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Beneficial State Foundation

@beneficialstfdn.bsky.social
166 followers 319 following 78 posts

Our mission is to change the banking system for good.

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Beneficial State Foundation @beneficialstfdn.bsky.social · 30/09/2026
Community Benefits Agreements can help communities shape the investments that affect them. At #JustFutureSummit, Francis Janes will moderate a conversation on community power, accountability, and reinvestment. Learn more from his session last year: bit.ly/47qCN24 #EconomicJustice
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Our Fair Share: Designing Impactful Community Benefit Agreements, Greenlining's Equity Lab
Greenlining hosted an Equity Lab in Los Angeles, a solutions-oriented workshop for equity advocates, practitioners, partners, and community members.
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Beneficial State Foundation @beneficialstfdn.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
Erin Kilmer Neel, our Executive Director, will join leaders at The Greenlining Institute's #JustFutureSummit for “Equity by Design,” exploring how to build institutions that are accountable, inclusive, and built for lasting change. bit.ly/3TSTaRQ #EconomicJustice
web.cvent.com
Just Future Summit 2026
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Beneficial State Foundation @beneficialstfdn.bsky.social · 10/09/2026
Our Senior Industry Relations Director, Francis Janes, joined #PolicyLinkSummit2026 alongside leaders from across the country working toward a thriving multiracial democracy. Lasting change requires listening to communities, building trust, and sharing power. #WeAreTheFounders
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Beneficial State Foundation @beneficialstfdn.bsky.social · 31/08/2026
Francis Janes, our Senior Industry Relations Director, will join the #JustFutureSummit, hosted by The Greenlining Institute, to moderate a panel on how Community Benefits Agreements can help communities shape development around their needs and priorities. Learn more: bit.ly/4gBZrZB
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Beneficial State Foundation @beneficialstfdn.bsky.social · 21/08/2026
Maria Sennett, Senior Manager of Equitable Bank Standards, is joining #BOWA2026 to present “Rewriting the Rules of Credit,” focused on advancing housing stability through equity-centered underwriting. Learn more: bit.ly/45ClgDp #FinancialBelonging #BankOnWA
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Beneficial State Foundation @beneficialstfdn.bsky.social · 18/08/2026
New @urbaninstitute.bsky.social research shares lessons from a cohort of lenders that spent 2 years testing more inclusive underwriting through our Underwriting for Racial Justice program. The takeaway: Rethinking underwriting can expand access to credit. Read: urbn.is/4hFYRfF
urban.org
The Underwriting for Racial Justice Lender Pilot
To address the systemic underwriting challenges that undermine financial inclusion and wealth building for historically disadvantaged communities, Beneficial…
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Beneficial State Foundation @beneficialstfdn.bsky.social · 18/06/2026
In March 1865, Congress chartered Freedman’s Savings Bank for African American soldiers and recently emancipated survivors of slavery. The bank collapsed in 1874, and its history leaves us lessons about trust, accountability, and repair today. #Banking #Justice #Juneteenth
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Beneficial State Foundation @beneficialstfdn.bsky.social · 27/05/2026
Our Industry Relations & Partnerships Manager, Angelique Cooper, joined #EMERGE2026 in Atlanta. A clear theme emerged: expanding opportunity requires commitment to #FinHealth and trust-based strategies. Banking leaders: let's keep working on our practices! #EMERGE #FinancialHealth #EconomicJustice
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Beneficial State Foundation @beneficialstfdn.bsky.social · 15/05/2026
We’re thrilled that Beneficial State Bank, BetterFi, New Orleans Firemen's Federal Credit Union, and Working Solutions CDFI are continuing in our pilot program for another year. Here’s to more learning, innovation, & access to credit. 🔗 bit.ly/4dHQAoS #EconomicJustice #FinancialInclusion
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Beneficial State Foundation and Stratyfy Announce Next Phase of Groundbreaking Underwriting for Racial Justice Lender Pilot Program -- Beneficial State Foundation
Following a successful two-year pilot, a select group of lenders will continue to innovate their underwriting practices and expand access to credit through the Underwriting for Racial Justice Lender Pilot Program.
