Tag: 3BL

CHARLOTTE, N.C., July 15, 2024 /3BL/ – America250 – the official nonpartisan entity charged by Congress with planning the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence – recently announced the inaugural cohort of “America’s Field Trip” awardees. 75 students in grades 3-12 from all over the United States were selected. The list of inaugural awardees and their submissions can be found here at america250.org/fieldtrip/awardees.

America’s Field Trip is a new, nationwide scholastic contest that encourages students to create and submit artwork, videos, or essays on topics relating to American history, civics, and culture. America250 partnered with worldwide edtech leader Discovery Education to develop toolkits with lesson plans and student activities that educators can use to bring the America’s Field Trip contest to their classrooms.

“We’re thrilled to announce the first-ever America’s Field Trip awardees – 75 incredible students from across the country who will now embark on transformative field trip experiences during which they’ll experience history outside of the classroom,” said America250 Chair, Rosie Rios. “We’re grateful for all of the students, teachers, and families who engaged around America’s Field Trip – one of the first big steps on our long journey together to the Semiquincentennial. As we advance toward July 4th, 2026, America’s Field Trip will only get bigger, engaging thousands of students in our collective history and giving them a platform to actively participate in envisioning our future.”

Thousands of students from states and territories across the country submitted entries responding to the prompt “What does America mean to you?” Out of those submissions, 150 first- and second-place awardees hailing from 44 states and territories were selected by a panel of current and former educators. First-place awardees will take part in special experiences at iconic American historical and cultural sites, and second-place awardees will receive $500 cash awards. The contest will continue in 2025 and 2026, with next year’s contest launching this September. First-place awardees will choose from the following unique and unforgettable field trip experiences this summer:

Tour of the Statue of Liberty in New YorkTour and hike at Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming and MontanaWeekend at Rocky Mountain National Park in ColoradoUnique tours at the National Archives and the Library of Congress in Washington, DCSpecial tours at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History, National Museum of African American History and Culture, or the National Museum of Natural History in Washington, DCExplore America’s iconic financial capital, New York City, with private tours of the Federal Reserve Bank of New York Museum and Learning Center and the New York Headquarters of BNY, the country’s oldest bankExperience National Parks of Boston with a special visit to the USS Constitution and a sunset cruise to Spectacle IslandCandlelight tour at Fort Point at the base of the Golden Gate BridgeCostumed roleplaying experience at American Village in Alabama

“America’s Field Trip takes learning beyond the classroom and allows students to experience firsthand the places that have helped shape our nation,” said Amy Nakamoto, General Manager of Corporate Partnerships at Discovery Education. “Programs like America’s Field Trip help students build the foundational knowledge that makes history tangible, accessible, and relevant. Understanding historical contexts empowers students to participate more actively in their communities. Congratulations to each of the students!”

Learn more about America250 and sign up here to be notified when the contest opens for submissions in September 2024. Educators can discover ready-to-use digital activities aligned to multiple learning standards and curated to grade bands here. Available in both English and Spanish, the lesson plans can be used to facilitate future submissions to the America’s Field Trip contest or to help engage students leading up to America’s Semiquincentennial in 2026.

For more information about Discovery Education’s award-winning digital resources and professional learning solutions visit www.discoveryeducation.com, and stay connected with Discovery Education on social media through X (formerly Twitter), LinkedIn, Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook.

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About America250 
America250 is a nonpartisan initiative working to engage every American in celebrating and commemorating the 250th anniversary of our country. It is spearheaded by the congressionally appointed U.S. Semiquincentennial Commission and its nonprofit supporting organization, America250.org. This multi-year effort kicked off with America’s Invitation on July 4, 2023: a national public engagement campaign inviting all Americans to share their stories and their hopes and dreams for the future of this country. Until July 4, 2026, America250 is working to provide opportunities for all Americans to pause and reflect on our nation’s past, honor the contributions of all Americans, and look to the future we want to create for the next generation and beyond.

To learn more, visit America250.org, and follow us on X, Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn.

About BNY Mellon 
BNY Mellon is a global financial services company that helps make money work for the world – managing it, moving it and keeping it safe. For 240 years we have partnered alongside our clients, putting our expertise and platforms to work to help them achieve their ambitions. Today we work with over 90% of Fortune 100 companies and nearly all the top 100 banks globally to access the money they need. We support governments in funding local projects and work with over 90% of the top 100 pension plans to safeguard investments for millions of individuals, and so much more. As of December 31, 2023, we oversee $47.8 trillion in assets under custody and/or administration and $2.0 trillion in assets under management.

