Month: June 2023

Elida Cristina Martins is standing next to an aerial photograph of her farm. The tree cover and jungle-like growth covering the property are easily observable. She is proud of the photo, set in a gilded frame, and once you see another picture, one taken nearly 20 years ago of the same area, you’ll understand why. The comparison is stark – the older photo is of a modest white house with low-lying green behind it and a scrubby patch of dirt in front. There are no trees, no grass, no shade. This current version of Elida’s farm is an oasis of different trees, shrubs, and other plant life has been thoughtfully integrated to maximize their symbiotic relationships. 

Elida is part of an initiative led by the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) Brazil and funded in part by the Tapestry Foundation to rehabilitate degraded areas of the Cerrado biome, a vast savanna that covers the state of Moto Grosso do Sol in Brazil. Her farm, Boa Vida, is one of the sites where WWF is promoting the sustainable restoration of land that had been previously converted to ranch land for cattle grazing. The collection of native vegetation includes a diverse variety of plants, many of which are edible. This is agroforestry, the integration of trees and shrubs into crop and animal farming systems to create environmental, economic, and social benefits. In addition to improving the health of the land, this model offers an opportunity for comprehensive social impact.  

The leather supply chain is long, complex, and opaque; in most regions of the world, there is little traceability of hides and leather as it moves through the value chain. Globally, habitat conversion for pasture is the largest single driver of deforestation. As part of a four-year, multi-faceted $3 million grant launched in 2022, the Tapestry Foundation and WWF are partnering to accelerate the development of deforestation- and conversion-free (DCF) leather supply chains. What is unique about this approach is that while the long-term benefits of reforestation are crucial, investing in the area in the short-term is a vital part of the process. 

In the short term, the grant is focused on social enterprise models that support the local community and environment. In the first year, the project has restored nearly 11,000 acres of pasture and riparian areas and WWF has held seven training courses to initiate seed collection community projects with 125 rural people reached through these courses (67% women including settlers and local landowners). Native seed collection, which is a key step in the recovery of degraded areas, contributes directly to economic empowerment of rural families, the appreciation of local knowledge, and the empowerment of these women. Women who complete these courses and become involved in seed collection are able to substantially increase their household income. 

In a recent visit to the Cerrado, Tapestry and WWF teams spent two weeks on the ground meeting with local people, including Elida, to experience first-hand the importance of centering local voices to meet immediate challenges while also creating long-term change. Year one of the pilot project reinforced that change cannot happen without the collaboration of communities, and that true innovation comes from testing and learning from new ways of thinking. WWF Brazil and the Tapestry Foundation outperformed year 1 targets for reforestation by 750% through funding hyper-local social enterprise models that scale reforestation efforts while providing economic opportunities for local community members.  

Tapestry, parent company of Coach, kate spade new york, and Stuart Weitzman, is dedicated to proving a deforestation and conversion free leather supply chain can exist in Brazil but we know a comprehensive approach is necessary and will take time.  

Over the long-term, the project aims to create lasting solutions that support responsible sourcing of leather, reduce land conversion and deforestation, and restore what has already been degraded. Tapestry will be a key partner in scaling up important work led by WWF to the rest of the manufacturing sector and beyond to the rest of the cattle and leather supply chains in areas threatened by deforestation. Together this partnership will learn the best ways to shift the economic incentives leading bad actors to clear swaths of forested land (like cattle ranching and monocropping) to sustainable integrated solutions. While WWF tests solutions like agroforestry on the ground to reorient approaches around land use, Tapestry is working in conjunction with our industry on other commitments and pledges around deforestation and moving forward a DCF supply chain.  

Deforestation is a complex problem that requires purposeful cooperation—the Tapestry grant with WWF allows collaboration with all stakeholders, from cattle ranchers to government decision makers, fellow fashion brands, to the communities living within proximity of areas feeling the worst effects of deforestation, to work together to change the system.  

Wesco is committed to supplier diversity and driving socio-economic growth. We promote the participation of minority-, women-, aboriginal-, people with disabilities-, veteran-, service-disabled veteran, and LGBTQ-owned enterprises in our distribution business.

Wesco is committed to promoting the participation of Diverse Business Enterprises (DBE) and Federal Government Small Business Administration (SBA) defined businesses in our distribution business. We increase company value working with certified DBE and SBA businesses through purchasing or reselling opportunities, participating in teaming arrangements and subcontracting whenever practical. We are equally committed to growing our diverse vendor network. We strive to strengthen our supplier diversity engagements to contribute to the economic growth and expansion in the communities we serve.

Guiding Principles

Strengthen our diversity supplier community economically.Offer DBEs and SBA defined businesses an opportunity to compete on an equal basis.Support the demand from customers for value-added and third-party certified diversity partners.Focus on building an authentic and engaging culture of inclusion and diversity.

Our Solutions

Our solutions thrive on supplier diversity growth through innovation by introducing new products, driving competition resulting in savings, and through a channel that extends sales reach.

We recognize the benefits that a network of diverse businesses bring to the communities we serve, customers we supply, and the enterprises we maintain. As a world-class organization, we have prioritized this initiative to help strengthen economic growth in the communities we support.

Diversity Alliance Network

Wesco’s Diversity Alliance partners provide customers with a direct procurement solution. A network of trusted and vetted third-party certified companies aligned to Wesco’s sales teams. They provide value-added solutions, along with access to Wesco’s 1.5M products to help customers meet diversity goals.

