Tag: 3BL

May 24, 2024 /3BL/ – In a notable move for the 2024 proxy season, New York City Comptroller Brad Lander and New York City Public Pension Boards (NYCERS) submitted six shareholder proposals asking banks to disclose a novel metric for assessing their progress towards their net zero targets and contributions to the clean energy transition. The proposals yielded significant commitments and above-average support, reflecting a growing investor demand for a comprehensive understanding of banks’ funding practices to ensure alignment with responsible objectives.

As of now, there is little comparable information on banks’ green energy financing. The Clean Energy Supply Finance Ratio shareholder resolutions filed by NYCERS call on each bank to regularly disclose a figure comparing their financing of clean energy to their financing of fossil fuels. To align with the goals of the Paris Agreement, banks must significantly scale up financing for the transition, targeting a crucial 4:1 ratio of financing to renewables over fossil fuels by 2030 (i.e., for every $1 dollar supporting fossil fuel supply, banks must supply $4 to support low carbon energy by 2030). The proposals ask the banks to set a ratio target and work to improve their ratio going forward.

The NYCERS resolution was withdrawn for commitment at three banks – JPMorgan Chase, Citigroup, and Royal Bank of Canada – which all agreed to disclose their financing ratios. Proposals at three other banks – Bank of America, Goldman Sachs, and Morgan Stanley – were brought to a shareholder vote, garnering an average support of 26% (26%, 29%, and a preliminary 23% vote, respectively). Based on a review of the 2023 US proxy season by Columbia Threadneedle, the average vote was 23% last year, suggesting 25% is the new benchmark for meaningful shareholder proposal support in 2024.

“If more institutions adopt, disclose, and improve their clean energy finance ratios, they can help reduce risks to themselves and the entire financial system while increasing financing for the business opportunities in the transition to a clean economy,” said Rob Berridge, Sr. Director of Shareholder Engagement, Ceres. “The results of these proposals have positioned the clean energy supply financing ratio as a vital metric for evaluating banks’ progress in financing the transition.”

Other noteworthy proxy season results centered around corporate lobbying disclosure, particularly those seeking greater disclosure in the financial services sector. Votes at Truist (41%), BNY Melon (39%), Goldman Sachs (39%), Wells Fargo (36%), and Morgan Stanley (31%, preliminary) all garnered solid shareholder support. A similar resolution at Capital One was withdrawn for commitment. These results are poised to set a new standard for disclosure in the banking industry as the proposals have prompted significant discourse among banks and investors.

Berridge added, “The high votes for lobbying disclosure are also a significant signal that investors want banks to address the reputational risks of participation in trade associations whose positions contradict the banks’ public position. We hope these efforts will help catalyze enhanced transparency and ambition in the banking sector.”

About Ceres 

Ceres is a nonprofit advocacy organization working to accelerate the transition to a cleaner, more just, and sustainable world. United under a shared vision, our powerful networks of investors and companies are proving sustainability is the bottom line—changing markets and sectors from the inside out. For more information, visit ceres.org.

Media Contact: Vivian Melody, vmelody@ceres.org, 617-247-0700 ext. 353

The “Amazons” of the Kingdom of Dahomey were known for their bravery, their audacity, and their innovation. The 18th-century Amazons challenged archetypes, stimulated debates, revolutionized gender roles, and contributed to the advancement of women’s rights. Like their ancestral sisters in Dahomey, the Amazons of Côte d’Ivoire are modern-day warriors.

Instead of using the implements of war to stake their claims, today’s Amazons of Côte d’Ivoire use financial tools. They are members of Village Savings & Loan Associations (VSLAs), who have decided to establish and expand these essential community financial resources throughout Côte d’Ivoire, empowering vulnerable and marginalized communities, particularly women.

I recently spent time with some of the Amazons in New York at the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women (CSW68) where they talked with ministers and other government officials, civil-society organization leaders and funders about the impact of their work.

In 2006, CARE began to set up VSLAs in areas of Côte d’Ivoire predominantly made up of rural women. Today, CARE is working with approximately 15,000 savings groups in the region, and this model has been replicated by other global nonprofits and state institutions, including Côte d’Ivoire’s Ministry of Solidarity and Poverty Eradication (aka “the Ministry”).