BNY Mellon is the corporate brand of The Bank of New York Mellon Corporation (NYSE: BK). We are headquartered in New York City, employ over 50,000 people globally and have been named among Fortune’s World’s Most Admired Companies and Fast Company’s Best Workplaces for Innovators. Additional information is available on www.bnymellon.com. Follow us on LinkedIn or visit our Newsroom for the latest company news.

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, innovative classroom tools, and corporate partnerships, 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

America250 
press@america250.org

Grace Maliska 
gmaliska@discoveryed.com

LITTLE ROCK, Ark., July 15, 2024 /3BL/ – As hot summer temperatures return throughout the state, Entergy Arkansas is taking action to help customers save money and manage their utility bills.

Entergy Arkansas is committed to helping our customers manage their usage and bills through a toolkit of savings offerings and programs.

For our customers in the Little Rock area, we will be hosting an in-person event on July 18, in partnership with local community advocate organization The Watershed. The event will be 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. at 3701 Springer Boulevard in Little Rock. Entergy Arkansas employees will be on hand to answer customer questions about their accounts and a variety of other services.

Participants will learn about energy efficiency programs that help customers save money while staying comfortable. 
 Qualifying customers will be connected to available financial assistance, including the federal Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program known as LIHEAP and Entergy’s The Power to Care Program for low-income older adults and customers with disabilities. 
 Participants will be introduced to our new Bill Toolkit that empowers customers with resources and available assistance options through a one-stop online shop at entergy.com. 
 Limited quantities of free box fans and energy efficiency kits will be available, along with other giveaways.

The event will also give customers the opportunity to engage with Entergy Arkansas on a variety of other services and programs, too.

Qualifying customers can enroll in our Kids to College matching savings account program. 
 Representatives from the Central Arkansas Development Council (CADC) will be on hand to help eligible customers complete applications for LIHEAP. 
 Electrical safety principles will be demonstrated through our Arcs and Sparks presentations and personal protective equipment exhibits. 
 Information on adding security lighting to your home or business will be shared. 
 Free legal guidance on a variety of topics will be accessible through Center for Arkansas Legal Services.

The past two summers have brought some of the hottest weather on record – reaching three-digit temperatures across our service area and leading to record-level electricity usage by our customers.

Since cooling costs can make up more than 55% of an average customer’s electric bill, Entergy Arkansas want to help customers save money with tools that can help.

Customers who cannot attend the Watershed event can get explore Entergy Arkansas’ Bill Toolkit for ways to manage their energy usage and take more control of their electric bills. From Entergy Solutions programs to customized bill payment options, the toolkit can lead to bill savings for customers.

About Entergy Arkansas

Entergy Arkansas, LLC provides electricity to approximately 730,000 customers in 63 counties. Entergy Arkansas is a subsidiary of Entergy Corporation, a Fortune 500 electric company. Entergy 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. For the latest news from Entergy Arkansas, visit the Newsroom and connect with @EntergyArk on social media.

Originally published in Principal Financial Group 2023 Sustainability Report

Integrating sustainable investing practices

Our global investment philosophy

We aim to provide clients with sustainable investment options that offer competitive, risk-adjusted returns and utilize a holistic view of factors influencing risk and return to help create added value for clients, the environment, and society and over time.

Our approach

Our sustainable investing beliefs are grounded in fostering relationships with investors and communities by offering products and solutions that align with their values.

Our philosophy includes considerations of environmental, social, and governance (ESG) integration, sustainable product creation, engagement and stewardship, and responsible proxy voting.

Sustainable investing oversight and collaboration

Principal Asset ManagementSM has multiple levels of sustainable investing oversight and collaboration. Our Sustainable Investing Oversight Committee helps assure implementation of funds and strategies in accordance with the appropriate sustainability-related definitions. Our Sustainable Investment Council supports the sharing of best practices among investment professionals when constructing and managing client portfolios. Finally, our Sustainable Investing Leadership Team helps ensure our investment professionals have the information and resources needed to create and maintain sustainable investment products and solutions for clients.

