Howard shares the importance of authentic love and family and how she holds the torch of integrity for her ancestors during Black History Month.
02/25/2022 10:00 A.M.
6 minute read
ACA International’s membership and the accounts receivable management (ARM) industry are becoming increasingly diverse. In recognition of that growth and Black History Month, ACA is highlighting Black leaders’ voices in the ARM industry.
“It’s great to celebrate Black History Month, and especially to better get to know several of our outstanding ACA members, their societal impact, and more of their personal stories,” said ACA CEO Scott Purcell. “One of Martin Luther King Jr.’s quotes speaks about the basics of honoring and respecting a person’s true identity: ‘People fail to get along because they fear each other; they fear each other because they don’t know each other; they don’t know each other because they’re not communicating with each other.’ To me it’s a rich life when we take the time to get to know people and understand their stories, their struggles, and their triumphs. It’s great to intentionally pause this time of year to celebrate Black History Month, and to get to know our outstanding members even better.”
The U.S. has recognized Black History Month in February since 1976, according to the Association for the Study of African American Life and History.
Black workers have much higher rates of representation at collection agencies than they do in the general workforce, making up 24% of total bill collectors in 2020, according to research from ACA in partnership with Kaulkin Ginsberg.
Bill collectors work with consumers to recover overdue payments and make up roughly 73% of total collections industry employment.
For Crystal Howard, assistant director of operations at MRS BPO LLC in Alabama, Black History Month is a time to honor her ancestors through intentionally reconnecting to history.
“I celebrate and honor Black history every day by being intentional with how I carry myself and do my job,” Howard said. “It is important to me to perform all things with integrity and honor.”
The debt collection industry is diverse in terms of racial demographics. Overall, racial and ethnic minorities make up around 42% of total bill collectors. By comparison, those groups comprise 36% of the total workforce. Black workers made up 12.1% of the total workforce in 2020.
In this member spotlight, Howard shares the importance of authentic love and recognizing beauty in everything she does, and how she holds the torch of integrity for her ancestors.
Q. What is your ethnic background and how do you celebrate it?
A. My ethnic background without any additional research is that I am a proud African American, Black, woman. I celebrate this daily by truly walking proudly in who I am and operating in my best self to honor my ancestors. I celebrate my heritage by knowing my heritage. Reading and talking to my elders to know their history is a value to me. I also try to make sure to educate my children about their heritage by participating in heritage festivals, supporting my community, attending cultural events and truly embodying what it is to be a Black woman. I celebrate ME!
Q. What does it mean to you/what has been your experience as a Black person in the current workforce and this industry?
A. As a Black woman in the current workforce, this industry has honestly provided me a platform to be a beacon of light and hope. I don’t take it lightly and I wear it proudly. I understand there is an assignment in my accomplishments. I know I represent a torch of integrity for my ancestors and a light of hope for sisters and brothers. I feel it is a call on my light to create opportunities for others and to be an inspiration of what hard work and dedication looks like. I also feel that it is important to show the future generation that we can be successful in whatever career we choose.
Q. Who has served as an inspiration in your life?
A. I find inspiration from so many different people in my community. My parents and my family have been the true definition of hardworking, family-driven people. They taught me the importance of family and authentic love. I was also taught that there are no limits to what I can or would accomplish in life. My parents reminded me of the beauty of my entire self every day. This helped mold my self-confidence and compassion. Outside of my tribe, I have studied other amazing people like Maya Angelou, Oprah Winfrey, George Washington Carver, Eartha Kitt, Josephine Baker and Richard Allen—just to name a few. These amazing humans have created and set the bar for my generation and generations to come. They each have been true examples of limitless living and success. They have shown us how to exist in life authentically as well as share their gifts and passions with the world in a way that helps everyone.
Q. What is the importance of Black History Month and what does it represent to you?
A. Black History Month is important to me because it allows our heritage and rich history of strength and endurance to live. I personally celebrate my people daily. However, this month allows us to intentionally reconnect to our history. It represents a time to reflect and reset our internal gauge of awareness for our history.
Q. How is your company embracing diversity and inclusion among your team and in the industry, both this month and year-round?
A. MRS has shown commitment to embracing diversity by having an environment where we can celebrate and create opportunities for all. I feel MRS prides themselves on being aware and not afraid to talk about things that impact all people. It makes me proud to see such a beautiful mix of cultures in our leadership.
Q. Do you have any suggestions for other companies working on educational and inclusiveness programs in the industry?
A. Don’t be afraid to create platforms for discussion and inclusion. The key is to create opportunities for others to be informed of all history and all heritages.
Q. How do you celebrate and honor Black History Month on a personal level and/or at your company?
A. I celebrate and honor Black history every day by being intentional with how I carry myself and do my job. It is important to me to perform all things with integrity and honor. I believe this is the highest level of respect to my ancestors—by being my best self on a daily basis and truly being a fair person in my leadership.
Do you know a member you would like to see featured in ACA Daily’s Member Spotlight or Collector magazine’s Origin Story? Would you like to share your story? We are also looking to highlight our international members and new members of ACA. Reach out to our communications team at [email protected] with your ideas. We’d love to hear from you!
If you have executive leadership updates or other member news to share with ACA, contact our communications department at [email protected]. View our publications page for more information and our news submission guidelines here.