“It is urgent today to encourage local populations to join [these] groups in order to offer them greater opportunity to live with dignity,” said Myss Belmonde Dogo from the Ministry. “[VSLA] groups represent a culture of savings and the reinforcement of ties of solidarity for grassroots development.”

Before joining forces as the Amazons, local women who were running VSLAs were working diligently but separately to set up groups in their communities. They were actively recruiting other women at community events, including weddings, when chatting together while cooking or preparing the bride, and when they started to find out about each other, they knew they had the potential to reach more women and came to CARE asking for support to formally bring them together.

We responded by organizing training sessions on the VSLA methodology. The groups also received training in advocacy, leadership, entrepreneurship, and financial inclusion. We then brought these women together with Regional Directors from the Ministry so that the work of the Amazons could be formally recognized.

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Because of that key partnership, the Amazons are contributing to the national effort to combat poverty. Working directly with the Ministry’s Regional Directors, they have developed a system of establishing, supervising, and mentoring savings groups. This encourages women and girls to invest in themselves and their futures.

45,000 members and counting

The Amazons’ approach allows for a deep understanding of local realities and norms, enabling them to better support VSLA members in their financial, social, and political activities. The Ministry has formally recognized their role as scaling partners and credible leaders within their communities, supporting social cohesion.

Since March 2022, 49 Amazons have created nearly 2,000 groups with over 45,000 members across the country. Their goal is to create 2,000 more groups by 2026.

Gladys Zado Gbehi from Abidjan has personally helped to establish more than 80 groups, creating a chain of solidarity and mutual support among women. She was one of the attendees at the CSW68 in New York. She described the cascading effect that VSLAs have on women and families.

“Through our savings groups I regularly see women changing their lives,” she said. “I see women who now have regular income from selling cakes and baked goods, fresh juices, or sandwiches. Women who can now send their child to school. Women who are no longer lonely because they are part of a group, and who have support from their savings group for clothes and food when they are going through a tough time.”

For the Ministry, the Amazons are a trusted way to directly reach and support communities throughout the country to help reduce poverty in rural communities.

In addition to establishing savings groups, they are actively working to reduce harmful practices, such as forced marriage and gender-based violence. They have clear operating methods to gain support in the local community to recognize the value of VSLAs, identify potential leaders, train them on VSLA best practices, and help spread the word throughout the region.

‘An ideal partner’

“The Amazons are an ideal partner for the Ministry because they completely understand their communities,” says Kouakou Olivier Michel Houango, the Ministry’s Regional Director for Abidjan. “They also have concrete operating methods to reduce the vulnerability of women and young people living in poverty. They are essential partners, and we cannot work without them. We must listen to the aspirations and dreams of women.”

“When I joined the savings group, I was selling fish, & eventually I opened a small restaurant. I now have three employees, too. With the money I make, I pay for school for my seven children”

Gladys Zado Gbehi

For the Amazons, being connected to the Ministry has opened doors t, helping them work more freely in communities. Their determination is palpable.

“Having the government as a partner is important for our legitimacy in the community, for our growth and our access to the market. But VSLAs are for us women., It is the way forward for our development and our fulfillment. We will continue to engage and support this work on our terms and needs.”

For the future, the Amazons tell us they have great ambitions. As well as continuing to highlight the capacities and leadership of women through VSLAs, they will continue to raise awareness amongst women and girls on the benefits of joining VSLAs, supporting CARE’s ambitions to significantly scale savings groups.

They also plan to expand their Amazons network and will recruit younger women to succeed them, as well as identify men as allies who can help scale the groups. They will continue to lead advocacy efforts around specific issues, such as eliminating forced marriage, influence institutions for increased access to markets for women, and support group negotiations with financial institutions.

Ultimately, they plan to create a network of Amazons connecting women from different regions of the country, increasing their capacity to trade with their sisters from Abidjan to Korhogo. Furthermore, the Amazons will also explore the idea of ​​creating a women’s bank, which will tailor products and services to the needs and realities of women.

Originally published by Walgreens Boots Alliance

By Elyse Russo

Clinical Trials Day is globally recognized on May 20, and this year, the Walgreens Clinical Trials team decided to celebrate with an event dedicated to women’s health. After all, May is National Women’s Health Month.

“Walgreens is taking action to elevate awareness about gender-specific disparities related to health, and the importance and relevance of participation in medical research,” said Kendal Whitlock, head of digital optimization for Walgreens Clinical Trials.