Principal Financial Group®, Inc. total assets under management (AUM) in billions as of December 31, 20231

$694.5B

Principal Global Investors2 managed AUM in billions as of December 31, 20231

$499.5B

For purposes of our sustainability report, as of December 31, 2023, the assets under management for Principal Financial Group® were $694.5 billion, of which $499.5 billion is managed by Principal Global Investors and $180.4 billion is reported by Principal International. The Company uses Principal Asset Management AUM for marketing purposes, defined as assets under management for Principal Global Investors and Principal International excluding assets for entities where the Company is a minority owner and assets that are not allowed to be included due to regulatory requirements.

Our actions and performance in 2023

Throughout 2023 we continued advancing our sustainable investing efforts:

Adopted a platform exclusions policy for our offshore Dublin fund platform.Provided training opportunities to approximately 1000 individuals on sustainable investing topics.Increased the firm’s sustainable investing AUM3 from 55% to approximately 61%.Established sustainable investing goals for our general account, covering two-thirds of the general account AUM.Launched four new sustainable investment products.

What’s next

In 2024, we’re preparing as global regulations increase the requirements for transparency and disclosure industry-wide such as the EU’s Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD), climate regulations in California, and climate-related disclosures in Singapore. Even if not yet subject to comply, many companies have already begun providing more transparency into their ESG practices in preparation, and we expect data coverage from our own underlying companies to continue to improve as a result.

“Sustainable investing is a powerful way to help drive positive change balanced by investor value creation. We continue to organize our talent and products to tap into this important area for both our clients and communities in the process.”

Kamal Bhatia
Chief Executive Officer of Principal Asset Management

To learn more, read the Principal Financial Group 2023 Sustainability Report.

1AUM as of December 31, 2023. Due to rounding, figures shown may not add to the totals.

2Principal Global Investors includes assets held by our general account and specific Principal International asset management businesses. Principal Asset ManagementSM is the trade name of Principal Global Investors, LLC. See Important Information page for AUM description.

3AUM representative of Principal Global Investors investment teams as of December 31, 2023. AUM that are sustainable investment products are internally classified by Principal Asset ManagementSM and not by any third party or regulatory body. Principal Asset ManagementSSM is the trade name of Principal Global Investors, LLC. See Important Information page for AUM description.

Integration of sustainability considerations and/or environmental, social and governance (ESG) factors is qualitative and subjective by nature. There is no guarantee that the criteria used, or judgment exercised, will reflect the beliefs or values of any particular investor. There is no assurance that any strategy or integration of sustainability considerations and/or ESG factors will be successful or profitable.

Insurance products issued by Principal National Life Insurance Co (except in NY) and Principal Life Insurance Company®. Plan administrative services offered by Principal Life. Principal Funds, Inc. is distributed by Principal Funds Distributor, Inc. Securities offered through Principal Securities, Inc., member SIPC and/or independent broker/dealers. Referenced companies are members of the Principal Financial Group®, Des Moines, IA 50392.​

3665773-072024

By Dana Obrist

In 1983, four friends, William “Bill” H. Nelson Jr., his partner, Terry Tebedo, William Waybourn and Craig Spaulding opened Crossroads Market in Dallas, Texas, selling magazines, books, antiques, and jewelry.

As part of a passion project for their community, they began accepting canned good donations for people living with AIDS, and in doing so – according to Resource Center’s website – started a vital community service.

A leader in HIV prevention and treatment as well as health, education, social, and advocacy services for the LGBTQIA+ community in Dallas, Resource Center currently operates one of the largest centers in the United States.

“Resource Center developed out of the need during the AIDS pandemic,” noted Cece Cox, CEO of Resource Center. “In the early days, it started as a food pantry and distribution center for the medications treating AIDS. Resource Center came out of a background of discrimination. We realized we had to take care of our own, and that’s what we have done for over 40 years.”

Operating out of four locations in Dallas, the needs and services Resource Center is providing has grown – and to better reach members of the community, it is bringing essentially all of its health services under one roof.

Resource Center developed out of the need during the AIDS pandemic. We realized we had to take care of our own, and that’s what we have done for over 40 years.  
Cece Cox, CEO of Resource Center

“With nearly 100 staff members and 2,695 volunteers serving over 60,000 people each year, Resource Center has continued to expand its services,” Cox said. “Having primary medical care, counseling, and other our health services in one place is a significant benefit, especially for those facing transportation challenges. Here we will house the nutrition services, food bank and hot meals program along with mental health counseling and primary care where clients have access to annual physicals, diabetes management, and other care.”

