Urban League celebrates grads of 700 Credit Club

The Urban League of Greater Southwestern Ohio has celebrated the 41 members of the first graduating class of its 700 Credit Club.

The monthslong program, launched in September, aimed to help individuals build credit, manage debt and achieve long-term financial success.

Over the course of the program, many of the participants saw their credit scores improve by as much as 90 points, according to the Urban League. Others made substantial progress in paying down high-interest debt. One notable success story involved a young woman who entered the program with $75,000 in student loan debt and reduced it to just $4,000.

A formal graduation ceremony took place Feb. 26 at the Holloman Center for Social Justice on Reading Road.

“Your credit score isn’t just a number, it’s a game-changer. I learned that firsthand when I set out to improve my own score,” said Christie Kuhns, who conceived of the program based on her personal journey to improve her credit score.

“Watching how my husband’s great credit opened doors inspired me to take my own financial journey seriously,” she continued. “That journey led me to create the 700 Credit Club so more people in our community could experience the same financial freedom.”

An investment in those hoping to invest in themselves

Made possible by the support of Huntington National Bank, the program was facilitated by Juanita Clarke, CEO and founder of My Brilliant Finish Financial Group, in partnership with the Urban League’s Financial Empowerment Center. 

During the first nine months, participants took part in nine comprehensive modules covering topics like credit repair, debt management, financial literacy, budgeting, credit report analysis and debt dispute resolution. The final phase of the program included three months of one-on-one financial coaching followed by three months of sustainability coaching to help graduates maintain long-term financial stability.

“We saw increased credit knowledge, improved credit profiles, and better financial health,” Steve Mullinger, regional president of Huntington National Bank. “These benefits strengthened communities, and we were excited to see the next steps for these graduates.”

Urban League of Greater Southwestern Ohio