Long Beac, CA (December 11, 2025) |
The National Association of Latino Credit Unions and Professionals (NLCUP) is proud to announce Manuel Muñoz as the keynote speaker for the NLCUP 2026 Conference. A nationally recognized fiction writer and 2023 MacArthur Fellow, Muñoz is celebrated for his compassionate portrayals of Mexican-American communities and brings a perspective that deeply resonates with credit union leaders serving Latino communities across the country.
Throughout his career, Muñoz has centered the kinds of families, histories, and lived experiences often overlooked in mainstream narratives. His work reflects the strength, complexity, and quiet resilience that define many Latino communities, offering insight into the human stories credit unions encounter in their branches and neighborhoods each day. His writing invites readers to recognize dignity in the everyday and consider the shared experiences that bind communities together.
Muñoz is the author of three acclaimed short-story collections, including The Consequences, The Faith Healer of Olive Avenue, and Zigzagger. His work has earned recognition through the Whiting Award, several O. Henry Awards, and fellowships from the National Endowment for the Arts and the New York Foundation for the Arts.
“We are honored to welcome Manuel Muñoz to the NLCUP 2026 Conference,” said Barbara Mojica, Executive Director of NLCUP. “His stories show how people navigate hardship with resilience and care, and the compassion at the heart of his work reflects the communities
we support every day. Bringing his voice to our conference is an important reminder of the purpose that guides our movement and the hope we carry forward together.”
The NLCUP 2026 Conference will bring together leaders, practitioners, and partners dedicated to expanding opportunity and strengthening representation across the credit union movement. Muñoz’s keynote will offer a thoughtful reflection on how stories and lived experiences continue to shape community-focused work and the commitments that guide credit unions serving underserved communities nationwide.
NLCUP welcomes credit union professionals, partners, and community advocates to join us in Long Beach for three days of learning, connection, and shared purpose. Full conference and single-day registrations are available. Details can be found at tinyurl.com/NLCUP2026Conference.