Tag: 3BL

As the green economy evolves, digital skills are becoming increasingly essential in green roles. IBM and The Burning Glass Institute unveiled new insights on how green and digital jobs increasingly overlap, creating demand for workers with digital skills in the green economy and for those who deploy core green skills across various sectors.

As technology continues to play a significant role in the green sector, workers must continue to develop their digital skills to remain competitive and contribute to the growth of sustainable practices. For example, forestry and environmental science technician roles increasingly require skills in coding and working with machinery using software for automation, replacing significant amounts of potentially dangerous and physically demanding manual tasks. Advances in AI also need energy efficiency and overall energy management skills.

IBM SkillsBuild offers courses and credentials in sustainability and digital skills available for free to all learners.

Explore IBM SkillsBuild sustainability offerings: https://skillsbuild.org/adult-learners/explore-learning/sustainability

Read the full paper: https://ibm.biz/BdmscG

April 25, 2024 /3BL/ – Ceres celebrates the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s newly released power plant standards as a key policy that will ensure the nation is powered by abundant, reliable, affordable low-carbon energy.

“By reducing climate pollution from new and existing fossil power plants, the EPA’s final standards will position the U.S. power sector to deliver cleaner energy at a time when electricity usage is rising across the economy,” said Dan Bakal, senior program manager for climate and energy, Ceres. “These standards will meet the needs of businesses and their investors as they seek clean energy solutions to reduce costs, remain at the leading edge of innovation, and lower the risks of climate change.”

“Guided by the historic incentives in recent federal legislation, along with strong demand from investors and companies, the U.S. is in the midst of a clean energy boom that is making affordable, reliable, and homegrown clean power more accessible across the country,” said Zach Friedman, director of federal policy, Ceres. “We applaud the EPA for finalizing robust power plant emissions standards that will help ensure the U.S. maximizes the opportunity to lead the world in building an advanced and abundant clean energy economy.”

Ceres and the companies it works with were major advocates for strong 111(b) and 111(d) standards throughout the EPA’s rule-making process.

In 2023, dozens of leading businesses submitted a letter calling for the EPA to finalize the most robust standards to maximize the climate, public health, and economic benefits from reduced climate pollution.

“As the costs of the climate crisis and the cost-effectiveness of clean energy have each become increasingly clear, so too has the need for a more rapid transition in the power sector towards affordable, reliable American-made decarbonized energy,” the businesses wrote in the letter. “Moreover, these standards are achievable and will provide the clarity and certainty that the economy — and that we as major power sector customers and investors — need.”

The Clean Energy Group — a coalition of power providers serving more than 100 million Americans over 47 states — submitted a separate letter in 2023 supporting the EPA’s role in reducing greenhouse gas pollution from power plants.

Ceres Senior Program Director for Climate and Energy Dan Bakal also testified to the EPA in 2023, calling for strong standards that “will help strengthen our economy and ensure that the United States remains a global leader in clean energy.”

The EPA built its new standards on an agency forecast for the growth of technological innovation, especially for carbon capture and storage technology. Recent research published by Ceres shows that throughout its history, the EPA has been highly effective at forecasting technological progress and the feasibility of newly implemented standards, and that new standards help provide regulatory certainty to drive that progress, innovation, and growth.

The power sector makes up 25% of greenhouse gas emissions in the U.S., and power plants are the nation’s second-largest source of climate pollution. To meet U.S. climate goals, it is essential to not only reduce pollution from the electricity necessary to meet current needs in the U.S., but to also add enough additional clean power to meet projected growth in future demand. That includes growth in parts of the economy such as vehicles and building appliances that are moving toward electric power to reduce their costs and climate impacts, and new advanced manufacturing spurred by recent federal incentives.

The EPA’s new standards apply to existing coal-powered plants and new gas-powered plants; additional EPA action for existing gas-powered plants is expected in the future, and Ceres will continue to engage investors and companies in support of robust standards.

About Ceres

Ceres is a nonprofit organization working with the most influential capital market leaders to solve the world’s greatest sustainability challenges. Through our powerful networks and global collaborations of investors, companies, and nonprofits, we drive action and inspire equitable market-based and policy solutions throughout the economy to build a just and sustainable future. For more information, visit ceres.org and follow @CeresNews.

Media Contact: Helen Booth-Tobin, booth-tobin@ceres.org

April 25, 2024 /3BL/ – Engage for Good, the leading company empowering corporate and nonprofit professionals to create mutually beneficial social impact partnerships, announces their most coveted Halo Awards: Google.org is the Corporation of the Year, and charity: water is the Nonprofit of the Year.