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Beneficial State Foundation @beneficialstfdn.bsky.social · 30/04/2026
Lenders can expand access to credit for historically excluded communities without increasing risk. Our ED Erin Kilmer Neel moderated a Just Economy (@justeconomy.bsky.social) panel on our Underwriting for Racial Justice pilot. Learn more: beneficialstate.org/urj/ #FinancialJustice
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Beneficial State Foundation @beneficialstfdn.bsky.social · 24/04/2026
AI is making millions of credit decisions daily. Whose values are embedded in those models? Surjit Chana makes the case for a moral architecture for AI in banking. americanbanker.com/podcast/what-a-moral-architecture-for-ai-in-banking-would-look-like #AIinBanking #FinancialJustice #ResponsibleAI
americanbanker.com
What a 'moral architecture' for AI in banking would look like
Surjit Chana, a board member of Beneficial State Bank, a Harvard Fellow and a tech committee member of the Global Alliance for Banking Values, explains why there's a need for what he calls a moral arc...
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Beneficial State Foundation @beneficialstfdn.bsky.social · 23/04/2026
AI displacing workers is a real risk. But AI boosting worker dignity and resilience is also possible. Vote to bring this timely conversation to SOCAP26 before April 26. socapglobal.com/session-idea/using-ai-to-boost-worker-dignity-and-resilience #SOCAP26 #WorkerDignity #AIforGood
socapglobal.com
Using AI to Boost Worker Dignity and Resilience - SOCAP Global
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Beneficial State Foundation @beneficialstfdn.bsky.social · 21/04/2026
What does place-based community investment look like in practice? Fifth Third Bank's Neighborhood Program has mobilized over $610M across nine historically disinvested neighborhoods. See how: beneficialstate.org/casestudies/... #CommunityBanking #FinancialJustice #AffordableHousing
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Beneficial State Foundation @beneficialstfdn.bsky.social · 20/04/2026
What does values-based banking look like in practice? In 2025, Beneficial State Bank directed 80%+ of its lending toward social and environmental outcomes. See how: beneficialstate.org/casestudies/... #CommunityBanking #FinancialJustice #CDFIBanking
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Beneficial State Foundation @beneficialstfdn.bsky.social · 17/04/2026
Over a century of community-rooted banking in one of the nation's most underbanked regions. Texas National Bank shows what aligning banking with community priorities looks like. Learn more: beneficialstate.org/casestudies/... #CommunityBanking #FinancialJustice
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Beneficial State Foundation @beneficialstfdn.bsky.social · 17/04/2026
What does it look like to rethink mortgage lending to reach borrowers that traditional underwriting leaves out? NOFFCU is showing the way. Explore their case study: beneficialstate.org/casestudies/... #FinancialJustice #InclusiveLending #CommunityBanking
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Beneficial State Foundation @beneficialstfdn.bsky.social · 01/04/2026
Banking deserts are not natural. About 12.3M Americans live in them, with millions more at risk. As our ED Erin Kilmer Neel notes in @usnews.com, those without nearby branches often pay more for basic financial services. www.usnews.com/banking/arti... #FinancialJustice
usnews.com
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Beneficial State Foundation @beneficialstfdn.bsky.social · 31/03/2026
Our colleague Francis Janes joined the 2026 National Community Investment Conference. Key takeaway: expanding access to credit and financial services in LMI communities requires strong partnerships. Watch WRK Group’s work in Delaware: bit.ly/4sakpCG #FinancialJustice
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Beneficial State Foundation @beneficialstfdn.bsky.social · 30/03/2026
We’re co-sponsoring a Just Futures webinar on how nonprofit investments may support harmful industries and how to realign portfolios with mission and values. Join the conversation on April 8, 2026 at 1 PM ET. Register here: bit.ly/justfutures_... #FinancialJustice
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Beneficial State Foundation @beneficialstfdn.bsky.social · 24/03/2026
Our ED Erin Kilmer Neel is speaking at @NCRC’s #JustEconomy Conference! Her session explores how underwriting can better serve communities and expand fair access to credit. Join her April 15, 9:30–10:45 AM ET: ncrc.org/conference #UnderwritingForRacialJustice @justeconomy.bsky.social
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Beneficial State Foundation @beneficialstfdn.bsky.social · 17/03/2026
As banks adopt AI, the real question is what we want it to do for society. In American Banker, Surjit Chana explores why values must guide financial AI. Through URJ, we’re testing how AI can expand access to credit: www.americanbanker.com/opinion/ai-i... #EquitableBanking
americanbanker.com
AI is learning and teaching finance. Who will teach it values?