The only health practice not consolidating at the 2603 Inwood Road facility in Dallas is the dental care facility, which will remain at its current location on Forest Lane.

To finance the 20,000-square foot facility, Resource Center tapped the Dallas Development Fund (DDF) for NMTC allocations in which Regions Bank’s New Markets Tax Credits is the investor. The facility will be transformed into Resource Center Health following a multimillion-dollar renovation.

“Without the NMTC financing, Resource Center would need to direct more of its fundraising toward construction expenses, slowing any potential programmatic growth or expansion,” said Dave Hesse, CFO at Resource Center. “Texas Pride Impact Fund did an assessment of the needs of its LGBTQIA+ community and identified healthcare as a number one priority in Texas currently, so getting Resource Center Health constructed quickly is critical.”

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Texas has the second highest rate of new HIV diagnoses in the country. Dallas is currently ranked No. 2 on the list of Texas counties with the highest number of people living with HIV/AIDS.

The expanded facility includes HIV services and is expected to serve more than 8,000 people annually, of which 33 percent are low-income.

In addition to combining services into one centrally located building, Resource Center Health will be adjacent to public transportation and within walking distance of Oak Lawn Place, Resource Center’s new affordable senior housing development, and the Community Center.

“This new facility will be an upgraded, comfortable location that provides our clients and our community the best healthcare experience in a welcoming environment, with more exam and waiting rooms, reception areas and ample parking,” said Cox.

The new consolidated Resource Center Health location is slated to open in early 2025.

Originally published by Jazz Pharmaceuticals

In celebration of Juneteenth, we welcomed Dr. Damon Tweedy, M.D., renowned professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences at Duke University Medical Center and staff physician at the Durham VA Medical Center, to share his personal experiences and insights on healthcare inequities in the U.S. 

Dr. Tweedy has written extensively about the intersection of race, medicine and mental health and we are honored to have had this opportunity to learn firsthand from him to commemorate this holiday.

Originally published by Jazz Pharmaceuticals

In celebration of Juneteenth, we welcomed Dr. Damon Tweedy, M.D., renowned professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences at Duke University Medical Center and staff physician at the Durham VA Medical Center, to share his personal experiences and insights on healthcare inequities in the U.S. 

Dr. Tweedy has written extensively about the intersection of race, medicine and mental health and we are honored to have had this opportunity to learn firsthand from him to commemorate this holiday.

In today’s business environment, sustainability and diversity are not just buzzwords; they are critical components of responsible corporate governance. Maximus Inc., a leading strategic partner to governments worldwide, has been recognized for its outstanding commitment to these principles. The company received the 2023 Amazon Business Customer Awards for Sustainability and Supplier Diversity, underscoring its dedication to fostering an environmentally responsible supply chain and promoting diversity and equity in the business community.

“Engaging with diverse suppliers and promoting sustainability are not just good business practices; they are essential to fostering an inclusive and resilient supply chain.” – Dr. Arvenita Washington Cherry, Vice President of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, Maximus

Sustainability Award

The Sustainability Award from Amazon Business highlights Maximus’ efforts in maintaining an environmentally responsible supply chain. This award is bestowed upon Amazon Business customers who demonstrate a strong commitment to purchasing products with sustainability certifications. Maximus has shown exemplary leadership in promoting sustainability within the industry, reflecting its core values and contributing to the betterment of society.

For more insights into our ESG and DEI efforts, check out our Sustainability and DEI reports.

Supplier Diversity Award

The Supplier Diversity Award recognizes Maximus’ impactful initiatives in promoting diversity and equity within the business community. This award is given to Amazon Business customers with the highest percentage of purchases from sellers with small or diverse certifications. Maximus’ dedication to fostering a socially responsible supply chain is truly commendable, as it supports minority and women-owned vendors, thereby promoting an inclusive business environment.