Whitlock was the organizer of the Walgreens Clinical Trials Day event, which was held earlier this week in the Boston area—a timely location as Walgreens just announced that a new clinical trials center will be opening in the nearby city of Malden.

Doctors, pharmacists, community leaders, advocates, academics, tech companies and pharmaceutical organizations were all represented at the Walgreens Clinical Trials event. The day was kicked off with remarks from local Congressman Jake Auchincloss, and featured keynote speakers and panels. Many of the women who participated in the Clinical Trials Day event made bold statements about the state of women’s health and how to support women’s inclusion in medical research. Here are just five of their inspirational quotes.

1. “Let’s make some noise.” 

Walgreens Chief Clinical Trials Officer Ramita Tandon shared a Walgreens clinical trials milestone that shows the company’s commitment to including women in medical research:

“As the two-year anniversary of our clinical trials business approaches, we celebrate reaching more than 4 million patients to potentially enroll into trials, and of those, more than 60% have been women. We will continue to make strides to bring trials directly to our communities and continue dialing up the noise on women’s health.”

2. “Ask and explain.”

Dr. Yvette Cozier is an investigator on the Black Women’s Health Study (BWHS) and the BWHS Sarcoidosis Study at the Slone Epidemiology Center, Boston University. During her keynote, Cozier talked about how to best recruit Black women for clinical trials:

“In my research, I’ve learned that Black women want to participate in clinical research. You just have to package information so that someone like my grandmother would understand it and do it. If you ask women and explain things to them, they will join clinical trials.”

3. “Looking back informs how to look forward.” 

Dr. Bayo Curry-Winchell, who serves as the medical director of urgent care clinics at Saint Mary’s Regional Medical Center in Reno, Nevada, says history should inform healthcare professionals how we can push forward in women’s health.

“True diversity in healthcare goes beyond token representation. Acknowledging our history is essential to equip ourselves with insights needed to address trust and prevent delayed care. Afterall, our past still impacts how we’re bringing healthcare to women. The National Institutes of Health reported it takes up to 17 years for new evidence to translate into standard clinical practice, which means we’re still using practices studied more than 17 years ago.”

4. “Inclusion in the standard of care.” 

Epidemiologist Linda Goler Blount, who is also president and CEO of the Black Women’s Health Imperative, wants women to feel confident in knowing they are included in developing the standard of care. 

“When we say something is evidence based, I want the women I’m talking to to know that the standard of care was created with them in mind and that they were involved in the research.”

5. “Healthy women should matter to everyone.” 

Dr. Beth Garner, who is Chief Scientific Officer of Ferring Pharmaceuticals US, makes the case for why women’s health is a topic everyone should care about.

“We all know that when women are healthy, everyone is healthy. That’s why it’s important to include people in clinical trials who look like the people who will be using your product when it’s approved. That is why it’s so amazing what Walgreens is doing in clinical trials. It’s so exciting to bring clinical trials to the people.”

Visit Walgreens.com to learn more about Walgreens Clinical Trials.

CHICAGO, May 24, 2024 /3BL/ – American Airlines continues to help students find their path from the classroom to the hangar through recent scholarship awards. The airline recently awarded eight scholarships to students at events last week, helping them achieve their dreams of becoming aviation maintenance technicians.

“Supporting and mentoring the next generation of aviation maintenance technicians is not only our honor, but our duty,” said Evie Garces, Vice President of Line Maintenance at American Airlines. “These scholarships not only provide access to educational opportunities, but they also open doors to lucrative careers. We’re proud to care for these talented students on their educational journeys and hope to see them in an American uniform after graduation.”

At a ceremony held at the Aviation Maintenance Institute (AIM) – Chicago campus, the airline awarded six $1,000 scholarships to students enrolled in the school’s Aviation Maintenance Technician program:

Eddina Bills, ChicagoRaul Cancino, ChicagoSzymon Lysek, Saint John, IllinoisJose Aquino, Maywood, IllinoisFaith Rono, ChicagoBlake Simone, Chicago

American announced a partnership with AIM – Chicago in 2022 which provides students access to the airline’s maintenance facilities and aircraft maintenance professionals through engagement opportunities. For the past two years, aviation maintenance technicians from the carrier’s Chicago (ORD) hub have also mentored student teams from AIM – Chicago for the annual Aerospace Maintenance Council Competition (AMC), held this year in Chicago in conjunction with Aviation Week’s MRO Americas conference.

