SNELLVILLE, Ga. – The African-American Credit Union Coalition (AACUC) has named four “exceptional emerging leaders” as recipients of its 2026 Commitment to Change Young Professionals Leadership Awards.
The AACUC said the award recognize their “bold, mindful, and brave leadership in advancing equity and helping eradicate racism within the credit union industry.”
“Young professionals hold a special place at AACUC,” said Renée Sattiewhite, president/CEO of AACUC, said in a statement. “They are not only the future of the credit union movement, but they are shaping its direction today. These honorees exemplify the courage, intentionality, and innovation required to advance equity and expand access to financial opportunity in meaningful and lasting ways.”
The biennial awards ceremony is part of AACUC’s Commitment to Change: Credit Unions Unite Against Racism initiative, which promotes the credit union 8th Cooperative Principle—Diversity, Equity and Inclusion—while advancing financial inclusion, closing the racial wealth gap, and strengthening community impact, the organization stated.
AACUC said honorees are selected based on their embodiment of the initiative’s call to action: Be Bold. Be Mindful. Be Brave.
The Honorees
The honorees are:
Commitment to Change Young Professionals Leadership Brave Award: Jasmine Taylor-Newton, Community & Program Coordinator-YP Liaison, Illinois Credit Union League
Jasmine Taylor-Newton served at Great Lakes Credit Union for eight years in roles including branch manager before joining the Illinois Credit Union League in 2022 as the Young Professional Liaison. Taylor-Newton holds a master’s degree in Adult Education and Training and was recognized as a 2020 Illinois Governmental Affairs Conference Crasher and Spirit of Service Award recipient. An active industry leader, she serves as an AACUC Midwest Regional Chapter Officer and has participated in several AACUC and external programs, including the Rosemary Brinkley C-Leadership Development Program, BoardReady Training and the 1:1Woman Mentorship Program as both mentee and mentor.
Outside of work, she enjoys journaling, family game nights and time with her three fur babies, AACUC said.
2026 Commitment to Change Young Professionals Leadership Bold Award: Makala Bloise-Worthy, Director of Training and Implementation, America’s First Network Credit Union
Makala Bloise-Worthy empowers staff to maximize their full potential, drives innovative initiatives that transform members’ experiences and champions bold solutions that move the credit union forward, according to AACUC. Beyond her professional role, she mentors students in the Groton Public School system and volunteers on her credit union’s events committee, extending her impact to the community.
“Known for her collaborative spirit and audacious approach, she inspires the next generation of credit union leaders to lead with purpose, confidence, and courage,” AACUC said.
2026 Commitment to Change Young Professionals Leadership Mindful Award: Thalia Anguiano, Credit Union DEI Advisor with TruStage
Thalia Anguiano guides credit union leaders through their diversity, equity inclusion (DEI) learning journeys and emerging markets strategies, AACUC said. She earned the Credit Union Development Educator distinction in 2022 and is a Young Professionals ERG leader and Illinois Credit Union League Young Professional Advisory Committee member.
Anguiano holds a Bachelor of Arts in Public Relations and Pre-Law from Drake University and a Master of Education in Higher Education Administration from Kent State University.
“She is deeply committed to addressing food insecurity in Chicago by distributing groceries to hundreds of residents and equally committed to supporting immigration legal clinics,” according to AACUC.
Young Professional of the Year Award: Jaylen Boney, Relationship Manager, Community Engagement Liaison – Virginia Market, Chartway Credit Union
Jaylen Boney is a graduate of Morehouse College and member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, and is passionate about coaching teams and building effective, purpose-driven habits within the credit union movement, AACUC said.
“With three years of emotionally intelligent leadership experience, he is a proven change agent,” the organization stated. “At Chartway Credit Union, he serves in a dual role as the first relationship manager at its flagship branch and as community engagement liaison for the Virginia market—a role he helped design. In this capacity, he advances strategy focused on underserved communities while mentoring peers and championing advocacy, inclusion and untapped potential.”
Boney is one of three credit union young professionals that was selected by The League of Credit Unions & Affiliates to represent the State of Virginia within their Emerging Professional Network (EPN) LEADs Program cohort this year, AACUC said.
Virtual Broadcast
The event will be broadcast virtual on May 15 with
Maricela Castillo, lead research consultant, Multicultural Business Strategy with Trustage, will serve as emcee for the awards ceremony.
For info: aacuc.org/events.
