Month: September 2023

September 28, 2023 /3BL/ – Victor Sandifer is the creative genius behind Run The World, a groundbreaking product and experience company that seamlessly merges fashion and events to share captivating stories of history, culture, and radical thought. With a deep passion for storytelling and an innate understanding of the impact of narratives, Victor embarked on a mission to connect people with the world’s most compelling stories in innovative and immersive ways.

His journey of entrepreneurial success is a testament to the power of mentorship and determination.

Reflecting on his journey, Victor shared, “I was born and raised in Oakland. Growing up, I did not see many businesses in my community owned by people who looked like me. Consequently I did not think entrepreneurship was an option for me until I entered the workforce and realized that a traditional job wasn’t for me. Entrepreneurship has given me true freedom and purpose. I decided to join SkysTheLimit.org because I know how important it is to have like minded people in your circle to help you become successful.”

In his pursuit of transforming Run The World into a thriving enterprise, Victor Sandifer found an exceptional mentor through Sky’s the Limit, Dr. Jennifer Bailey, an expert in risk management at PNC. Jennifer’s career in the financial services sector and her commitment to community engagement made her the perfect match for Victor’s vision.

Jennifer’s background, including roles at renowned firms such as EY and PwC, as well as her experience at PNC, equipped her with valuable insights into strategy, culture, and analytics. Her previous involvement with franchise ownership and non-profit organizations added depth to her mentorship capabilities. As an adjunct professor at a local university’s school of business, Jennifer also excelled in sharing knowledge and guiding aspiring entrepreneurs.

The collaboration between Victor Sandifer and Jennifer Bailey has been transformative. Together, they embarked on a mission to enhance Run The World’s marketing efforts and pave the way for growth.

A pivotal moment in their mentorship journey involved brainstorming and crafting a groundbreaking marketing strategy for an upcoming Run The World collection. Jennifer’s insights and guidance played a crucial role in developing a comprehensive marketing plan.

“Jennifer helped brainstorm and conceptualize a new marketing strategy for a new collection I was releasing. Creating and executing a fully flushed out marketing plan helped me increase my sales by 60%,” said Victor.

Victor attributes a significant part of his entrepreneurial success to Sky’s the Limit, the organization that brought him together with Jennifer, and connected him with other mentors and resources. Victor received invaluable assistance in developing and refining his business plan and pitch deck for various competitions.

Bo Ghirardelli, Co-Founder & CEO of Sky’s the Limit, commends Victor’s achievements, stating, “Victor’s journey embodies the essence of what Sky’s the Limit stands for – empowering aspiring entrepreneurs to realize their full potential. We’re immensely proud of Victor’s accomplishments and the impact he’s making through Run The World.”

As he continues on his path to unlocking Run The World’s full potential, Victor expresses heartfelt gratitude to his mentors, particularly Jennifer Bailey, for their unwavering support and guidance. With their collective efforts, Victor and Run The World have transcended boundaries, making history, culture, and radical thought accessible to all, while achieving remarkable business success.

Read more about Victor’s inspiring success story and Run The World here.

Sky’s the Limit offers opportunities for traditionally marginalized entrepreneurs – typically those who identify as LGBTQIA+, BIPOC, women, veterans, disabled people, and people from low-income backgrounds – to connect with mentors to come together to foster, grow, and shape modern and future enterprise. The organization has also provided over $450,000 in startup grants and educated tens of thousands of diverse entrepreneurs.

For more information about partnerships and how to get involved, please visit skysthelimit.org/partnerships.

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About SkysTheLimit.org: SkysTheLimit.org is a digital platform that connects young, historically excluded entrepreneurs with one-on-one support from experienced business advisors and mentors, entrepreneurship training, and community-voted startup grants. SkysTheLimit.org is a 501(c)3 nonprofit. 

WASHINGTON, D.C. and NEW YORK, September 28, 2023 /3BL/ – The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), Green Business Certification Inc. (GBCI) and the International WELL Building Institute (IWBI) today announced extensive interest and adoption of the streamlined pathway to LEED and WELL Certification. Since the launch of the streamlined certification pathway, 335 projects in 38 countries, accounting for 82 million square feet, have opted-in to the process.

