Month: February 2024

Originally published by EducationWeek on edweek.org

Creating opportunities to inspire creativity among different groups of students at an early age can help sustain interest in STEM at higher levels with the potential to influence career paths.

At Henkel, a manufacturer of consumer and industrial brands, such as Dial® soap and all® laundry detergent, we see this challenge as an opportunity to bring to life our company purpose: pioneers at heart for the good of generations. One way we live this is demonstrated in Henkel’s STEM education program, Henkel Researchers’ World, which is on a mission to introduce elementary-school-aged children to the world of science. Taking a holistic approach towards teaching and learning, Henkel Researchers’ World has been putting children into the role and workplace of actual researchers since it was established in 2011. 

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For the fifth year in a row, Illumina has been named one of America’s Most JUST Companies by JUST Capital and CNBC. Illumina ranked #29, out of the top 100, and second in the pharmaceutical and biotech industry. Over 1,000 of the largest publicly-traded U.S. companies were evaluated on key issues across the categories of employees, communities, the environment, customers, and shareholders.

Also for the fifth consecutive year, Illumina has been included in the 2024 S&P Global Sustainability Yearbook, which aims to distinguish companies that have demonstrated strengths in environmental sustainability. This year, Illumina’s S&P Global ESG Score is within the top 15% of more than 7,800 companies assessed.

These two recognitions reflect Illumina’s continued commitment to be a sustainable and responsible company. They also are a testament to Illumina’s dedication to supporting and empowering all of our stakeholders as we unlock the power of genomics to improve human health.

Explore how we are shaping a more sustainable and equitable future for all through genomics here.

Originally published on 3M News Center

In honor of Black History Month, 3M recently welcomed more than 30 St. Paul, Minnesota, STEM high school students to its campus to learn from America’s Top Young Scientist, Heman Bekele, and several 3M technical leaders about their experiences, challenges and inspirations during their careers.

Heman, who was named the winner of 3M’s Young Scientist Challenge in October 2023 for his skin-cancer treating soap, attended virtually and shared his experience about seeking support outside of school and family, his commitment to time management, and the importance of curiosity. The audience, who were mostly students of color, were able to engage with Heman and ask questions about his failures, perseverance, and resilience.

The event was organized by the 3M Black Leadership Advancement Coalition (BLAC) whose mission is to accelerate the inclusion and advancement of diverse talent at 3M to reflect our diverse markets and grow our business by attracting, developing and retaining Black talent.

After Heman’s talk, the high schoolers had a chance to hear from a panel of 3M Black scientists and engineers. The panelists spoke about their roles at 3M and the benefits of having a scientific background in business and management positions. The group also discussed challenging experiences of representation they’ve encountered, but emphasized the importance of friends, allies, and a likeminded community for support.

Maple Valley, Wash., February 14, 2024 /3BL/ — Vine Maple Place has received a $200,000 grant from KeyBank to support its Stable Families Program, which helps single-parent families who are homeless or days away from becoming unhoused. The funding will also be used to add capacity, extending the reach by nearly 50%.

The mission of Vine Maple Place is to break the generational cycle of homelessness and its effects among single-parent families by offering safety, providing stability and equipping them for self-sufficiency. Its client-centric and evidence-based Stable Families Program weaves together housing stability and rent assistance, workforce development, children and youth programming, financial literacy training and behavioral health services for families in South King County, Washington. The program has yielded an impressive success rate, with 91% of families remaining stably housed one year after exiting the program.

“Here at KeyBank our aim is to help our communities thrive, and it’s a privilege to lend a hand to some of our most vulnerable neighbors as they navigate their next steps,” said Matt Hill, KeyBank’s Market President for Seattle Cascades. “We know that stable housing is the foundation upon which successful lives are built and are impressed by the work that Vine Maple Place is doing with this proven program to help set these families on the path to a brighter future with an integrated model that addresses emotional, physical, and financial needs.” 

“We are grateful to KeyBank for this extraordinarily generous grant that will transform the lives of hundreds of families who are facing homelessness today,” said Michelle Frets, Maple Vine Place Executive Director. “This grant empowers Vine Maple Place to extend crucial support to more single parents and their children facing homelessness or eviction, facilitating their journey off the streets toward healing, safety, and stability. Here at Vine Maple Place, we are committed to preventing and ending homelessness, and through this grant, KeyBank’s commitment to community well-being directly translates to tangible action that will change the lives of thousands of homeless parents and kids, contributing to ending homelessness.”

