Tag: 3BL

See how the team at T-Mobile’s newest Customer Experience Center in Rochester, N.Y. were ready to give back from the get-go, using some of the many benefits the company offers to employees wanting to support their communities. And check out how T-Mobile is empowering its customers to also take part in charitable efforts on a national scale through its T-Mobile Tuesdays App on Giving Tuesday, November 28.

When the first employees of T-Mobile’s soon to open Customer Experience Center in Rochester, N.Y. arrived in early 2023, there was much excitement among them about what kind of an impact they could make in their community. Within the company, it’s known that the CEC’s aim to deliver a best-in-class customer experience to connect people to the Un-carrier’s products and services. But the team’s goal of making a meaningful mark here extended far beyond the walls of the new 83,250 square foot space they were moving into.

“There were just eleven of us at first, and we said, ‘What do we want to do to make a big impact on this community?” says Shellie Long, an administrative assistant who transferred from a T-Mobile call center in Meridien, Idaho to the new facility.

In those early days, these “day ones,” as they warmly refer to themselves, had some downtime while plans for the center’s official opening in 2024 were being ironed out and saw it as an opportunity. They say they wanted to expand on their mission to create exceptional experiences for their customers to also impact future employees and the community positively through service and investment.

HOW YOU TOO CAN GIVE BACK THIS GIVING TUESDAY

T-Mobile is empowering its customers to take part in charitable efforts on a national scale through its T-Mobile Tuesdays App on Giving Tuesday, November 28. The company will be matching and donating up to 2 million meals to Feeding America. 44 million people face hunger in the U.S — including more than 13 million children.

Want to know more about Feeding America? Check out this video from Food Lifeline in Seattle to find out how you can help support your local Feeding America food bank before the new year with just the click of a button.

Click here to give back now.

“Coming here to Rochester, we knew we were bringing up to 1,000 jobs to the area, and we knew that’s really going to be great for community, but what’s also important to the community is how we give back,” says Carrie Martin, a team manager who came from a T-Mobile call center in Tennessee. “Being able to immediately start that give-back process and lay the foundation of T-Mobile’s culture of giving and show the people of Rochester what they can expect from us, was important to me.”

Funded by the T-Mobile Foundation, which aims to make a difference by mobilizing the company’s brand, technology and people for social good, the company encourages all employees to give back throughout the year in big and small ways, volunteering time or donating to charities they are passionate about. T-Mobile then matches employee donations dollar for dollar and matches volunteer time at $10 per hour, up to $2,000 per employee, per year, to an eligible cause of their choice. There is also the “Volun-T Grants” that allow employees to apply for funding from the T-Mobile Foundation quarterly to support local volunteer projects. Plus, during Giving Season (near the end of each calendar year around Giving Tuesday, which falls on Nov. 28 this year), every employee is given a donation credit to put toward an organization of their choice via an internal employee giving portal called Benevity.

Using these very resources, the team quickly identified a number of local organizations and got to work. Since they started early 2023, the Rochester CEC has supported 20 events with 560 hours of volunteering in the community. They also had some helpful local intel from their new leader.

Larry Petrone was born and raised in Rochester, but says he left with his wife to New York City long ago to pursue their careers. What he’s experiencing now is the definition of a full-circle moment. He moved his family of five from the big city where he found success with T-Mobile managing retail stores for fifteen years for the opportunity to become the first director at the new Customer Experience Center back upstate.

“It’s been very personal,” says Larry. “This project would be incredible to be part of anywhere, but doing it in my hometown with the impact that it’s going to make in Rochester has felt special. We have people who have relocated from 18 states here already and I heard early on they wanted to get integrated into the community not just personally, but also to help bring the brand to life throughout Rochester.”

Larry Petrone joined about twenty others from his CEC Rochester team to help set up six hundred seats for The Center for Youth’s largest fundraising event.

Since 2020, T-Mobile has given $27 million and volunteered more than 68,000 hours to support over 14,000 nonprofits across the U.S. during Giving Season!

The time spent with organizations like House of Mercy, Foodlink and Center for Youth, have already left a lasting impression on both the employees and the community. Shellie, who has a teenage son, says her time volunteering at The Center of Youth, which provides emergency shelter for kids ages 12-18, was particularly meaningful.

“We helped clean up the backyard at one of their safe houses and the kids were just so grateful,” she says. “Someone overheard one of the kids saying, ‘Well, I guess someone does care about us.’ It just fired me up.”

