LONG BEACH, Calif.–The National Association of Latino Credit Unions and Professionals said it will honor the five-year anniversary of CU Pride during the opening reception of the 2026 NLCUP Conference, which is set for February of this year.
The celebration reflects the meaningful connections shared across our communities and the importance of creating spaces where people can bring their full selves forward, according to the organization.
The NLCUP cited a national study from the Williams Institute at UCLA that found more than 2.3 million adults in the United States identify as both Latinx and LGBTQ+, “yet their experiences are often underrepresented in professional settings.”
“By highlighting this milestone, NLCUP continues its commitment to uplifting the diverse identities within our community and recognizing the richness they bring to the credit union movement,” the organization added.
Championing Visibility
Since its founding in June 2020, CU Pride has championed visibility, inclusion, and belonging for LGBTQ+ professionals across the credit union industry, strengthening community through education, networking, and allyship, the NLCUP said.
It again cited the research from the Williams Institute that also revealed Latinx LGBTQ+ adults experience higher rates of economic insecurity, including a greater likelihood of food insecurity than their non-LGBTQ+ peers.
“At the same time, this community is increasingly shaping the future of the workforce, with nearly two thirds under the age of 35,” the group said. “Together, NLCUP and CU Pride are helping ensure that all professionals have the opportunity to lead and contribute within a welcoming and vibrant credit union community.”
‘Elevate the Mosaic’
“Our five-year milestone began with the message to ‘Elevate the Mosaic.’ The mosaic represents the intricacies of humanity. When you see it up close, it’s hard to see how everything fits, but when you step back, you see how seemingly unrelated pieces join not in perfection but in support, connection, and beauty,” Zach Christensen, executive director of CU Pride, said in a statement. “Our community is one that touches all and so our impact, our design must be intentional and rely on our strengths which is set in the diverse experiences we bring to the table. We could not think of a better way to close out our five-year chapter than celebrating with the NLCUP community.”
BECU is Sponsor
BECU is a sponsor of this year’s NLCUP conference and was the first credit union to become a Pioneer Ally, the highest level of support to CU Pride.
“We appreciate NLCUP in creating intentional space at its national conference for CU Pride to celebrate this major milestone and bringing life to our five-year partnership,” Frederico Borrego Higareda, chair of BECU’s Pride Advocacy Collective employee resource group, said in a statement. “Through our CU Pride membership, our employees have gained invaluable access to spaces where industry innovators and dedicated allies are shaping a more equitable future for LGBTQ+ employees and members. This partnership has opened doors to learning, connection, and dialogue that we would not have experienced otherwise. We are deeply grateful for the knowledge, visibility, and perspective it has brought to our credit union.”
The celebration will take place during the Welcome Reception at the 2026 NLCUP Conference, hosted Feb. 1 to 4 at the Hilton Long Beach.
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