American also awarded scholarships to two brothers who attend the Puerto Rico Aviation Maintenance Institute in Fajardo, Puerto Rico, at the AMC awards ceremony. Julio and Edgardo Sanchez Casillas, both of Vega Alta, Puerto Rico, were each awarded $2,500 Phoebe Omlie scholarships, named after the first female to receive an aircraft mechanic license. Julio and Edgardo are students in the school’s aviation maintenance program.

About American Airlines Group 
To Care for People on Life’s Journey®. Shares of American Airlines Group Inc. trade on Nasdaq under the ticker symbol AAL and the company’s stock is included in the S&P 500. Learn more about what’s happening at American by visiting news.aa.com and connect with American @AmericanAir and at Facebook.com/AmericanAirlines.

By Kyndle Huey and Kim Borges

For over 100 years, Junior Achievement (JA) has helped youth gain a better sense of how to manage dollars and cents.

So, volunteering with JA is a natural extension of Regions Bank’s ongoing work to help people build financial confidence. In fact, each year, Regions teams support JA through thousands of volunteer hours.

We’ve written extensively about this volunteerism. But now we’re turning the tables, asking three of our team members – and JA volunteers – what they’ve learned.

Toni Jones, Branch Manager, Kilgore, Texas, and Junior Achievement of East Texas Volunteer:

Tell us about your JA volunteerism. When and how did you become involved?
I’ve been involved with JA for about three years. Kay Carroll got me plugged in when they were seeking volunteers. I then joined the board. It seemed like the perfect opportunity to contribute and make a difference. This year, I participated in the Stock Market Challenge as a trader, which was a blast!

What has JA taught you?
It’s never too early to start teaching kids about money. Empowering students early is essential for their future success. I had to learn the hard way how to manage my finances when I was younger. If I can impart that knowledge to just one child, I know it will set them way ahead of where I was at their age.

Why do you think it’s important for Regions to support JA?
It’s crucial because JA equips students with financial literacy and life skills that lay a strong foundation for their future success. Witnessing those “aha” moments as students grasp the importance of money management is incredibly rewarding. By investing in their financial education, we’re fostering trust and loyalty and helping people recognize Regions truly wants people to be financially healthy. It’s a win-win for the community and the bank.

Frank Haig, Mortgage Production Manager, Midwest Area and Junior Achievement of Central Indiana Volunteer:

How long have you been teaching JA classes, and what do you enjoy most about it? It’s been 15 years. My favorite part is seeing the curiosity in a young student. They are present. They ask questions for understanding. I never know what questions will be asked. It’s fun.

What have you learned from your JA experiences? JA has shown me there are engaged students who are prepared and curious. They’ve made me want to share my knowledge, and their curiosity has made me a more curious person. I’ve asked more questions since being part of JA. That’s a very good thing!

Why does Regions’ support of JA matter? It’s important because the students are the future adults of our community, and financial literacy is lacking in our communities. It also offers our team members to live our core values.

Dhiraj Sharma, Data Management and Governance Manager, Hoover, Alabama, and Junior Achievement of Greater Birmingham Volunteer

Which JA classes/grades have you taught? What is your favorite part of teaching?
I have taught primarily to elementary grade levels (2nd, 3rd, 4th) and a few times at the middle school level. Without a doubt, my favorite part is the inquisitiveness – ideas of the children on what they can do with money. Most times, with elementary children, they start with the idea that having one million dollars is going to be sufficient; or, children tell us if they become a sports superstar or Internet influencer, then they will be the richest person on earth – they don’t understand what our tax dollars get them. Once you start taking about creating a budget, savings, different types or sizes of business, goods, and services, we talk about the value of what we get from our taxes then they light up with ideas. Children quickly understand the importance of doing the right thing, the value of saving, having a roadmap and pivoting as life, society and our world changes. That makes the classroom become fun.

What has JA taught you about the students the organization serves? About yourself?
Teaching JA personally has been a refresher on various aspects of good financial choices and the importance of planning, budgeting, saving, and divesting. I wish we had learned this in grade schools growing up but feel fortunate I learned by observing my parents at home and college. JA helps stitch a bigger picture of how individuals, businesses, banks, the financial industry and local and federal governments all tie in together to make our lives and society a better functioning place every single day.

