Tag: 3BL

Originally published by The White House on www.whitehouse.gov

To keep all Americans secure and boost the next generation of innovation in the U.S., we must drastically scale up the cyber workforce across the country.

The Office of the National Cyber Director (ONCD) developed the National Cyber Workforce and Education Strategy (NCWES) to address this national security and economic imperative.  The NCWES meets President Biden’s call in the 2023 National Cybersecurity Strategy (NCS) for ONCD to develop a strategy to expand the national cyber workforce, increase its diversity, and expand access to cyber education and training. Implementation of the NCWES will expand opportunities nationwide for good-paying, middle-class jobs in cyber.

ONCD developed the NCWES in collaboration with 34 departments, agencies, and EOP components, and based on extensive input from hundreds of key external stakeholders.

Stakeholder Commitments

For the NCWES’ vision to be realized, no one actor in this space can alone achieve the change needed at scale, including government. This means all of us – government, academia, philanthropy, private sector hiring entities, non-governmental organizations, non-profits, international partners and more – must each see ourselves and our goals in this strategy, and take coordinated action accordingly.

The following organizations have made substantial announcements, commitments, or pledges to increase the number of Americans in good-paying, middle-class cyber jobs:

IBM

IBM is committed to help skill 150,000 people in cybersecurity by the end of 2024. To help achieve this goal, and to contribute to a more diverse U.S. cyber workforce, IBM is partnering with 20 Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) to co-establish Cybersecurity Leadership Centers. Through these partnerships and programs, such as IBM SkillsBuild, IBM has provided more than 119,500 learners with cybersecurity training and will continue to build on its progress after reaching its goal.

Read the full list of organizations here.

CHARLOTTE, N.C., August 9, 2023 /3BL/ – In collaboration with MIT Solve, Truist Foundation announced the deadline for its second Inspire Awards Challenge has been extended to Friday, Aug. 11, 2023.

The Truist Foundation Inspire Awards Challenge, in collaboration with Solve— an initiative of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) dedicated to promoting innovative solutions to global problems, seeks nonprofit organizations with creative, tech-enabled solutions that address challenges faced by small business owners. From now until Aug. 11, 2023, qualifying nonprofits can submit applications through MIT Solve that answer the question, “What innovative, technology-based solution is your nonprofit implementing to create pathways to resiliency and sustainability for small businesses?”

Truist Foundation and MIT Solve will conduct a six-month wraparound support program for a cohort of seven nonprofit finalists to help transform their groundbreaking ideas into tangible solutions. The program includes a comprehensive needs assessment, learning and development modules to help refine business plans, measurement training, access to a network of resource partners and coaches, and more leading up to the live event.

Following the completion of the support program, the finalists will be invited to a live pitch event and ceremony where they will showcase their solutions. The first-place nonprofit will receive a $250,000 grant to actualize their project, while $150,000 grant goes to second place, and $25,000 grant to each of the runner-up teams. Plus, finalists are invited to a two-day Truist Leadership Institute Retreat and the annual flagship Solve at MIT event, held in May each year.

To learn more or apply, click here.

# # #

About Truist Foundation  
Truist Foundation is committed to Truist Financial Corporation’s (NYSE: TFC) purpose to inspire and build better lives and communities. Established in 2020, the foundation makes strategic investments in nonprofit organizations to help ensure the communities it serves have more opportunities for a better quality of life. Truist Foundation’s grants and activities focus on building career pathways to economic mobility and strengthening small businesses. Learn more at Truist.com/Foundation. 

Media Contact:
Kristen Fraser, Truist
kristen.fraser@truist.com

Originally published by Time Leader

Fairway Subaru in Hazleton recently presented a check of $15,995 to Make-A-Wish Greater Pennsylvania and West Virginia as part of the 2023 Subaru Share the Love Event.

Since 2012, Fairway Subaru has chosen the local Make-A-Wish chapter as its Hometown Charity, gifting a total of more than $125,000 to date, helping to grant more than 25 wishes for children from the greater Hazleton area. This year’s donation will help grant life-changing wishes for three local children diagnosed with critical illnesses.

Continue reading here.

STAMFORD, Conn., August 9, 2023 /3BL/— United Way and Junior Achievement recently recognized Webster Bank with three awards for its longtime partnership and philanthropic support in Westchester-Putnam Counties, Connecticut and Rhode Island.

Webster takes pride in its long-standing partnership with United Way and strongly believes in its mission to ensure people have access to a broad safety net of human services. Webster has raised more than $20 million over two decades through employee pledging, fundraising and corporate donations. Webster colleagues serve in leadership positions and on a variety of committees, sharing skill and expertise to United Way chapters across the franchise. United Way is Webster Bank’s primary charity and Webster supports United Ways throughout its footprint through its yearly workplace campaign as well as volunteer service.

Recognizing Webster’s support, the United Way of Greater Waterbury (Connecticut) presented Webster Bank with the James C. Smith Spirit of Excellence Award, which celebrates companies that complete a well-organized, effective United Way campaign that yields a positive, enduring legacy for years to come. During the United Way’s 36th Annual Celebration & Awards event, the organization applauded Webster Bank employees for their 2022-2023 campaign efforts, noting the workplace campaign board’s diligence, hard work and execution of the workplace campaign and “the company’s unwavering commitment to the communities in which they live and work.”

