WESTSIDE MINISTERS TO KICK-OFF 60TH ANNIVERSARY OF MLK SPEECH AT THE MARCH ON WASHINGTON WITH HISTORIC PARTNERSHIP WITH THE GREAT LAKES CREDIT UNION (GLCU)

 

WESTSIDE MINISTERS TO KICK-OFF 60TH ANNIVERSARY OF MLK SPEECH AT THE MARCH ON WASHINGTON WITH HISTORIC PARTNERSHIP WITH THE GREAT LAKES CREDIT UNION (GLCU)


FAITH LEADERS TO MARCH TO THE ALL-NEW LOCATION OF

THE LEADERS NETWORK FINANCIAL CREDIT UNION

 

LEADERS NETWORK CONTINUE TO SUSTAIN AND ENHANCE DR KING’S LOVE AND COMPASSION FOR CHICAGO’S WESTSIDE

 

THE LEADERS NETWORK FINANCIAL CREDIT UNION WILL ENABLE RESIDENTS OF THE GREATER WEST SIDE TO ACCESS THE FINANCIAL TOOLS FULFILL DREAMS AND DAILY NEEDS

 

The Leaders Network will make a deposit of $250,000 to open the account

 

Monday, August 28th, 2023 @ 9:15 AM (Kick off of March)

Pleasant Ridge Baptist Church, 116 S. Central, Chicago, Illinois


Members of the West side faith leaders, “Leaders Network” vow to fulfill the dream of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. by doing the nation’s most meaningful commemoration on the 60th anniversary of King’s I Have A Dream Speech – Enabling Economic and Financial Empowerment by establishing a community credit union in the west side Austin community.  The location will be just a couple of miles from where King and his family lived when he brought his civil rights movement north to Chicago in 1966.

In an accurate display of commemoration of the 60th Anniversary, a mass group of faith leaders will march from the Pleasant Ridge Baptist Church to the all-new Leaders Network Credit Union that is located at 5600 W. Madison in Chicago. Upon arriving at the Credit Union, the faith Leaders along with Great Lakes Credit Union Executives and Chicago area elected officials will collectively address the Chicagoland media. The gathering is also part of a “soft opening” for the credit union.

The collaboration involves the Leaders Network and the popular Great Lakes Credit Union. (GLCU) Great Lakes Credit Union was founded in 1938 and is committed to financial empowerment diverse communities throughout America. As a not-for-profit financial cooperative with over one billion in assets, GLCU serves over 80,000 members in Chicagoland and surrounding areas. GLCU’s core mission “People Helping People” led to the unique and much needed partnership with the “Leaders Network.”

 The faith leaders know all too well of Dr. King’s love and commitment to Chicago’s westside. With the election of westside residents such as Mayor Brandon Johnson and Chicago City Treasurer Mellissa Conyers-Irvin, the faith leaders view the establishment of the Leaders Network Credit Union as an added boost to the ongoing rebirth of the Westside.

King’s move to the north came after leading victories for passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965.  When King visited America’s northern cities, including Chicago, he saw firsthand the despair and hopelessness created by racism and poverty. “What difference does it make if you can sit anywhere you want in a restaurant if you don’t have a dime in your pocket to buy a cup of coffee”, King said before launching the Chicago Freedom Movement in 1966.

“In 2005 several faith communities organized and modeled our social justice work after Dr. King’s SCLC to advocate for the marginalized-on Chicago’s Westside and beyond”, said Rev. Marshall Hatch of New Mount Pilgrim Church & Leader’s Network Co-Chair. “This giant step toward financial empowerment of families is launched today in honor of Dr. King who himself resided on the Westside in 1966. In 2023, the dream still lives!”, Hatch added.

“Dr King spent the last months of his life fighting for economic justice for blacks, poor whites, Latinos and indigenous people!” stated Rev. Ira Acree of Greater St. John Bible Church and Leaders Network Co-Chair.  “This credit union initiative, if duplicated in other urban markets, could ultimately change the landscape in America, because Black families and black businesses will be able to get loans in their own community without being redlined or getting out right denied”, Acree added.

“The Leaders Network Financial Credit Union will enable residents of the Greater West Side to access the financial tools we need to pursue our dreams and simply fulfill our day-to-day needs.” said Rabbi Max Weiss. “Every community should have access to full banking services. Our partnership with Great Lakes Credit Union will allow us that access.”

The Leaders Network will make a deposit of $250,000 to open the account.  The pastors are commemorating the day in the tradition of Dr. King – by marching for racial, social, and economic justice.








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