Why do you think it’s important for Regions to lend support to JA?
Regions is a known leader, a key institution in banking in our footprint and is recognized for our mission of making a difference in the lives of our community, our associates and our stakeholders. So, it makes sense for Regions to help the community learn and improve their financial education.

A lot has changed in the world since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic — perhaps none more than the way mental health is perceived and addressed. As in-person care shifted to primarily telehealth care during the pandemic, mental health became the specialty with the highest rate of consistent telehealth usage.

Even as restrictions lifted, the effects of the pandemic on mental wellness haven’t eased. Roughly 21% of adults, equaling 50 million people in the U.S., said last year they were experiencing at least one mental health concern. Yet, 55% of adults with a mental illness reported not having received any treatment for reasons varying from costs to availability and accessibility.

It’s one of the many reasons T-Mobile employees use and are offered teletherapy platforms like Talkspace through LiveMagenta, a company-sponsored, digital well-being resource. As we take a closer look this Mental Health Awareness Month at how tech is advancing the way we understand needs and treatments, we asked experts at health care company Optum where they see technology improving access and accuracy in this space.

“Digital health tools can be useful across nearly all health care needs, and behavioral health is no exception,” said Doug Smalley, Senior Product Director at Optum Behavioral Health. “Optum is proactively engaging with people to help manage their health and well-being through in-person, virtual and digital clinical platforms. We continue to proactively expand our virtual care options to increase access to timely, affordable behavioral health care and offer greater flexibility for both members and providers.”

Smalley leads a team dedicated to finding ways to continuously improve and evolve consumer experiences in the health and well-being space for the more than 45 million people Optum serves, including T-Mobile employees. We asked him about several key areas of technology in the mental health space — including recent app and telehealth trends, wearable technology, accessibility and artificial intelligence — to see how connectivity continues to be a driver of innovation.

The use of mental health apps continues to climb, with teletherapy still a main driver and preventative care becoming a big focus. How do you see teletherapy evolving to meet patients’ needs?

Telehealth and other digital tools can help people access the behavioral health support that’s right for them. Digital health technologies — from web and app-based symptom checkers to automated self-scheduling and more efficient data exchange — can create a seamless, end-to-end consumer experience, cutting down on consumer frustration and clinician burnout.

Check Out Our “Mobile Diaries” Podcast on Teletherapy.

There’s been a renewed vigor around offering digital wellness solutions for mental health, just like using workout apps for physical health. Do you also see technologies that support stress reduction, resilience training and the early detection of mental health concerns in your work for preventative care purposes?

Not only can mobile apps and virtual programs provide mental health support, teletherapy may even offer some advantages over traditional in-person care. For example, people concerned with mental health care stigma may feel more comfortable opening up from the comfort of their own home. The important thing is making a broad suite of behavioral health offerings available that allow individuals to access support in a variety of ways, including self-help tools, in-person and virtual visits, a family support program and employee well-being solutions.

We have often discussed how wearable technology can be an innovative solution for physical health concerns and preventative care, but do you see the wearable tech trend in your own work, and do you find it beneficial?

Wearable tech, such as fitness trackers that can monitor your physical health, is growing in popularity — about 30% of American adults now use wearable health care devices. These remote tools can help ensure timely and convenient access to care by removing the need to physically travel to an office for health needs. Data from wearables, digital therapeutics and remote-monitoring devices can trigger behavioral nudges to help individuals better manage their health. The data also allows caregivers to respond to changes in treatment needs. Mental and physical health are directly linked — you need to take care of both to support total health and well-being. These tools and apps can be a great way to seamlessly integrate mental health support in a way with which individuals are already comfortable.

Originally published on GoDaddy Resource Library

Tell us a little bit about yourself and what do you do here at GoDaddy.

Hello everyone! I’m Manoj Kumar Rajasekar, currently working as a Software Development Engineer III within the PCP Team. I joined GoDaddy two years ago. Beyond my technical responsibilities, I’m actively involved in GD Asians, which is our Employee Resource Group (ERG) dedicated to fostering personal growth and professional development within Asian, Native Hawaiian, Pacific Islander communities, and their allies. I sought an organization where I could support and engage with fellow Asians at GoDaddy. Within the ERG, I serve as a Recruiter, facilitating the integration of new members and helping create a welcoming environment for them.