“We asked and they said yes,” says Dr. Elaine Spaull, Executive Director for The Center for Youth. “We scheduled and they showed up. What we experienced when our T-Mobile colleagues joined us to make the community a better place was an authentic and open heartedness that reminded us that we are certainly not alone.”

Carrie says she was personally moved by her time spent at House of Mercy, an emergency homeless shelter that also provides a soup kitchen, food pantry, clothing room, social services and more.

“Early on we were there twice a week, four hours each day,” she says. “We did everything from cleaning cots and floors of the living spaces, to folding donated clothes, cooking and serving hot meals and cleaning up outside.”

Carrie also says T-Mobile donated 440 pounds of food to Foodlink, which is affiliated with Feeding America, at a critical time after their warehouse was broken into and much of their food donations had been stolen and were in need of being replenished. (T-Mobile customers can also give back to Feeding America food banks on November 28th via the T-Mobile Tuesdays app.)

“We have about seventy-five people here now and we are growing and I feel responsible for hosting them and making sure they find their way in the city,” says Larry. “T-Mobile has changed my life and I see so many people, even at this site already, who have a similar experience of finding personal and professional success. They want to pay it forward. T-Mobile makes that really easy to accomplish. I’m so proud of what we’ve done so far and I can’t wait to see what else we do for Rochester.”

Premium silicone leather is on the rise as a replacement for traditional leather to create stylish and durable sports accessories, with a conscience. On a mission to reimagine a more sustainable golf bag for a world-class golf event, VESSEL and Dow turned to a novel and versatile material solution: LuxSense™ Silicone Leather.

Sport has the power to drive positive change through sustainable action on the part of athletes, leagues, sports apparel and equipment brands, fans and beyond. As for the golf community in particular, our partner GEO Foundation for Sustainable Golf explains: “As a global sport with millions of followers, set in nature and with deep community roots, golf can step forward as a leader for sustainability and climate action.” And that includes everything from evolving standards in course management to equipment – such as golf bags.

THE CHALLENGE

On a mission to develop materials that improve performance and sustainability across the world of sport, we were recently presented with a new project: collaborating with premium sport and travel accessories brand VESSEL to engineer a luxury bag specifically for a world-class golf event.

In order to be used by the best female golfers in the world, the bag needed to offer extreme durability and performance, exude a high-end feel, allow for unique levels of color customization and, arguably the most challenging of the requirements, be manufactured with a reduced carbon footprint.

THE SOLUTION

Behind every successful collaboration is the people. Dow and VESSEL team members worked across three time zones to design the vision for this one-of-a-kind golf bag and shape that vision into reality in under six months.

To create this highly customizable golf bag with eco-conscious athletes and consumers in mind, synthetic leather seemed like the right solution. But even though the material has been around for decades, traditional synthetic leather requires the use of volatile organic compounds (VOC) and can have odor issues, poor hand feel, cracking, brittleness as well as a low-quality appearance.

Manufactured without plasticizers, DMF and other VOCs, our new LuxSense™ Silicone Leather technology, which was originally designed specifically to solve the nuanced challenges of traditional synthetic leather for luxury automotive applications, proved a winning solution for this application. The result was a beautiful, durable golf bag that offered a sensory experience similar to authentic leather.

Collaboration driving sustainability through sport

Ultimately, it’s an exciting time for sustainability in sport with collaborations like this one happening between a growing number of brands, leagues and players. This project in particular showcases how high-performance sporting equipment, apparel and accessories can be developed with innovative and sustainable materials – like versatile LuxSense™ Silicone Leather – that require fewer resources and reduced or even zero carbon emissions. It’s just one example proving that when organizations unite around a shared vision, they can spark tangible transformation.

Learn more about LuxSense™ Silicone Leather

Learn more about Dow Performance Apparel

* The carbon neutrality claim has been verified by an independent 3rd party in accordance to PAS 2060 Carbon neutrality standard. The LCA has been internally peer reviewed and is currently pending critical review completion. For QES document please contact vishal.asher@dow.com.

At Pizza Hut, we believe that everyone deserves equal opportunity. That’s why we created the Equal Slice program, which provides education, mentorship, and $20,000 grants to business owners in underrepresented communities to help them succeed.

WHAT’S THE PROGRAM?

We’ve partnered with Initiative for a Competitive Inner City (ICIC) who have over 15 years of experience in supporting business owners from underrepresented communities by giving them a chance to make their dreams a reality. Together, we are giving these business owners the opportunity to get education, mentorship, and grants they might not get otherwise.HOW CAN I CONTRIBUTE TO THE PROGRAM AS A PIZZA HUT CUSTOMER?