About Vine Maple Place 
Vine Maple Place, established in 2000 as a 501c3 nonprofit working with single parents and their children to break the generational cycle of homelessness. Serving families who are homeless or facing eviction, our commitment is to end homelessness in South King County. Over the past 12 years, our signature Stable Families program has grown, serving from 68 parents and children to nearly 4,500 individuals annually. Our programs focus on preventing homelessness or assisting families off the streets to become safe, stable, and equipped with new skills to permanently leave homelessness. Families achieve great success, becoming safe, stable, and self-sufficient; 95% are stably housed upon exiting the program, with 91% maintaining their housing a year later. Our evidence-based, client-centered services are delivered at two Family Hope Centers. As a community-based organization, we rely on the thousands of volunteer hours and donations that make our work possible.

About KeyBank 
KeyCorp’s roots trace back nearly 200 years to Albany, New York. Headquartered in Cleveland, Ohio, Key is one of the nation’s largest bank-based financial services companies, with assets of approximately $188 billion at December 31, 2023. Key provides deposit, lending, cash management, and investment services to individuals and businesses in 15 states under the name KeyBank National Association through a network of approximately 1,000 branches and approximately 1,200 ATMs. Key also provides a broad range of sophisticated corporate and investment banking products, such as merger and acquisition advice, public and private debt and equity, syndications and derivatives to middle market companies in selected industries throughout the United States under the KeyBanc Capital Markets trade name. For more information, visit https://www.key.com/. KeyBank is Member FDIC.

Yum! Brands

LOUISVILLE, Ky., February 14, 2024 /3BL/ – Yum! Brands, Inc. (NYSE: YUM) and the University of Louisville today announced the launch of new “Accelerating Growth” executive education programs at the Yum! Center for Global Franchise Excellence. The new programs will focus on equipping operations leaders to take on senior management roles in franchise organizations, an area identified as a key opportunity by franchisees and leadership at the Yum! Center for Global Franchise Excellence, which has been providing education for aspiring entrepreneurs through the UofL College of Business since 2021.

As part of its $100 million global Unlocking Opportunity Initiative, Yum! Brands is providing more than $800,000 in funding to launch the “Accelerating Growth” programs, which is in addition to the $3.5 million commitment the company made to launch the Yum! Center for Global Franchise Excellence in 2021. The goal of Yum! Brands’ Unlocking Opportunity Initiative is to create opportunities for education and entrepreneurship for employees, frontline restaurant teams and communities around the world.

The two new “Accelerating Growth” education tracks will launch in the summer and fall 2024 semester and will focus on training attendees to upskill their franchising education.

“Yum! Brands is passionate about the franchise business model, and capable franchise leaders are the lifeblood of every successful franchise system. As the franchisor of choice for the industry, we are thrilled to partner with the University of Louisville and address a need of the industry – training a new generation of leaders to take on senior management roles in franchise businesses,” said Wanda Williams, Head, Global Franchising, Yum! Brands. “Since its launch in 2021 as part of our Unlocking Opportunity Initiative, the Yum! Center for Global Franchise Excellence has helped prepare hundreds of students for successful careers and business ownership opportunities by building knowledge about the franchising industry,”

Two new education tracks will be offered as part of the “Accelerating Growth” program, which will develop the skills necessary to run and grow a large franchise business: a six-month Level 1 program designed to train General Managers and Area Coaches for a Vice President role, and an advanced one-year program customized to prepare Vice Presidents for a role as President of a franchise organization. Both programs include online and experiential education, and the advanced program also includes a final simulation and development of a business plan.

“The ‘Accelerating Growth’ program is an exceptional addition to the multilevel franchise education offered by our center at the University of Louisville and is yet another way we can create opportunities for professionals across the franchising industry. We are incredibly grateful for Yum!’s continued support for the center and this opportunity to expand the center’s programs,” said Kathleen Gosser, Director of the Yum! Center for Global Franchise Excellence and Assistant Professor in the UofL College of Business.

Since the launch of the Yum! Center for Global Franchise Excellence at the University of Louisville, total enrollment has exceeded 900 students – 423 undergrad, 50 graduate-level and 500 executive education enrollees.