To win this award, both organizations have shown years of commitment to pursuing innovative new partnership models that align the resources of nonprofits and corporations to create an impact on the cause and the business. Both winners were chosen by a panel of four esteemed leaders from the nonprofits and companies that have won this coveted award in previous years. Previous winners have included REI, CVS Health, P&G, The Trevor Project, Save the Children, DonorsChoose.org, and more.

The winners will be recognized at the annual Engage for Good Conference on May 14-16 in Minneapolis, MN.

“Google.org and charity: water continue to demonstrate the power of corporate philanthropy to have a transformational impact on the most critical issues of our time. In a time when corporate philanthropy is facing numerous challenges, the work of these organizations further proves how cross-sector partnerships can drive positive business and social impact outcomes,” said Engage for Good CEO Muneer Panjwani.

Google.org has a history of using their employee’s talent and the organization’s expertise in AI to support the implementation of technology solutions that can greatly increase a nonprofit’s ability to have an impact. Their model not only provides technical solutions but also offers Google employees working pro bono to support these projects full-time for a six-month period through the Google.org Fellowship, as well as grants and in-kind product support to help sustain the technology for long-term success. Through this model, they have helped organizations develop ways to identify antibiotic resistance with Médecins Sans Frontières (Doctors Without Borders), supported GiveDirectly’s use of AI to identify where to send vital aid, and most recently launched Google.org Accelerator: Generative AI, an AI accelerator program that is providing $20 million in funding across the 21 organizations in the first cohort.

“Google.org is committed to bringing the best of Google, including grant funding, in-kind donations, and what we think is our most valuable resource, our people, to help nonprofits build and launch products that can truly move the needle on some of society’s biggest challenges,” said Jen Carter, Global Head of Technology at Google.org. “We are humbled to receive this award from Engage for Good and honored to have played a part in enabling nonprofits to scale their impact.”

charity: water has innovation as a core part of their impact model. As a nonprofit organization focused on bringing clean and safe water to people around the world, the organization has distinguished itself with a radically transparent model that sends 100% of public donations to the field. The organization has created powerful and unique ways to engage corporations in their mission, most recently partnering with Kalahari Resorts and Conventions to provide clean water to 1 million people. They have also implemented groundbreaking technology solutions, such as developing a remote IoT sensor that allows charity: water and its partners to more efficiently identify water projects that need maintenance. These technologies provide their donors and partners unparalleled access to impact metrics that drive further investment in charity: water’s work.

“Winning Engage for Good’s Nonprofit of the Year Halo Award is a powerful recognition of the ways we have developed innovative programs and partnerships to end the world’s water crisis,” said Scott Harrison, CEO of charity: water. “We’re proud to partner with the world’s greatest brands, working together until every single person on Earth has access to clean water.”

Google.org and charity: Water will be recognized at the annual Engage for Good Conference on May 14-16 in Minneapolis, MN, along with additional Halo Award winners across 15 categories, and the “Best of the Best” award sponsored by For Momentum.

The Engage for Good conference is presented by Wish of a Lifetime, Bonterra, and For Momentum.

About Google.org

Google.org, Google’s philanthropy, brings the best of Google to help solve some of the world’s biggest challenges combining funding, product donations and technical expertise to support underserved communities and provide opportunity for everyone.

Google.org engages nonprofits, social enterprises and civic entities who make a significant impact on the communities they serve, and whose work has the potential to produce scalable, meaningful change.

About charity: water

charity: water is a nonprofit organization bringing clean and safe drinking water to people around the world. With powerful storytelling and a radically transparent model that ensures 100% of every public donation funds clean water, charity: water has mobilized supporters from more than 150 countries to help end the water crisis. They work exclusively with experienced local partners to build sustainable, community-led water projects and prove each one with innovative technology.

Since 2006 in New York and 2017 in London, charity: water has funded over 152,000 water projects across 29 countries to help more than 18.4 million people get access to clean water, hygiene, and improved sanitation. For more information, visit charitywater.org.

Engage for Good

Engage for Good is the leading company empowering nonprofit and corporate social impact leaders with the resources, expertise and community they need to build cross-sector partnerships that benefit the cause and business. For over twenty years, the organization has nurtured and celebrated the best social impact and cause marketing initiatives The company’s portfolio of offerings include: a national conference, the Halo Awards, a series of educational webinars and a podcast featuring topical experts, as well as a monthly newsletter, educational guides, a job board, and membership program. For more information, visit www.engageforgood.com

Modern technology use has dramatically increased our exposure risks to human-made electromagnetic fields (EMF). Although EMFs occur naturally, for example from the sun or earth’s rotation, it is the increase in human-made sources that has made EMFs an increasing topic of concern.

