Month: June 2024

Juneteenth is a celebration of freedom and a testament to our shared humanity. Let’s come together to honor the past, embrace the present, and build a future where every voice is heard and every talent shines.

Following another successful Cisco Live! experience, I am still in awe of the many conversations I have had surrounding the importance of inclusion and pursuing purposeful work that builds business values. Reflecting on the importance of this upcoming Juneteenth holiday and what it means to me, Cisco’s purpose to power an inclusive future for all echoes as we sponsor the Juneteenth Atlanta Parade and Music Festival for the third year in a row.

Why we celebrate Juneteenth

Juneteenth, also known as Freedom Day or Emancipation Day, marks the moment on June 19, 1865, two and a half years after the Emancipation Proclamation, when the last enslaved African Americans in Galveston, Texas, were informed of their freedom. This day serves as a pivotal point in African American history and represents a profound testament to the enduring spirit of a people who have tirelessly advocated for freedom and equality.

For me, Juneteenth is a celebration of freedom and a testament to our shared humanity. As I think about my journey as the Chief Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Officer of Cisco, I would be remiss if I didn’t acknowledge how my father’s journey contributed to making me who I am today. He immigrated to the United States from the Bahamas in the 1940s with only a sixth-grade education and a superhuman work ethic. He often worked multiple low wage jobs, all while enduring the harsh realities of racial segregation and stereotypes. Despite having limited opportunities, his faith, joy, and hope were boundless. The foundation of hard work and determination he instilled in my brothers and me played a tremendous role in all that I’ve accomplished so far.

This holiday serves as a time to celebrate the strength, resilience and determination of my own family and the families of those whose dreams were denied or deferred. Although rooted in African American history, Juneteenth’s core values of freedom, resilience, and equality transcend cultural boundaries and resonate universally. Embracing it as a national celebration reinforces the idea that freedom and justice are not exclusive to any one group but are inherent rights for all.

Amplifying Underrepresented Voices

As we celebrate Juneteenth, it is crucial to listen to and elevate the stories and experiences of African Americans and other marginalized groups.

We can do that by:

Supporting Black-owned businesses.Investing in Historically Black Colleges and Universities. Explore how we are partnering with HBCU’s like Clark Atlanta and others to drive impact as part of Cisco’s Social Justice Actions.Seeking out the expertise of Black voices who are missing from the table.Advocating for the career advancement of Black employees through sponsorship and The Multiplier Effect.

A Call for Reflection and Action

Juneteenth calls upon each of us to be change agents in the ongoing fight for equality and justice. Being a change agent requires a commitment to continuous learning and unlearning, recognizing our own biases, and actively working to dismantle them. Whether you’re attending the Cisco sponsored Juneteenth Parade in Atlanta, one of the many celebrations happenings across the United States or gathering with your family and friends, I hope you’ll find time to reflect on ways that you can champion change in your community. May we ground ourselves on the daily reminder that the fight for freedom and equality is ongoing and requires the collective effort of all people to embrace and honor our shared humanity.

Wishing you a happy Juneteenth! May it be filled with joy and purpose!

View original content here.

As we prepare for another busy hurricane season — expected to be one of the most active in years — Truist Foundation President Lynette Bell connects with American Red Cross President and CEO Gail McGovern to discuss how they partner to support critical disaster preparedness, relief and recovery work.

Last year, Truist Foundation announced a $5 million grant to support the American Red Cross’ Community Adaptation Program, in addition to its $1 million annual disaster relief grant.

Listen as these leaders talk about the problems the two organizations are working to solve, adversity faced by people experiencing severe weather year after year, how powering progress after disasters strike spurs economic mobility, and the future of humanitarian aid. Plus, hear firsthand about the legacy McGovern hopes to leave as she prepares to retire at the end of this month after 15 years at the helm of the American Red Cross.

Tune in to hear this compelling conversation on this episode of Inspiring Conversations, Truist Foundation’s audio series with nonprofit leaders doing the work.

About Truist Foundation

Truist Foundation is committed to Truist Financial Corporation’s (NYSE: TFC) purpose to inspire and build better lives and communities. The Foundation, an endowed private foundation established in 2020 whose operating budget is independent of Truist Financial Corporation, makes strategic investments in a wide variety of nonprofit organizations centered around two focus areas: building career pathways to economic mobility and strengthening small businesses to ensure all communities have an equal opportunity to thrive. Embodying these focus areas are the Foundation’s leading initiatives – the Inspire Awards and Where It Starts. Learn more at Truist.com/Foundation.

NEW ORLEANS, June 28, 2024 /3BL/ – United Way of Southeast Louisiana, or UWSELA, recently recognized Entergy as the leading company in their Top 10 Most Generous Workplaces for 2023-2024. This is the 10th year in a row Entergy has been recognized in the top 10 list.

“Our collaboration with Entergy has been pivotal in our steadfast dedication to bridging divides and fostering avenues for prosperity so that every individual in our community can thrive in health, education and financial stability,” said UWSELA President and CEO Michael Williamson. “Congratulations to Entergy for securing the top ranking, and heartfelt appreciation goes to our unwavering partners who drive UWSELA’s mission to eliminate poverty across Jefferson, Orleans, Plaquemines, St. Bernard, St. Tammany, Tangipahoa and Washington parishes.”

The annual ranking recognizes businesses in UWSELA’s seven-parish service area that are investing in a more vibrant Southeast Louisiana and its residents through employee contributions, volunteerism, corporate gifts, in-kind support and fundraisers. In 2023, Entergy shareholders and employees raised or contributed more than $1.1 million to UWSELA.

“We are honored to be recognized as the leader of the top ten most generous companies in Southeast Louisiana,” said Patty Riddlebarger, Entergy’s vice president of corporate social responsibility. “This recognition reflects our unwavering dedication to supporting the very communities where we live and work to create a positive impact. By collaborating with United Way, we are strengthening our workforce, boosting the local economy and enhancing the overall health and wellness of the communities we serve.”

Each year, Entergy employees participate in United Way campaigns to raise funds for their communities. Company shareholders match employee contributions dollar-for-dollar to maximize the impact of employee giving. Through the company’s partnership with UWSELA, Entergy continues to implement a range of initiatives aimed at addressing poverty, promoting education and workforce development, providing financial assistance to vulnerable customers, improving its communities and caring for the environment.

This year’s Top 10 Most Generous Workplaces include: 

Entergy Corporation 
Valero Meraux Refinery 
Shell 
Chalmette Refining, LLC – PBF Energy 
Zachry Group 
International Paper 
Freeport-McMoRan, Inc. 
Rain Carbon Inc. 
Pan-American Life Insurance Group
Latter & Blum | Compass 

Entergy is committed in its mission to give back and make a difference in the communities it serves across its service area in Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas. In 2023, the company’s commitment to corporate social responsibility had a profound impact on its customers and communities, resulting in an economic impact of nearly $140 million.

Learn more about Entergy’s commitment to serving its communities here.

About Entergy

Entergy is a Fortune 500 company that powers life for 3 million customers through our operating companies in Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas. We’re investing in the reliability and resilience of the energy system while helping our region transition to cleaner, more efficient energy solutions. With roots in our communities for more than 100 years, Entergy is a nationally recognized leader in sustainability and corporate citizenship. Since 2018, we have delivered more than $100 million in economic benefits each year to local communities through philanthropy, volunteerism and advocacy. Entergy is headquartered in New Orleans, Louisiana, and has approximately 12,000 employees. Learn more at entergy.com and follow @Entergy on social media. #WePowerLife