Celebrating ANHPI Community and Diversity

During Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander (ANHPI) Heritage Month, we at BECU highlight, honor and celebrate these communities' histories and cultures. We also recognize the centuries of social and economic barriers they have faced. The remarkable contributions of Native peoples, brave immigrants and multi-generational families have had such a positive impact on our society and illuminate a pathway for a brighter future for everyone.

I am new to the Pacific Northwest, and I am enjoying discovering the area. When I meet new colleagues, chat with new neighbors and walk the neighborhoods, I'm thrilled to learn about the mosaic of different people that make up my new home. The ANHPI community is central to Washington's social and cultural strength. We all benefit from the long history of ANHPI contributions to entrepreneurship, farming, education, the arts, science and engineering, business, sports and public service. Our personal connections with ANHPI friends, families, coworkers and neighbors enrich our lives and help us grow to be a more inclusive society.

In conversations with our ANHPI employees, members and community leaders, I've heard how valuable it is to come together to discuss common interests, issues and experiences with other people who identify as ANHPI. I also understand how important it is to honor the incredible diversity across the many ANHPI cultures and nationalities. That diversity includes one of the widest ranges of income, wealth and overall financial health of these populations in the U.S. As a member-owned cooperative and financial institution, it is our purpose to serve our communities, and it is our responsibility to not only understand and recognize how ANHPI experiences differ, but to meet our communities where they are.

Our efforts carry on in the spirit of leaders in Washington's history who helped build a path toward financial freedom. We look to the work of trailblazers like Wing Luke, who, in 1963, won the passage of the Open Housing Ordinance to help provide equitable access to housing, and Velma Veloria, who, in 1970, organized cannery workers to unionize for better wages.

We have been fortunate to see the labors and dreams of so many people attain a breadth of accomplishment in culture, industry and leadership. My pledge as CEO of a financial institution with nearly 1.4 million credit union members, is that we honor our shared values and ambitions. It is with this in mind that we at BECU strive to develop culturally appropriate, authentic and equitable access to our financial products, services and support of our communities.

Through engagement, investment and partnership, we are committed to sustaining and strengthening ANHPI communities while empowering social and economic success.

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