Tag: 3BL

Albertsons Companies associates recently teamed up with 6 hunger-fighting nonprofits in Arizona for a business hackathon. Our nonprofit partners brought their challenges, and our teams used their technical skills to brainstorm solutions. The result? 25 engaged associates and 6 happy nonprofits with new energy and ideas on how to proceed!

One associate shared: “I am a data person. I didn’t know what I could add, but I found that I had so many ideas being able to look at the problem from a new angle. I felt like I really helped and also got to meet some great fellow associates in person.”

See original post on LinkedIn and read more about Albertsons Companies and our Recipe for Change on our website.

KFC

In celebration of Black History Month, we’re shining a light on the perspectives and lived experiences of Black and African American employees across our teams at KFC. Arista Bowman is Head of Talent Attraction for KFC US and shares what Black culture means to her…

“Black culture is a never-ending groove that keeps the world dancing at a rhythmic pace. It’s the grace in our steps, the poetry in our words and the beat to our soul. It’s the resilience that turns struggles and tears into triumphs and the laughter that echoes through generations. Black culture is a vibrant tapestry woven with threads of heritage, creativity and endless possibilities. It’s the beat that keeps our hearts connected and our spirits soaring. So, when someone asks what Black culture means to me, I say it’s the heartbeat of humanity, pumping joy, resilience and unapologetic excellence into the world!”

PHILADELPHIA, February 19, 2024 /3BL/ – News is Out, a queer media collaborative of six of the nation’s legendary LGBTQ+ publications, and Word In Black, a collaborative of ten of the nation’s legendary Black publishers, are joining Comcast NBCUniversal for a groundbreaking initiative: The Digital Equity Local Voices Lab.

Through Project UP, Comcast’s $1 billion commitment to advance digital equity and economic opportunities, the company is donating more than $1 million to launch this first-of-its-kind Lab that supports coverage of Black and LGBTQ+ topics in the media and supports emerging journalists with a passion for reporting on issues of importance to these communities.

Together, the three organizations will work to shed light on issues within marginalized communities across 16 news publications with the training and resources needed to tell these stories through media and technology and celebrate the work being done by Black and LGBTQ+ leaders in their communities.

“Word In Black is looking forward to working with our colleagues at News is Out and Comcast NBCUniversal on this groundbreaking fellowship program,” said Chris Bennett, publisher of the Seattle Medium and member of the Word In Black collaboration. “Uplifting the voices of journalists and publishers who are dedicated to covering Black and LGBTQ+ stories is vital to the future of inclusive media.”

Specifically, the Lab will elevate Black and LGBTQ+ perspectives through content creation and content sharing with NBCUniversal and NBCU Academy during a year-long fellowship program that places 16 fellows at the 16 participating news organizations.

Fellows will be part of a cohort that receives best practices and learnings from journalists and media professionals at News is Out, Word In Black, and NBCUniversal. They will also report on stories of Black and LGBTQ+ entrepreneurs and creatives in their communities, share training and resources on using technology more in their daily lives, report on policy related to access to technology and connectivity, and share the work being done to advance digital equity.

“As a Black queer woman, I know the impact of empowering and elevating Black and LGBTQ+ voices,” said Eboné F. Bell, publisher of Tagg Magazine. “This project gives us an opportunity to instill a great amount of knowledge and experience in fellows who can help amplify the voice of these communities in the media industry.”

The Local Media Foundation (LMF) will manage the fellowship and Lab and facilitate content creation to reach diverse audiences between the 16 publishers and Comcast NBCUniversal. Word In Black and News is Out are collaboratives that were launched by LMF.

Comcast is proud to launch this important initiative with the Local Media Foundation, News is Out, and Word In Black to empower a new generation of journalists and media professionals.

ANZIO WILLIAMS

SVP of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at NBCUniversal Local

“Ensuring that the stories and perspectives of underrepresented communities are featured in the media by dedicated, trained and resourced journalists is at the heart of Project UP’s and NBCU Academy’s mission. We look forward to seeing these journalists grow in their career and influence,” said Anzio Williams, SVP of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at NBCUniversal Local.

