Celebrating Black History Month

As February 1 marks the start to Black History month, we reflect, honor, and celebrate the many contributions by Black Americans not only this month but 365 days a year. This year’s theme for Black History Month, set by Association for the Study of African American Life and History, is “Black resistance”. Throughout United States’ history, Black Americans have consistently fought and pushed for equal rights, encouraging all to dismantle systems of oppression that are ingrained in our country. As a financial institution we recognize that throughout our history we have participated in the financial oppression that is ongoing today, including but not limited to the gender and racial wealth gap.

At Verity, we are committed to our Black community and are proud to partner with and support Black-owned businesses, nonprofits, and organizations who are focused on closing the generational wealth gap and fostering prosperity for all. Learn about a few of our partners below:

• Housing Development Consortium and the Black Homeownership Initiative: An effort led by Coalition for More Housing Choices and Housing Development Consortium, the initiative is focused on increasing and sustaining Black homeownership rates in Washington State.
• Mt. Tahoma Seventh Day Adventist’s Financial Freedom Program: The Tacoma-based church is providing members of the community with a comprehensive program that is tied to financial education, coaching, and incentives to encourage financial growth and support for long-term financial stability.
• Black Owned Business Excellence: A coalition of organizations and individuals working together to support and increase Black owned businesses across Washington. Their 4th annual symposium kicks off Black History Month today (February 1) – register now!  
• African Community Housing & Development: Their mission is to provide opportunities for African Diaspora immigrant and refugee communities, families, and individuals in South King County to attain health and housing stability, economic development, high-quality education, and referrals to legal services. (Check out a recent Seattle Medium profile of ACHDO)
• HomeSight and Othello Square: The long-awaited community development project, led by HomeSight, will bring a culturally relevant and welcoming place where Southeast Seattle residents can access opportunities for higher education, well-paying jobs, starting a business, and homeownership. You can learn about Verity’s involvement in this project, including opening a branch and offering co-op loans to help more people own their residences, at veritycu.com/Othello-square.

Learn

We invite you to join us in reflecting on history so that we can learn from it, not repeat it.

• Prosperity Now and their study on Racial Wealth Divide in Seattle
• Seattle Municipal Archives Seattle Open Housing Campaign Digital Document Library

Act

• Support Black owned small businesses year-round. You can search for businesses to support in your area on Intentionalist.com
• Donate to Black led nonprofits and organizations. If you’re looking for some suggestions, check out Africatown Community Land Trust or Black Future Co-Op Fund