Pizza Hut accepts contributions both in store and online. In store, let a team member know that you’d like to round up your order total to contribute to Equal Slice. If ordering online, you can easily add $1 to your order at checkout to contribute to Equal Slice! All contributions are greatly appreciated and will help this program thrive and grow.
 

“I’m a team of one, so it was really helpful to access the education component of the Equal Slice Program. I learned so much.”

Danielle, founder of Zuri & Dre, is an Equal Slice Program participant and $20,000 grant recipient. She received valuable support and insight, and also the resources to expand her vision of plush dolls celebrating uniqueness in all forms. VISIT HER SITE
 

“Equal Slice was a huge boost for my business. It helped turn my side hustle into something I could get behind full-time.”

Nicole, founder of SowSweet Greetings, is an Equal Slice Program participant and $20,000 grant recipient. It gave her valuable insight into how she operates her fully sustainable greeting card company and the money to expand its scale. VISIT HER SITE
 

“Equal Slice helped me slow down and look at the big picture, and it introduced me to some really, really impressive speakers.”

Tique, owner of Chandler Honey, is an Equal Slice Program participant and $20,000 grant recipient. The education she received helped her see her honey business in whole new ways and gave her the tools to improve her sales and growth. VISIT HER SITE
 

WATCH VIDEO Click to watch “A Slice and Query” to learn more about our participants and how they benefitted from the education, mentorship and grants provided by the Pizza Hut Equal Slice Program.

FAQ

What is the Equal Slice Program?

Pizza Hut Canada and Initiative for a Competitive Inner City (ICIC) work together to help small business owners in underrepresented communities by building capacity and resiliency for sustainable growth. Every year, the Equal Slice program provides education, mentorship, and five $20,000 CAD grants to business owners to help them succeed.

How will my contribution be used?

Collected contributions may be used for a variety of purposes to support the program, some of which may include marketing costs, grants and operating costs.

How much of my contribution goes toward the Equal Slice Program vs. administrative costs?

The majority of contributions received will be put towards the Equal Slice Program. Some of the contributions may be used to support various administrative costs.

What is the nature of the relationship between Pizza Hut Canada and ICIC?

Pizza Hut Canada and ICIC are entering their third year of partnership to put on the Equal Slice Program. ICIC leads recruitment and applicant communications, organizes mentor connections, and runs the education program and overall grant process. Pizza Hut Canada oversees the program, offers guidance and mentorship, engages with grant applicants and selects grant recipients.

Will I receive a donation receipt for my contribution?

No. Since PH Canada Company is not a Canadian Registered Charity, it is not able to receive donations and provide charitable receipts to donors.

What impact will my contribution make?

Your contribution will allow the Equal Slice Program to continue to grow each year.

ICIC drives inclusive economic prosperity in underrepresented communities through innovative research and programs to create jobs, income, and wealth for local residents.

Founded in 1994 by Harvard Business School Professor Michael Porter, the Initiative for a Competitive Inner City is a national nonprofit research and advisory organization and the leading authority on U.S. inner city economies and the businesses that thrive there.

FIND OUT MORE

Originally published by Hydrogen Council 

One of the hydrogen industry’s biggest challenges is the need to quickly and exponentially scale a new supply chain that can support rapid advancement toward a global Hydrogen Economy, especially in the face of geopolitical challenges. Hydrogen Council member The Chemours Company plays a key role in moving the Hydrogen Economy forward and driving decarbonization at a global scale.

Nafion™ ion exchange materials: a critical material in the hydrogen economy

Built on more than 50 years of experience, Chemours’ Nafion™ ion exchange materials—including proton exchange membranes (PEM) and dispersions—are at the heart of technologies critical to scaling the hydrogen economy, including fuel cells, flow batteries, and water electrolysis.

Water electrolysis, a sustainable method for generating large amounts of renewable and low carbon hydrogen, is projected to reach a market size of USD$3.7 billion by 2023.[i] Chemours’ Nafion™ materials are essential to this method of scaling the hydrogen economy, as they facilitate water electrolysis more efficiently than other commercial alternatives. Water electrolysis has also been shown to be commercially viable only when fluorinated dispersions and membranes like Nafion™ are used in these systems, and these materials are the only ones that have consistently demonstrated the performance required to meet the lifetime needs of electrolyzers.