In addition, The Center launched the annual Yum! Franchise Accelerator Fellowship in 2022, a collaborative effort between the University of Louisville, Howard University and Yum! Brands, which offers a unique opportunity for four MBA students from the two universities. Participants in the annual program are granted $10,000 scholarships and receive personalized training and mentorship from industry experts during an immersive educational journey centered around the franchise business model. Each accelerator program culminates in a pitch competition featuring a $10,000 cash prize, while establishing winners as top candidates for promising franchising careers. The Yum! Franchise Accelerator Fellowship is open to all eligible students regardless of race, color, national origin, sex, disability, or age.

About Yum! Brands 
Yum! Brands, Inc., based in Louisville, Kentucky, and its subsidiaries franchise or operate a system of over 58,000 restaurants in more than 155 countries and territories under the company’s concepts – KFC, Taco Bell, Pizza Hut and the Habit Burger Grill. The Company’s KFC, Taco Bell and Pizza Hut brands are global leaders of the chicken, Mexican-style food, and pizza categories, respectively. The Habit Burger Grill is a fast casual restaurant concept specializing in made-to-order chargrilled burgers, sandwiches and more. In 2024, Yum! was named to the Dow Jones Sustainability Index North America for the eighth consecutive year, and the company was recognized among TIME Magazine’s list of Best Companies for Future Leaders and Newsweek’s list of America’s Most Responsible Companies. Yum! also received widespread recognition in 2023, including being listed on the Bloomberg Gender-Equality Index; Forbes’ list of America’s Best Employers for Diversity; and Newsweek’s list of America’s Greenest Companies. In addition, KFC, Taco Bell and Pizza Hut brands were ranked in the top five of Entrepreneur’s Top Global Franchises Ranking for 2023.

About the University of Louisville 
Founded in 1798 as one of the nation’s first city-owned, public universities, the University of Louisville (UofL) is a vital ecosystem that creates thriving futures for students, our community and society. As one of only 79 universities in the United States to earn recognition by the Carnegie Foundation as both a Research 1 and a Community Engaged university, we impact lives in areas of student success and research and innovation, while our dynamic connection with our local and global communities provides unparalleled opportunities for students and citizens both. The university serves as an engine that powers Metro Louisville and the commonwealth and as a classroom for UofL’s more than 23,000 students, who benefit from partnerships with top employers and a wide range of community service opportunities.

Release Notice

The releases contained on this page may contain dated information. Readers are cautioned that the releases on this page are maintained here solely for the purposes of providing historical background about Yum! Brands, its business and product offerings. As the releases may contain dated information, they should not be relied upon as providing accurate or current information. Yum! Brands disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any of the information contained in any of the releases on this page, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

BELLEVUE, Wash. and SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico, February 14, 2024 /3BL/ –

What’s the news: The Veterans Affairs Caribbean Healthcare System in Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands selected T-Mobile as the primary wireless provider in a 10-year agreement.

Why it matters: VA healthcare professionals in 15 locations across Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands will have the low latency and reliability of 5G to help ensure consistent and resilient connectivity for patient care, telehealth, and disaster response.

Who it’s for: Healthcare providers and support staff across VA hospitals and campuses in Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands and the veterans they serve, plus government and business organizations that need resilient connectivity.

In a 10-year agreement, the Veterans Affairs Caribbean Healthcare System has selected T-Mobile (NASDAQ: TMUS) as its primary wireless provider to help healthcare professionals in 15 locations across Puerto Rico and US Virgin Islands connect seamlessly to the veterans they serve. T-Mobile will provide wireless lines and mobile internet hotspots for VA healthcare professionals as well as enhanced in-building 5G coverage for the San Juan VA hospital and an outpatient clinic in Mayaguez, Puerto Rico.

The reliability and low latency of T-Mobile’s leading 5G helps improve efficiencies across the VA hospitals in Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands by providing:

Seamless communication between healthcare providers, patients and their families within and beyond the hospital walls.Enhanced in-building coverage to help the hospital in disaster situations, offering crucial services including medical care, communication facilities, disaster response coordination and support for affected individuals.The ability to implement an advanced telehealth solution, enabling remote medical consultations, improving patient care and increasing access to healthcare services.

“We’re honored to support VA healthcare professionals across Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands in their life-saving work,” said Callie Field, President, T-Mobile Business Group. “Our leading 5G enables us to partner with our healthcare customers on unique solutions – from working with Boston Children’s Hospital on healthcare’s first 5G hybrid network to helping VA Caribbean Healthcare system doctors and staff stay seamlessly connected to relief workers and the wider community in the most dire situations. That’s the impact of 5G.”

