I've had the opportunity to attend a lot of conferences over the years, and one of the things that stood out to me throughout the African American Credit Union Coalition Annual Conference was the sense of fellowship among attendees. It extended well beyond the scheduled sessions and networking events, and it was something I noticed throughout my time in Alpharetta.

This year's theme, "Not Like Us: We’re Bold, Mindful and Brave…The Remix" was palpable throughout the conference, not because speakers repeatedly referenced it from the stage, but because those qualities came through in the conversations taking place in meeting rooms, hallways and networking events. Attendees contemplated difficult topics, celebrated meaningful accomplishments and shared stories that reflected the challenges and opportunities facing credit unions today.

The conference opened with Olympic gold medalist Gail Devers, whose keynote centered on resilience, perseverance, and purpose. Having attended more conferences than I can count, I don't say this lightly: it was one of the best keynote presentations I've experienced. Devers shared stories from her own life that resonated on both a professional and personal level with me and with others I spoke with throughout the event.

The morning continued with a panel discussion titled, "George Floyd 2020... Where Are We Now?" Moderated by Erin Coleman of Callahan & Associates, the session featured Tonita Webb of Verity Credit Union, Kevin Martin of Desert Financial Credit Union and Anthony Demangone of America's Credit Unions. More than six years removed from the events that sparked a national conversation, panelists reflected honestly on the progress that has been made, where work remains and how credit unions can continue to have an impact in their communities.

Later in the morning, AACUC president and CEO Renée Sattiewhite facilitated a fireside chat with Cathie Mahon of Inclusiv and Heather McKissick of CUES, focused on bold and brave leadership. Both leaders shared stories about the people and moments that shaped their careers, including those who provided mentorship, support and encouragement along the way.

And I would be remiss if I didn't mention that this was one of many moments throughout the conference where "Miss Renée" demonstrated her unique ability to guide conversations in a way that feels both substantive and personal. Whether moderating a panel, recognizing an award recipient or simply connecting with attendees between sessions, her presence plays a huge role in shaping the culture of AACUC.

There was plenty more on the agenda over the next few days, with strong speakers addressing a wide range of topics relevant to credit unions and their leaders.

Beverly Anderson, president and CEO of BECU, challenged attendees to think about how the credit union industry must continue to evolve to meet changing member expectations. TruStage president and CEO Terrance Williams, joined by Gregory M. Holman, TruStage's chief administrative officer, reflected on the experiences that shaped his career and the importance of recognizing that our own journeys can inspire others.

Scott Simpson of America's Credit Unions spoke about the importance of telling the credit union story in advocacy and demonstrating that story through our everyday actions. He also fielded questions from the audience, making for a good discussion around how the industry can better communicate its value.

On Wednesday, Ivy Glover of Wright-Patt Credit Union opened the day with "Season of Re," a keynote that challenged attendees to think about reinvention and growth while sharing her own perspective and experiences. Quite frankly, I was so impressed with Ivy's perspective and presentation style that I immediately asked her to be a contributor for CUInsight.

Shortly afterward, the panel discussion "Think Like an Attorney. Act Like a Well-Run Credit Union." brought together Dayatra Matthews, Shelton Roulhac, and Stephanie Sykes, with the venerable Maurice Smith serving as moderator. The conversation explored governance, risk and decision-making, with a key point on finding a way to "yes" while maintaining both legal discipline and empathy.

Brandi Stankovic's presentation on leading diverse teams emphasized the importance of creating environments where people with different experiences and viewpoints can contribute and thrive. She also shared a wonderful video recreating Michael Jackson's "Black or White" music video, featuring credit union leaders from across the globe.

The CEO panel, "The Remix," brought together Maurice Dawkins of American Spirit Federal Credit Union, Deborah Fears of Chicago Post Office Employees Credit Union, Delana Huling of Baylor Health Care System Credit Union, Bob McKay of Together Credit Union, and Steven Stapp of Unitus Community Credit Union. The discussion moved between industry challenges and personal reflections, including stories about the panelists' first jobs and the qualities that others see in their leadership.

The afternoon breakout sessions covered topics including entrepreneurship, integrity, advocacy, succession planning, purpose-driven leadership, and bridging generational expectations. Keith Hoskins, retired executive at Navy Federal Credit Union and former commanding officer in the U.S. Navy, brought the educational programming to a close with "Flying High and Flying Low: Activating Your Leadership Flight Plan."

Wednesday evening brought the Pete Crear Lifetime Achievement Awards Dinner, providing an opportunity to recognize three leaders who have made significant contributions to the credit union movement. Marsha Majors, retired president and CEO of US Eagle Federal Credit Union; Mary McDuffie, retired president and CEO of Navy Federal Credit Union; and Gary Perez, president and CEO of USC Credit Union, were this year's recipients.

It was also especially meaningful to see AACUC honor Chuck Fagan, Velera's retiring CEO. As I've shared before, I have tremendous appreciation for the leadership Chuck has shared, both personally with me and with our industry.

Throughout the week, I had the opportunity to reconnect with CUInsight partners, including representatives from Allied Solutions, America's Credit Unions, Coviance, CUCollaborate, CUES, DDJ Myers, Deda Sphere, Elan Credit Card, Envisant, Plexcity, TruStage, Velera, World Council of Credit Unions, and Zealyst. As is often the case, some of the best conversations happened in hotel hallways between sessions, over coffee in the exhibit hall and during the few quiet moments between events.

After several days of thought-provoking conversations and a full agenda, it was also nice to end the conference with some fun. Wednesday night's closing celebration featured a DJ and live band, and attendees clearly enjoyed the opportunity to relax, dance, and spend time together. As a music guy, I have to give a shoutout to the band. That bass player was laying down a serious groove, and the whole band was on it. There was definitely plenty of energy left in the room at the end of the week.

As I left the conference, I found myself reflecting on this year's theme once again. "Bold. Mindful. Brave." showed up in the conversations attendees were willing to have and the stories speakers were willing to share. It also showed up in the way people interacted with one another throughout the week. The fellowship at AACUC was real, and it made the conference feel like much more than a few days of sessions and networking.

Thank you to Miss Renée and the entire AACUC team for an inspiring few days in Alpharetta.

Original article here.