Scaling operations around the world to meet hydrogen demand

Given the increasing demand for sustainable energy solutions, renewable and low carbon hydrogen generation through PEM water electrolyzers will play a crucial role in the future. There is already a growing demand for PEM technology, as demonstrated by the year over year increase in global installed electrolysis capacity.[ii]

Chemours has taken significant steps to scale its operations to meet this demand. In October 2022, the company announced a planned $200 million investment at its site in Villers-Saint-Paul, France to increase capacity and advance technology for our industry-leading Nafion™ materials to support the hydrogen economy. This recent investment demonstrates that this scale up is happening – and should happen – on both sides of the Atlantic to boost technological progress and advance the clean energy transition.

In the United States, Chemours is equally focused on scaling its operations to meet the growing domestic demand for renewable and low carbon hydrogen and is continuing to invest in capacity and innovation to produce more Nafion™ membranes and dispersions, through responsible manufacturing.

But scaling the pipeline at the speed necessary to achieve a global hydrogen economy cannot be done through superior chemistry alone. Innovation and growth require regulatory certainty, a strong permitting structure, and solutions to make renewable and low carbon hydrogen more widely available and affordable. Moreover, as the Hydrogen Council recently noted, science-based evaluation and a thoughtful approach to risk mitigation and management is needed in order to create regulatory frameworks that support the creation of raw materials central to clean energy technology. Without ion exchange membranes, the emission-neutral production of hydrogen is simply not achievable in the near future.

Continued commitment to scaling up and helping the world meet decarbonization goals

The future growth of the global hydrogen market requires science and collaboration across public and private sectors and academia to ensure we’re working together toward a shared purpose: upscaling of renewable and low carbon hydrogen production and solutions to reach the world’s ambitious climate goals. Strategic investments across the whole hydrogen value chain will be essential for future growth – from research and development to end-use – in order to ensure a reliable supply chain and robust capacity that is needed to advance, grow, and fast-track the implementation of hydrogen solutions.

The expansion of the hydrogen economy is a global undertaking, and Chemours is committed to supporting this expansion through responsible manufacturing and support for regulatory and policy frameworks that are grounded in the best available science in order to foster the energy transition and make economies more sustainable.

[i] Future Market Insights

[ii] Hydrogen Council 2023 Insights

View original content here.

NEW YORK, November 20, 2023 /3BL/ – To kick-off Native American Heritage Month, NBCUniversal and IllumiNative, the Native women-led organization focused on amplifying contemporary Native voices, stories, and issues to advance justice, equity, and self-determination, announced a new partnership.

NBCUniversal will leverage IllumiNative’s expertise to increase Indigenous representation in the company’s storytelling by activating workshops, as well as consulting and recruitment services across the media company’s vast portfolio of entertainment and news businesses and their embedded inclusion efforts NBCU Academy, NBCU LAUNCH and Universal’s Global Talent Development & Inclusion (GTDI), among others.

Later this month, IllumiNative will host a conversation for NBCUniversal creative and production professionals to educate them on the best practices and approaches to filming on Native Land. Additional sessions are planned for Universal Destinations & Experiences Team Members who create and design experiences and events that appeal to the Indigenous community.

“We have seen an overwhelming interest in and demand for authentic Native content, and we are so excited to continue working with NBCUniversal to advance Native representation and visibility,” said Crystal Echo Hawk, Founder and Executive Director of IllumiNative. “Native peoples are breaking barriers and shattering expectations in Hollywood, and we look forward to building on this success and momentum to amplify the incredible work of Native creatives, educate the entertainment industry on authentic storytelling, and expand what is possible for our communities.”

“Our audiences and park guests expect and deserve accurate representations in our global storytelling and experiences,” said Craig Robinson, Executive Vice President and Chief Diversity Officer, NBCUniversal.

Since 2018, IllumiNative has been a passionate and leading voice for the Native Community. Founded and co-led by Executive Director Crystal Echo Hawk, we are honored to be IllumiNative’s partner in this exciting new initiative.

CRAIG ROBINSON
Executive Vice President and Chief Diversity Officer, NBCUniversal

“Native voices have shaped the very foundation of our country, yet they have long been underrepresented in media. IllumiNative does great work in amplifying Native cultures and I applaud their new partnership with NBCUniversal, which will help ensure Native voices are heard and their influence is felt.” – Representative Sharice Davids (KS-03)

In September, IllumiNative led a Native Representation 101 training, co-hosted by Indigenous @NBCU, the company’s employee resource group focused on advancing community and opportunity for Indigenous employees and their allies. The session focused on combating stereotypes, definitions in Native American culture and cultural protocols.