Applications are open to anyone with a passion for covering communities of color and/or LGBTQ+ issues. To learn more and apply, visit this link.

The 16 participating publications are:

AFRO News (Baltimore): Founded in 1892, AFRO provides readers with good news about the Black community not otherwise found. The AFRO and its talented team of journalists have won numerous awards, including NNPA newspaper of the year in 2022, and was named the Nation’s # 1 African American Newspaper by Essence-Nielsen Consumer Survey.The Atlanta Voice (Atlanta): The Atlanta Voice has been serving the metropolitan Atlanta community for more than 58 years. Birthed out of the Civil Rights movement as a trusted, authentic, fact and community driven media outlet for Black Atlanta. The publication’s motto is “A People Without A Voice Cannot be Heard”.Bay Area Reporter (San Francisco): Launched in 1971, this weekly newspaper is one of the oldest and a pioneer in LGBTQ+ media.Dallas Voice (Dallas): The premier media source for LGBTQ Texas, publishing every Friday since 1984.Dallas Weekly (Dallas): Since 1954, Dallas Weekly has been at the epicenter of all things African American in north Texas, one of the country’s fastest-growing regions.Houston Defender (Houston): Since 1930, the Houston Defender Network has been “Raising Black Voices” as we Educate, Entertain and Empower the Greater Houston Black Community.Michigan Chronicle (Detroit) The Michigan Chronicle is a news, information, and events company that covers the interests of the African American community. Leaders and readers in metropolitan Detroit look to the Michigan Chronicle to stay informed about issues that impact their lives.New York Amsterdam News (New York City): Started more than a century ago, with a $10 investment, New York Amsterdam News has gone on to become one of the most important Black newspapers in the country and today remains one of the most influential Black-owned and -operated media businesses in the nation, if not the world.Philadelphia Gay News (Philadelphia): The largest and oldest publication targeting the LGBTQ+ community, started in 1976.The Sacramento Observer (Sacramento): Established in 1962, The Sacramento Observer has been one of the most decorated publications in the history of the Black Press.Seattle Medium (Seattle): Founded on January 15, 1970, The Seattle Medium is the flagship publication of Tiloben Publishing Co., Inc. – the largest minority-owned and operated communications company in the Pacific Northwest, serving the Seattle, Tacoma and Portland Markets – and is the primary source of news that residents of Seattle read to stay informed regarding issues and events that affect and enhance the quality of life in African American community.The St. Louis American (St. Louis): Since 1928, The St. Louis American newspaper remains Black-owned and has emerged as the leading, most trusted voice of the area’s African American community.Tagg Magazine (National): This award-winning and Black queer, woman-owned publication, founded in 2012, is committed to uplifting the voices of all LGBTQ+ women across the country. Tagg was created to serve “everything lesbian, queer, and under the rainbow.”Washington Blade (Washington, D.C.): This weekly publication is the oldest LGBTQ+ newspaper in the U.S. It was launched in 1969.The Washington Informer (Washington, D.C.): Founded in 1964, this weekly, women-owned media company serves as the link to the African American community in the D.C. metropolitan area.Windy City Times (Chicago): Founded in 1985, this legacy LGBTQ+ newspaper and website covers Chicago and its suburbs.

The Best Western Kent Narrows Inn in Grasonville, Md. occupies an enviable location on the Chesapeake Bay, which means its management team is kept busy with many guests. So, any help in cutting energy costs—and saving time on maintaining equipment—can go a long way toward helping the hotel run more smoothly and profitably. That is where our Small Business program comes in.

Owner Ramesh Patel decided to upgrade the hotel’s interior and exterior lighting to LED bulbs, both to save energy and to take advantage of rebates that we offer. Because of that success, additional projects followed soon after. Those projects involved adding three, 100-gallon hot water boilers and replacing the existing room HVAC units with more efficient packaged terminal air conditioners (PTAC). They also replaced older, inefficient refrigerators, freezers, and ice machines—and they have definitely noticed the savings that came with those energy-efficient additions, as well as the environmental benefits.

