July 2024 Edition

Our Voices, Our Stories Series

By: DaVante Montgomery

Throughout the Our Voices, Our Stores Series, employees from MSU Federal Credit Union will be sharing their personal and professional experiences, highlighting their impact to the Credit Union’s collective diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEIB) work. We are thrilled to welcome DaVante Montgomery as this month’s guest writer.

I was born and raised in Detroit, MI. My adolescence was full of strife and life-changing experiences. I experienced homelessness at a young age, my parents had mental health issues, and navigating a world where people of my sexual orientation weren’t accepted while still coming to terms with it myself.

Through these experiences, I have learned to always be kind, empathetic, and advocate for the underdog. Barack Obama said “Change will not come if we wait for some other person or some other time. We are the ones we’ve been waiting for. We are the change that we seek.” That quote has become a north star in my life and emphasizes the ability to be a changemaker.

I started my career at MSUFCU over 7 years ago. After a year of working for the Credit Union, I moved into the Financial Education department. It is in this position that I found I could be a changemaker in the communities that we serve. Financial education is a foundational piece to closing the wealth gap that exists and helps to emphasize the mission of financial equity. Additionally, I joined our DEIB Council and have remained a member for nearly 4 years, working on many projects to affect change across our organization and community. From creating a DEI focused season for our company podcast to co-developing a diverse community outreach financial empowerment program called The Culture of Finances, I strive to make positive change in whatever space I am in.

Important July Observations & Celebrations

Month-Long Observances

• Disability Pride Month
• French American Heritage Month

• July 1: Canada Day
• July 4: Independence Day (USA)
• July 7: Islamic New Year
• July 9: Martyrdom of the Bab (Baha’i)
• July 11: World Population Day
• July 14: Bastille Day

• July 18: International Nelson Mandela Day
• July 24: Pioneer Day (Mormon)
• July 26: National Disability Independence Day
• July 30: International Day of Friendship

Important August Observations & Celebrations

Month-Long Observances

• National Civility Month

Important DE&I Calendar Dates

• August 7 – Purple Heart Day
• August 9 – International Day of the World’s Indigenous People
• August 13 – Left-Handers Day
• August 17 – Marcus Garvey Day (Jamaican)

• August 19 – World Humanitarian Day
• August 21 – Senior Citizens Day
• August 26 – Women’s Equality Day
• August 26 – Krishna Janmashtami (Hindu)

August DEI Series: Fostering an Inclusive Workplace for Neurodivergent Professionals

Join MSUFCU’s Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging Manager, Taylor Moberg (she/her), on Tuesday, Aug. 6, from 10 to 11:30 a.m.. for an enlightening session where we will delve into proactive strategies aimed at fostering an inclusive work environment for neurodiversity. From evaluating hiring practices to accommodating needs, we will explore actionable steps to not only welcome but celebrate the unique skills and experiences of neurodivergent individuals.

Announcing the Third Cohort of the Lansing Regional Chamber DEI Executive Roundtable

The Lansing Regional Chamber is excited to announce that the third cohort of the Lansing Regional Chamber Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Executive Roundtable has begun to meet. The Lansing Regional Chamber DEI Executive Roundtable offers an intimate setting for CEOs, senior-level business leaders, and small business owners to engage in confidential discussions, share advice, and learn best practices and equity tools.



The goal is to strengthen DEI within their organizations. This cohort will explore essential topics through a leadership training series, including core DEI and cultural concepts, addressing inequalities and shaping business practices, building an effective business equity framework, implementing a people-first DEI strategy, and rethinking DEI in the workforce for better recruitment and retention.

Sponsor Spotlight

Public Sector Consultants: Advancing Mental and Behavioral Health Standards in Michigan

Public Sector Consultants supports Michigan in advancing efforts to build a more robust and accessible crisis behavioral health care system. Did you know that people in 49 of Michigan's 83 counties face a severe shortage of mental health professionals? This scarcity adds strain to an already under-resourced system, leading to inconsistent and unequal care across the state.

Some of our recent work has centered on helping the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services launch the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline and piloting crisis stabilization unit facilities. We facilitated an advisory group to develop the state’s 988 implementation plan and organized community listening sessions with high-risk populations to understand their needs. This ongoing engagement includes young LGBTQIA+ community members and older adults, both of whom experience higher rates of death by suicide.

Another pressing issue where PSC connects with frontline service providers is overdose prevention. We have worked with public health organizations and other program partners to build and grow the Michigan Overdose Prevention Coalition. We continue to play an active role designing and implementing successful strategies that address the social stigma and legal barriers surrounding harm-reduction tools. These tools, notably naloxone and syringe service programs, are critical to reducing overdose deaths. 

PSC's experience in research, program evaluation, facilitating crucial conversations and driving impactful outcomes makes us a valuable partner in building public awareness, setting priorities and removing barriers to improve mental health-related services for all Michiganders. We want to create a state where everyone has access to the care they need when they need it.

• 3 Ways to Compassionately Hold Your Team Accountable
• Intergenerational Diversity & Inclusion Create a Harmonious Workplace
• 6 in 10 Americans Support DEI in the Workplace
• How to Improve the Hiring Process for Disabled Candidates
• How to Make Job Interviews More Accessible