Over exposure to EMFs has been the subject of some research and scientific investigation. While some studies have suggested potential health risks associated with prolonged and intense EMF exposure with symptoms such as insomnia, fatigue, headaches), it is important to note that the scientific community has yet to reach a consensus.

Nonetheless, in light of ongoing research into the health impact of EMF exposure, regulatory bodies and health organizations – including the World Health Organization (WHO) – have established exposure limits and safety guidelines designed to protect individuals from potential risks associated with EMFs. These guidelines are precautionary and are recommended to ensure the safety and well-being of the general population.

Understanding and managing the potential health and business risks associated with EMF exposure is crucial in maintaining a safe work environment. We’ll offer insight into what EMF is and focus on which industry factors may place your workforce at greater risk of exposure, and how to navigate regulations around exposure limits.

What Are Electromagnetic Fields (EMF)?

Electromagnetic fields are a combination of electric and magnetic fields that are produced by the movement of charged particles. These fields are a fundamental part of the physical world, existing naturally in various forms, and can also be created artificially. Some examples of Human-made sources include:

Common electronic devices such as cellphones, computers, televisions, and household appliances emit EMFs during their regular operation.Power lines and the overall electrical grid are significant sources of electromagnetic fields, particularly in proximity to high-voltage power lines.Wireless communication infrastructure such as cell towers, Wi-Fi routers, and other communication devices are notable sources of EMFs.

Common Industries that have EMF Exposure

Technology industryRetail industryOffice workersEnergy sector

EMF Regulations in the European Union

Electromagnetic field regulations in the European Union (EU) are essential directives formulated to safeguard people and the environment from the potential risks associated with hazardous radiation.

Directive 2013/35/EU sets forth the minimum health and safety requirements pertaining to occupational EMF exposure. Each EU member country is required to implement the directive into its legal framework. This implementation ensures that appropriate laws and regulations are in place to control EMF exposure effectively.

Before the enactment of regulations, rigorous radiation monitoring is conducted by national or international bodies. This involves measuring external radiation dose rates in the environment and evaluating the potential health effects on humans. These assessments serve as a foundation for establishing regulatory laws.

Various EU member countries, including France, Ireland, Northern Ireland and the UK, have established specific regulations aligned with the EU directive. These regulations detail exposure limits, safety conditions, and guidelines to protect workers from EMF hazards in their respective jurisdictions.

Tip to help EHS professionals manage compliance

EHS professionals operating within the EU should have a strong understanding of regulations related to electromagnetic fields (EMF) to ensure compliance and maintain a safe work environment. Others should prepare for the arrival of potential future regulations in other regions.

The EU regulations emphasize the importance of employers communicating EMF exposure levels to employees, assessing exposure limit values, and taking appropriate actions to ensure compliance. 
Here are actions EHS leaders can take to ensure their organizations remain compliant.

Conduct risk assessments: EHS professionals should conduct comprehensive risk assessments to evaluate EMF exposure levels in the workplace, involving measurements, calculations, and comparisons with allowable limits.Develop action plans: In case of potential exceedance of action levels and exposure limit values, EHS professionals should create action plans. These plans may include implementing engineering controls, administrative measures, or personal protective equipment to ensure compliance.Employee training and awareness: EHS professionals should ensure employees are well informed about EMF risks and safety measures. Effective communication of signs, access restrictions, and best practices is crucial.Implement health surveillance: Establishing health surveillance programs as mandated by the regulations, EHS professionals should conduct regular health check-ups and maintain comprehensive records of findings to monitor employee well-being. Individual risk assessments should also be conducted for workers with specific risks, such as pregnant employees or those with implanted medical devices, taking into account their unique circumstances.Stay updated and ensure compliance: EHS professionals need to stay updated on regulatory changes, equipment, work processes, and exposure levels. Continuous compliance with regulations is crucial, necessitating reevaluations and adjustments to safety measures as needed.

Maintaining compliance with EU EMF regulations is essential for the well-being of employees and the legal standing of businesses. EHS professionals play a critical role in ensuring that workplaces adhere to these regulations, minimizing risks associated with EMF exposure, and fostering a safe and healthy work environment.

Learn how Antea Group’s Health & Safety (EHS) Consulting services can help you stay compliant with rapidly changing regulations.

