Month: June 2023

DETROIT, June 26, 2023 /3BL/ – INROADS and the PNC Foundation announced that the College Links program will expand to Metro Detroit this fall for the local launch of its successful blueprint designed to help prepare minority high school students for college and successful careers. Funded by a $1 million grant from the PNC Foundation, INROADS will teach local students valuable leadership skills and provide professional development opportunities, while addressing the racial and wealth gap in the United States. INROADS and PNC announced a similar grant initiative in April in Birmingham, Alabama.

“Wealth in America is disproportionate and access to opportunity is not equitable,” said Forest T. Harper, Jr., president and CEO, INROADS. “INROADS is working to change this through our College Links program. We cannot wait for change; we must go out and be the change.”

Through the INROADS College Links program, high school students in Metro Detroit’s underrepresented communities will have the opportunity to participate in one-on-one leadership development and professional growth experiences. The program will expose them to leaders from diverse backgrounds, offer career immersion opportunities and provide mentorship support. These experiences will not only enhance their leadership skills but will increase their chances of admission to college. Historically, 100% of College Links scholars have been accepted into college or post-high school education. 

“As a national main street bank, PNC is strongly committed to the communities we serve,” said Michael Bickers, PNC regional president for Detroit and Southeast Michigan. “We know that supporting the INROADS program will help local students in historically underserved communities gain access to rewarding careers in science, technology, engineering and math. This program reflects PNC’s commitment to helping students of all ages achieve success in school and life.”

INROADS and PNC Foundation recognize the importance of education as a powerful means to economic opportunity. By providing underrepresented students with opportunities and resources through the College Links program, the organizations are working to increase equity and reduce barriers.

“INROADS makes a proven difference in the lives of students who participate,” said Sally McCrady, chair and president of the PNC Foundation. “In cities where the program currently operates, it demonstrates impressive results in closing opportunity gaps for underrepresented youth, which aligns with our broader foundation strategy to positively impact communities through education and economic development. We also look forward to having PNC employees get involved as volunteer mentors to the students.”

Current host cities of INROADS College Links include: Atlanta; Birmingham; Charleston, West Virginia; Chicago; Cincinnati; Dallas; Houston; Nashville; Oakland; Orlando; New York/New Jersey; San Antonio; Twin Cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul; and Washington D.C. INROADS College Links will also launch in Salt Lake City, St. Louis, Denver and Charlotte in the coming months.

About PNC Foundation 
The PNC Foundation, which receives its principal funding from The PNC Financial Services Group (www.pnc.com), actively supports organizations that provide services for the benefit of communities in which it has a significant presence. The 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 $500 million, multi-year initiative to help prepare children from birth to age 5 for success in school and life. For more information, visit http://www.pncgrowupgreat.com.

About INROADS 
Founded in 1970, INROADS delivers innovative programs and creative solutions that identify, accelerate, and elevate the development of underrepresented talent throughout their careers. Through this development, students become equipped for corporate and community leadership that effects community renewal, social change and elevates economic status and quality of life. INROADS has more than 30,000 alumni, over 900 interns and serves 4,000+ students and 200 corporate clients. Learn more at INROADS.org and connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn: @INROADSInc.

CONTACTS:

PNC 
Robert J. Darmanin 
robert.darmanin@pnc.com

INROADS 
Tyra Lang 
tlang@wilbron.com

Originally published on U.S. Bank company blog

It is nearly impossible to navigate everyday life in America without being able to speak English, especially when it comes to crucial matters like healthcare and finances, and daily tasks like grocery shopping or reading mail. Many first-generation Latinos are dependent on the youngest members of their family to communicate in English. Of adult first-generation Latinos, 23% say they can carry on a conversation in English very well. That number increases with each following generation, leaving the crucial task of translating in the hands of the youngest members of families. 1

“Translators,” will screen during the Tribeca Festival on June 13, after the film made its worldwide debut at the Los Angeles Latino International Film Festival. The documentary short film delivers an emotional, first-person look at the lives of three of these immigrant families and the important role that young translators play in everyday lives of older generations.

Directed by Emmy-award winning filmmaker Rudy Valdez, the documentary short film follows the stories of three immigrant children (Densel – 11, Harye – 13 and Virginia – 16) who are responsible for handling complex adult conversations and helping to make decisions beyond their years. The impactful film highlights the need to provide resources to Hispanic and Latino communities to eliminate barriers for non-English speaking adults and provide support in closing language and opportunity gaps.

“It was incredibly important to share this story with audiences as it is a topic close to my heart and something I’ve seen firsthand,” said film director Rudy Valdez. “I hope viewers gain a deeper understanding and empathy toward the challenges faced by immigrant families, especially their children, through this film.”

“Translators” is produced by Park Pictures in partnership with U.S. Bank, as part of the U.S. Bank Access Commitment™ , the bank’s long-term approach to help close the racial wealth gap which includes making banking more accessible to everyone through new digital tools, resources and community engagement. Recently, U.S. Bank launched Asistente Inteligente, the first Spanish language virtual banking assistant digital experience in the United States, enabling Spanish-speaking customers to bank however, whenever, and wherever is best for them.

