Month: April 2023

WASHINGTON, April 5, 2023 /3BL Media/ – The Howard University and PNC National Center for Entrepreneurship announces its official launch today, the pinnacle of Howard’s inaugural HU Entrepreneurship Week.

Over the past several days, Howard has hosted panel discussions, networking events and a business pitch competition, with activities culminating today in the national launch of the Howard University and PNC National Center for Entrepreneurship. The event, a celebration of the shared commitment to advancing Black entrepreneurship, brought together students, alumni, business experts and aspiring entrepreneurs to network, strategize and spark engagement across the community.

The keynote fireside chat included a moderated discussion between Wayne A.I. Frederick, Howard University president, and T.D. Jakes, chairman and CEO of the T.D. Jakes Group. Other prominent speakers included Nicholas Perkins (Fuddruckers owner and CEO), Askale Davis (TV personality and lifestyle content creator), Kayla Austin (current Howard student and 2022 Black Ambition HBCU Prize Winner), and Gary Rahman and his children Kali and Spirit (founders of Stock Up).

“The Howard University and PNC National Center for Entrepreneurship is focused on serving as a catalyst for economic opportunity for HBCU students, alums and Black entrepreneurs broadly,” said Erin Horne McKinney, national executive director for the Howard University and PNC National Center for Entrepreneurship. “Today’s lineup of events is reflective of that commitment as we galvanize to strategically support aspiring and active entrepreneurs and collectively strengthen our economy.”

Established in 2021 with a five-year, $16.8 million grant from The PNC Foundation, The Howard University and PNC National Center for Entrepreneurship is aimed at building resources and support for Black business owners across the country. The National Center will support expanded opportunities for Black entrepreneurship with educational, leadership and capacity-building resources and programs nationwide.

“HBCUs are driving impactful change in entrepreneurship, education and economic development for Black businesses and the broader community, which directly aligns with PNC’s efforts to provide economic opportunity for all,” said Richard Bynum, chief corporate responsibility officer for PNC. “Through PNC’s partnership with Howard, we’re building extensive resources to enhance entrepreneurial opportunities for aspiring Black business leaders for the betterment of all the communities we serve.”

A regional roadshow will follow the National Center launch event beginning April 11 at Clark Atlanta University, April 13 at Texas Southern University and April 19 at Morgan State University. These HBCUs will partner alongside Howard as regional hubs for the National Center, allowing for the effective coordination of programs and activities across the nation’s network of more than 100 HBCUs and their communities, including education programs, research strategies and business outreach.

A major focus for the National Center and its regional partners is to create an innovative national entrepreneurial network across HBCUs and Black entrepreneurial support organizations. This effort will expand access to entrepreneurship opportunities by engaging youth, HBCU students, and Black business owners in growing their enterprises, with a goal of increasing employment and generational wealth in Black communities. The partners will also come together for the inaugural Howard University and PNC National Center for Entrepreneurship National Conference in Washington, D.C., June 14-16.

The PNC Foundation grant is part of PNC’s $88 billion Community Benefits Plan that began Jan. 1, 2022. The plan will provide at least $88 billion in loans, investments and other financial support to benefit low- and moderate-income (LMI) individuals, communities, and people of color over a four-year period.

About PNC Foundation

The PNC Foundation, which receives its principal funding from The PNC Financial Services Group (www.pnc.com), is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization that actively supports organizations that provide services for the benefit of communities in which it has a significant presence. The PNC Foundation focuses its philanthropic mission on early childhood education and community and economic development, which includes the arts and culture. Through PNC Grow Up Great®, its signature cause that began in 2004, PNC has created a bilingual $350 million, multi-year initiative to help prepare children from birth to age 5 for success in school and life.

About Howard University

Founded in 1867, Howard University is a private, research university that is comprised of 14 schools and colleges. Students pursue more than 140 programs of study leading to undergraduate, graduate and professional degrees. The University operates with a commitment to Excellence in Truth and Service and has produced one Schwarzman Scholar, three Marshall Scholars, four Rhodes Scholars, 12 Truman Scholars, 25 Pickering Fellows and more than 165 Fulbright recipients. Howard also produces more on-campus African American Ph.D. recipients than any other university in the United States. For more information on Howard University, visit www.howard.edu.

Originally published in California Broker Magazine

By Matthew Owenby, Chief Human Resources Officer, Aflac Incorporated

No matter how you get your news these days, you’re likely seeing and hearing these words: inflation, recession and economic downturn. Costs are rising, and consumers are feeling the weight of it at every turn in life — at the gas pump, grocery store, and with their health care options and work choices. Many are still feeling the lingering effects of the global pandemic, further complicating various facets of work and life.