“It’s exciting to see how quickly the market has embraced the LEED and WELL pathway,” said Rachel Hodgdon, President and CEO, IWBI. “It shows just how much global demand there is to demonstrate leadership on both human health and planetary health.”

Announced in April of this year, the joint undertaking between IWBI and USGBC supports streamlined review and documentation for projects that are pursuing both certifications at the same time, or that have already earned one certification and are looking to add the other. “This new pathway strengthens synergies between LEED and WELL, supporting projects pursuing both gold standard certifications. This strategic partnership underscores that human health and planetary health are inextricably linked,” said Rachel Hodgdon, President and CEO, IWBI, when the new pathway was first introduced.

“The collaboration between USGBC and IWBI is imperative to confront today’s challenges and shape a future that will benefit generations to come,” said Peter Templeton, president & CEO, USGBC and GBCI.

The LEED and WELL pathway also includes a suite of alignment resources, including a LEED + WELL Crosswalk, Submittal Form, Streamlined Certification Process Guide and FAQs.

TVS became the first organization to achieve both LEED and WELL Certification through the streamlined pathway. Its 33,000 square-foot office in Atlanta achieved LEED Platinum and WELL Certification at the Platinum level, the highest tiers for both certifications.

The dual achievement aligns with TVS’ belief that long-term gains in human health and a sustainable world rely on high performance design, as well as policies that drive thoughtful day-to-day strategies to support the health and well-being of the people inside the space. LEED and WELL, in combination, demonstrate leadership in both. As the design progressed, TVS prioritized actions that had the best long-term impact for its people and the planet.

“We challenged ourselves to achieve both LEED and WELL certifications in a fluctuating construction climate knowing that our budget was incredibly tight. We wanted to demonstrate to ourselves and to our clients that unwavering commitment and innovative thinking would lead to lasting positive impact for our people and the planet. We are enormously proud of the results and are re-inspired to carry this message to our clients,” said Janet Simpson, President and CEO, TVS.

Connection was of the utmost importance to the team at TVS, as the office provided the opportunity for all staff to meet in a single space. However, with the benefit of in-person interaction came concerns over sound and volume control – with the Sound concept of WELL becoming an area of special focus. According to the TVS team, WELL’s Movement, Nourishment and Water concepts also resonated, helping increase awareness and inspire new behaviors.

“What is healthy for people, is healthy for our planet. That’s why we were excited to leverage the new LEED + WELL streamlined pathway that enabled us to work between the systems with greater ease resulting in achievement of dual certification at the highest level for our client, TVS,” said Allison Cunningham, Managing Director, Sustainability Consulting.

For more information on the LEED and WELL certification pathway, please visit this link.

About the International WELL Building Institute

The International WELL Building Institute (IWBI) is a public benefit corporation and the world’s leading organization focused on deploying people-first places to advance a global culture of health. IWBI mobilizes its community through the administration of the WELL Building Standard (WELL) and WELL ratings and certifications, management of the WELL AP credential, the pursuit of applicable research, the development of educational resources and advocacy for policies that promote health and well-being everywhere. More information on WELL can be found here.

International WELL Building Institute pbc is a wholly owned subsidiary of Delos Living LLC. International WELL Building Institute, IWBI, the WELL Building Standard, WELL v2, WELL Certified, WELL AP, WELL Portfolio, WELL Score, The WELL Conference, We Are WELL, the WELL Community Standard, WELL Health-Safety Rating, WELL Health-Safety Rated, WELL Equity, WELL Performance Rated, WELL Performance Rating, Works with WELL, WELL and others, and their related logos are trademarks or certification marks of International WELL Building Institute pbc in the United States and other countries.

About USGBC

The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) is committed to a prosperous and sustainable future through cost-efficient and energy-saving green buildings. USGBC works toward its mission of market transformation through its LEED green building program, robust educational offerings, an international network of local community leaders, the annual Greenbuild International Conference & Expo, the Center for Green Schools and advocacy in support of public policy that encourages and enables green buildings and communities. For more information, visit usgbc.org and connect on Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn.