“Your dedication to fostering a socially responsible supply chain is truly commendable, and we applaud your commitment to creating a more responsible and inclusive business environment for all.” – Amazon Business

Where we go next

These accolades from Amazon Business not only celebrate Maximus’ ongoing efforts in sustainability and supplier diversity but also highlight the company’s role as a leader in these critical areas. Maximus remains committed to its mission of advancing the delivery of public services and achieving operational excellence, all while upholding the highest standards of social and environmental responsibility.

We look forward to continuing our collaboration with Amazon Business and being inspired by their leadership in procurement.

For more information on our awards and recognitions, please visit our Awards and Recognition page.

In today’s business environment, sustainability and diversity are not just buzzwords; they are critical components of responsible corporate governance. Maximus Inc., a leading strategic partner to governments worldwide, has been recognized for its outstanding commitment to these principles. The company received the 2023 Amazon Business Customer Awards for Sustainability and Supplier Diversity, underscoring its dedication to fostering an environmentally responsible supply chain and promoting diversity and equity in the business community.

“Engaging with diverse suppliers and promoting sustainability are not just good business practices; they are essential to fostering an inclusive and resilient supply chain.” – Dr. Arvenita Washington Cherry, Vice President of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, Maximus

Sustainability Award

The Sustainability Award from Amazon Business highlights Maximus’ efforts in maintaining an environmentally responsible supply chain. This award is bestowed upon Amazon Business customers who demonstrate a strong commitment to purchasing products with sustainability certifications. Maximus has shown exemplary leadership in promoting sustainability within the industry, reflecting its core values and contributing to the betterment of society.

For more insights into our ESG and DEI efforts, check out our Sustainability and DEI reports.

Supplier Diversity Award

The Supplier Diversity Award recognizes Maximus’ impactful initiatives in promoting diversity and equity within the business community. This award is given to Amazon Business customers with the highest percentage of purchases from sellers with small or diverse certifications. Maximus’ dedication to fostering a socially responsible supply chain is truly commendable, as it supports minority and women-owned vendors, thereby promoting an inclusive business environment.

“Your dedication to fostering a socially responsible supply chain is truly commendable, and we applaud your commitment to creating a more responsible and inclusive business environment for all.” – Amazon Business

Where we go next

These accolades from Amazon Business not only celebrate Maximus’ ongoing efforts in sustainability and supplier diversity but also highlight the company’s role as a leader in these critical areas. Maximus remains committed to its mission of advancing the delivery of public services and achieving operational excellence, all while upholding the highest standards of social and environmental responsibility.

We look forward to continuing our collaboration with Amazon Business and being inspired by their leadership in procurement.

For more information on our awards and recognitions, please visit our Awards and Recognition page.

Supporting people in their desire to live sustainably is central to our mission at Kohler.

KOHLER WasteLAB drives innovation and sustainability. Repurposing pottery and foundry byproducts and remnants, we’re creating tile collections and sinks of sustainable beauty.

Since 2017, KOHLER WasteLAB has been looking for ways to reimagine waste using nature as a model for sustainable processes – within nature’s cycle of growth and decay, waste simply doesn’t exist. At WasteLAB, we mapped out our waste streams from our products so that we could see exactly where they came from and what they were made of. We redefined waste streams as not “waste”, but as ingredients and valuable materials for new products – and most importantly, as opportunities for innovation. From 2019 through 2023, sales of KOHLER WasteLAB tile have diverted more than 73,426 pounds of waste from landfills, exemplifying Kohler’s commitment to achieving net-zero waste to landfill by 2035.

Learn more about KOHLER WasteLAB here.

Supporting people in their desire to live sustainably is central to our mission at Kohler.

KOHLER WasteLAB drives innovation and sustainability. Repurposing pottery and foundry byproducts and remnants, we’re creating tile collections and sinks of sustainable beauty.

Since 2017, KOHLER WasteLAB has been looking for ways to reimagine waste using nature as a model for sustainable processes – within nature’s cycle of growth and decay, waste simply doesn’t exist. At WasteLAB, we mapped out our waste streams from our products so that we could see exactly where they came from and what they were made of. We redefined waste streams as not “waste”, but as ingredients and valuable materials for new products – and most importantly, as opportunities for innovation. From 2019 through 2023, sales of KOHLER WasteLAB tile have diverted more than 73,426 pounds of waste from landfills, exemplifying Kohler’s commitment to achieving net-zero waste to landfill by 2035.

Learn more about KOHLER WasteLAB here.