Thank you for joining us for our January CTC Friday Conversation: " Conversation with AACUC Chapters - Envisioning 2024."

Regional Chapters are key players at AACUC in our goal to minimize wealth gaps for underserved communities in the credit union system. During this CTC Friday Conversation, Chapter Officers shared why our alliance is important, but we also learned about their journeys, challenges, and the importance of being a member of a regional chapter. 

Our esteemed panelists were:

• Ashley Franklin, Vice President of Branch Operations, SchoolsFirst Federal Credit Union
• Byron Law, Director of Lending Operations, DC Credit Union 
• Carolyn Jordan, Chief Growth Officer, Neighborhood Credit Union
• Eric Gibbs Sr., VP of Lending, Chicago Post Office Employees Credit Union
• Jamie Keith, Manager, Member Services Support, State Employees' Credit Union of North Carolina

Renée Sattiewhite, President/CEO of the African-American Credit Union Coalition moderated the conversation.

Keep reading to learn more about our panelists.

Ashley Franklin

Vice President of Branch Operations

SchoolsFirst Federal Credit Union

Ashley Franklin is a vibrant professional with diverse experience in banking, team member, and community relations. She is a collaborative and transformational leader, focused on helping those she leads to find the leader in themselves. Ashley studied Psychology and Biology at the University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA) where she received her degree in 2007, and in 2016 she received her MBA from the University of Redlands.

Ashley joined SchoolsFirst Federal Credit Union, headquartered in Tustin, California as a Branch Manager in 2012 and was promoted to Vice President of Branch Operations where she currently leads 16 branches in the Los Angeles County area.

Byron Law

Director of Lending Operations

DC Credit Union 

Byron L. Law has over 29 years of experience in the credit union movement.  He joined the DC Credit Union in Washington, DC as a Senior Loan Officer in 2000.  Byron is committed to serving and empowering a culturally and economically diverse membership.  Byron is a Certified Credit Union Financial Counselor, Community Development Certified Financial Counselor, and Chapter Officer for the Eastern Regional Chapter of the African-American Credit Union Coalition. Byron is noted for helping to develop an affordable housing program in the DC area and payday loan alternative products to help underserved communities.

Byron earned a Bachelor of Science degree in communications from Bowie State University in Bowie, MD. 

Carolyn Jordan

Chief Growth Officer

Neighborhood Credit Union

Carolyn Jordan is the Chief Growth Officer of Neighborhood Credit Union in Dallas, Texas. She leads the areas for the online and mobile digital channels, data analytics, special projects, product development, marketing, and advocacy. Carolyn graduated Magna Cum Laude from Texas A&M-Commerce with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration. She holds a Graduate Marketing Certificate from SMU’s Cox School of Business and a Master of Science in Business Analytics from Texas A&M University-Commerce. Carolyn was named one of the 2023 Women in Technology by the Dallas Business Journal. She serves on the Consumer Depository Institutions Advisory Council for the Dallas Federal Reserve Bank, is a member of the CUNA Operations and Member Experience Council, and is President of the Texas Regional Chapter of the African-American Credit Union Coalition.

Eric Gibbs Sr.

VP of Lending

Chicago Post Office Employees Credit Union

Eric Gibbs is the Vice President of Lending for Chicago Post Office Employees Credit Union (CPOECU). A Boston native, in 2009 Eric took a position with CPOECU. His diverse knowledge base and "people helping people" mentality allowed him to excel in several departments.  Eric’s a loyal Board Member of Illinois Credit Union League’s Chicago Metro Chapter and serves as and serves as President of the Midwest Regional Chapter of the African-American Credit Union Coalition. He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Virginia State University and a Master of Science degree from Roosevelt University in Chicago. He’s a lifelong member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Inc. and routinely volunteers in the south side of the Chicago area.

Jamie Keith

Manager, Member Services Support

State Employees' Credit Union of North Carolina

Jamie Keith was born and raised in Riegelwood, a small town of about 900 residents located in southeastern North Carolina. Born to an entrepreneurial father and mother who worked as a school cafeteria manager for nearly 30 years, Jamie and his three siblings were no strangers to hard work. He attended East Columbus High School in Lake Waccamaw, NC where he excelled in basketball and baseball.

Following graduation, Jamie attended Winston Salem State University where he earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration. After college, Jamie returned to work for the family business but soon decided to relocate to pursue a job opportunity in Durham, NC with IBM. After three short years with IBM as a Help Desk Coordinator, Jamie decided to pursue his passion for helping others and soon accepted a job with North Carolina State Employees’ Credit Union in 2005 where he excelled from an entry-level position up to vice president.

Jamie now holds a Master of Business Administration degree from American InterContinental University and has been an active board member for the Southern Regional Chapter of the African-American Credit Union Coalition for the last seven years. In his spare time, he enjoys spending time with his family (including his 2-year-old goldendoodle), traveling, playing golf, and exploring new business ventures.

Renée Sattiewhite

President/CEO

African-American Credit Union Coalition

Renée Sattiewhite serves as the President/CEO of the African-American Credit Union Coalition (AACUC). With her unique vitality and forward-looking vision, she has created one of the most dynamic organizations in the credit union movement. Her high energy, high expectations and high touch approach for leading the 501c3 nonprofit has created a momentum for growth, change and a compelling commitment towards eradicating racism. Her leadership has successfully propelled the organization forward to offer a credible voice that addresses today’s dialogue on race, equity, and inclusion for all, making AACUC the leading influencer on Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in the credit union movement.

While the country galvanized against racial injustice in 2020 after the deaths of Ahmaud Arbery, George Floyd, and Breonna Taylor and with the growing visibility of the Black Lives Matter movement, Renée became one of the most notable social justice catalysts, encouraging the credit union industry to become more aware of the urgent need for change toward true racial equality and economic justice, resulting in launching AACUC’s Commitment to Change: Credit Unions Unite Against Racism initiative. This consequential, hallmark initiative spurred conversation and action, served as the groundwork for AACUC’s signature programming including the creation of the DEI Academy for Financial Professionals, and was recognized by the National Credit Union Foundation with the rare and prestigious 2022 Anchor Award, which is considered the Nobel Peace Prize of the credit union movement.

In recent years, Renée has been recognized for her leadership and industry contributions. In September 2022, Renée was inducted to America’s Credit Union Museum’s newest display “Credit Union Women Making History….Herstory,” an interactive exhibit highlighting incredible women’s achievements that have made history in the credit union industry and showcasing women’s stories never heard before.

In 2023, she was named one of the Top 10 Admired Leaders by Industry Era Magazine, America’s leading premium business and luxury publication. During the CU Leadership Convention in July 2023, Renée was awarded the inaugural Neoteric Changemaker Award, a national award recognizing an individual who has demonstrated personal perseverance, advanced the cause of “people helping people,” advocated for relevant ideation, and created positive programming for leaders. Also in July 2023, Renée was awarded the prestigious Distinguished Service Award from the African Cooperative Development Foundation, which is the philanthropic arm of the African Confederation of Cooperative Savings and Credit Association, for her global efforts and commitment to credit union development on the continent of Africa.

Renée is a certified diversity professional, a credit union development educator, motivational speaker, executive coach, mentoring trainer, and recognized expert on marketing and branding. She serves as a Board Member of the World Council of Credit Unions Foundation and a Master Trainer for the United Way of Atlanta’s VIP Board Development Program.