If we allow algorithms to inherit yesterday's incentives — maximizing return, minimizing empathy — then tomorrow's system will be flawlessly efficient at reproducing inequality.
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Beneficial State Foundation @beneficialstfdn.bsky.social · 25/02/2026
#BlackHistoryMonth reminds us how the financial industry shapes trust and harm. Access is not enough. Rebuilding trust requires co-design and community governance. New piece by Quinn Williams: beneficialstate.org/perspectives... #FinancialInclusion #EquitableBanking
beneficialstate.org
To Build Trust with Black Communities, Banks Must Co-Design with Them — Beneficial State Foundation
How can banks rebuild trust in Black communities? Explore the history behind financial distrust and a path toward shared ownership and collective wealth.
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Beneficial State Foundation @beneficialstfdn.bsky.social · 24/02/2026
Beneficial State Bank has signed a new collective bargaining agreement with @cwaunion.bsky.social, continuing its historic labor partnership. Fair banking includes worker voice and shared accountability. Strong institutions start from within. Read more: bit.ly/4tQzfjF #EconomicJustice #WorkerPower
beneficialstatebank.com
Beneficial State Bank | Beneficial State Bank signs new Collective…
Beneficial State Bank has reached its second agreement with unionized employees represented by the CWA.
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Beneficial State Foundation @beneficialstfdn.bsky.social · 20/02/2026
We’re proud to cosponsor a Just Futures webinar on how 401(k)s can support immigrant detention and surveillance. Learn what that means for financial accountability and what investors can do: bit.ly/justfutures_... #FinancialJustice
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Beneficial State Foundation @beneficialstfdn.bsky.social · 12/02/2026
Proud to contribute to American Bankers Association Foundation's vision for banking's next century. Our two ideas, Underwriting for Racial Justice & Equitable Bank Standards, offer practical pathways to expand access and integrate racial justice goals into daily banking operations: bit.ly/3MaOJ17
beneficialstate.org
Beneficial State Foundation featured among bold ideas that will help shape banking's next century — Beneficial State Foundation
How can banks advance financial inclusion? Explore equitable lending practices and community-focused standards shaping the future of banking.
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Beneficial State Foundation @beneficialstfdn.bsky.social · 10/02/2026
What would it take for banks to move away from extraction toward climate resilience, racial justice, and community wealth? On the Next Economy Now podcast, @seattlechef.bsky.social discusses banking as a lever for social and environmental justice: www.lifteconomy.com/blog/francis...
lifteconomy.com
Mission-Driven Banking and Systems Change (w/ Francis Janes) — LIFT Economy
What would it take for banks to move away from capital extraction and toward climate resilience, racial justice, and community wealth? Francis Janes, Senior Director of Industry Relations and Partners...
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Beneficial State Foundation @beneficialstfdn.bsky.social · 06/02/2026
What happens when communities are invited into financial systems not built to protect them? Join us this #BlackHistoryMonth for a live conversation on Freedman’s Savings Bank and its lessons for racial economic justice today: bit.ly/FreedmanWebi....
