Carolina Family: A Legacy in Kinston

A New Credit Union: As time passed, one of the key benefits offered by DuPont was the plant’s own credit union, founded by plant employees. The Dupont Kinston Plant Employees Federal Credit Union opened its doors in 1975 in a small building on the plant’s campus. Though the facility was modest, it was conveniently located for the workers and specifically catered to their needs. The credit union opened at 7:30 in the morning to serve workers who started their shift at 8.

A Move and a New Name: In the 1990s as economic conditions changed, DuPont began laying off large numbers of employees. With deposits declining, leaders of the credit union realized that they needed to expand their services, relocate to a more central location and serve families in the wider Kinston community. The Board had a contest to rename the credit union, and the winning name, “Carolina Family,” was adopted in 1997.

On October 3, 2019, we had a premiere screening of the video at the Kinston-Lenoir County Public Library in downtown Kinston, facilitated by Kinston's Self-Help CU branch manager, Lee Albritton.

Alonza Gray, who appears in the video, and Lee Albritton, Self-Help CU branch manager, chat during our shoot on Mr. Gray’s farm near Kinston.

Ardathy Spikes (right), the first board chair of the DuPont Employees Federal CU, and Patty Lively, who served as a branch manager.

Patty Lively, branch manager, with board member Russ Persinger.

The DuPont Stone Rollers bowling team. Tommy Braxton, who is named in the video, is on the far left.

The first site of the credit union on the campus of the DuPont Kinston Plant.

The ribbon-cutting for Self-Help CU’s current branch in Kinston, NC.