What has been one of your proudest moments at GoDaddy?

One of my proudest achievements at GoDaddy has been successfully launching a product, which involved migrating it from Cloud UI to the PCP. I had the opportunity to initiate the project, gather requirements from scratch, collaborate with partner teams, and oversee its successful migration, without any surprises.

What do you want your colleagues, neighbors, and friends to take away from Asian Heritage Month?

Throughout the month, there has been extensive celebration of Asian heritage culture. The primary focus is on embracing and delving into the diverse cultural facets of Asian heritage. There are numerous fascinating aspects to explore within Asian heritage culture.

Who are some mentors or public figures from your community that have influenced you in your life or professional career?

I find profound inspiration in Mr. Sathya Nadella, the CEO of Microsoft, who hails from the Asian community. I vividly recall the moment I first learned about him. While pursuing my undergraduate studies in India, I came across a newspaper article highlighting Nadella’s appointment as the CEO of Microsoft. It was a monumental occasion, and ever since, I have been closely following his journey. His exceptional leadership abilities continue to impress me, serving as a source of personal and professional inspiration. Nadella is not the only Asian figure who has influenced me; there are numerous others who have also left a lasting impact.

What’s your motto or personal mantra?

My personal mantra is: keep learning, work hard, and take it easy.

Are you enjoying this series and want to know more about life at GoDaddy? Check out our GoDaddy Life social pages! Follow us to meet our team, learn more about our culture (Teams, ERGs, Locations), careers, and so much more. You’re more than just your day job, so come propel your career with us.

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PepsiCo’s Director of Regulatory Affairs for U.S. Foods, Danielle Dalheim, discusses her important work as a change leader on the PepsiCo Positive (pep+) journey and subject matter expert on salt reduction, gluten-free labeling, compostable packaging and more. Learn how she uses her background as a registered dietitian to navigate new regulations and work towards PepsiCo’s important sustainability goals.

The “Recipe for Success” podcast serves up inspiration and career insights from employees across Frito-Lay and Quaker within diverse roles and work locations. Visit https://open.spotify.com/show/2Y7cSrOwMc49nfys3RfEWm to hear the full episodes.

Originally published by Walgreens Boots Alliance

DEERFIELD, Ill., May 24, 2024 /3BL/ – Walgreens awards high school students and teachers more than $25,000 in prize money in the 15th annual Expressions by Walgreens creative arts contest. Expressions by Walgreens is a free contest that gives teens a platform to creatively engage and share their feelings on any topic they choose. This year, common submission themes were the impact of social media, social justice, and mental health. Youth mental health is one of the US Surgeon General’s core priorities with one 2023 survey revealing that 87 percent of young people in the United States had suffered some mental health problem on a regular basis. Clinical psychologists call The Expressions Challenge an “excellent platform” that helps adolescents “face emotions, decrease anxiety and build confidence.”

The contest shows a record year in student entries with nearly an 80% increase from last year. Walgreens received close to 9,000 student submissions with entries coming from all 50 states, Puerto Rico and the U. S. Virgin Islands in addition to nearly double the online votes for People’s Champs winners. Eligible entries are judged in four categories: visual arts, media arts, spoken word, and creative writing. Walgreens also recognizes and awards educators as Teacher Champions for going above and beyond with their support of students.

“It warms our hearts that our 15th Anniversary year of Expressions by Walgreens has been such a banner year. All the students who entered shared their voice through the art they created, and that’s exactly the intention of Expressions,” says Alethia Jackson, Senior Vice President of ESG and Chief Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Officer at Walgreens Boots Alliance. “Our commitment to championing healthier communities is of critical importance to current and future generations. The high school years can often be filled with many pressures and distractions, and self-expression through art can be therapeutic in handling those pressures. Our overall mission is to reimagine how local healthcare improves societal health and well-being, and the Expressions Challenge helps us achieve that mission among our teens.”