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Beneficial State Foundation @beneficialstfdn.bsky.social · 19/01/2026
Dr. King reminded us there is no freedom without economic justice. On MLK Day, honoring his legacy means confronting harm in our financial system and committing to community wellbeing over short-term profit. Read more: beneficialstate.org/perspectives... #MLKDay #EconomicJustice #FinancialJustice
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Beneficial State Foundation @beneficialstfdn.bsky.social · 16/01/2026
“Over the last two years, Beneficial State Foundation has been quietly running one of the most important experiments in American finance: Underwriting for Racial Justice.” Worth a read: this thoughtful piece on the progress and possibilities in underwriting. bit.ly/4sFtd4Z
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The Future of Underwriting
Regenerative Finance Begins at the Smallest Decision
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Beneficial State Foundation @beneficialstfdn.bsky.social · 18/12/2025
All we want for the holidays is a better banking system. URJ partners are using people-first underwriting and AI to expand fair access to capital. Watch the full webinar: youtu.be/0oLZB7cprMY #UnderwritingForRacialJustice #FinancialJustice #EquitableBanking #RacialEquity #HappyHolidays
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Beneficial State Foundation @beneficialstfdn.bsky.social · 16/12/2025
Proposed rollbacks to Regulation B and Section 1071 would weaken fair lending enforcement and put communities at risk. Fair lending laws only work when regulators have the tools to enforce them. Read our full statement: beneficialstate.org/perspectives... #FairLending
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Beneficial State Foundation @beneficialstfdn.bsky.social · 15/12/2025
2025 brought real challenges, but also bright spots of progress in banking. Our latest blog post highlights five ways the sector moved forward — from stronger community focus to better access to credit and climate-aligned finance. Read more: beneficialstate.org/perspectives...
beneficialstate.org
5 Ways Banking Moved Forward in 2025 — Beneficial State Foundation
Five key trends that shaped fair banking in 2025, including access to credit, climate-friendly investment, consumer protections, and people-first banking standards.
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Beneficial State Foundation @beneficialstfdn.bsky.social · 05/12/2025
Leaders from Stratyfy, BetterFi, Working Solutions CDFI, and Beneficial State Foundation explore how AI-driven underwriting is shaping fair access to capital and opening doors to dignity and opportunity. 🔗 youtu.be/0oLZB7cprMY
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Building the Future of Lending: How AI is Reshaping Underwriting
YouTube video by Beneficial State Foundation
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Beneficial State Foundation @beneficialstfdn.bsky.social · 04/12/2025
Customers want banks to support community wellbeing and most bankers agree. 98% would launch products without immediate profit if they meet community needs, and 69% want to learn how to build banking that strengthens communities. Read more: bit.ly/3KHAikb #FinancialJustice
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New Survey Reveals Majority of Bankers Want to Support Community Wellbeing — Beneficial State Foundation
A new survey from Beneficial State Foundation reveals most bankers want to support community wellbeing, challenging assumptions about profit-first banking and highlighting momentum for equitable, peop...
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Beneficial State Foundation @beneficialstfdn.bsky.social · 26/11/2025
Our colleagues Maria Sennett, Francis Janes, Anil Awasti, and Elsie Rowell joined @raceforward.org's Just Narratives Convening, where speakers like Alok Vaid-Menon urged creating liberatory spaces. We’re energized to keep co-creating them, rooted in dignity and repair, within the banking system.
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Beneficial State Foundation @beneficialstfdn.bsky.social · 10/11/2025
Banking shapes the world—and now so does AI. Guided by inclusion and accountability, both can expand freedom. At Beneficial State Foundation, we’re defining what fair banking looks like—and putting it into practice. #ChatGABV #BankingOnValues #FinancialJustice
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Beneficial State Foundation @beneficialstfdn.bsky.social · 23/10/2025
At @sustainablebrands.bsky.social, our Senior Industry Relations Director, Francis Janes led a session on the state of #DEIB in Corporate America, highlighting new research. The takeaway: cutting DEIB isn’t neutral—it risks talent, reputation & trust. 🔗 www.catalyst.org/insights/202...