According to my organization’s recent Aflac WorkForces Report, younger generations are particularly vulnerable with elevated anxiety over unanticipated medical costs not covered by health insurance.

Continue reading the full article here

COLUMBUS, Ohio, April 5, 2023 /3BL Media/ – Bath & Body Works, Inc. (NYSE: BBWI), a leader in personal care and home fragrance, today released its first environmental, social and governance (ESG) annual report, detailing the company’s commitments and approach to work toward a more resilient and responsible future.

“Bath & Body Works is making great strides on our ESG journey, and our inaugural ESG report and commitment to meaningful ESG targets is an important step forward,” said CEO Gina Boswell. “We recognize the importance of leading with transparency and supporting the well-being of our people, communities and planet. We look forward to reporting our progress as we integrate our sustainability strategy into our work to deliver long-term value and responsible growth.”

“This first ESG report formalizes our ESG commitments as part of our existing values, ethics and business practices,” said Jeff King, Vice President of ESG. “Within this report, we include our 2022 baseline data that we will use to demonstrate our progress in years to come. We look forward to working with our associates, customers, vendor partners and other third parties to make progress year-over-year and a meaningful difference for a brighter tomorrow.”

The company is outlining its approach to working toward its new near- and longer-term ESG commitments, focused on Engaged People, Thoughtful Products and Brighter Places. The development of the company’s ESG focus, strategy and commitments follows an extensive ESG prioritization assessment, which included research and engagement with key stakeholders including associates across business segments, customers, suppliers, investors and nonprofits, to identify the company’s six areas of focus:

People and CultureDiversity, Equity and InclusionProduct Transparency and IngredientsSustainable SourcingPackaging and PlasticsClimate Change and Carbon Emissions

Today, the company is taking near-term actions to work towards making a difference and building on its strong foundation by 2025, including:

Increasing ethnic and racial diversity among its leadership, ensuring fair, flexible and healthy workplaces with inclusive benefits and enhancing its supplier diversity program.Defining, mapping and publishing a list of priority ingredients which will be the focus of the company’s sustainability programs.Measuring and setting a comprehensive baseline carbon footprint for Scope 3 emissions.Submitting a science-based greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction target to Science-Based Targets initiative (SBTi).Shifting to a packaging model where 50% of its packaging will be recyclable, reusable or compostable.Increasing the amount of post-consumer recycled content (PCR) to 33% of its total plastic packaging portfolio.

As part of its 2030 goals, the company is taking longer-term actions to work toward creating a meaningful impact for a brighter future, including:

The continuous review and updating of its compensation and benefits with evolving best practices.Improving the sustainability profile of priority ingredients used throughout its products, from source to use.Reducing Scope 1 and 2 emissions by 50%.Significantly reducing GHG emissions across its operations and supply chain as the company moves towards net-zero.Ensuring 100% of its packaging is recyclable, reusable or compostable.

The complete report is available on the company’s website at bbwinc.com/about-us/esg/esg-report.

ABOUT BATH & BODY WORKS: 
Home of America’s Favorite Fragrances®, Bath & Body Works is a global leader in personal care and home fragrance, including top-selling collections for fine fragrance mist, body lotion and body cream, 3-wick candles, home fragrance diffusers and liquid hand soap. Powered by agility and innovation, the company’s predominantly U.S.-based supply chain enables the company to deliver quality, on-trend luxuries at affordable prices. Bath & Body Works serves and delights customers however and wherever they want to shop, from welcoming, in-store experiences at more than 1,800 company-operated Bath & Body Works locations in the U.S. and Canada and more than 425 international franchised locations to an online storefront at bathandbodyworks.com.

Safe Harbor Statement Under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995

We caution that any forward-looking statements (as such term is defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995) contained in this press release or made by our company or our management involve risks and uncertainties and are subject to change based on various factors, many of which are beyond our control. Accordingly, our future performance and financial results may differ materially from those expressed or implied in any such forward-looking statements. Words such as “estimate,” “project,” “plan,” “believe,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “planned,” “potential” and any similar expressions may identify forward-looking statements. Risks associated with the following factors, among others, in some cases have affected and in the future could affect our financial performance and actual results and could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied in any forward-looking statements included in this press release or otherwise made by our company or our management:

