By Ray Birch
DULUTH, Ga.—While Renee Sattiewhite has a great deal of hope for what the new DEI Collective can do to drive diversity, equity and inclusion the CU community, she also knows its success will largely depend on the degree to which CU leaders take an active role in change.
“For the Collective to effect change, credit union presidents and CEOs, and the CEOs of all these organizations, have to stand together to make a commitment that DEI is important to their organizations,” said Sattiewhite, president and CEO of the African American Credit Union Coalition, which is part of the Collective. “You have heard it many times before–change comes from the top. This group will do great things if the commitment comes down from the top down.”
Standing in ‘Solidarity’
As CUToday.info reported, the Credit Union Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Collective is a group within the credit union movement devoted to furthering DEI. The collective launched Friday, June 19, or Juneteeth, the day commemorating the end of slavery in the U.S.
“The CU DEI Collective stands in solidarity with the African American and Black community and pledges to fight alongside against systemic oppression and racism. Our mission is to bring forth social, economic, political, and legal justice for combatting centuries of violent oppression and systemic racism everywhere,” reads part of the collective’s mission statement. “We call on all members of the Credit Union Movement to apply our cooperative principles to create real, meaningful, transformative, and sustained change. We want to be a catalyst for this change.”
Sattiewhite acknowledged people don't always want to endorse change.
“I think people are creatures of habit,” she said. “I don't think it's a lack of desire; I think it goes to the human condition of change, and that change is uncomfortable.”
No Choice
As Sattiewhite has told CUToday.info, in the face of the killing of George Floyd at the hands of Minneapolis police, and other recent killings of African Americans that have set off protests and discussion of race-related issues across the United States and the world, the country has no choice but to change.
“Eliminating racism has become such an important issue in our country,” she said.
Sattiewhite said forming the collective is an important step toward reaching that goal, especially within the credit union movement.
“We just need more groups to come together around the issue of eliminating racism,” said Sattiewhite. “This is very positive change. I know 20 years ago AACUC did not have these other groups to work with that we have today. We have the Collective, there is Inclusiv… We are seeing a lot of positive change and there are more voices being heard.”
Renee Sattiewhite
Other organizations that are part of the DEI Collective include CUNA, the American Association of CU Leagues, Coopera, CO-OP Financial Services, CUNA Mutual Group, Filene, the National CU Foundation, humanidei, Inclusiv, the Network of Latino Credit Unions and Professionals, PSCU, and the World Council.
‘It Hit Home’
Sattiewhite observed that change often happens within individuals when they can personally relate to something. She shared what Kevin Martin, a VP at SchoolsFirst FCU, said during a meeting of the Collective.
“He talked about Mr. Floyd being murdered and said, ‘What if it were me with a police officer’s knee on my neck,’” she recalled. “When he said that it just jarred me, and I could see, too, it did the same for many of the people on the video call. I could see it in their faces. It hit home.”
Strong Support
Sattiewhite added the AACUC’s Commitment to Change, Credit Unions Against Racism initiative, is receiving strong support via donations from CU organizations across the nation.
“Within the credit union movement I think we are doing well in addressing the need to end racism,” said Sattiewhite, who feels the country may not be on the same path, citing continued incidents of racism being displayed by Americans and police officers.
“I think what is happening within credit unions now is heartwarming,” she said. “But what I see occurring across the U.S., on all the news reports, is heart wrenching.”