Housing in Vancouver was, and is, extremely difficult for Black tenants and aspiring homeowners. Leonard Lane recognized this and, in 1959, opened the first Black credit union in BC, a branch of the BC Unity Credit Union. As a founding member and treasurer, he led the movement for economic and racial equity and gave access to credit for Black individuals and families. Leonard served as treasurer for eight years. The BC Unity Credit Union merged with Vancity in 1971.
You may also like
Charles Alexander, one of the Black pioneers, initiated and assisted in the building of the original Shady Creek church in Saanich in […]
This conversation will explore themes of economics, democracy, racial justice and Black identity. Dr. West is a professor at Union Theological Seminary […]
Designed and developed by our Society, British Columbia Black Pioneers is a collection of short stories about women, men, families, and partnerships […]
Barbara Howard was born and raised in Vancouver. She was the first Black woman athlete to represent Canada in an International event, […]