TEMPE, Ariz., April 25, 2024 /3BL/ – With its 2023 Sustainability Report released today, GoDaddy highlights continued strides on its corporate sustainability strategy, commitments and goals in support of GoDaddy’s mission to empower entrepreneurs everywhere, making opportunity more inclusive for all.

The top takeaways from the 2023 report include:

GoDaddy supports its customers with innovative technology, resources and best-in-class human-centered guidance. 

GoDaddy harnessed the power of generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) to launch GoDaddy AiroTM, a breakthrough experience that simplifies the customer journey by instantly generating a branded logo, customized website, tailored content, communications, social marketing and more.Venture Forward, a GoDaddy research initiative, conducted its tenth nationwide survey of over 3,500 microbusiness entrepreneurs (those with fewer than 10 employees) in the U.S. and U.K. to better understand the current trends, needs and other insights into microbusinesses. Key 2023 U.S. survey findings included how 1 in 7 microbusinesses started since the pandemic were founded by Black women and 1 in 3 microbusinesses contribute 51% or more to household income.GoDaddy employees served nearly 2,900 small and microbusiness owners through 250 workshops and more than 1,450 one-on-one mentorship sessions via Empower by GoDaddy, the company’s signature global social impact program focused on digital skilling and business development for entrepreneurs in underserved communities.

GoDaddy’s leadership remains committed to fostering an inclusive culture and building a workforce that reflects the diversity of GoDaddy’s global customer base. 

GoDaddy maintained gender pay parity (globally) for the ninth consecutive year and ethnicity pay parity (in the U.S.) for the seventh consecutive year.80% of GoDaddy employees participated in the company’s annual engagement survey, in which GoDaddy achieved an average score of 90 out of 100 on the question, “Employees on my team treat each other with respect.”GoDaddy’s culture of experimentation catapulted many ideas into actual customer solutions, with employees conducting over 1,700 controlled experiments, a 33% increase over 2022.

GoDaddy made continued strides operating ethically and protecting the environment. 

GoDaddy achieved its greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions goal to reduce its scope 1 and 2 (market-based) emissions by 50% from its 2019 baseline – two years earlier than anticipated.GoDaddy launched a Supplier Diversity Program to promote inclusion of diverse and small businesses in GoDaddy’s supply chain sourcing processes.GoDaddy’s AI and Machine Learning Governance Council helped minimize risks posed by GenAI, such as misinformation or algorithmic bias, and put appropriate guardrails and risk management measures in place for ethical GenAI use by employees.

GoDaddy’s consistent and transparent reporting showcases the company’s progress in building a more sustainable, equitable and inclusive society while outlining areas for future growth. Through innovation and discipline, GoDaddy team members will continue to create value for their customers, shareholders, employees and communities.

Read GoDaddy’s 2023 Sustainability Report here.

About GoDaddy 
GoDaddy helps millions of entrepreneurs globally start, grow, and scale their businesses. People come to GoDaddy to name their idea, build a professional website, attract customers, sell their products and services, and accept payments online and in-person. GoDaddy’s easy-to-use tools help microbusiness owners manage everything in one place and its expert guides are available to provide assistance 24/7. To learn more about the company, visit www.GoDaddy.com.

WASHINGTON, April 25, 2024 /3BL/ – Today, the NAACP announces the next iteration of the Backing the B.A.R. (Business Accounts & Retailers) Acceleration Grant Program sponsored by Bacardi U.S.A. offering $100,000 in grants to the industry. First launched to increase support of Black-owned bars, restaurants, nightclubs, lounges, liquor stores, and small businesses in the process of applying for a liquor license, the program aims to support the underrepresented in the hospitality industry. The program has evolved to expand its support to providing grants to a broader range of underrepresented minorities as a show of continued commitment to the industry.

Backing the B.A.R. will provide critical support to 10 businesses from underrepresented minorities in the hospitality sectors, with $10,000 grants along with access to valuable resources such as mentorship, tools, and networks.

“The NAACP is excited to open the third round of the Backing the B.A.R. program” said Yumeka Rushing, NAACP Chief Strategy Officer. “By investing in diverse businesses, we not only drive economic growth but also foster a more inclusive and equitable business landscape.”

The grant application will remain open for six weeks and is available to any underrepresented minority business owners who possess or are currently seeking a liquor license. Ideal grant recipients include those who are looking for support in accelerating their business for the future. The Backing the B.A.R. initiative will award more than$100,000 in acceleration grants, education, support, and entrepreneurship solutions for minority-owned bars, restaurants, nightclubs, lounges, liquor stores, and small businesses who need financial, educational, or mentorship support.