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Beneficial State Foundation @beneficialstfdn.bsky.social · 21/10/2025
Are relationships shaping your lending decisions intentionally or unconsciously? Our new tools help lenders use relationships to expand opportunity, not bias. 🔗 bit.ly/46oxqzv #UnderwritingForRacialJustice #FairFinance
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Beneficial State Foundation @beneficialstfdn.bsky.social · 17/10/2025
Relationships shape nearly every loan decision. Left unchecked, they can privilege the well-connected and disadvantage borrowers of color. With structure and intention, those same dynamics can build fairness and trust: bit.ly/46oxqzv #FinancialJustice #UnderwritingForRacialJustice #FairFinance
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Beneficial State Foundation @beneficialstfdn.bsky.social · 08/10/2025
What if banks used risk to expand access—not restrict it? In our #UnderwritingForRacialJustice session, Aben Hill shares how to challenge outdated models & embed equity in lending. Watch here: youtu.be/LZs4hWEp9j4
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A Lender’s Take on Why Racial Equity Matters
YouTube video by Beneficial State Foundation
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Beneficial State Foundation @beneficialstfdn.bsky.social · 07/10/2025
Fintechs are reshaping credit decisions. What does this mean for banks? Join Stratyfy, BetterFi, Working Solutions CDFI & Beneficial State Foundation to explore AI-driven underwriting in practice—and what it means for access to capital: bit.ly/URJ-AI-Webinar
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Beneficial State Foundation @beneficialstfdn.bsky.social · 01/10/2025
Our session “What If Underwriting Was Built for Justice?” is up for @justeconomy.bsky.social's 2026 #JustEconomy Conference! Inspired by our Underwriting for Racial Justice program which brings lenders, regulators, advocates & borrowers together to reimagine credit. Vote: bit.ly/URJ-NCRC-Vote
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Beneficial State Foundation @beneficialstfdn.bsky.social · 26/09/2025
Our Sr. Director of Strategic Comms joined the Next Narrative Summit with leaders across philanthropy, academia & business. Together they explored how 39M ‘builders’ are shaping better tomorrows through Asset-Framing & equity rooted in ownership. #NextNarrative25 #AssetFraming #Equity
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Beneficial State Foundation @beneficialstfdn.bsky.social · 19/09/2025
Credit scores don’t tell the full story. Many lenders look at “character,” but without structure it can reinforce bias. Our new blog post shows how relationship-based lending can expand opportunity with intention and shares tools for more fair practices. 🔗 Read more: bit.ly/46oxqzv
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Beneficial State Foundation @beneficialstfdn.bsky.social · 11/09/2025
We’re excited to share that Francis Janes, our Sr. Director of Industry Relations & Partnerships, will speak at @sustainablebrands.bsky.social ’25 in San Diego! He’ll join a panel on how companies can unlock the value of diversity—for people, business, and brand: bit.ly/SustainableB...
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Beneficial State Foundation @beneficialstfdn.bsky.social · 07/08/2025
Join Aben Hill of Strategic Edge Solutions as he shares how lived experience shaped a more equitable approach to lending. 📅 Wed, Aug 13 | 9am PT/12pm ET 🔗 bit.ly/URJAugustMee... #RacialEquity #FinancialJustice #UnderwritingForRacialJustice
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Beneficial State Foundation @beneficialstfdn.bsky.social · 06/08/2025
What if banks centered people and used capital for social and environmental good? Just Money is a free, self-paced @mitxcourses.bsky.social course on how banks can advance justice, equity & community well-being. Enroll: bit.ly/JustMoneyCou... #EconomicJustice #Banking
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Just Money: Banking as if Society Mattered
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Beneficial State Foundation @beneficialstfdn.bsky.social · 01/08/2025
Lending is more than numbers. It’s about listening. Traditional credit models often overlook the realities of those excluded by conventional systems. Contextualized lending helps lenders say “yes” with confidence: beneficialstate.org/perspectives... #FinancialJustice #RacialEquity
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Beneficial State Foundation @beneficialstfdn.bsky.social · 29/07/2025
What does it mean to reimagine risk in lending, from the inside out? Join Aben Hill of Strategic Edge Solutions as he shares how his personal values shaped more equitable lending practices. Register here: bit.ly/URJAugustMee... #ReimaginingRisk #FinancialJustice
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Beneficial State Foundation @beneficialstfdn.bsky.social · 15/07/2025
James Hunter of New Orleans Firemen’s Federal Credit Union joined our DEI Guest Speaker Series with Beneficial State Bank to discuss leadership, financial inclusion & closing the wealth divide. Watch the full conversation here: youtu.be/67Wb39sNmC0 #EconomicJustice #FinancialJustice #Banking
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DEI Guest Speaker Series with James Hunter (June 20, 2025)
YouTube video by Beneficial State Foundation
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