Keeping the main mission in mind

DaeSean Ashby has always wanted to use his voice and experience for good.

He’s able to do so as the director of state advocacy at the Michigan Credit Union League.

“I can use my voice to actively advocate for protecting our financial institutions and keeping our main mission of uplifting people,” says Ashby, a Detroit native who has served in the military and worked in the Michigan House Democratic Caucus and a multi-client lobbying firm.

America’s Credit Unions: What led you to the Michigan Credit Union League?

DaeSean Ashby: As a policy advisor for the state, I was working on the House Financial Services and Insurance Committee, so I interacted with financial institutions around town. So, when this opportunity opened, I already had good relationships with credit unions.

I also loved the work credit unions do in the community, trying to help underserved communities—Black and brown people. And I always felt my work should be fulfilling. I've always wanted to use my voice and experience for good.

Q: What’s going on in the advocacy world? What are you excited about?

A: I don't know if “excited” is the word—the elections are going to be a mess. Everything from our state elections to what's going on at the federal level. There are so many unknown variables. This is going to be an extremely exciting and stressful year.

Last year at the state level we were able to delay some potentially harmful legislation related to garnishment and bankruptcy. We’ve been working with the bill sponsors the last couple months.

I'm looking forward to continuing those conversations and hopefully providing some relief for people.

Q: You mentioned serving underserved Black and brown communities. Why is that important to you?

A: I'm from Detroit. I grew up poor, and I’ve lived through the 2008 recession, Detroit’s bankruptcy, and the fallout from COVID-19.

My whole life, I've seen people who look like me struggle and suffer. The Black community has a history of distrust with the government and financial institutions. The credit union difference is trying to mitigate those issues, minimize inequality, and put people in better positions.

I'm an idealist. I feel you can change things from the inside. The league is a place where I can use my voice to actively advocate for protecting our financial institutions and keeping our main mission of uplifting people.

Q: What does Black History Month mean to you?

A: For me, it means everyone pretends we don’t have a problem with racism. That's not to say I don't love Black History Month. I do, but it's a bittersweet time.

It’s disingenuous to me, especially when you look at our political landscape. You have people putting out their favorite Martin Luther King Jr. quote and talking about all these historical things, and yet they’re still going to advocate for policies and legislation that hurt Black and brown people. We go through the same dance every year.

I love Black History Month because I get to celebrate my heritage, but it’s also a difficult time.

Q: What would you like to improve?

A: I could be wrong, but from what I’ve seen it's an overwhelmingly white industry. I don't think that’s necessarily financial institutions’ fault, it just goes back to the history of distrust.

One thing I've appreciated at the Michigan Credit Union League is I'm the only Black person on my specific team, and the support I've gotten has been phenomenal. I feel empowered to speak my truth.

Being a Black man is part of who I am, but it’s not the only thing I am. Instead of being the Black director of state advocacy, I'm just the director of state advocacy. That’s beautiful, and I would like to see more Black folks in our space.

I also think we need to have more difficult conversations. People telling their stories is wonderful.

Q: What do you like to do in your free time?

A: I'm a gamer, I like anime, and I’ve got two cats and a dog that keep me busy. I’m also saving because I want to go to Japan this year.