View our compilation highlighting this year’s contest and participants here. The full list of winners follows:

Visual Arts 
• First Place: (Lost Remembrance) Zeno P., Bergen County Academies, Hackensack, NJ 
• Second Place: (Juvenile Witness) Soleil F., Osceola County School for the Arts, Kissimmee, FL 
• Third Place: (September 20th) Kiara P., Escuela Especializada Central de Artes Visuales, Dorado, PR 
• People’s Champ: (September 20th) Kiara P., Escuela Especializada Central de Artes Visuales, Dorado, PR

Media Arts 
• First Place: (Frame) Chauncey V., James Campbell High School, Ewa Beach, Hawaii 
• Second Place: (Anxious Love) Lilli N., Gorham High School, Gorham, ME 
• Third Place: (Autism, my mental pet) Jayden A., Denton High School, Denton, TX 
• People’s Champ: (Static Starvation) Emma G. and Emma S., Midwood High School, Brooklyn, NY

Spoken Word 
• First Place: (The Question vs. The Statement) CarRyn G., Cass Technical High School, Detroit, MI 
• Second Place: (Show Us What You Have Done) Sasmitha B., Solon High School, Solon, OH 
• Third Place: (The Children of America) Amora S., Dekalb School of the Arts, Lithonia, GA 
• People’s Champ: (Acceptance) Aiden F., Gorham High School, Gorham, ME

Creative Writing 
• First Place: (Versatile or Violent?) Aliyah B., Dekalb School of the Arts, Scottdale, GA 
• Second Place: (Home) Jae B., Sacred Heart Academy, Louisville, KY 
• Third Place: (To You, My Memory) Sophia D., Pine-Richland High School, Gibsonia, PA 
• People’s Champ: (A Two-Sided Sword) Fabiana H., Littleton High School, Littleton, CO

Teacher Champions 
• Whitney Davis, CE King High School, Houston, TX 
• Sheanna Eggers, Burnsville High School, Burnsville, MN 
• Nicole Jacob Licht, DeKalb School of the Arts, Avondale Estates, GA 
• Jonathan Webb, RFK – School for the Visual Arts and Humanities, Los Angeles, CA

About Expressions by Walgreens

Expressions was established by Walgreens to educate, empower and equip young people and their communities with insights and resources on issues impacting teens. Since 2009, Expressions by Walgreens has reached approximately one million high school students and awarded more than $400,000 in monetary prizes. More than 500 organizations, high schools, teachers and parents have participated in the program since its inception.

About Walgreens

Walgreens (www.walgreens.com) is included in the U.S. Retail Pharmacy and U.S. Healthcare segments of Walgreens Boots Alliance, Inc. (Nasdaq: WBA), an integrated healthcare, pharmacy and retail leader. True to its purpose of “more joyful lives through better health,” Walgreens has a more than 120-year heritage of caring for communities and providing trusted pharmacy services, and today is playing a greater role as an independent partner of choice offering healthcare services that improve care, lower costs, and help patients. Operating nearly 9,000 retail locations across the U.S. and Puerto Rico, Walgreens is proud to serve nearly 9 million customers and patients daily. The company’s pharmacists are playing a more critical role in healthcare than ever before, providing a wide range of pharmacy and healthcare services, including those that drive equitable access to care for some of the nation’s most underserved populations. Walgreens offers customers and patients a true omnichannel experience, with fully integrated physical and digital platforms designed to deliver high-quality products and healthcare services. Within the U.S. Healthcare segment, Walgreens portfolio also includes businesses in primary care, multi-specialty, post-acute care, urgent care, specialty pharmacy services, population health and provider enablement.

Media Contact

Kamara Turner 
media@walgreens.com

For the eleventh time, KeyBank has received the Points of Light recognition honoring Key as one of the 50 most community-minded companies in America in 2024. The recognition is based on The Civic 50 survey that is administered by True Impact and consists of quantitative and multiple-choice questions.

The honorees are selected based on the four dimensions of their community engagement and social impact programs: investment of resources, integration across business functions, institutionalization through policies and systems and impact measurement.

Key is one of only a small number of companies that have consistently achieved such high marks throughout the program’s 12-year history.

Additionally, Key has also been recognized as this year’s Financials Sector Leader. This is the seventh year KeyBank has received this recognition.

The Civic 50 is an initiative of Points of Light that recognizes the 50 most community-minded companies in the United States. The Civic 50 survey is based on Points of Light’s Corporate Civic Engagement Framework that creates a roadmap for companies committed to using their time, talent and resources to drive social impact in their business and communities.