“Love for our brands is built in bars and restaurants and we are firmly committed to supporting the industry and the spaces that bring people together in moments that matter,” said Tony Latham, Regional President, Bacardi North America. “Through the Backing the B.A.R. program, Bacardi and the NAACP are committed to empowering underrepresented entrepreneurs and creating more opportunities for them to succeed in the industry.”

The program is designed to fuel the growth and resilience of minority-owned businesses, driving economic empowerment and creating lasting impact within the industry. Both the NAACP and Bacardi share a commitment to advancing diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging within the hospitality industry. Through this grant, we are creating opportunities for under-represented entrepreneurs to thrive and contribute to vibrant, resilient communities.

For more information about the Backing the B.A.R. Acceleration Grant program, please visit our website.

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About NAACP

The NAACP advocates, agitates, and litigates for the civil rights due to Black America. Our legacy is built on the foundation of grassroots activism by the biggest civil rights pioneers of the 20th century and is sustained by 21st century activists. From classrooms and courtrooms to city halls and Congress, our network of members across the country works to secure the social and political power that will end race-based discrimination. That work is rooted in racial equity, civic engagement, and supportive policies and institutions for all marginalized people. We are committed to a world without racism where Black people enjoy equitable opportunities in thriving communities.

NOTE: The Legal Defense Fund – also referred to as the NAACP-LDF – was founded in 1940 as a part of the NAACP, but now operates as a completely separate entity.

About Bacardi U.S.A., Inc.

Bacardi U.S.A. Inc. is the United States import and distribution arm of family-owned Bacardi Limited, the largest privately held spirits company in the world. The company boasts a portfolio of some of the most recognized and top-selling spirits brands in the United States including BACARDÍ® rum, PATRÓN® tequila, GREY GOOSE® vodka, DEWAR’S® Blended Scotch Whisky, BOMBAY SAPPHIRE® gin, CAZADORES® 100% blue agave tequila, MARTINI vermouth and sparkling wines, the world’s leading vermouth and the world’s favorite Italian sparkling wines, and other leading and emerging brands. Founded more than 161 years ago in Santiago de Cuba, family-owned Bacardi Limited currently employs approximately 9,000, operates production facilities in 11 countries and territories, and sells its brands in more than 160 markets. Bacardi Limited refers to the Bacardi group of companies, including Bacardi International Limited. Visit http://www.bacardilimited.com or follow us on LinkedIn or Instagram.

There’s a global shortage of teachers with special education training. 90% of disabled students in developing countries lack access to trained teachers.[1] In Hong Kong specifically, one in every 20 children is diagnosed with autism and other disorders that fall under Special Education Needs (SEN), and the number of SEN students increased by 106% in 10 years.[2] In a world where technology continuously evolves, it could hold the potential to revolutionize education for children with special needs.

Bridging the gap

One method commonly used when working with SEN students is Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA). “ABA sessions are an important part of our roles and can be time consuming. To make them valuable we need to take lots of notes about the students’ behaviors, often over the course of three hours. The ABA methodology needs specialized training, and there aren’t enough therapists who are trained to do it. This makes it expensive and something that not every family can afford,” Christine Chan, Clinical Director at Bridge Academy outlined.

In Hong Kong, Bridge Academy, a pioneering institution that provides interventions and services for children with SEN, has turned to AI for the solution. The breakthrough, Bridge AI, is the first and only AI-powered individualized learning system in Hong Kong. This groundbreaking technology is used to help therapists, teachers and parents improve the learning and teaching experiences for SEN students cost effectively.

By capturing learning, psychological and environmental data, Bridge AI’s AI-driven solution tracks training performances and recommends Individualized Education Plans (IEP) for SEN students. This hyper automation streamlines the formerly labor-intensive ABA processes, empowering therapists to effortlessly collect performance data in real-time and select appropriate learning tasks for students.

With the application of AI technologies, such as computer visions and attention monitoring, the laborious parts of the methodology can be streamlined. This allows therapists to see more students in a day and have more meaningful interactions with them. With this highly intuitive solution, the Bridge AI team can now train university students to serve as in-classroom tutors on behalf of ABA therapists. This innovative approach allows more experienced ABA therapists to remotely oversee and supervise these tutors, ensuring the delivery of quality support and guidance to students. It makes ABA therapy much more accessible.