In New York, the United Way of Westchester and Putnam presented Webster Bank CEO John R. Ciulla and his wife, Erin Fuller, with the Philanthropy and Corporate Citizenship Award at its recent Imagine Gala. For many years, both Ciulla and Fuller have been generous Tocqueville donors to United Way both locally and regionally. In addition to volunteer hours shared by Webster employees, Webster has awarded numerous grants in support of UW-Westchester and Putnam’s work to help the 40 percent of residents in those counties struggling to make ends meet.

With a focus on financial empowerment and entrepreneurship, Junior Achievement (JA) delivers K–12 programs fostering work readiness, entrepreneurship and financial literacy skills that build the foundation for thousands of children to succeed. Over the years, Webster’s work with its JA partners has doubled, including adding partnerships with new chapters and increasing funding and volunteer involvement. Junior Achievement – Rhode Island honored Webster with its Morris J.W. Gaebe Profile in Excellence Award for Webster’s longstanding support of Junior Achievement’s programming with “vision and innovation, inspiring leadership and community mindedness.”

“United Way’s focus on the basic needs, education and financial stability for all and JA’s focus on youth financial empowerment align with Webster’s longtime commitment to creating opportunity and economic vitality in the communities we serve,” said Chief Corporate Responsibility Officer Marissa Weidner. “We are proud to support United Way and Junior Achievement in the important work they do throughout our footprint and we are appreciative of the recognition.”

About Webster

Webster Bank (“Webster”) is a leading commercial bank in the Northeast that provides a wide range of digital and traditional financial solutions across three differentiated lines of business: Commercial Banking, Consumer Banking and its HSA Bank division, one of the country’s largest providers of employee benefits solutions. Headquartered in Stamford, CT, Webster is a values-driven organization with $75 billion in assets. Its core footprint spans the northeastern U.S. from New York to Massachusetts, with certain businesses operating in extended geographies. Webster Bank is a member of the FDIC and an equal housing lender. For more information about Webster, including our latest annual report, please visit our About page. To find our latest press releases, visit the Webster Newsroom.

Contact Information

Media Contact:   
Elaine K. Ficarra  
eficarra@websterbank.com  
203.913.2716

Investor Contact: 
Emlen Harmon 
harmon@websterbank.com 
212.309.7646

View original content here.

Griffith Foods has renewed as a Worldchefs Global Partner. As a family business for more than 100 years, Griffith Foods is known for their industry expertise, comprehensive global insights, collaborative partnerships, and purpose-driven passion. With an aim to shape the future of food, Griffith Foods is a key supporter of Feed the Planet sustainability initiatives to equip chefs with the flavors and tools to set a better course for the future.Custom Culinary, a business entity of Griffith Foods, offers products that are developed with a team of award-winning chefs, delivering culinary expertise to innovative flavor research with purpose. They offer culinary versatility in convenient formats, delivering authentic flavor and creating better food, value, and relationships to the industry.

ALSIP, Ill. July 18, 2023 /3BL/ – Griffith Foods, a world-class family-owned global developer and manufacturer of customized food ingredient solutions, has renewed as a Worldchefs Global Partner. Founded in 1919, Griffith Foods is guided by their Purpose of “We Blend Care and Creativity to Nourish the World”. The company’s product capabilities range from seasonings and breading, to marinades and sauces blended to exacting specification that are culturally authentic, taste great and are wholesome.

Throughout their 70-year history, Custom Culinary, part of the Griffith Foods family, has maintained a singular mission: to provide foodservice and food processing professionals with true, real, and authentic flavor solutions. Today, Custom Culinary’s solution-driven approach offers culinary versatility in convenient formats, delivering a portfolio of products made with the finest ingredients to ensure exceptional flavor and dependable performance to save time and improve consistency.

A culinary-centric organization, Custom Culinary products are developed with a team of award-winning chefs, bringing culinary expertise and an appreciation for global and regional influences, local sourcing, and cleaner ingredient statements to the table. Combining food science, technology, and the culinary arts, Custom Culinary draws on emerging trends and culinary insights from across their global network to create customized solutions the industry.

Key supporters and collaborators of Worldchefs’ Feed the Planet programs, Griffith Foods and Custom Culinary understand their critical role in addressing food waste and sustainability, working across the food ecosystem to deliver on the company’s sustainability journey and commitments. Leveraging the passion of their dynamic teams, the teams weave culinary inspiration, a focus on nutrition, and a sustainable mindset into each product to support culinary professionals and nourish the world.

“Custom Culinary has been a natural partner for Worldchefs in their commitment to helping culinary professionals perfect the art of flavorful food with purpose,” says Ragnar Fridriksson, Worldchefs Managing Director. “Their support of Feed the Planet programs, culinary competitions, and their understanding of industry and consumer trends all reflect the dedication of their global team to building a better food future. We are delighted to continue our partnership and look forward to what is to come.”