“With over 41 million Spanish-speaking people in this country, we were inspired to look deeper into the experiences of customers to understand and connect with them and were very moved by this experience shared by so many families,” said U.S. Bank Senior Executive Vice President and Chief Diversity Officer, Greg Cunningham. “Through the work of Access Commitment, we are focused on wealth building and part of that for the Hispanic community is access – access to capital, resources, and opportunity. We know that language is access. It lets the community know that we see you and understand what’s important to you. Through this documentary, we hope to connect with and bring more visibility and access to families across the country who are going through the same experience.”

The powerful film will be introduced during the Tribeca Festival by Grammy Award winning singer and actress Leslie Grace, who signed on to the project as Documentary Ambassador.

“Growing up first generation Dominican American in New York and Florida, I was a young translator for elders in my family, so I am proud to be a part of this project,” said Grace. “Creating such a grounded documentary like ‘Translators’ as Rudy Valdez has done is so important because it allows organizations like U.S. Bank to generate awareness around the shared experience of these 11 million translators across the nation. Additionally, it opens the door for other companies and organizations to develop tools and resources that will help alleviate the burden of the younger generation as they assimilate along with their families.”

For the trailer and more information on “Translators” and how to view the film following its premiere, please visit www.TranslatorsFilm.com.

1 According to Pew Research Center

About U.S. Bank

U.S. Bancorp, with approximately 77,000 employees and $682 billion in assets as of March 31, 2023, is the parent company of U.S. Bank National Association. The Minneapolis-based company serves millions of customers locally, nationally and globally through a diversified mix of businesses: Consumer and Business Banking; Payment Services; Corporate & Commercial Banking; and Wealth Management and Investment Services. Union Bank, consisting primarily of retail banking branches on the West Coast, joined U.S. Bancorp in 2022. U.S. Bancorp has been recognized for its approach to digital innovation, social responsibility, and customer service, including being named one of the 2023 World’s Most Ethical Companies. Learn more at usbank.com/about.

About Park Pictures 

Park Pictures was founded in 1998 by Executive Producer Jacqueline Kelman Bisbee and renowned filmmaker/ cinematographer Lance Acord. Park has produced award-winning work for clients such as Apple, Nike, Google, Adidas, GE, Verizon, Nissan, and Volkswagen for over 20 years. Over the years, Park has produced features and documentaries, with over ten chosen as Official Selection at Sundance. Park has won multiple Emmy Awards for short and long-form film projects, an Academy Award in 2011, and took home the Palme d’Or at the 2019 Cannes Lions for best-performing production company of the year.

Media Contact

Susan Beatty susan.beatty@usbank.com

Jackie Baez jbaez@webershandwick.com

 

ST. PAUL, Minn. and CHARLOTTE, N.C., June 23, 2023 /3BL/ – 3M (@3M) and Discovery Education (@DiscoveryEd) today announced the 2023 3M Young Scientist Challenge (#YoungScientist) 24 State Merit Winners and four honorable mention recipients. As the nation’s premier middle school science competition, the 3M Young Scientist Challenge features outstanding innovations from young scientists that utilize the power of science to improve the world.

To enter, students in grades 5-8 submit a one-to-two-minute video explaining an original idea using science to help solve an everyday problem. All entries are reviewed by a diverse group of judges and evaluated on their creativity, scientific knowledge, and communication skills. Videos can be recorded using a cell phone or digital camera and are not judged on production skills.

“The 3M Young Scientist Challenge demonstrates how harnessing the power of people, ideas, and science to reimagine what’s possible can help shape a brighter future,” said John Banovetz, 3M executive vice president, chief technology officer and environmental responsibility. “The 2023 state merit winners are already making the world a better place through groundbreaking STEM thinking and innovation.”

The 2023 3M Young Scientist Challenge recognizes the 24 State Merit Winners and the four honorable mention recipients, which were selected for their passion for science, innovation, and superb communication skills. Each State Merit Winner receives special recognition on the challenge website, along with a special technology prize pack.  

The 2023 3M Young Scientist Challenge State Merit Winners are listed below in alphabetical order by state:

