2022: Looking Forward with Optimism

When I first came on board, some of the challenges I faced caused me to reflect on my late mother’s words: “Be careful, child, that you’re not taking two steps forward and one step back.” While those words described a portion of my initial journey, I know that successful journeys rarely unfold in a straight line.

I have no plans to reflect here on the challenges we face while maneuvering a matrix of unknowns. Instead, I’d like to share how the vision of Village Financial Credit Union (VFCU) has inspired and motivated not just Association of Black Economic Power (ABEP), but others around the country as well.

The challenges of VFCU’s journey is well known in our community. What wasn’t known, however, is how many people and organizations were — and still are — eagerly willing to assist if the opportunity presents itself. While this is not the time to call them out individually, this is the perfect time to tell you that local, state and national industry experts are currently leaning in and offering their support in a variety of ways because they see what we see: the need to create community economic development through institutional economic power; VFCU is an opportunity to effect positive change, empower growth and economic stability; and VFCU will be so much more than a financial institution for the community it serves, but also a source of pride and opportunity.

I look forward with optimism because I know we have industry experts from every functional area of the credit union helping pave the way. We have dedicated volunteers helping us chip away at the endless tasks, and a solid and engaged community steering committee keeping the priorities of the community in the forefront of everything we do.

As we continue to move forward, I want to thank the well-wishers who have supported this effort for such a long time. Specifically, I want to thank the volunteers who have already given countless hours and are prepared to give even more. We really could not do this without you.

Finally, it’s hard to put into words how challenging this process is. However, it’s extremely clear to me that it’s a privilege of a lifetime to work on such an important initiative, and I am humbled and honored to play a role in bringing it to fruition.