Parents are already seeing benefits. “In two weeks, my son developed the ability to express himself, both verbally and with body language,” said one. “Bridge has also helped my son focus a lot better, empowered him with socialization and enabled him to discover the joy of playing.”

One step further with Lenovo

To power Bridge AI, a video and audio analytics engine was needed – this is where Lenovo came in. Lenovo is working with Bridge AI to train AI models to recognise human gestures and expressions, objects and voices, and to hyperautomate grading and recommended follow-ups based on ABA domain specific language models, all to help therapists who work with children with SEN.

The model was trained on thousands of hours of footage where it learnt to identify objects and behaviors. For example, when using a camera in the classroom, AI can identify objects and track body movements. It can recognize whether a student has successfully completed a task or not and offer the therapist guidance on how to respond based on ABA methodology. It also has eye tracking technology to monitor attention and focus.

“The partnership between Bridge AI and Lenovo is driven by a shared commitment to leveraging technology for the betterment of society. Using AI, we’re already seeing how we can enhance the educational experience of students with SEN, empowering them to reach their full potential,” said Victor Wong, CEO of Bridge AI.

Ken Wong, President of Lenovo Solutions and Services Group added, “We worked closely with Bridge AI to understand its needs from the ground up and collaborated with the organization to build this incredible solution. This partnership represents a significant step forward in making quality education accessible to all children, regardless of their abilities or backgrounds”.

See Bridge AI CEO Victor Wong on stage with Lenovo’s Ken Wong at Lenovo Tech World Hong Kong

This work was made possible by bringing in Lenovo’s AI Professional Services team. This group helps businesses of all sizes navigate the AI landscape, find the right solutions, and put AI to work for their organizations quickly, cost-effectively, and at scale, bringing AI from concept to reality. AI technology has had a transformative impact on special education, and Lenovo’s insight, combined with the Bridge AI team’s specialist expertise, is helping children make breakthroughs and improving the learning experience for students with SEN.

The insights from Lenovo’s AI Professional Services team, combined with cutting-edge hardware such as AR glasses and motion tracking applications, are helping Bridge AI to enhance its AI assessment tool and improve the learning environment for students with SEN. These offerings provide educators and therapists with valuable insights and tools to personalize instruction and support individualized learning goals.

Fan Ho, Executive Director & General Manager, Asia Pacific at Lenovo Solutions and Services Group explained, “The connection that matters most is with the students’ teachers and parents. That’s what AI for All truly means. That’s why we do what we do”.

An inclusive and effective educational approach

At its core, the collaboration between Bridge AI and Lenovo represents a transformative shift in the way special education is delivered and experienced. By harnessing the power of AI technology, the organizations are not only raising the bar for educational standards but also fostering greater inclusivity and accessibility in learning environments worldwide.

“Ultimately, I hope my son’s teachers, and the people he calls friends at Bridge, will teach him how to be a caring, sincere, sensible, proper, honest and good person. Someone that will bring stability and joy to people around him,” concluded another parent.

Plans are now underway to build an ecosystem that brings together various stakeholders from the SEN community to leverage the power of technology to develop accessible and inclusive solutions. By empowering individuals with disabilities and special needs, Bridge AI hopes to enable them to lead more independent and fulfilling lives, with equitable access to high quality education and social integration.

Find out more about Lenovo Tech World Hong Kong here

LENOVO is a trademark of Lenovo.

[1] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK554622/

[2] Research Office of Hong Kong Legislative Council Secretariat

For more than a decade, Comcast has been dedicated to closing the digital divide. Achieving digital equity is at the heart of the work we do because we know how life-changing a reliable home Internet connection can be in today’s digital economy.

Through the federal government’s Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP), more than 23 million households across America – nearly 50% of which are military families – are able to get online at little to no cost. Unfortunately, the ACP is only fully funded through April and is expected to lapse by May. This puts at risk all the progress we have made in keeping Americans connected to this critical resource.

As I said in January, we believe that Congress and the White House should find a way to extend the ACP so people can stay connected and benefit from the Internet for education, healthcare, workforce development, veterans’ assistance, and so much more.

At Comcast, we remain committed to doing our part to help including:

Partial ACP Credit – To help ease the transition, all ACP customers will receive a federally funded ACP credit of $14 on their Xfinity bills ($35 on Tribal lands) for the month of May as the government program winds down.

Internet Essentials – We continue to offer Internet Essentials – our reliable, low-cost high-speed Internet service – for $9.95/month. That is the exact same price it has been since 2011, when it was first introduced, despite inflation, while speeds have increased five times for no additional cost. Millions of Americans have been connected to Internet Essentials, which has become the largest and most comprehensive private-sector Internet adoption program in the country. All current ACP customers are eligible to switch to Internet Essentials tiers during this transition.