T-Mobile’s 5G network not only paves the way for other VA centers in the Caribbean Healthcare System to embrace this technology but also unlocks the potential for a spectrum of next-generation healthcare solutions — innovations like augmented and virtual reality applications and advanced patient monitoring.

To learn more about T-Mobile’s commitment to supporting veterans, visit: https://www.t-mobile.com/responsibility/community/military.

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

# # #

See 5G device, coverage, & access details at T-Mobile.com.

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

Media Contacts 
T-Mobile US, Inc. Media Relations 
MediaRelations@t-mobile.com

Investor Relations Contact 
T-Mobile US, Inc. 
investor.relations@t-mobile.com 
https://investor.t-mobile.com

CHARLOTTE, N.C., February 14, 2024 /3BL/ – Truist Financial Corporation (NYSE: TFC) today announced the initial recipients of its Truist Community Catalyst Initiative, a three-year Community Reinvestment Act program supporting local efforts with statewide impact. This initiative will support 17 efforts across 13 states, impacting 54 communities, allowing local nonprofit organizations to better respond to critical community needs within their state.

The funding, provided by the Truist Charitable Fund—a donor-advised fund administered by The Winston-Salem Foundation, totals $5 million and will create significant impacts including placing over 1,000 individuals into livable wage jobs, developing or preserving 700 affordable housing units, deploying $65 million in loan capital through 500 small business and home loans, and providing 3,100 low- to moderate-income individuals with new access to essential community services.

“The goal of Truist’s Community Catalyst Initiative is to understand a state’s top critical needs and partner with nonprofits to address the issues by driving meaningful collaboration and change for the benefit of the community,” said Truist Chief CRA/Community Development Officer Anthony Weekly. “These organizations focus on creating innovative, scalable and sustainable ideas, and we look forward to positively impacting the lives of more than 10,000 individuals.”

The 2023-25 Truist Community Catalyst Initiative focuses on issues within four key focus areas: affordable housing, small business access to capital, workforce development and essential community services. As each program expands, grant recipients will have the opportunity to reapply for additional funding annually through 2025.

“Collaborating with the 17 lead organizations and their more than 100 partners will expand existing programs or help introduce new services to multiple communities across each state and bring to life our purpose of inspiring and building better lives and communities,” added Truist CRA Managing Director of Strategic Programs and Initiatives Heidi Schoonover.

Funding will be provided to the following lead organizations:

Affordable Housing 

Florida Community Loan Fund: Florida’s first statewide community development financial institution will use grant funding to support new and existing loan programs that offer more flexible financing options for affordable housing and to increase the nonprofit’s capacity.Center for Community Self-Help: Self-Help is a North Carolina-based CDFI that provides responsible financial services, lending to small businesses and nonprofits, developing real estate and promoting fair financial practices. Grant funding will expand the nonprofit’s Naturally Occurring Affordable Housing Preservation Project and Housing Loan Fund to finance and secure affordable housing units.Virginia Supportive Housing: VSH’s mission is to end homelessness by providing permanent housing and supportive services to the most vulnerable individuals in our society. Grant funding will help VSH expand its geographic footprint to bring affordable housing and permanent supportive housing developments to more rural and suburban communities in Virginia.Enterprise Community Partners: A national housing nonprofit, Enterprise Community Partners exists to make a good home possible for the millions of families without one. Grant funds will support expansion of Enterprise’s Faith-Based Development Initiative into Montgomery and Baltimore counties. The program helps houses of worship transform underutilized land into affordable housing.Regional Housing Legal Services: RHLS helps create thriving communities offering healthy and affordable housing for lower-income Pennsylvanians through legal services and policy solutions. Grant funds will expand legal and technical assistance as well as training and education to owners and managers of affordable housing developments to preserve and improve the availability of affordable housing across Pennsylvania.LISC: As a CDFI, LISC provides grant dollars, loans, tax credit equity, one-on-one technical assistance, access to consultants and training to build the capacity of partner organizations. Grant funds will create a standardized training program for emerging developers in Houston and San Antonio, with a focus toward those who have faced tremendous barriers to success.CommunityWorks in West Virginia: A CDFI focused on affordable housing, CommunityWorks in West Virginia will use the grant funds to expand lending capacity, providing more opportunities for low-income home purchasers and homeowners in need of repair financing. CommunityWorks in West Virginia also will create new loan products to incentivize more organizations to develop affordable rental housing and for consumers to repair their credit.