[Alabama] Greeshma Vinoy, Alabama School of Fine Arts, Alabama School of Fine Arts School District
[California] Kayley Xu, The Bishop’s School, Private
[Colorado] Aanshi Shah, Thunder Vista P-8, Five Star District
[Connecticut] Rithvik Suren, Academy of Science and Innovation, Capitol Region Education Council 
[Florida] Chilok Mak, Shorecrest Preparatory School, Private
[Georgia] Siddhant Mahapatra, East Side Elementary School, Cobb County School District
[Indiana] Rohith Nuthakki, Creekside Middle School, Carmel Clay School District
[Kentucky] Aniket Tadinada, Meyzeek Middle School, Jefferson County District
[Massachusetts] Hanna Suzuki, John Glenn Middle School, Bedford Public School District
[Maryland] Dev Gadhia, Mount View Middle School, Howard County Public School System
[Minnesota] Shubham Panchal, Wayzata Central Middle School, Wayzata Public Schools
[Missouri] Sania Rehman, Central High School – Springfield Scholars Program, Springfield R-12 District
[North Carolina] Jamie Cheng, Mills Park Middle School, Wake County Public School System
[New Hampshire] Yuvanguru Balagurumoorthy, Academy for Science and Design Chartered Public School, Nashua School District
[New Jersey] Jasmine Parran, Edison Intermediate School, Westfield Public School District
[Nevada] Mila Nguyen, Challenger School, Private
[New York] Vick Tan, Horace Mann School, Private
[Oklahoma] Iffat Iftekhar, Union 8th Grade Center, Union Public Schools
[Oregon] Subhang Bhatti, Astra Nova School, Online
[Pennsylvania] Arman Kazi, Hershey Middle School, Derry Township School District
[Texas] Neel Hiremath, Cedar Valley Middle School, Round Rock Independent School District
[Utah] Arin Bhandari, Clayton Middle School, Salt Lake City School District
[Virginia] Meha Seshan, Rosa Lee Carter Elementary School, Loudoun County Public Schools
[Wisconsin] Henry Martin, Golda Meir School, Milwaukee Public Schools

For the third time in competition history, the 3M Young Scientist Challenge also recognized entrants with an honorable mention award. These projects were selected for their unique and innovative concepts innovation and effective communication skills. The four 2023 3M Young Scientist Challenge honorable mention recipients are as follows in alphabetical order by last name:

Ryanne Bethly, Wesley Chapel, Fla., Watergrass Elementary School, Pasco County SchoolsAudrey Kim, Irvine, Calif., Sierra Vista Middle School, Irvine Unified School DistrictBhargav Mandakolathur, Milpitas, Calif., John Sinnott Elementary School, Milpitas Unified School DistrictKavin Puri, Mars, Pa., Marshall Middle School, North Allegheny School District

To learn more about the 3M Young Scientist Challenge and meet the 2023 finalists, visit YoungScientistLab.com.

“Congratulations to each state merit winner and honorable mention recipient in the 2023 3M Young Scientist Challenge. Your innovations are what this challenge is all about and it’s incredible to see young people from the age of 11 to 14 already making a difference in the world,” said Amy Nakamoto, general manager of social impact at Discovery Education.

America’s Top Young Scientists have gone on to give TED Talks, file patents, found nonprofits, make the Forbes 30 Under 30 list, ring the bell at the New York Stock Exchange and exhibit at the White House Science Fair. These young innovators have also been named Time Magazine’s first Kid of the Year, featured in The New York Times Magazine, Forbes, and Business Insider, and have appeared on national television programs such as Good Morning America, The Ellen DeGeneres Show, and more. In addition, the 3M Young Scientist Challenge Alumni Network began fall 2022 and welcomed more than 100 former challenge finalists and winners for networking and grant opportunities.

The award-winning 3M Young Scientist Challenge supplements the 3M and Discovery Education program – Young Scientist Lab – which provides no-cost dynamic digital resources for students, teachers, and families to explore, transform, and innovate the world around them. All the resources are also available through the Young Scientist Lab Channel and in the Social Impact Partnerships channel on Discovery Education’s recently enhanced K-12 learning platform. 

For more information about Discovery Education’s digital resources 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 3M
3M (NYSE: MMM) believes science helps create a brighter world for everyone. By unlocking the power of people, ideas and science to reimagine what’s possible, our global team uniquely addresses the opportunities and challenges of our customers, communities, and planet. Learn how we’re working to improve lives and make what’s next at 3M.com/news or on Twitter at @3M or @3MNews.

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
Robert Brittain
3M
Email: rbrittain@mmm.com 

Grace Maliska
Discovery Education
Email: gmaliska@discoveryed.com

Although 2022 was a year of many successes, it was also a year like no other for supply-chain disruptions. Market dynamics were extremely volatile as inflationary pressures on providers sent prices soaring. Severe congestion at ports and along the rail network, coupled with truck driver shortages, extreme weather events and difficulties with labor, created challenges we had never before faced.

However, despite these challenges, Sappi North America shipped our products with an improved on-time delivery rate, from 90% in the first quarter to 96% in the fourth. We achieved a year of record-breaking shipments, of 2.05 million short tons, from our domestic mills. We accomplished this with no injuries for the 16th consecutive year and with the lowest number of transportation claims since 2013.

Also in 2022, Sappi North America celebrated its 14th consecutive year as an EPA SmartWay® Transport Partner by using transport carriers that leverage technology to minimize our collective carbon footprint, and we were featured on the Journal of Commerce’s annual list of the Top 100 Exporters.

To help reduce greenhouse gas emissions, the Sappi North America supply chain team worked closely with our transportation partner, Schneider, on a dashboard for tracking greenhouse gas emissions. We have reduced emissions by 2% during the year while also reducing costs by collaborating with our customers to change transport modes from truck to rail.

If we can achieve this kind of success in a year as difficult as 2022, then we are confident we can continue to leverage cost-saving opportunities and reduce emissions as we advance into 2023 and beyond.