With these upgrades, the Best Western Kent Narrows Inn is estimated to save more than 200,000 kWh of energy and more than $31,000 on their energy bill each year.

They worried getting the rebates for their energy efficiency projects would require too much paperwork. But we were there to help. Our Service Providers met with Patel and Lacoste, handling the paperwork for them to make the projects turnkey. After the success of the previous upgrades, Best Western Kent Narrows Inn has more projects on the horizon— and we will be there to help them every step of the way.

Our Energy Savings for Business program provides financial incentives and technical assistance to help businesses maximize energy efficiency and reduce energy costs. Financial incentives can cover up to 70 percent of project costs.

For more information, visit delmarva.com/SmallBusiness or call 866-353-5799.

Originally published by Yum! Brands

In 2023, Yum! Brands provided $1 million in aid to over 2,000 team members and their families who experienced loss. This assistance is a product of the Yum! Foundation’s global Disaster Relief Fund, which is in addition to other monetary support that may be available from its franchisees. To date, Yum! has given millions of dollars in grants to team members of franchise- and company-owned KFC, Pizza Hut, Taco Bell and The Habit Burger Grill restaurants who’ve experienced a natural disaster.

Yum! also supports global communities as a member of the Red Cross Disaster Responder Program, which helps residents prepare for natural disasters and quickly administer resources on the ground when weather-related events or other tragedies strike.

“We were hit by Typhoon Mawar, causing the roof of my house to cave in,” said a team member in Guam. “This grant has helped me to recover directly after the storm and repair some broken structures in my house. I would like to thank all those who [made] it possible for me not worry or stress about how I am going to recover from this storm. This makes me even more proud to be a part of my organization.”

From Mozambique to Mexico, Yum! responded to 11 natural disasters last year, including Cyclone Freddy, Hurricane Otis, wildfires in Hawaii and the 7.8 magnitude earthquake in Turkey and Syria. When these events occur, Yum! and its franchisees direct their team members to apply for emergency relief online, leading to immediate response grants if approved.

“I applied for this grant because of extensive home flooding and subsequent cleanup/repair from Hurricane Ian,” one U.S. team member said. “This grant was hugely beneficial as it allowed me to make many repairs to my home when I did not have available insurance or other immediate means to assist. I have never felt more cared for by an employer in my 20-year career. From the very beginning of this unfortunate event, my company assisted, encouraged and guided me with resources that I have not had in any previous job.”

Going forward, Yum! will continue to care for its people. Red Cross Societies reported responding to a natural disaster every 10 days in 2023, and this trend is expected to worsen in the coming years.

“It’s an inevitable part of life that we all will be challenged by things outside our control,” said Gabriela Molina Rochac, region human resources director at Premium Restaurants of America in El Salvador. “When our team members and their families are affected by a natural disaster, for example, we can’t fix everything, but they can get a little bit of financial assistance thanks to the Disaster Relief Fund. Caring for people is part of Yum!’s company values.”

Originally published on GoDaddy Resource Library

Tell us a little bit about yourself and role.

My name is Olivia and I am a Quality Analyst I for the Care Team. I’m originally from Kenya but I have been living in Arizona for the past ten years.

What real-life problems does your team solve?

My team supports different projects that focus on feedback and problem solving within Care. For example, we created the WOW experience. This is a dynamic customer interaction process that equips all Guides with a structured approach to delivering unparalleled customer service. Whether you’re in sales, support, or any customer-facing role, this process is designed to elevate the customer’s journey with us.

What project has been the most rewarding throughout your career journey?

The most rewarding project was creating the five pillars of the WOW experience for our Care Guides. I joined GoDaddy as an Inbound Sales Guide, and struggled my way through learning new products, tech support, and finding opportunities to sell. We created the WOW experience with new Guides in mind, to give them a road map to help them navigate through tech.