Small Business Access to Capital

Ascendus Inc.: This nationwide CDFI empowers LMI small business owners through access to capital and financial education. Grant funds will support the nonprofit’s launch of a revolving line of credit product for LMI entrepreneurs across the state of Florida.Scale Link: A nonprofit that supports the growth and development of CDFI small business lenders by creating secondary markets for their loans. Grant funds will support Scale Link expansion to more CDFIs across North Carolina.Pathway Lending: Based in Tennessee, this CDFI has lent over half a billion dollars across the Southeast and is committed to supporting the development, growth and preservation of underserved small businesses, affordable housing and sustainable communities, through its lending products and coaching programs. Grant funds will enhance and expand Pathway’s coaching and technical assistance programs through its Tech-Enabled Coaching to Capital Initiative, amplifying its impact on small businesses.

Workforce Development

Tallatoona Community Action Partnership Inc.: With a mission to assist low-income individuals and families to acquire useful skills and knowledge, gain new opportunities and achieve self-sufficiency, Tallatoona CAP is bringing together multiple organizations to implement its Pathways to Empowerment Workforce Development Initiative. Grant funds will help provide the training and support individuals need to gain jobs as certified nursing assistants, CNC machinists or certified industrial maintenance professionals.JUMPSTART South Carolina: JUMPSTART SC assists current and former prisoners across the state of South Carolina by creating pathways to a successful re-entry, including transitional housing, employment, education, job skills training, health care and a healthy support network. Grant funds will create a new Opportunity Center to offer workforce development, education, housing support and financial literacy training.Paths for Success: A nonprofit organization designed to assist Alabama citizens in obtaining skills, credentials, and/or certifications that lead to gainful employment. Grant funds will power the nonprofit’s new TruEd Initiative, which will allow adults to complete the Alabama Career Essentials training, obtain GEDs or complete high school and get professional certifications to obtain a livable wage job while providing key workforce barrier removal resources, such as child care and transportation.

Essential Community Services

Inspiredu: A nonprofit helping underserved youth and families develop the skills needed for education and career success by providing devices, training and access to technology while engaging in activities with families, communities and schools. Grant funds will support the expansion of the program to more southeast Georgia communities and markets.HumanKind: A Virginia nonprofit that serves as a statewide network of sponsored homes for adults with intellectual disabilities, foster care services, family support services, the Central Virginia region’s first Early Head Start centers, and Economic Resource Centers. Grant funds will expand the nonprofit’s Ways to Work program, which provides vehicle loans to individuals with credit profiles that prevent them from accessing mainstream financing along with targeted financial education and credit repair assistance.Southeast Kentucky Economic Development Corp.: SKED’s mission is to improve the quality of life and vitality by promoting sustainable economic development and employment opportunities with creativity, professionalism and integrity. Grant funds will expand essential community services by increasing access to child care services for LMI families, with a focus on women-owned child care businesses throughout the state in partnership with the Small Business Development Center of Kentucky.Capital Good Fund: A CDFI with a mission to create pathways out of poverty and advance a green economy through inclusive financial services. Grant funds will support the expansion and scaling of their low-cost, credit-building Impact and Impact Plus Loan programs into the state of New Jersey, which will provide small loans to address critical housing-related needs.

Additional details on each commitment will be shared by the individual organizations in the future. For more information about how Truist invests in communities, please visit www.truist.com/purpose/community.

About The Truist Charitable Fund

The Truist Charitable Fund (TCF) is committed to Truist Financial Corporation’s purpose to inspire and build better lives. TCF was established as a donor-advised fund and is administered by The Winston-Salem Foundation. TCF invests in local community organizations, focusing on grants that support initiatives and programs in the areas of educational equity, leadership development, career pathways, small business and community services. To learn more about Truist’s purpose, visit https://www.truist.com/who-we-are/about-truist.

About Truist 
Truist Financial Corporation (NYSE: TFC) is a purpose-driven financial services company committed to inspiring and building better lives and communities. Truist has leading market share in many high-growth markets in the country and offers a wide range of products and services through our retail and small business banking, commercial banking, corporate and investment banking, insurance, wealth management, and specialized lending businesses. Headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina, Truist is a top 10 U.S. commercial bank with total assets of $535 billion as of Dec. 31, 2023. Truist Bank, Member FDIC. Learn more at Truist.com.