Press

Raiz FCU named Cultural Community Champion at Juneteenth Gala

Honored by The Great Khalid Foundation and YWCA for advancing equity and inclusion

EL PASO, TX (June 19, 2024) — the YWCA El Paso del Norte Region and The Great Khalid Foundation co-hosted the second annual Juneteenth Cultural Celebration Gala at the historic Plaza Theatre in downtown El Paso. During this event, Raiz Federal Credit Union was honored as the Cultural Community Champion of the Year for its commitment to promoting cultural inclusion and creating an environment where every individual feels valued and embraced. Raiz Federal Credit Union accepted the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Champion Award in honor of this achievement.

This award was given to Raiz for its outstanding leadership in promoting cultural inclusion within the workplace and beyond. The initiatives they lead aim to create a welcoming environment where diversity is celebrated, and every individual feels respected and valued. By extending financial literacy programs and inclusive services, they empower families and individuals in El Paso to achieve financial stability and growth.

Juneteenth commemorates June 19, 1865, the day when enslaved African Americans in Galveston, Texas were finally informed of their freedom, more than two years after the Emancipation Proclamation. This historic day marks the end of slavery in the United States and serves as a poignant reminder of the ongoing struggle for racial justice and equality.

As the Juneteenth holiday approaches, Raiz celebrates and honors this momentous occasion by reaffirming its commitment to fostering an inclusive and equitable community. Raiz believes in the power of financial literacy, inclusion, and intentional invitation to pave pathways to financial prosperity for all, especially those historically marginalized from generational wealth.

“We are deeply honored to receive this recognition from The Great Khalid Foundation and the YWCA,” said Max Villaronga, CEO of Raiz Federal Credit Union. “This award reflects our ongoing dedication to building a community where everyone can thrive regardless of background. We will continue to champion diversity, equity, and inclusion in all aspects of our work.”

Raiz Federal Credit Union abides by its commitment to advancing DEI principles. Future plans include expanding financial education initiatives, fostering inclusive work environments, and supporting community programs that promote racial justice, gender equality, and human dignity. By working together, a brighter, more inclusive future for all can be created.

For more information about Raiz Federal Credit Union and its DEI initiatives, please visit www.raiz.us.


About Raiz Federal Credit Union

At Raiz (pronounced as "rise" in English and "rah-EES" in Spanish), our members and strong, vibrant community inspire us daily. We share a passion for knowledge and the pursuit of growth, grounded in our heritage as El Paso Area Teachers Federal Credit Union (TFCU). Today, we guide members from many professions to focus on their goals and help them get here. We're proud of our roots in El Paso (since 1936) as we envision a bold path forward, leading the way with passion. We are over 70,000 members strong and provide a full range of high-quality financial services at the great rates and low costs you can expect from a first-class credit union. Join us and experience the difference that comes from working with people who care. The meaning behind our name: Spanish for root and pronounced as Raiz, our new identity grows from our community heritage. Grounded in the roots of our beginning with teachers, we share a passion for knowledge and the pursuit of growth. We inspire our members and employees to feel connected to our future potential together. We are rising and inviting people to move forward with us. As we look out to the light over the Franklin Mountains rising from El Paso, we look up and ahead to an even brighter tomorrow.

About The Great Khalid Foundation

The Great Khalid Foundation is committed to impacting the lives of children by alleviating a burden of need. We are reaching out when it matters most, when a supportive gesture can make all the difference. We believe that the power of music not only has the ability to build confidence and camaraderie, we believe that it positively impacts social change for children, families and communities. We are committed to creating an atmosphere of support and freedom for kids to dream BIG! Through our music education programs, scholarship awards, community partnerships and gift giveaways, we are investing in our children and their future.About The Great Khalid Foundation

The Great Khalid Foundation is committed to impacting the lives of children by alleviating a burden of need. We are reaching out when it matters most, when a supportive gesture can make all the difference. We believe that the power of music not only has the ability to build confidence and camaraderie, we believe that it positively impacts social change for children, families and communities. We are committed to creating an atmosphere of support and freedom for kids to dream BIG! Through our music education programs, scholarship awards, community partnerships and gift giveaways, we are investing in our children and their future.

About YWCA El Paso del Norte Region

YWCA El Paso del Norte Region is a nonprofit organization founded in 1909. We are a member of YWCA USA, the oldest and largest multicultural organization in the world. For 115 years, the mission of YWCA El Paso del Norte Region is eliminating racism, empowering women, and promoting peace, justice, freedom, and dignity for all. Each year more than 40,000 lives are touched by YWCA El Paso through our wide variety of services. YWCA El Paso del Norte Region stands for a fully inclusive community in which each person is healthy and valued, and where racial justice, gender equality, and human dignity are promoted and sustained through bold and effective women’s leadership. We invite you to stand with the YWCA El Paso del Norte Region in our mission and our work.

Contacts

Ale Loeza
Marketing & PR Manager
915-926-2698

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