A dedicated community leader just one of 81 people to receive honor
Former Unitus Community Credit Union Board Chair, Barbara J. Leonard, has been inducted posthumously into the AACUC Hall of Fame. This distinguished honor recognizes the contributions to the credit union community. Ms. Leonard is one of just 81 individuals to receive this honor.
The induction ceremony, held in Washington, D.C., brought more than 400 people together to honor and recognize people who have contributed to the credit union movement by providing access to financial capital for African Americans and majority-ethnic communities. A Unitus delegation attended the ceremony, alongside Ms. Leonard’s family. Her daughter, Serena Ashley, accepted the recognition on her behalf.
“Barbara Leonard was more than a leader. She was a wife, a mother, a mentor, and a friend,” said Unitus President and CEO, Steven Stapp, during his introductory remarks. “Her legacy isn’t measured in titles or accolades but in the countless lives she touched and the doors she opened for future generations.”
Ms. Leonard served more than 20 years on the Unitus Community Credit Union Board, becoming its first female chair. Born in Portland, Oregon, she earned a business degree from the University of Oregon and spent 30 years at U.S. West Communications. A dedicated community leader, she was a prominent member of The Links, raising more than $500,000 for educational scholarships; she also volunteered with the Urban League of Portland. Ms. Leonard was active in Maranatha Church. Known for her mentorship and passion for helping others, Leonard passed away in 2012 at age 65, leaving a legacy as a devoted wife, mother, and community advocate.
Unitus has established a scholarship in Ms. Leonard’s name. Applications for the Barbara Leonard Memorial Scholarship are due March 31, 2025. Ms. Leonard was one of five individuals inducted into the 2025 AACUC Hall of Fame Class. Other honorees include: Tony LaDarryl Black, Sr. (posthumously), President/CEO, Baylor College of Medicine Federal Credit Union; Harold Roundtree, President/CEO, UNCLE Credit Union; Girado Smith, President/CEO, Educational Systems Federal Credit Union; and Pearl Wicks, Chief Retail Officer, Hope Credit Union.