You are actively involved in a multitude of organizations here at GoDaddy. Can you share the impact this has had on your experience?

I joined GoDaddy in 2020 when the company had transitioned to work from home. It was definitely strange that I was working for this big organization, but I did not know anyone outside of my team of six. The extrovert in me was itching to meet some work friends to socialize as well as find career advancement opportunities. I came across a Level UP event that our Employee Resource Group, Black in Tech (GDBIT), was hosting. This event aimed to help with career advancement. After attending the event, I became an active member of GDBIT and eventually joined the GDBIT Core Team. Being a part of this organization has helped me have a healthier and more enjoyable day-to-day work environment. It has created a sense of belonging! Whether I’m doing volunteer work or hosting GDBIT game night, you will always see a smile on my face.

What’s your motto or personal mantra?

“I’m brave. I’m justice. I can make a difference. I’m resilient.” I make my son say these words every day before he leaves for school.

What do you enjoy doing outside of work?

I’m a travel junkie. I left my country right after high school. I lived in the United Kingdom for two months and then moved to Dubai to become a Flight Attendant. Even after leaving the airline industry, I never stopped traveling. If the airlines offered retirement packages like cruise ships do, I would sign up!

What is most meaningful about Black History Month to you?

Black History Month is a time when we recognize, honor and celebrate the lives and achievements of African Americans who have made transformational impacts on society.

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

I would encourage my colleagues, neighbors and friends to educate themselves – learn about Black history, visit a Black history museum, or read a book by a Black author.

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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Originally published on U.S. Bank company blog

It was a rainy day in Los Angeles but that didn’t stop golfers from teeing off for the recent U.S. Bank Access Open. The group included PGA Tour Pro Collin Morikawa, PGA Tour caddie Jonathan “JJ” Jakovac, Los Angeles-based U.S. Bank market leaders and youth golfers who have benefitted from the partnership between U.S Bank, Morikawa and Youth on Course.

Nearly 30 local youth members took part in a shotgun-style tournament, with a U.S. Bank leader as their team host.

“Days like today are a reminder of the critical importance of serving our communities and creating equity and access for everyone,” said Carl Jordan, California’s regional leader for branch and small business banking. “Golf is a game that can open a lot of doors for young people but it’s expensive and there are so many barriers to entry. That’s why we’re so proud to partner with Collin and Youth on Course to open those doors and create better access to the game for these talented young players.”

The tournament was played at Maggie Hathaway Golf course, a par-3 course in the heart of Los Angeles named after the Black actress, singer and activist who championed equality in golf. The course is run by the Los Angeles Parks & Recreation department and provides a low-cost option for those looking to get in a round of golf or a session at the driving range.

As part of the day’s events, U.S. Bank also donated $200,000 toward revitalizing the course in coordination with the Southern California Golf Association.

“Access to the game is huge – it’s an expensive sport,” Morikawa said. “To be able to give back to a place like Maggie Hathaway, it’s just phenomenal.”

Through a Birdie Challenge in 2023, five memberships were donated by U.S. Bank to Youth on Course for every birdie Morikawa made during the PGA Tour season, resulting in the donation of 1,585 memberships. The non-profit focuses on increasing access to golf for youth from all backgrounds through subsidized rounds of golf at participating courses nationwide.

“Our partnership with U.S. Bank, fueled by the great play of Collin Morikawa, is instrumental in breaking down barriers and driving change in communities around the country,” said Youth on Course CEO Adam Heieck. “Programs like the Birdie Challenge expand access to opportunities, offering rounds to thousands of young people for less than the price of a bucket of balls.”

At the U.S. Bank Access Open, Morikawa, Youth on Course and U.S. Bank also announced their continued partnership and the renewal of the Birdie Challenge for the 2024 PGA Tour season.

“To have a partner like U.S. Bank that cares about the things I care about and the communities I care about, what more can I ask for,” Morikawa said.