About Green Business Certification Inc. (GBCI)

GBCI is the world’s leading sustainability and health certification and credentialing body. Established in 2008, GBCI exclusively administers project certifications and professional credentials and certificates within the framework of the U.S. Green Building Council’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) green building rating systems, as well as the PEER standard for power systems, the WELL Building Standard, the Sustainable SITES Initiative (SITES), EDGE (Excellence in Design for Greater Efficiencies), TRUE certification for zero waste and Investor Confidence Project (ICP) for energy efficiency retrofits. Visit gbci.org.

Media contact: 
media@wellcertified.com

BELLEVUE, Wash., September 28, 2023 /3BL/ – What’s the news: T-Mobile (NASDAQ: TMUS) named its next 25 Hometown Grant recipients, bringing the total to 225 communities since the Un-carrier announced its massive five-year commitment to small towns in April 2021. The company has now given more than $10 million to kickstart community development ideas across 42 states, with projects like upgrading tech at local libraries, building new hiking trails and revitalizing historic buildings.

Why it matters: T-Mobile is committed to being a force for good, and Hometown Grants is one way the Un-carrier is making a big difference in small towns. With $25 million set aside through 2026 to fund community projects, T-Mobile is empowering more people with digital connections that create a more sustainable future for all. Beyond Hometown Grants, T-Mobile is helping small town America thrive through initiatives like Project 10Million, which offers free internet connectivity to eligible students to help close the digital divide in education and T-Mobile 5G Home Internet, which gives millions of Americans access to more affordable home broadband.

Who it’s for: Anyone who wants to make a positive impact on their community.

How it works: To select Hometown Grant recipients, T-Mobile works with Main Street America and Smart Growth America — two organizations with expertise in building stronger, healthier and more connected communities. Applications are evaluated based on their level of detail and completeness, community need and impact, feasibility and other considerations. T-Mobile awards 25 Hometown Grants each quarter to small towns with a population of 50,000 or less.

To apply for a Hometown Grant for your town, visit here.

The recipients: Here are the next 25 Hometown Grant recipients and their projects:

