AACUC Announces the African American Credit Union Hall of Fame Inductees

SNELLVILLE, Ga., June 27, 2019 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- The African-American Credit Union Coalition (AACUC), will induct four credit union leaders into its Hall of Fame during an induction reception at the AACUC's 21st Annual Conference, Wednesday, August 7, 2019 at the Hilton Charlotte Center City Hotel in Downtown, Charlotte, North Carolina. The Honorees are: Sandra DeVoe Bland, Board Chair at SRP FCU; Janet McDonald, Senior Sales Market Manager, at CUNA Mutual Group; Joan Nelson, Board Chair at Coastal Credit Union; and Ed Presnell, Regional Business Executive at Peach State Federal Credit Union.

Bland has served on the Board of SRP FCU for over 20 years. She became the first African American and first female Chairman of the Board of Directors on March 6, 2018. SRP Federal Credit Union, a community-based financial institution, is one of the largest credit unions in South Carolina with assets totaling over $1 Billion and providing financial services to more than 120,000 members from 15 locations and online.

Nelson has volunteered for and served on Coastal's Board of Directors for over 25 years, which she has chaired since 2012. Her passion, dedication, and leadership has guided Coastal through many innovative initiatives such as the development of Personal Teller Machines, the creation of the Coastal Credit Union Foundation and its award-winning Power of Sharing gala and, most recently, the launch of a new CUSO, Constellation Digital Partners.

McDonald, is a senior sales market manager for CUNA Mutual Group. Working with associations, leagues and credit unions, she establishes, strengthens and maintains relationships with credit union trade organizations across the U.S. McDonald has held several executive positions in the credit unions throughout her career since 1990.

Presnell is currently the Regional Business Executive for Peach State Federal Credit Union. He is responsible for Business Development and market presence in Augusta, Georgia and Aiken, South Carolina. He has been an executive with the Credit Union Movement for over a decade.

"These credit union leaders are brilliant demonstrations of the credit union motto, of People Helping People. Their contributions demonstrate diversity and inclusion within the credit union movement. We are excited to recognize their accomplishments," said Adrian S. Johnson, AACUC Chairman of the Board.

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About the African American Credit Union Hall of Fame History
On October 16, 2008, the AACUC unveiled an exhibit featuring African Americans in the credit union movement the first 100 years at the America's Credit Union Museum in Manchester, N.H. Continuing with that effort, the Funding Development Committee created the African American Credit Union Hall of Fame. This virtual hall of fame was created to accomplish two goals: One, to honor and recognize African Americans who have and are contributing to the credit union movement--many who are unsung heroes and trailblazers. To be inducted you must have accomplished or achieved the following: 1) provided in excess of 10 years of service in the credit union industry; 2) worked to provide financial services for people in general; and 3) identify at least four significant accomplishments, which benefited African-Americans' access to financial capital.

The second goal was to be a consistent source of income for the AACUC through sponsorship opportunities on the website. For instance, there are two trailblazer submissions available included with membership with the AACUC at the organizational level. Additional trailblazer submissions are $250. It is a great way to recognize your African American peers, co-workers and colleagues who have made contributions locally. Hall of Fame inductees typically are sponsored by the credit union or a vendor that the inductee works(ed) with for $1500.

SOURCE AACUC