general economic conditions, inflation, consumer confidence, consumer spending patterns and market disruptions including pandemics or significant health hazards, severe weather conditions, natural disasters, terrorist activities, financial crises, political crises or other major events, or the prospect of these events;the seasonality of our business;the anticipated benefits from the Victoria’s Secret & Co. spin-off may not be realized;the spin-off of Victoria’s Secret & Co. may not be tax-free for U.S. federal income tax purposes;our dependence on Victoria’s Secret & Co. for information technology services and the transition of such services to our own information technology systems or to those of third-party technology service providers;our ability to attract, develop and retain qualified associates and manage labor-related costs;difficulties arising from turnover in company leadership or other key positions;the dependence on store traffic and the availability of suitable store locations on appropriate terms;our continued growth in part through new store openings and existing store remodels and expansions;our ability to successfully operate and expand internationally and related risks;our independent franchise, license and wholesale partners;our direct channel business;our ability to protect our reputation and our brand image;our ability to successfully complete environmental, social and governance initiatives, and associated costs thereof;our ability to successfully achieve expected annual cost savings in connection with our profit optimization efforts to reduce expenses and improve operating efficiency in the business;our ability to attract customers with marketing, advertising and promotional programs;our ability to maintain, enforce and protect our trade names, trademarks and patents;the highly competitive nature of the retail industry and the segments in which we operate;consumer acceptance of our products and our ability to manage the life cycle of our brand, develop new merchandise and launch new product lines successfully;our ability to source, distribute and sell goods and materials on a global basis, including risks related to:political instability, wars and other armed conflicts, environmental hazards or natural disasters;significant health hazards or pandemics, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, which could result in closed factories and/or stores, reduced workforces, scarcity of raw materials, and scrutiny or embargoing of goods produced in impacted areas;duties, taxes and other charges;legal and regulatory matters;volatility in currency exchange rates;local business practices and political issues;delays or disruptions in shipping and transportation and related pricing impacts;disruption due to labor disputes; andchanging expectations regarding product safety due to new legislation;our geographic concentration of vendor and distribution facilities in central Ohio;our reliance on a limited number of suppliers to support a substantial portion of our inventory purchasing needs;the ability of our vendors to deliver products in a timely manner, meet quality standards and comply with applicable laws and regulations;fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates;fluctuations in product input costs;fluctuations in energy costs;our ability to adequately protect our assets from loss and theft;increases in the costs of mailing, paper, printing or other order fulfillment logistics;claims arising from our self-insurance;our and our third-party service providers’, including Victoria’s Secret & Co. during the term of the Transition Services Agreement between us and Victoria’s Secret & Co., ability to implement and maintain information technology systems and to protect associated data;our ability to maintain the security of customer, associate, third-party and company information;stock price volatility;our ability to pay dividends and make share repurchases under share repurchase authorizations;shareholder activism matters;our ability to maintain our credit ratings;our ability to service or refinance our debt and maintain compliance with our restrictive covenants;the impact of the transition from London Interbank Offered Rate and our ability to adequately manage such transition;our ability to comply with laws, regulations and technology platform rules or other obligations related to data privacy and security;our ability to comply with regulatory requirements;legal and compliance matters; andtax, trade and other regulatory matters.

We are not under any obligation and do not intend to make publicly available any update or other revisions to any of the forward-looking statements contained in this press release to reflect circumstances existing after the date of this press release or to reflect the occurrence of future events even if experience or future events make it clear that any expected results expressed or implied by those forward-looking statements will not be realized. Additional information regarding these and other factors can be found in “Item 1A. Risk Factors” in our 2022 Annual Report on Form 10-K, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, and our subsequent filings.

For further information, please contact:

Bath & Body Works, Inc.:

Media Relations 
Communications@bbw.com

Investor Relations 
InvestorRelations@bbw.com

Founded in 1984 by two men and members of the LGBTQIA+ community, M·A·C Cosmetics is a place where LGBTQIA+ people have been welcomed since day one to express their creativity and where they can feel comfortable being their true selves.  

M·A·C was proud to continue this legacy of support and to celebrate Transgender Day of Visibility (TDOV) this year by organizing a toiletry drive at the M·A·C Cosmetics offices to benefit The Hetrick Martin Institute (HMI). HMI is a New York City based non-profit organization devoted to serving the needs of LGBTQIA+ youth between the ages of 13 and 24 as well as their families. M·A·C has been partnering with the organization through VIVA GLAM for over 15 years!

Toiletries are HMI’s most significant area of need for the clients they serve, and M·A·C Cosmetics was proud to share that the TDOV toiletry drive resulted in over 20 boxes of supplies being donated for LGBTQIA+ youth in need in the greater NYC area.   