Crystal Echo Hawk, Founder and Executive Director of IllumiNative, is a member of Comcast’s Corporate DE&I Advisory Council, our partnership with national civil rights, academic, political, and business leaders representing women and the Black and African American, Asian and Pacific Islander, Hispanic/Latino/a/e, Indigenous, People with Disabilities and LGBTQ communities, who advise our executive teams on the development and implementation of DE&I initiatives.

As originally published by GoDaddy’s Venture Forward Research Initiative 

GoDaddy’s Sr. Director of Venture Forward, Alexandra Rosen, kicked off Innovation Day at TENWEST this year with a presentation on the power of entrepreneurship, including the growth, journey and impact of the local microbusiness owner in Tucson and surrounding Arizona. Her presentation “The Macro Impact of Microbusinesses: How Digital Entrepreneurs Power Our Local Economies” covered these businesses’ vast importance and how they can better be supported.

Tucson Microbusiness Fast Facts

There are over 50,000 microbusinesses open in Tucson.Tuscon averages 7+ microbusinesses per every 100 adults.There are over 630,000 online microbusinesses across Arizona.Top 3 challenges for microbusiness entrepreneurs? Marketing online, accessing capital, and creating a website.About half of all microbusinesses are owned by women – and this number is growing.For each additional microbusiness per 100 people in a county, $489 is added to annual household median income.Each microbusiness entrepreneur creates about 7 new jobs (directly, indirectly, or through more local spending).

TENWEST used the skills of an illustrator at the conference to bring each presentation to life.

Download the full presentation to learn more about these powerful microbusinesses.

About Venture Forward

GoDaddy’s Venture Forward research initiative analyzes more than 20 million online businesses with a digital presence (measured by a unique domain and an active website). Most of these businesses employ fewer than ten people, categorizing each as a microbusiness. While these microbusinesses may be small, their impact on economies is outsized even though they are often too informal or too new to show up in traditional government statistics. To find out more about GoDaddy’s Venture Forward research, visit: www.godaddy.com/ventureforward

At Enbridge, the energy transition is happening now.

On this day, now means 11 a.m. PT, in the city of Longview, Washington, confluence of the Cowlitz and Columbia Rivers and home to forests, mountains, industry and small businesses, baseball’s Cowlitz Black Bears and the Nutty Narrows Bridge, an 18-metre (60-foot) suspension bridge that protects our bushy-tailed friends from road traffic.

And soon to be home to Washington State’s first-of-its-kind Integrated Diversion and Energy Facility, where 100,000 tons of wasted food will annually be converted by digesters into carbon-negative renewable natural gas (RNG).

Upon the anticipated closing of the financing transaction, Enbridge and Divert, Inc. will be proponents of the US$100-million, 66,000-square-foot plant. The parties officially broke ground on the project this morning alongside state and municipal dignitaries.

The proposed development stems from an alliance formed in March, when Enbridge acquired a 10% stake in Concord, MA-based Divert and the two announced a $1-billion infrastructure development agreement aimed at growing supply of RNG, lowering GHG emissions and helping solve the alarming, global issue of how society manages wasted food. The Longview facility is the first endeavor to emerge from this infrastructure development agreement.

The plant, expected to be fully operational by the end of 2024, will employ up to 40 people, including plant managers, technicians and drivers. Customers will include food retailers, as well as industrial partners and manufacturers, among others.

Importantly, the operation will be able to offset up to 23,000 metric tons of CO2 a year at full processing capacity, the equivalent to removing 5,000 gas-powered cars from the road annually.

Washington State generates more than 2.7 million tons of wasted food annually, of which approximately one million ton goes to landfill (with 47% of that still edible food). In Oregon, 1.11 million tons of wasted food were generated in 2021, with nearly 30% going to landfill. As wasted food decomposes, it creates methane. In the larger picture, estimates identify wasted food as creating about 10% of greenhouse gas emissions globally.

The Longview facility will help commercial waste generators in the U.S. Pacific Northwest comply with Washington’s HB 1799 legislation and Organics Management Law, as well as Oregon Metro’s Food Scraps Policy.

“We’re excited to see Longview start construction,” says Caitlin Tessin, Vice President of Strategy and Market Innovation at Enbridge. “Since Divert and Enbridge announced our infrastructure agreement for up to $1 billion earlier this year, Divert has continued to lead the industry in solutions to mitigate wasted food and greenhouse gas emissions across the U.S. and is lined up to play an important role in Enbridge’s energy transition strategy.”

