Members of the African-American Credit Union Coalition met in Detroit last week to outline ways to
About 150 people from across the country participated in the four-day conference at the Renaissance Marriott Center
"I think it was a very exciting conference, the best one yet,'' said AACUC President Herbert Hoosman Jr. "It looks
The organization was formed five years ago to increase awareness of credit unions as a viable career opportunity for
"We are not a trade association and we don't want to be a trade association," Hoosman said. "And we don't want
With the support of credit union leaders, leagues and trade associations, he said, the AACUC expects to carry out its
Hoosman said he was particularly pleased with the new faces-many of them non African-American-who attended
Michigan Credit Union League President David Adams was among them.
"I can assure you the Michigan Credit Union League supports your mission wholeheartedly,'' he said. "Future
AACUC Chairman Emeritus Michael Hale called the organization a "friend of all races'' with its focus on
In addition to its successes with its internship and mentoring programs, he said, the organization has done initial
Among the plans laid out during break out sessions were how to go about raising funds to support efforts that include
Along with several educational sessions, a regulatory legislative update and a motivational lecture from 100 Black
Students See CUs As Career
Hoosman told the crowd that it was Crear who helped officially organize the AACUC, whose initial members had
Crear was also at the helm of organizing several credit unions and served as president of both the Connecticut Credit
"He is an intelligent, courageous individual who has made a difference on behalf of CU's in Michigan, across our
Hale said his credit union career started as a summer job. "I took a $2,000 pay cut to take the job,'' he recalled. "My
Among the other highlights of the conference, Hoosman said, was when a group of college interns gave a
"When you see that, you can't help but feel good about what you are doing,'' Hoosman said.