The African-American Credit Union Coalition (AACUC) inducted four new members into its Hall of Fame on the opening night of its 21st Annual Conference in Charlotte, N.C., Wednesday evening.

Inducted into the AACUC Hall of Fame were:

• Sandra DeVoe Bland, board chair at SRP Federal Credit Union, North Augusta, S.C. She is the first woman and African-American to serve as board chair at SRP Federal, one of the state's largest credit unions.

• Janet McDonald, senior sales market manager at CUNA Mutual Group. Now retired, McDonald is one of three credit union leaders who were instrumental in the formation of the CUNA Human Resources & Organizational Development Council.

• Joan Nelson, board chair at Coastal Credit Union, Raleigh, N.C. She has served on the Coastal Credit Union board for more than 25 years and has been instrumental in leading the credit union into the digital age.

• Ed Presnell, regional business executive at Peach State Federal Credit Union, Lawrenceville, Ga. He is responsible for the cultivation and management of relationships in two counties in Georgia and South Carolina.

“These unsung heroes have dedicated their lives to the credit union movement and financial services industry at large,” says Renee Sattiewhite, AACUC executive director. “We recognize the diligent efforts they have put forth to advance opportunities for underserved communities over the years.”

Dan Schline, president/CEO of the Carolinas Credit Union League, also recognized the four new Hall of Fame members. He reminded attendees they’re just down the road from where, in 1918, African-American leader Thomas Patterson organized local farmers in collecting $126 of paid-in capital to form Piedmont Credit Union, the nation's first African-American credit union.

“Now, we celebrate and recognize another generation of leaders who are working to ensure underserved communities have access to the capital they need to succeed,” Schline says.

The conference runs through Saturday.