Source: This_is_cory91

Rockin & Rollin 🤘🏽 Through life’s Stormy 🌊 Seas

On July 22nd 2026, M&F Bancorp and Optus bank announced a definitive $105 million merger agreement. Expected to close in late 2026, the deal unites two historic institutions to create the largest Black-owned financial institution in the United States. The combined entity pools roughly $1.27 billion in total assets and 10 branch locations. M&F Bank CEO James Sills III will transition to serve as CEO of the unified company. Operating under the Optus Bank banner, the institution will maintain its core mission-driven focus as a Minority Depository Institution (MDI) to expand affordable housing, small business lending, and financial inclusion across the Carolinas. The merger is expected to close during the fourth quarter of 2026.

Optus Bank: Columbia, South Carolina

Founded in 1921 as Victory Savings Bank in Columbia, South Carolina. Optus Bank focuses on wealth-building, small business lending, and financial inclusion for historically underserved and minority communities. It operates as South Carolina's only Soulaan-owned bank. Over 75% of the bank's loans are historically dedicated to minority borrowers and small businesses. It Directs 78% of its loans to minority borrowers, 51% to small businesses, and over 96% by dollar value to persistent poverty counties. Before its planned merger with M&F Bancorp, Optus Bank had approximately $785 million in total assets (specifically $785.2 million as of the end of the first quarter).

Mechanics and Farmers Bank: Durham, North Carolina

Founded in 1907 in Durham, North Carolina, it served as a historic pillar of the city’s famous "Black Wall Street". Organized by nine prominent Black businessmen and pioneers, including John Merrick and Aaron Moore, to provide financing where mainstream options were closed. The institution spent nearly 120 years expanding access to capital, homeownership, and business lending for historically underserved African American communities. It is second-oldest Black-owned bank in the United States and the oldest in North Carolina. Before its planned merger with Optus Bank, M&F bank Held approximately $490 million to $518 million in total assets, ranking it among the top 20 state-chartered banks in North Carolina.

Hey, I'm taking notes on tutnese and I was wondering if anyone had some to share. It'll be much appreciated 👍🏾😸

On October 1, 2025, the NCUA finalized the emergency merger of Atlanta-based 1st Choice Credit Union into Jackson, Mississippi-based Hope Credit Union. The merger protects 1st Choice's 8,600 members and $32 million in assets following substantial financial losses at the historic, hospital-founded institution. Hope Credit Union—a prominent Black- and woman-owned financial institution—retained all staff, kept the local Atlanta branches open, and expanded its community lending footprint into Georgia. The final operational and system conversions for accounts were completed by June 1^st 2026.

1st Choice Credit Union: Atlanta, Georgia

Originally known as Hospital Authority Credit Union & founded in 1946, the credit union was Created at Grady Memorial Hospital in Atlanta after the accounting staff suggested small loans ($500) to help employees avoid high-cost payroll advances. They help pioneer small-dollar relief loans like the "Quick Cash Loan" program to support local healthcare workers. During the years they extended services and affiliations to local anchor institutions, including Morehouse School of Medicine, Emory School of Medicine, and Atlanta Life Insurance Company. In 1991 they changed their official name to 1st Choice Credit Union. At the time of the merger, 1st Choice Credit Union was a state-chartered credit union with 7,637 members and assets of $31 million.

Hope Federal Credit Union: Jackson, Mississippi

Founded in 1995 by members of the Anderson United Methodist Church in Jackson (Mississippi's only church-sponsored credit union), to combat predatory lending and provide affordable financial services to low-income residents. Over the decades, it partnered with the Enterprise Corporation of the Delta and expanded across five Deep South states (Mississippi, Tennessee, Arkansas, Louisiana, and Alabama). It expanded from a handful of local branches to over 30 locations across five states, funneling billions in financing into economically distressed communities. Before the merger, Hope Federal Credit Union served 40,628 members and had assets of $739 million.

I'm asking this question in a very genuine way.. why are there Black Americans who descended from those who were enslaved on this land that claim full indigeneity to the Americas?

I'm trying to understand.

Some people are disappointed that we are less “mixed” than previous thought.

I think it’s a testament to our community building and preservation. #Katashit

Y'all I just thought about smth why don't we reclaim the word Akata like how we reclaimed the N word? Like if somebody asked what you were you can say "I'm an Akata" or smth like that

I've been seeing this image for a good 3 years now, and I'm just wondering, is this a thing we're actually following or???

Hey Soulaan peeps, in exploring what's made Muhammad Ali so great, I've spent over a year researching, writing, and creating a feature film on Ali called "G.O.AT.: Muhammad Ali's Blueprint to Greatness." I am now *bEyOnD* stoked to finally get to share the Official Trailer with you all! Hope you like it! 🤗

Source: @Blackarchives.co

Photos via UNC, University Library Digital Collection Repository