Meet Renée Sattiewhite

​

Renée Sattiewhite is on a mission to make diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) more than just empty buzzwords or a fleeting fad. She is wholeheartedly committed to ensuring the principles behind DEI are rooted into every facet of society – starting with the financial services industry.

 

President and CEO of the African-American Credit Union Coalition (AACUC), Renée works every day to move the Colored Majority away from generational poverty and toward generational wealth. With African American households owning only 10-15% of the net wealth of white households, eliminating the racial wealth gap is a critical step in defeating the deep-seated racism millions of people experience throughout the country.

 

“How’s that for a concept – generational wealth as opposed to generational poverty?” Renée says. “It is my own personal belief that economic justice and social justice are connected. Credit unions can lead the way in eradicating racism through financial inclusion and economic empowerment.”

​

 Serving at the intersection of race and financial inclusion

An award-winning organization shaping diversity, equity, and inclusion in the movement, AACUC is considered a leader in the credit union industry. Renée’s boundless leadership of and commitment to DEI is spotlighted in her role. She oversees AACUC’s adoption of the 8th Cooperative Principle of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. This principle focuses on the belief that cooperatives are “stronger when a proactive effort is put forth to engage everyone in governance, management, and representation.”

​

“We are truly standing at the intersection of economic empowerment and racial equity – and we have been given a megaphone to impact change,” Renée says. “It is up to the credit union industry to set the example of what it means to be focused on DEI principles.”

​

Under Renée’s direction, AACUC unites allies and advocates to ensure the presence of DEI in all financial services. The group promotes financial inclusion and professional development through its support of credit unions, and creates bridges between community-based organizations and consumer-focused initiatives designed to close the extensive racial wealth gap.

​

“We make it a priority to lead by example in the communities we serve,” Renée says. “When you step into one of our credit unions, sit in our boardroom, or talk with our constituents, you experience firsthand that our people make the difference and diversity is our strength.”

 

AACUC sponsors outreach tools that assist credit unions in better communicating with low-income individuals of color, and leveraging relationships with organizations such as the African-American forum at the American College of Financial Services.

 

Understanding that the path toward financial wellness starts at a young age, Renée has inspired initiatives that foster community involvement and support the advancement of low-income communities of color through youth development and financial literacy.

 

“We need to consistently educate the youngest in our communities on how money works, why saving is important, and why financial literacy is critical to financial wellness,” Renée explains. “Only then can generational poverty end and generational wealth begin.”

 

A commitment to change

After the social unrest that resulted from the 2020 murder of George Floyd – and in response to the subsequent demands for social and economic justice – Renée led AACUC in creating the Commitment to Change: Credit Unions Unite Against Racism Initiative.

Through this initiative, AACUC focuses on unification, education, conversations, and investments that will move the credit union movement into a future where diversity, equity, and inclusion can thrive. The initiative also emphasizes the importance of DEI trainings and financial inclusion offerings for its members and corporate partners. The Commitment to Change program has gained great momentum within the credit union industry, and is sure to be part of Renée’s lasting legacy on AACUC and the movement itself.

​

“This initiative joins together organizations within the credit union industry in an effort to eliminate racism. These partnerships are creating new financial investments that will have a long-term impact on our employees, our members, and the communities we serve,” Renée says.

​

​