Internet Essentials+ – For customers looking for even faster speeds, Internet Essentials Plus offers double the speed – up to 100 Mbps – for $29.95/month.

Xfinity Mobile Savings – For those looking to save money on their monthly bills, we’re also offering discounts to customers who bundle their Internet service with Xfinity Mobile. New Internet Essentials Plus customers can take advantage of a free line of Xfinity Mobile for one year. Additionally, current customers enrolled in ACP with Comcast who add Xfinity Mobile can get an additional free unlimited line for one year, potentially saving them hundreds of dollars per year.

NOW WiFi Pass – For individuals and families on the go, Comcast has introduced NOW WiFi Pass, which connects them to our 23 million+ Xfinity WiFi hotspots nationwide. Now through June 30, customers can get online for $10/month with no additional equipment required, no long-term commitments, or any cancellation fees.

Lift Zones – Individuals, whether they’re our customers or not, can access one of our more than 1,250 WiFi-connected Lift Zones across the country. Working with our extensive network of nonprofit partners, Lift Zones provide free Internet access in neighborhood locations like nonprofits, community centers, gyms, and parks and recreation facilities. Additionally, many locations have Digital Navigators – trusted and trained individuals who help them get online and learn digital skills.

Internet Essentials Partnership Program – Our Internet Essentials Partnerships Program (IEPP) provides the opportunity for school districts and other organizations to fund and connect large numbers of students and families to broadband access at home. Since 2020, IEPP has collaborated with hundreds of entities across the country to help connect K-12 students.

Partnerships and Project UP – We also continue to work with our network of thousands of nonprofit partners nationwide who are on the front lines of closing the digital divide. We’re investing in organizations that train thousands of trusted Digital Navigators who connect people to the Internet; and partners who advance economic mobility and open doors for the next generation of innovators, entrepreneurs, storytellers, and creators. This is all backed by Project UP, our $1B commitment to advance digital equity and help build a future of unlimited possibilities.

While we have all these products and services available today, we will continue to create even more packages and options to offer our customers and the communities we serve. We’ve made so much progress closing the digital divide and we remain committed to doing our part to ensure more Americans stay connected and that no one gets left behind.

Broderick D. Johnson is Executive Vice President, Public Policy, and Executive Vice President, Digital Equity for Comcast Corporation.

Originally published in Northwestern Mutual 2023 Sustainability and Social Impact Report

Driven by our mission to improve lives through financial security, we’ve helped millions of Americans reduce financial vulnerability and plan and manage for a lifetime of financial needs and goals. We know that financial security is often hindered in underserved communities, which is why we’re taking bold steps to increase financial knowledge, improve access to capital for small businesses and advance the ability to build generational wealth. We believe accelerating economic empowerment delivers the growth and returns our stakeholders expect. 

A key engine in these efforts is our Sustained Action for Racial Equity (SARE) initiative, launched in 2020 by Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer John Schlifske. Through this initiative, driven by 80+ leaders across our corporate offices and network of field offices, we seek to promote multicultural entrepreneurship, supplier/business diversity and financial education. We take a long-term view while acting with a sense of urgency—proud of the results we’ve achieved while recognizing there is much more to be done to create healthier, stronger communities and a better tomorrow.

ADVANCING MULTICULTURAL AND WOMEN-RUN BUSINESSES

Northwestern Mutual is committed to specific initiatives to support change in underserved communities. We’re building an ecosystem for multicultural business success—increasing access to resources and capital, and furthering organizations’ willingness to spend with multicultural and women-run businesses. 

Northwestern Mutual wants to reduce barriers to financial equity and expand financial access for tech startups by supporting entrepreneurs who have been historically underserved. To address this need, each year the Northwestern Mutual Black Founder Accelerator® provides up to 10 entrepreneurs with a $100,000 investment, plus an intensive 12-week business training program and ongoing mentoring. In partnership with gener8tor, a nationally ranked startup accelerator, we’ve welcomed 30 entrepreneurs and invested $3 million to date. Participants have gone on to accelerate their business plans, raise additional funding and spark business and community growth. 

Northwestern Mutual Future Ventures, our venture capital arm, in addition to investing in a variety of other startups, has a goal of investing $20 million each in women and African American/Black entrepreneurs. We look for partners who are developing tools and platforms to help us deliver the experience our clients need, want and deserve; who are shaping the future of health and wellness; and who are bringing new technologies and enhanced analytics to market.

