Manhattan with offices in Madison, WI. The Federation offers a wide range of advocacy, educational, training, investment, marketing, and outreach programs to support and assist CDCUs. For more information about the Federation and its programs, visit www.cdcu.coop.
About AACUC
AACUC is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization formally established and incorporated in St. Louis, Missouri in 1999. AACUC’s goals and objectives 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 credit union mentoring, providing scholarship programs and educational opportunities to credit union professionals and volunteers towards professional development and advancement. For more information about AACUC visit www.aacuc.org.