Diverse Supplier Network

Wesco partners with diverse suppliers to enhance our supply chain. Our program creates growth opportunities for suppliers and creates a Tier 2 diversity solution for our customers. Meaning when a customer has a diversity spend requirement, we work to find the right suppliers to fulfill their needs.

Learn about our commitment to supplier diversity and driving socio-economic growth here.

NEW YORK, June 21, 2023 /3BL/ – NBCUniversal today launched new content featuring a robust slate of NBCUniversal talent for its iconic, award-winning PSA campaign, “The More You Know,” which has brought timely issues to the forefront of Americans’ minds for over 30 years. The latest PSAs, social videos, and an in-depth conversation inspire dialogue and invite action on topics such as media literacy, food insecurity, mentorship, supporting veterans, reading, and staying physically active. The content will be featured across the platforms of Comcast NBCUniversal.

The topics and talent included in today’s launch are:

Food InsecurityCarl Quintanilla, Co-anchor, CNBC’s “Squawk on the Street” – view PSAStephanie Ruhle, Host, MSNBC’s “The 11th Hour”; Senior Business Analyst, NBC News – view PSAMedia LiteracyLester Holt, Anchor and Managing Editor, “NBC Nightly News”; Anchor, “Dateline NBC” – view PSAAriana Madix, Bravo’s “Vanderpump Rules” – view SocialMentorshipTom Llamas, Anchor, NBC News NOW’s “Top Story” – view SocialAriana Madix, Bravo’s “Vanderpump Rules” – view SocialJulio Vaqueiro, Anchor, Noticias Telemundo – view SocialPlaying OutsideZuri Hall, Correspondent, “Access Hollywood”; Co-host, NBC’s “American Ninja Warrior” – view SocialVanessa Hauc, Anchor, Noticias Telemundo – view SocialBecky Quick, Co-anchor, CNBC’s “Squawk Box” – view SocialStephanie Ruhle, Host, MSNBC’s “The 11th Hour”; Senior Business Analyst, NBC News – view SocialJulio Vaqueiro, Anchor, Noticias Telemundo – view SocialThe Power of ReadingJenna Bush Hager, Co-host, “TODAY with Hoda & Jenna”; Founder, of the TODAY book club, Read with Jenna – view PSATom Llamas, Anchor, NBC News NOW’s “Top Story” – view PSAStephanie Ruhle, Host, MSNBC’s “The 11th Hour”; Senior Business Analyst, NBC News – view PSASupporting Our VeteransWillie Geist, Host, “Sunday TODAY”; Co-host, MSNBC’s “Morning Joe” – view SocialTom Llamas, Anchor, NBC News NOW’s “Top Story” – view SocialBrian Sullivan, Anchor, CNBC’s “Last Call” – view PSA

“Media literacy is critical to navigating the breadth of misinformation online,” said Holt. “I am grateful for opportunities, such as ‘The More Your Know’, to shed light on this important topic.”

Jenna Bush Hager discusses the power of reading with Maya Nussbaum, Founder and Executive Director of Girls Write Now, marking the first time the campaign features one of NBCUniversal’s nonprofit partners. Their conversation includes personal anecdotes on how they make reading a habit for themselves and with their families, as well as the work they’re doing to champion diverse authors – Bush Hager through her book club, Read With Jenna, and Nussbaum through her organization’s work to break down barriers of gender, race, age and poverty to mentor and train the next generation of writers and leaders for life.

“I was thrilled to have the opportunity to connect with Jenna and highlight the work we’re doing at Girls Write Now,” said Nussbaum. “Jenna’s passion for reading, along with her emphasis on providing a platform for diverse storytellers, through Read With Jenna, aligns directly with our mission. I hope our conversation will inspire audiences to make reading and selecting books from a diverse range of authors a priority.”

“As communities grapple with the pandemic’s lasting effects, issues surrounding mental health and food insecurity are more pressing than ever,” said Hilary Smith, Executive Vice President, Corporate Social Responsibility, NBCUniversal. “’The More You Know’ provides a powerful platform to help raise awareness and inspire action in related areas, such as donating to food banks, the importance of reading, taking care of veterans and engaging in outdoor play.”

“The More You Know” highlights NBCUniversal’s commitment to supporting equity and access in our communities through the art of storytelling. To view the content and access resources on each topic, visit www.TheMoreYouKnow.com and follow “The More You Know” on social: Tik Tok, Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, YouTube.

About NBCUniversal

NBCUniversal is one of the world’s leading media and entertainment companies. We create world-class content, which we distribute across our portfolio of film, television, and streaming, and bring to life through our theme parks and consumer experiences. We own and operate leading entertainment and news brands, including NBC, NBC News, MSNBC, CNBC, NBC Sports, Telemundo, NBC Local Stations, Bravo, USA Network, and Peacock, our premium ad-supported streaming service. We produce and distribute premier filmed entertainment and programming through Universal Filmed Entertainment Group and Universal Studio Group, and have world-renowned theme parks and attractions through Universal Destinations & Experiences. NBCUniversal is a subsidiary of Comcast Corporation. Visit www.nbcuniversal.com for more information.

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Media Contacts 
Pat Bunting 
NBCUniversal 
e: Pat.Bunting@nbcuni.com 
C: 201-815-9733

Liza Brecker 
NBCUniversal 
e:Liza.Brecker@nbcuni.com 
c: 914-574-7692