Notes Ryan Begin, Divert’s CEO and co-founder: “Divert is at the forefront of the fight against wasted food, driving significant progress across the U.S., and now a first for the state of Washington.

Adds Begin: “Leveraging 16 years of leadership and knowledge in the industry, our company is eager to support businesses across Washington and Oregon in preventing waste and complying with food waste legislation. This is an important moment for Divert and the Pacific Northwest in driving transformative change for the industry and solidifying our commitment to a waste-free world.”

Renewable energy, including RNG, is an important and growing business for Enbridge, which has been investing in renewables and lower-carbon infrastructure for more than 20 years.

We’ve invested more than $6 billion in renewable technologies since 2002 and have committed billions more in renewables and low-carbon solutions through 2025. Our portfolio of renewable energy assets—including wind, solar, RNG, hydrogen and carbon capture—helps to avoid more than 2 million tons of CO2 emissions annually.

Enbridge’s gas utility, Enbridge Gas, is actively involved in seven Canadian RNG projects operating or under construction, with an additional 50+ projects in various stages of development.

SPLENDORA, Texas, November 20, 2023 /3BL/ – No one should have to question where their next meal will come from, but unfortunately, that’s the reality for many families in Texas. According to data from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Texas has the second-highest rate of food insecurity in the nation, an issue that’s certainly felt within the Entergy Texas service area.

To help combat food insecurity, Entergy Texas contributed $65,000 to the Montgomery County Food Bank (MCFB) to support six mobile market distributions in November. The mobile markets are drive-thru food distributions that allow MCFB to bring food assistance directly to areas of high need, serving up to 150-200 families at each distribution.

“Montgomery County Food Bank is blessed by Entergy Texas’ generous donation that will bring joy and sustenance to our community this holiday season,” said Kristine Marlow, president and CEO of Montgomery County Food Bank. “Entergy Texas’ commitment to making a difference in the lives of our neighbors in need is truly appreciated. Together, we are stronger in the fight against hunger.”

Montgomery County has one of the fastest growing populations in Texas, yet thousands of families still need help putting food on the table. In October, MCFB’s network supported more than 95,000 requests for food assistance, which is the second highest total in the history of the organization. With Entergy Texas’ recent contribution, approximately 1,120 families will have access to nutritious meals.

“We’re proud to give to an organization that shares our mission of building healthy communities,” said Corrin Barrow, public affairs representative for Entergy Texas. “Entergy Texas has been a longstanding community partner of MCFB, and we look forward to supporting even more programs in the future that help provide nutritious food to those in need.”

The Montgomery County Food Bank administers several programs in the region, including nutritional education, senior distributions, and green initiatives like their Produce Rescue Center. To learn more about the programs offered, visit mcfoodbank.org.

About Entergy Texas 
Entergy Texas, Inc. provides electricity to approximately 499,000 customers in 27 counties. Entergy Texas is a subsidiary of Entergy Corporation, a Fortune 500 company headquartered in New Orleans. Entergy powers life for 3 million customers through its operating companies across Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas. Entergy is creating a cleaner, more resilient energy future for everyone with our diverse power generation portfolio, including increasingly carbon-free energy sources. With roots in the Gulf South region for more than a century, Entergy is a recognized leader in corporate citizenship, delivering more than $100 million in economic benefits to local communities through philanthropy and advocacy efforts annually over the last several years. Our approximately 12,000 employees are dedicated to powering life today and for future generations. For the latest news from Entergy, visit the Newsroom.

About Montgomery County Food Bank 
Established in 1985, Montgomery County Food Bank (MCFB) is a nonprofit, hunger relief organization dedicated to uniting the community to fight hunger, providing nutritious food to hungry children, seniors, and families through a network of 80+ partner agencies. MCFB receives, processes, packages, and purposefully distributes donated and surplus food throughout the county. Food is donated by grocery store retailers, local neighbors hosting food drives, and wholesalers. Government commodities are received and distributed through a partnership with Houston Food Bank. MCFB is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, partner of Houston Food Bank, member of Feeding Texas and distribution partner of Feeding America.

CONTACT
Entergy Texas Media|281-297-2353|entergytexasmedia@entergy.com
Tyler Schievelbein, Marketing & Communications Manager, Montgomery County Food Bank|936-271-8812|tschievelbein@mcfoodbank.org

Energized by Edison

By Jim Hanggi, ENERGIZED by Edison Writer

Santa Barbara’s Metropolitan Transit District is two stops closer to a zero-emission fleet. The agency recently added two new 40-foot, battery-electric buses and charging infrastructure to its operations. The first full-sized, zero-emission buses in its fleet mark a major advancement toward Santa Barbara’s goal of emission-free public transport by 2030.