INVESTING WITH IMPACT

In 2023, Northwestern Mutual added $75 million to our Impact Investment Fund, bringing the total to $175 million. The fund directs investments to increase entrepreneurs’ and businesses’ access to capital to create positive economic momentum locally and nationally; develop physical and social infrastructure, including affordable homes and improved school systems; and generate financial returns for our policyowners and investors. 

Since the fund launched in 2021, Northwestern Mutual has made 16 investments nationally and in Milwaukee, leading to further investments in 64 business owners from diverse backgrounds and creating 525 jobs across the country.

Supplier and business diversity 

Northwestern Mutual engages with a broad array of outside vendors for everything from office supplies and building materials to marketing and technology services. Through rigorous and transparent competitive bidding, we ensure that regardless of size or ownership, suppliers have an equal opportunity to provide us goods and services. This promotes fairness and equity while enriching our supply chain with fresh perspectives, innovation and expertise. We’ve also developed a roadmap toward supply chain sustainability reporting, with pilot participants beginning in 2023. 

Employing inclusive procurement practices, our program has achieved remarkable growth in the amount we spend with small and diverse businesses. We’re one of the first members of the Financial Services Roundtable for Supplier Diversity that recognizes and tracks LGBTQ+ owned company spending, and we belong to the National LGBTQ Chamber of Commerce to increase access to certified LGBTQ+ suppliers and businesses. 

Our efforts have created $91.1 million in total economic impact with small and diverse businesses in the Milwaukee area and $842.1 million with small and diverse businesses nationally.

PROMOTING FINANCIAL EDUCATION TO HELP BUILD GENERATIONAL WEALTH

We continually look for opportunities to learn from and share financial knowledge with a wide variety of individuals. Our financial advisors and representatives and our corporate employees work to open dialogues, build awareness and earn trust in underserved communities.

Programming for youth 

We recognize the power of educating young people about building wealth; it can transform communities as well as individuals. Our financial advisors and representatives and our corporate offices offer a variety of programs to connect with students at all levels. 

In partnership with the Leo Tucker network office in Washington, D.C., we completed the second pilot of Advancing Financial Literacy, a program with Howard University’s Center for Financial Excellence. The three-week program gives undergraduate students the opportunity to learn financial planning strategies and practice using related tools.

Increasing connections and collaboration 

Through partnerships with professional, community and advocacy organizations, our corporate offices and network of field offices increase visibility and connections, expanding markets and social impact. Northwestern Mutual is proud to work with and learn from thought leaders in organizations including the National Urban League and the National Black MBA Association. 

At the National Urban League’s annual conference, we led workshops for small business owners and presented to 900+ guests at the conference gala. At the National Black MBA Conference, Northwestern Mutual was a sponsor for their gala and for a pitch competition offering startups the opportunity to connect with investors—and to win up to $50,000. Northwestern Mutual partnered with the Chicago chapter of the National Black MBA Association on Black Think, a “pop-up think tank” on personal financial planning and addressing the racial wealth gap. 

We’ve advanced mutual goals and increased visibility in the college market and beyond as the presenting corporate sponsor of The Loyola Project, a documentary about race relations, courage and college basketball. The film has been shown on CBS and Paramount+. It has also been shown at more than 150 college campuses, more than twice the original goal. With Crossroads Entertainment, we are again bringing The Loyola Project to select HBCU campuses, providing movie toolkits and conversation outlines.

Learn more about Northwestern Mutual’s commitment to delivering financial security and expanding financial access in the 2023 Sustainability and Social Impact Report.

Originally published by The Cool Down.

“Everybody has to eat. … Food’s sort of the great equalizer.”

Suzanne Long, Chief Sustainability and Transformation Officer at Albertsons, is taking that idea and running with it: Her goal is to bring sustainability to life by making it visible and tangible. And what better place to do that than from the grocery store? “Everybody has to eat,” she noted. “Food’s sort of the great equalizer.”

In an exclusive interview with The Cool Down, Long takes us behind the scenes at the nation’s second-largest supermarket chain — from what might surprise you about food waste to the company’s unconventional partnership with Uber.

When Albertsons stores do have surplus food, the first priority is getting it “into the mouth of someone who needs it,” Long told us. If that isn’t possible, “then let’s turn it into compost. Let’s turn it into animal feed. Keeping as much of it out of [the] landfill as possible is really the ultimate goal.”

See full interview on The Cool Down and read more about Albertsons Companies and our Recipe for Change on our website.