Portia Powell’s Historic Rise to CEO and Her Mission to Build Wealth in Detroit’s Black Community

Portia Powell’s rise to the top started in a place familiar to many Detroiters – as a young woman fresh out of college, facing credit card debt and the need for a job. She didn’t plan on staying in banking long, just enough to get by. But what began as a temporary role soon turned into a career path she never expected. Now, Powell is about to make history as the first Black woman to become CEO of One Detroit Credit Union, a financial institution with deep roots in the community. “I never intended to be a banker my entire life,” Powell reflected. “At 18 years old, I started as a teller because I came home from college with credit card debt and so I needed a job.” Yet, here she stands today, not just any banker but the face and CEO of One Detroit Credit Union, a significant milestone for both her and the city. “It’s obviously an anomaly,” she added. For Powell, this journey is more than personal success – it’s a victory for representation in an industry where Black women rarely break through to the highest ranks. According to the Credit Union National Association, 51% of credit...