Springville, Ala.: Renovate the Main Street Farmers Market Pavilion, including a new pergola, concrete pad, concrete stage, exterior lighting, planter boxes and AstroTurf area for community events and gatherings.Kingsburg, Calif.: Install restrooms, solar lighting, landscaping, and Wi-Fi access points at Athwal Park as part of a multi-year, master-planned recreation project to add new amenities, including improved digital access.Mount Shasta, Calif.: Launch the Fire Toolkit Project through the Mount Shasta Bioregional Ecology Center, aimed at providing fire prevention and safety resources, equipment, and training to communities across Siskiyou County, including a fully equipped mobile trailer.Calhoun, Ga.: Revamp the Cyber Café at the Boys & Girls Clubs serving Chattooga, Gordon, Murray and Whitfield Counties, by updating technology with routers, tablets with a portable charging station, touchscreen televisions and an interactive virtual educational system for youth to have a dedicated space for homework help and program engagement.Colfax, Iowa: Beautify Downtown Colfax with the addition of a pocket park, including brick pavers, tables, chairs, bicycle racks, planter boxes, a sculptural partition, and other public art, to provide an outdoor community gathering space.Independence, Iowa: Put in artificial turf at all five fields at the Independence Baseball/Softball Complex to expand youth sports programs and create jobs across northeast Iowa.Highland, Ill.: Install a new, unique playground this fall at Highland’s Silver Lake Park with ropes, logs, boulders, and other elements of nature incorporated into it that will inspire imagination.Rantoul, Ill.: Preserve the area’s rich railroad, agriculture and military history by incorporating and installing interactive sculptures and murals around Downtown Rantoul, as a part of the Downtown Streetscape Project.Peru, Ind.: Revive seven city blocks of downtown Peru, installing benches, bike racks and trash receptacles to increase walkability and gathering at downtown events and farmers market activities.Iola, Kan.: Create four murals depicting historical industries and landmarks that represent the area, in partnership with local designer Max Grundy that will be seen from U.S. Route 54 and 169.Hagerstown, Md.: Support an interactive life safety education program for youth, addressing critical issues like traffic and pedestrian safety, fire and water safety and more at the Children’s Village Skills Training Building, taught by emergency responders and retired educators.Skowhegan, Maine: Build The Kitchen at 185, a shared commercial kitchen and business incubator, aimed to support food producers, purveyors and restaurateurs by cultivating a business ecosystem, including flex spaces for food vendors to market their products and a food hall area for the community.Marshall, Minn.: Create a career and technical workforce training center for youth, available to all students throughout the public school system to provide more opportunities for hands-on and skills-based learning.Historic Village of Gold Hill, N.C.: Replace worn out wooden boardwalks in the village and add ADA accessibility to areas, increase public safety as well as install benches dedicated to our local veterans throughout the village.Franklin, N.C.: Construct a bilingual community health center out of an acquired 16,000 square foot warehouse, including integrated primary/behavioral healthcare and pharmacy, dental care, social services agencies, meeting spaces, health and fitness classes, community groups and arts to provide needed resources for the community.Lovington, N.M.: Revamp the historic art-deco style Lea Theatre, including updates to the building’s roof, exterior, electrical and plumbing, to provide the community with an entertainment venue.Pahrump, Nev.: Install a water splash pad at Simkins Park, providing a way for children in the community to cool off and a sustainable, economical water solution in a water-restricted desert climate.Anadarko, Okla.: Beautify the historic downtown Miller Theater by adding an outdoor greenspace area, including a raised stage and amphitheater, restrooms, outdoor seating, concession stand and mural honoring the town’s rich history of the Native American community.Guthrie, Okla.: Renovate the Hope House, a temporary haven for families and individuals, including updates to living resources like laundry services, bathrooms and storage, and an updated surveillance system, security doors and fencing to help ensure the safety of residents.McMinnville, Ore.: Transform a high traffic alley passageway into the McMinnville Community Art Alley, a beautiful, safe culture focal point in the downtown area, with the partnership of 10 local businesses.Warm Springs, Ore.: Create the Warm Springs Commissary, reclaiming a 125-year-old former Bureau of Indian Affairs commissary building and turning it into a sustainably built co-working space with retail (barber shop, café, art store), food carts, outdoor pavilion and community gathering spaces supporting 40 aspiring or current tribal small businesses.DuBois, Pa.: Launch the Dubois Area Middle School esports program, providing technology equipment like gaming computers and consoles, wall-mounted televisions and seating to encourage esports competitions across the region.Derry Township, Lewistown, Pa.: Build two new playgrounds (Tot Lot and Youth), remodel restrooms and add native plantings to provide the community with much needed outdoor family recreational space.Dyersburg, Tenn.: Repair the Dyersburg Farmers Market, a highly attended outdoor space, by replacing uneven concrete floor slabs, metal siding and installing handrails to improve public safety.Mount Carmel, Tenn.: Create an outdoor classroom in City Park for students from Mount Carmel Elementary, Mount Carmel Library summer reading program, and area homeschool groups, to have a dedicated, creative space to learn ecology, gardening and crafts.

Check out how Hometown Grants are positively impacting small towns nationwide here.

For more information about T-Mobile’s commitment to small towns, visit www.t-mobile.com/hometowngrants.

Follow @TMobileNews on X, formerly known as Twitter, to stay up to date with the latest company news.

To download b-roll, click here.

About T-Mobile 
T-Mobile US, Inc. (NASDAQ: TMUS) is America’s supercharged Un-carrier, delivering an advanced 4G LTE and transformative nationwide 5G network that will offer reliable connectivity for all. T-Mobile’s customers benefit from its unmatched combination of value and quality, unwavering obsession with offering them the best possible service experience and undisputable drive for disruption that creates competition and innovation in wireless and beyond. Based in Bellevue, Wash., T-Mobile provides services through its subsidiaries and operates its flagship brands, T-Mobile, Metro by T-Mobile and Sprint. For more information please visit: https://www.t-mobile.com