OneAZ Shines a Light on Financial Inequality Through Documentary Film

Posted by Alyse Knudsen on June 3, 2026

OneAZ Credit Union is expanding its commitment to financial access and economic opportunity in a powerful new way — through storytelling. Its short documentary, Breaking the Cycle, brings the realities of financial inequality to life, highlighting the human stories behind the nation’s widening wealth gap.

The 15-minute film follows three individuals navigating different stages of financial life and entrepreneurship. Anthony, a Hispanic restaurant co-owner, is focused on growing his business while reinvesting in his community. Nella, a Native American caterer and aspiring restaurateur, reflects on growing up in a financial desert and the barriers she has faced in accessing capital. Tomeka, an African American artist and writer, shares her experience approaching retirement without financial security. Together, their stories illustrate how systemic challenges can shape financial opportunity — despite hard work, ambition, and vision.

Created by Dr. Pearlette J. Ramos, a OneAZ board member, as part of her Credit Union Diversity Education (CUDE) program, Breaking the Cycle was funded by OneAZ while maintaining full creative independence to ensure authenticity. The film reframes conversations about financial wellness, emphasizing that outcomes are influenced not only by personal decisions, but also by the systems and communities that determine access to opportunity.

For OneAZ, producing the documentary was a natural extension of its mission. “Our ‘why’ is rooted in our mission of improving the lives of our members, associates, and the communities we serve,” said OneAZ Credit Union President and CEO Mike Boden. “We created Breaking the Cycle to shine a light on the barriers many entrepreneurs face and to demonstrate the role credit unions can play in expanding opportunity. Our hope was to inspire conversation and action toward building an economy where every entrepreneur has a path to success.”

The film also builds on the work of the OneAZ Community Foundation, which has invested more than $2.5 million in Arizona nonprofits since 2016 to advance economic resilience and long-term prosperity. With Breaking the Cycle, OneAZ is extending that investment beyond funding to narrative leadership, using storytelling to educate, engage, and drive meaningful change.

To amplify its reach, OneAZ premiered the documentary at the Inclusiv conference in May, where it sparked conversation among credit union leaders from across the country. “Sharing the film there allowed us to highlight how credit unions can help break down barriers, bridge the wealth gap, and expand access to financial opportunity in underserved communities,” Boden said.

The response has been overwhelmingly positive. Conference attendees engaged deeply with the film’s message, participating in follow-up discussions with Boden and Dr. Ramos about the credit union movement’s role in advancing equity. “They were deeply engaged and connected with the message that credit unions play a meaningful role in closing the wealth gap through equitable access to knowledge, capital, and opportunity,” Boden noted.

Looking ahead, OneAZ plans to use Breaking the Cycle as a catalyst for ongoing impact through screenings, community conversations, and educational initiatives. The goal: to reach 50,000 lives and expand access to financial knowledge and opportunity across underserved communities.

By elevating lived experiences and fostering dialogue, Breaking the Cycle underscores a central truth of the Credit Union Movement — that financial empowerment is not just about dollars and data, but about people, access, and the systems that shape opportunity.

“We can’t succeed if those around us and those that bank with us are failing,” concluded Boden.

Learn more and watch the documentary here.

Posted in Arizona, Community Impact, Financial Education, Regional Member News, Thought Leadership, Top Headlines.