Jerry Estrada, the general manager at the Santa Barbara MTD, expressed pride in this achievement at a recent event to unveil the buses and chargers, saying, “This is a significant milestone for MTD and has been a goal we have strived for a long time.”

The MTD has operated smaller, 30-foot battery-electric buses since the early 1990s. To power the EVs, MTD completed a project to install 14 heavy-duty EV chargers with assistance from SCE’s Charge Ready Transport Program. The fleet is set to expand further with the arrival of seven more eco-friendly buses, bringing the total number of electric buses so far to 23 out of an entire fleet of 100.

Mike Bushey, SCE director of the Customer Engagement Division, highlighted the collaborative effort behind this project and SCE’s commitment to initiatives that contribute to California’s clean energy future and improved air quality. “This project serves as a good example of what’s possible when original equipment manufacturers, EV service providers, SCE customers and utilities work together,” he said.

Edison International has pointed out that significant electrification is needed to achieve California’s carbon neutrality goal by 2045. Its Countdown to 2045 white paper proposes that among the solutions needed is for 90% of light- and medium-duty and over 50% of heavy-duty vehicles to be electric by 2045 to meet California’s net-zero greenhouse gas emission goals.

SCE’s Charge Ready Transport Program offers businesses the opportunity to install infrastructure for medium- and heavy-duty EVs at minimal or no cost. This program has many resources for businesses looking to electrify their fleets.

With each new EV bus and electric charger, Santa Barbara MTD moves another stop closer to its destination of a clean energy public transit future.

For more information about SCE’s fleet electrification programs, visit www.sce.com/crt

Originally published on the Geena Davis Institute on Gender in Media

It’s the classic fashion catalog pose. Two fetching models, a man and a woman who look like they’re about to go yachting, peer into the camera with a look that borders on smoldering.

They are selling clothing, yes. But also a vision of a more representative media landscape.

Look again. To the left of the woman, almost imperceptibly, there’s a cane leaning against her seat. The man, meanwhile, is wearing relaxed-fit shorts that give way to two prosthetic legs.

This is the main photo on the home page for the Tommy Hilfiger Adaptive Collection. It’s part of an innovative campaign that offers an “inclusive style for all,” which in this case highlights fashion for those with disabilities.

The campaign is a smashing success, and it’s hardly an outlier. There’s an unmet hunger for disability-inclusive content, and social media innovators are stepping in to fill the gaps left behind by Hollywood.

In a recent analysis of branded Instagram posts between May 2021 and May 2023, Nielsen InfluenceScope assessed the performance of 24 creators with disabilities to determine their effectiveness and return on investment (ROI) when compared against posts from creators without disabilities.

In aggregate, posts from creators with disabilities scored 21.4 percent better in average media value than posts from creators without disabilities and drove 20.5 percent more interactions.

You can read Nielsen’s complete analysis online.

To further understand why posts from creators with disabilities resonated so strongly with audiences, Spotlight put the questions to Stacie de Armas, who serves as Nielsen’s Senior Vice President, Diverse Consumer Insights & Initiatives, DE&I Practice.

At Nielsen, de Armas leads the research and development of inclusive thought leadership and business initiatives supporting diverse suppliers, content creators, and brands.

Here is our online conversation, with some answers edited for clarity and brevity.

Disability-inclusive TV and movie titles have been declining over the past few years. Why do you think that is and how has social media stepped in to fill the void?

The decline in disability-inclusive TV and movie titles is unfortunate and perplexing. But social media has filled this void, providing an alternative platform for representation. Brands can leverage this space, aligning themselves with a community and a cause that resonates with millions worldwide. The decline in disability-inclusive TV and movie titles can be attributed to various factors, but most importantly, it points to the need for an intentional, industry-wide commitment to inclusion.

Nielsen InfluenceScope assessed the performance of creators with disabilities and found an incredibly high rate of returns on social media posts. How do you interpret that success?

The success of creators with disabilities on social media underscores the immense potential they hold for brands. The high ROI signals that audiences appreciate and engage with authentic and inclusive content, offering brands a chance to extend their reach and deepen connections. Their content resonates because it is genuine, unique, and relatable.

