CUNA Board releases implementation plan to advance equitable service to black communities

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Washington, DC 
 
CONTACT: 
Lauren Williams 
CUNA Communications 
202-672-3396       

The Credit Union National Association (CUNA) Board of Directors released a report in response to its June 4, 2020 resolution that publicly acknowledged and stood against structural racism and committed to creating a pathway to change within the credit union system.  

  The report outlines commitments the organization has made to address service to and inclusion of Black people, communities and credit union professionals across the credit union movement.  

 “Though CUNA has long advocated to expand credit unions’ ability to reach more members through the reduction of legislative and regulatory membership restrictions, the organization began last year to implement internal- and external-facing DEI teams within the organization to better reflect the credit union mission to serve those most often left out of financial systems,” the report reads. “The work of these teams set a foundation of understanding to create momentum for change across the movement.” 

  The report also outlines three strategic commitments that CUNA – in collaboration with the American Association of Credit Union Leagues (AACUL), the African-American Credit Union Coalition (AACUC), and other system partners — will implement to advance the principles of diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI).  

• Working to create a more diverse, equitable and inclusive workplace. Through direct engagement with a diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) expert, CUNA has added “inclusive” as an internal core value, engaged employees through forums and engagement groups and is developing a DEI guide to capture goals, guidelines and agreed-upon approached to continue employees’ journey of learning. CUNA also named Samira Salem to the newly created position of vice president of diversity, equity and inclusion.  

• Expanding DEI across the credit union movement, including promoting DEI as a shared credit union cooperative principle. CUNA is continuing concerted efforts to diversify speakers, presenters and panelists at various events, and continues collaboration with system partners and experts on DEI training for credit unions.   
     
• Partnering with the African American Credit Union Coalition to understand, speak out and support efforts to break down systems that enable racism. CUINA supports AACUC’s Commitment to Change: Credit Unions Against Racism initiative and joined AACUC and League efforts to create a scholarship fund to assist AACUC members pursue professional development opportunities within the credit union system.   

A link to the full report can be found here. 

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About CUNA:           
Credit Union National Association (CUNA) is the only national association that advocates on behalf of all of America’s credit unions, which are owned by 115 million consumer members. CUNA, along with its network of affiliated state credit union leagues, delivers unwavering advocacy, continuous professional growth and operational confidence to protect the best interests of all credit unions. For more information about CUNA, visit cuna.org. To find your nearest credit union, visit YourMoneyFurther.com.