Get more information about the 2024 Global Inclusive Growth Summit here.

The Mastercard 2024 Global Inclusive Growth Summit returns on April 18, 2024. As we look forward to coming back together in person and virtually, we offer these highlights from the 2023 event, hosted by Mastercard and the Aspen Institute. The Global Inclusive Growth Summit 2023 brought together private sector, social impact and government leaders to share ways to make economies more equitable.

The 2024 Global Inclusive Growth Summit, hosted by the Mastercard Center for Inclusive Growth, advances real solutions to today’s most pressing challenges through collaboration and candid conversation among entrepreneurs, innovators, policymakers and emerging changemakers. First held in 2019, the Summit assembles a dynamic group of cross-sector leaders who collectively address topics including financial inclusion, data science for social impact, emerging technology such as artificial intelligence, climate and the environment, women’s economic empowerment and place-based development. After a decade of impact, we’re excited to continue the great dialogue and work focused on driving and creating inclusive growth for all.

Get more information about the 2024 Global Inclusive Growth Summit here.

To learn more, visit: globalinclusivegrowthsummit.com

The Mastercard Center for Inclusive Growth

The Mastercard Center for Inclusive Growth focuses on promoting equitable and sustainable economic growth and financial inclusion around the world. As an independent Mastercard subsidiary, it combines data, expertise and technology with philanthropic investments to empower a community of thinkers, leaders and innovators on the frontlines of inclusive growth. Follow us on Twitter @CNTR4growth and subscribe to receive our latest insights.

Check out more content from The Mastercard Center for Inclusive Growth

More than 460 employees across eight Baker Hughes Industrial & Energy Technology (IET) facilities benefiting from cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and defibrillator training Over 60 defibrillators installed to help improve cardiac arrest survival rates

FLORENCE, Italy, and LEICESTER, United Kingdom, February 19, 2024 /3BL/ – Baker Hughes, an energy technology company, rolled out lifesaving cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and defibrillator training to employees across eight of its Industrial & Energy Technology (IET) sites in Italy and the U.K. To date, over 450 employees have received training to improve cardiac arrest survival rates in the two countries.

In Italy, Baker Hughes launched the training program in August 2023 across seven sites, including its main facility in Florence. The training program was implemented by the company’s Health, Safety & Environment (HSE) team in IET with the support of EMD112, a life-saving products and training supplier organization. So far, more than 320 colleagues have received full training, and 63 new defibrillators have been installed across the seven sites. In Florence alone, the number increased from four to 35, going well beyond the local regulation requirements.

In Europe, there are around 300,000 out-of-hospital cardiac arrests each year – less than one in 10 people survive*. To help address the issue, Baker Hughes facility in Leicester, U.K., collaborated with local heart resuscitation training charity, Heartwize to roll out CPR and defibrillator training to its 600 Leicester-based colleagues. To date, 145 employees have been trained, including 24 Baker Hughes’ volunteers who will deliver resuscitation skills training to a local college.

“Equipping our employees with the skills required to perform CPR and use a defibrillator not only reduces the risk of fatalities through a cardiac arrest at our sites, but it means colleagues can apply lifesaving skills to their loved ones and across their local communities,” said Saverio Gradassi, global HSE and sustainability director, Industrial & Energy Technology at Baker Hughes. “As eliminating fatalities and permanent impairments is imperative for Baker Hughes, we are currently reviewing plans to extend our programs to other sites.”

Empowering employees with lifesaving skills and investing in safety and health contribute to building resilient and responsible societies, where individuals are stewards of well-being and are capable first responders during emergencies in a variety of settings.

*Source: European Emergency Number Association

About Baker Hughes

Baker Hughes (NASDAQ: BKR) is an energy technology company that provides solutions to energy and industrial customers worldwide. Built on a century of experience and conducting business in over 120 countries, our innovative technologies and services are taking energy forward – making it safer, cleaner and more efficient for people and the planet. Visit us at bakerhughes.com.

