As Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. once said, “The time is always right to do what is right.” These words remind us that purpose, integrity, and compassion are timeless values—especially relevant in challenging times. Today, it’s easy to feel divided by politics, beliefs, and experiences. But when we look closer, our shared humanity and need for community are far stronger than any differences.

I believe purpose is what grounds us, and credit unions are one way to see the power of community in action. Purpose is the "why" that drives us, the reason we get up every morning. It’s the light we reach for, the thread that binds our actions to deeper meaning. Purpose drives us to help others, even when they hold different perspectives. It brings hope in the face of despair, reminding us that what we share is greater than what divides us.

Since I was young, my purpose has been to make the world a better place. When I discovered credit unions, they felt like a perfect fit. Created to help people when banks wouldn’t, credit unions have spent over a century improving life for American consumers. This shared purpose continues to bring people together, just as my neighborhood does.

My neighborhood is a microcosm of America—diverse in backgrounds, beliefs, and life stories. We’re a blend of young and old, gay and straight, conservative and liberal, from different walks of life and countries. This diversity is our strength, but it sometimes leads to friction.

Recently, when two hurricanes hit us in quick succession, our neighborhood suffered heavy damage. Homes were destroyed, belongings ruined, and the place we loved was reduced to piles of debris, sewage, and saltwater. Yet, amid this chaos, our neighborhood united. Neighbors put aside differences to help one another—a couple lending their shop vac to a struggling neighbor, a single mom saving another neighbor's house from damage, a retired firefighter wading through four feet of water to rescue a neighbor. Amid the debris and floodwater, we found strength in one another and built hope together.

Credit union professionals have a unique superpower: empathy. We work in credit unions because we believe in the power of our teams, the mission to improve the financial lives of members, and the goal of elevating our communities. In small and big ways, we come together within our organizations as part of a larger system to help make the world a better place.

Reflecting on my neighborhood’s spirit of community and the credit union movement’s focus on empathy, I think about the broader landscape across the U.S. Right now, our differences in beliefs, backgrounds, and identities feel more pronounced than ever. Sometimes these differences seem like insurmountable divides, as if people are living in separate worlds. But life is rarely that simple.

In moments of hardship, we’re reminded of a fundamental truth: our shared humanity outweighs our differences. Just as in my neighborhood, people across the country have the potential to come together and build connections that bridge divides. In times of struggle, our differences become secondary to the powerful bond of simply being there for each other.

I often hear the question, “How do we move forward together?” This speaks to our desire for unity and the reality of our divisions. Moving forward together isn’t about forcing agreement; it’s about finding common ground in shared values like kindness, empathy, and a commitment to helping others. Unity doesn’t mean uniformity; it means recognizing the humanity in others and connecting based on both similarities and differences. Credit unions can help lead the way by telling our story and continuing to lift people up.

This won’t happen in a vacuum or because I write these words—it requires intentionality and starts with each of us. Unity isn’t about avoiding disagreement; it’s about moving forward despite it. What if, instead of focusing on divisions, we sought to understand the experiences and values that shape others’ views? What if we approached conversations with curiosity? What if we focused on our purpose, our guiding light, and let it guide how we show up for ourselves, our families, and our communities?

The lessons from my neighborhood’s recovery remind us that unity is built on shared purpose and compassion. When we step outside our comfort zones and let empathy guide us, we create a foundation for true community—a community where, regardless of our differences, we are all in this together.

As our country faces uncertain times, we have a choice. We can dwell on what divides us, or we can focus on our shared humanity. We can let our differences drive us apart, or we can let our shared struggles and aspirations bring us closer. If we choose the latter, we may find the strength we need already within us, ignited by the compassion we show each other.

Growing up, my dad used to say that integrity means closing the gap between words and actions. It’s about doing what’s right and making others feel valued because, as Maya Angelou said, “People will forget what you said, they will forget what you did, but they will never forget how you made them feel.”

In times like these, the credit union superpower of empathy can guide us. Kindness and curiosity can keep us moving forward. No matter what challenges lie ahead, it’s our communities that will bring us together. Community requires everyone’s participation. Even small gestures of kindness, like those shown by my neighbors, can create ripples of hope and resilience that uplift entire communities. In the days, weeks, and months ahead, I’m committed to finding common ground, approaching others with curiosity and kindness, and creating small ripples of hope and resilience that can benefit us all. Will you join me?

Original article available here.