Does Nielsen expect that the high returns on social media posts containing disability-inclusive content will spur traditional media to follow suit?

The success of disability-inclusive content on social media should be a signal for traditional media. It’s a clear market demand that needs to be met. For brands, placing their creative disability-representative content in traditional media would open up more avenues to showcase their commitment to inclusivity. But in the absence of that, brands are turning to social with success.

We know this change won’t happen overnight. It requires a fundamental shift in understanding and valuing the importance of inclusive representation.

Posts in the fashion industry generated the highest media value. One of the big winners is Tommy Hilfiger’s Adaptive collection, where the brand focused on “designing for the needs of all people.” How have you seen that success story play out?

The success of Tommy Hilfiger’s Adaptive collection is a fantastic example of what can be achieved when inclusivity is placed at the core of design and marketing. And other brands have followed suit, like Aerie, which has included models with disabilities, and Asos, which collaborated with paralympic athletes. And Microsoft has some new inclusive design work forthcoming.

By collaborating with influencers with disabilities, the brands can gain a wider audience, and most importantly, they show the positive impact of designing with accessibility in mind.

The Tommy Hilfger campaign also made use of influencers – including three with disabilities: Jillian Mercado, Tiffany Yu and Lauren Spenser. How are those disability-inclusive influencers changing the conversation?

In general disability-inclusive influencers are changing the conversation by challenging norms, breaking barriers, and highlighting the importance of inclusivity. Their work contributes to reshaping public perceptions about disability, while also presenting brands with authentic and effective ways to engage their audiences.

Are we seeing these accounts or any of the creators with disabilities who have gained traction in social media move into traditional media spaces?

While some creators with disabilities are gaining traction in traditional media, the transition is slow and not as widespread as it should be.

Which creators? Which spaces?

Zach Anner is a comedian, actor, and writer with cerebral palsy who gained recognition via YouTube. He indeed had a show on OWN called “Rollin’ With Zach.”

One of my favorites, Chelsie Hill. She is a paraplegic dancer and disability rights advocate known for her role in the Sundance Channel reality show “Push Girls.”She is also the founder of the Rollettes, a wheelchair dance team that works with many brands.

Molly Burke, a motivational speaker and YouTuber who is blind, has made numerous media appearances to raise awareness about visual impairments.

James Rath is a legally blind filmmaker who gained recognition through his YouTube videos discussing life with visual impairment. He has collaborated with Apple on content relating to accessibility.

Ali Stroker, a Tony Award-winning actress, uses a wheelchair due to a car accident that left her paralyzed from the chest down. She first garnered attention when she competed on “The Glee Project,” a reality TV show, and has been active on social media.

Lolo Spencer is an actress, model, and disability lifestyle influencer known for her YouTube channel “Sitting Pretty,” where she shares experiences about living with a disability. She starred in the independent film “Give Me Liberty.”

Among the industries, the posts in the fashion industry generated the highest media value in absolute terms, but the posts in the electronics industry generated the highest value per post. Why was disability-inclusive content resonating so much in the electronics industry?

Electronics are a universal need and interest that transcends demographic boundaries. Electronics is an industry where accessibility and inclusive design can have a significant impact on user experience. Our data suggests that content highlighting these features connects on a personal level with audiences. Brands that prioritize accessibility in their products and marketing are likely to attract a dedicated customer base.

Aside from fashion and electronics, what other industries’ brands have been positively affected by posts from disabled creators?

Brands in industries such as beauty, fitness, and lifestyle have also seen a positive impact from posts by disabled creators.

Why has there been a decline in disability-inclusive TV? “Coda” was supposed to be such a big breakthrough.

Based on our observations, there seems to be a lack of consistent commitment to disability representation in TV and movies. The underlying reasons may vary across the industry but it is possible they are due to perceived risks, lack of understanding, or absence of intentional strategies for inclusion. Brands can advocate for more inclusive representation in TV and position themselves as leaders in the drive towards more inclusivity.

What is your biggest concern about the state of disability-inclusive representation?

The biggest concern about the state of disability-inclusive representation is the lack of it. As well as the slow rate of progress and lack of urgency. Inclusion is not a trend, but a necessity that must be understood and valued. Brands can advocate here for inclusive content in which to spend their dollars as advertisers.

And what gives you the most hope?

The increasing success of disabled creators on social media is heartening. This trend demonstrates that audiences crave more inclusive narratives, providing a great space for brands to grow and establish a positive image by being inclusivity champions. Disabled creators’ successes are a strong signal for traditional media to catch up.