M·A·C shared a recap of the toiletry drive on the brand’s Global Instagram, as well as an impactful video in-feed featuring M·A·C employees in honor of Transgender Day of Visibility, with a call to action to help support equal rights for the transgender community by purchasing M·A·C VIVA GLAM – the Lipstick that gives back 100%. 

Learn more about M·A·C VIVA GLAM.

CHARLOTTE, N.C., April 5, 2023 /3BL Media/ – Discovery Education has been honored with multiple EdTech Awards from EdTech Digest. These awards recognize the products, companies, and people transforming education through technology and enriching the lives of learners everywhere. Discovery Education is the worldwide edtech leader whose state-of-the-art digital platform supports learning wherever it takes place.

EdTech Digest is a leading source of cool tools, interviews, and trends showcasing the future of learning. Celebrating its 13th year, the US-based awards is the world’s largest recognition program for education technology. The 2023 finalists and winners were judged based on various criteria, including pedagogical workability, efficacy and results, support, clarity, value, and potential. This year, Discovery Education was honored by the EdTech Awards in the following categories:

EdTech Company Setting a Trend: Discovery Education 
Discovery Education is setting a trend in K-12 education by making its award-winning K-12 learning platform the home to a host of innovative digital content, tools, and services that support educators during a growing number of instructional minutes. The company has focused on enhancing its flexible K-12 learning platform with updates including doubling the number of formative assessments, a redesigned user interface helping teachers better track student academic progress in real-time, and an improved search functionality. In addition, Discovery Education has made several recent acquisitions that put even more exciting services at educators’ fingertips.

Science Solution: Mystery Science 
Mystery Science, which joined the family of Discovery Education services in 2020, provides K-5 educators with simple-to-use, open-and-go, hands-on lessons that inspire students to love science. Each lesson begins by posing a question commonly asked by young students, followed by a series of brief videos and prompts to guide class discussion. The lesson concludes with a hands-on activity designed to bring learning to life.

In addition, Peter Bohacek, Discovery Education’s Director of Curriculum & Instruction, was recognized for founding Pivot Interactives. Established in 2012 by Bohacek alongside fellow Director of Curriculum & Instruction, Matt Vonk, Pivot Interactives joined the family of Discovery Education services in 2022. Pivot Interactives develops dynamic cloud-based activities that actively engage students in the authentic exploration of real scientific phenomena across Biology, Earth and Space Science, Chemistry, Environmental Science, and Physics.

“A very big congratulations to all the EdTech Awards 2023 finalists and winners—and congratulations to all who endured the upheavals of the last few years only to come through stronger, more experienced, resilient, and resolute in laying out the future of learning,” said Victor Rivero, Editor-in-Chief of EdTech Digest.

Several of Discovery Education’s products and services were also honored by the EdTech Awards as finalists, including: Pivot Interactives (Science Solution and STEM Solution), Science Techbook (Science Solution), DoodleMath (Math Solution), STEM Careers Coalition (Edtech Group Setting a Trend), Mystery Science (Product or Service Setting a Trend), K-12 learning platform back-to-school updates (New Product or Service), and K-12 learning platform (Product or Service and Product or Service Setting a Trend).

“Discovery Education is proud to be recognized by the 2023 EdTech Awards. We appreciate judges’ careful review of all the entries and congratulate each person and company we stand alongside this year,” said Jeremy Cowdrey, Discovery Education’s Chief Executive Officer. “These recognitions will motivate the entire Discovery Education team to continue creating innovative services that support students and educators around the world.”

Learn more about the 2023 EdTech Awards and the other winners here.

For more information about Discovery Education’s award-winning digital resources—which can be purchased with federal stimulus funds—and professional learning services, visit www.discoveryeducation.com, and stay connected with Discovery Education on social media through Twitter and LinkedIn. 

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About Discovery Education 
Discovery Education is the worldwide edtech leader whose state-of-the-art digital platform supports learning wherever it takes place. Through its award-winning multimedia content, instructional supports, and innovative classroom tools, Discovery Education helps educators deliver equitable learning experiences engaging all students and supporting higher academic achievement on a global scale. Discovery Education serves approximately 4.5 million educators and 45 million students worldwide, and its resources are accessed in over 100 countries and territories. Inspired by the global media company Warner Bros. Discovery, Inc. Discovery Education partners with districts, states, and trusted organizations to empower teachers with leading edtech solutions that support the success of all learners. Explore the future of education at www.discoveryeducation.com.

Contacts 
Grace Maliska 
Discovery Education 
Email: gmaliska@discoveryed.com