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For more information, please contact:

Media Relations 

Chiara Toniato 
+39 3463823419 
chiara.toniato@bakerhughes.com

Niall Dowds 
Senior Communications Leader 
+44 (0) 7900 977777 
niall.dowds@bakerhughes.com

This column was originally published on Forbes.

By Mindy Lubber, CEO and President of Ceres

2023 was the year of reckoning. The hottest year on record. The year it became clear how dramatically we’re endangering our world, our businesses, and our families through the climate pollution that is dangerously overheating the planet. The year that this stark reality set in: we are not on track to meet our goal to limit global temperatures from rising to catastrophic levels.

This reckoning brings absolute clarity about what we need to do. We need to act now, and we need to act urgently to protect the planet and strengthen the economy for the next generation. This is why I do the work I do. For my two kids, my community, and this Earth that sustains us and allows us to prosper. It’s our responsibility to leave behind a world that’s safe, clean, and livable for future generations.

The good news is that many countries have set goals for reducing climate pollution. And over the past several years, we’ve seen thousands of the world’s largest companies commit to tackling climate change, water pollution, and nature–related loss. Hundreds of the worlds’ largest investors—including many in Massachusetts—are factoring the financial risk of fossil fuel companies in their portfolios.

But this year, they must turbocharge their efforts for reaching these goals.

We need to be sure that this is the year of the specifics, the bottom line, the details on how these massive companies and investors will move from commitments and goals to explicit, metrics-driven plans with accountability built in. Climate action plans that lay out a year-by-year set of metrics that match up with lofty goals. Meeting these ambitious goals won’t be easy, which is why climate action plans, with their short-term targets and near-term wins that pave the way bit by bit to achieving the big goals, are so crucial.

This process is going to unleash so much business innovation, so many advances that will benefit us all—our families, communities, and the broader economy. Clear climate action plans, coupled with state and federal policy, will accelerate the clean energy economy, bringing innovation and jobs to every state in our nation. Clean energy is growing at the fastest pace in two decades and now provides 30% of the world’s electricity, a shift that’s expected to hit 40% in four years.

States need to have plans, too. Just as my home state Massachusetts does with its ambitious climate plan for meeting its goals for zeroing out climate pollution by 2050 that includes programs for cleaning up the power sector, making our buildings more energy efficient, and reducing pollution from cars and trucks. Now, it’s aiming to bolster this through new state investments to further establish Massachusetts as a hub for clean tech companies, just as it is for IT companies.

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So where are investors and companies in their planning? Again, there is encouraging news. Since releasing clear expectations and guidance for robust transition plans, many more are creating the plans they need. About a quarter of 13,000 of the world’s largest companies that provide data about their environmental impact say they will develop these plans in the next two years.

As part of its plan for reducing its share of climate pollution, managing its climate risks, and creating a business that can thrive in a clean economy, candy giant Mars Inc. in September laid out near-term strategies for cutting emissions by 50% by 2030 that include spending $1 billion over the next three years on efforts like financial incentives for farmers to adopt regenerative farming.

More investors are also stepping up. In November, California Public Employees’ Retirement System, the U.S.’s largest public pension fund, announced it would invest $100 billion in climate solutions by 2030, doubling its climate investments in a step that underpins its comprehensive strategy for zeroing out its emissions from its portfolio investments by 2050.

Examples like this show what’s possible. And last year showed why we can’t wait any longer. Other forward-thinking investors, corporate leaders, and policy makers need to act boldly.

I’m an optimist. After decades of working to get private and public sector leaders to recognize the climate risks we face, we’ve seen most major actors lay out ambitious goals during the past five years. But we don’t have time for them to take years to turn those goals into action.

In Massachusetts, we know how much being willing to adapt and lead can benefit not just our families and our communities, but also the world. We led the industrial revolution, the digital transformation, and now our state has laid out the goals—and adopted the plan—to lead the clean economy.

The rest of the private sector here in Massachusetts and around the country needs to follow our state in leading by example. 2024 must be the year of turning goals into action.