Visit https://griffithfoods.com/ and www.customculinary.global for industry resources and more information on their product portfolio.

View original content here.

A through line across 2023 is the resounding belief in diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) investments as a value to society, individuals and business.

Ninety percent of CSR leaders believe it is up to companies to help every employee become more aware of bias and develop more inclusive behaviors that can create more diverse cultures.

95% of CSR leaders believe companies should support employee growth on matters of social and racial justice and equity. 

But ask corporate purpose leaders about DEI and there’s one thing they’ll all agree on: Their companies are not leaders at it yet. Despite years of anti-bias training, setting targets and being vocal about commitments, goals and achievements, companies still struggle to make the progress that employees and DEI leaders expect, even though the business and societal benefits are well understood.

It’s clear companies recognize there is more to be done to move the dial, and they’re embracing their integral role in advancing DEI.

Top 3 DEI initiatives that will be invested in over the next 2 years:

1. Unbiased hiring practices

2. Benchmark setting for DEI progress

3. Employee resource groups

As such, nearly six in 10 companies are planning to respond with increased spending on DEI initiatives — despite the recession.

DEI is evolving

The events of 2020 led to a radical shift in the way corporate DEI gets activated. What was primarily a top-down initiative led by chief diversity officers and other diversity-focused executives was suddenly met with a grassroots, bottom-up movement powered by passionate employees.

91% of employees agree ERGs and affinity groups have a greater impact on inclusivity than unconscious bias training. – The State of Workplace DEI 

These tenacious people mobilized into employee resource groups (ERGs), coming together based on shared characteristics or lived experiences, and affinity groups — formed around mutual interests or goals. Employees from historically excluded groups brought their lived experiences to work, heightened awareness of bias, built empathy through learning and storytelling, and drove real cultural change and allyship. 

As employees increasingly see their companies as communities and environments for social change, employee-led groups are continuing to grow in prominence. In Benevity’s The State of Workplace DEI report, 71% of employees reported they have worked for a company offering ERGs or similar affinity groups at some point in their career. And among those who have worked at companies with these groups, 62% have participated — indicating strong interest.

ERGs are a mainstay of DEI-focused companies

Now that we’ve passed the early groundswell of employee-led action on DEI, we’re entering a new phase where affinity and employee resource groups are a must-have — and possibly a more effective — component of a corporate DEI and culture strategy. 

Eighty-eight percent of CSR leaders agree that DEI is being democratized and employees have increased levels of interest in ERGs and other peer-led initiatives. This was further affirmed when employees ranked ERGs as more beneficial than personal commitments to DEI from the CEO and other leaders by a wide margin — indicating employees believe in the power of ERGs and the passion of their peers more than the typical corporate approaches.

ERGs deliver more than just an inclusive workplace

Why are ERGs gaining so much momentum? Because they don’t just create more inclusive workplaces. They come with a host of other benefits that help to address the many complex issues that both companies and employees are wrestling with — from improving well-being, building allyship and creating belonging to providing opportunities for skills building and leadership development.

Top 4 benefits of ERGs according to CSR leaders:

95% say ERGs are important in helping new employees to feel a sense of belonging.

93% say ERGs are highly effective at building empathy and allyship.

90% say ERGs offer opportunities for professional development, skills building and career growth.

90% say ERGs support the well-being of their employees.

ERGs still have room to grow 

Some 96% of employees agree ERGs will continue to be a critical DEI investment in 2023, despite economic pressure. And while DEI has become more democratized, and the impact of employee-led groups and initiatives is palpable, one-third of companies highlighted that ERGs are not as trusted as company-led DEI initiatives yet. DEI must be infused into the fabric of a company’s culture and their people’s experiences for them to realize the full benefit. This requires attention and support from all levels of the organization. Affinity and employee resource groups are an “and” not an “or” when it comes to moving the needle on social justice, equity and inclusion within a company. Both top-down and bottom-up action will be required in 2023 and beyond.

Discover the top five emerging societal and industry trends shaping the future of CSR, DEI and ESG in The State of Corporate Purpose 2023.

Last month, leaders across our people, culture and purpose teams gathered in London to discuss one of the most important elements of our business – our people. During the three days together, they discussed important topics related to unlocking inclusive, heart-led, high-performance and transformational growth including learning and development, mentorship, people planning, and equity, inclusion and belonging. But the largest focus of the week was social purpose – feeding people’s potential around the world.

KFC has long been a purpose-driven business. Today more than ever, our ambition is for purpose to be the the center of everything we do – the food we serve, the people we employ and the communities we’re a part of.

Feeding People’s Potential through food

To experience the impact of this work firsthand, the KFC UK&I team welcomed our global People, Culture and Purpose leaders into their kitchens and demonstrated how they work to deliver surplus food from KFC restaurants to people in need while preventing it from going to waste. The team then visited charity partners who help distribute our surplus food and learned more about the people it helps feed.

Feeding People’s Potential through skills and opportunities

The team also got to meet Liam, a KFC team member and graduate of KFC UK&I’s Hatch program. Hatch is a social purpose program designed to offer on-the-job training and life skills to help enable youth to increase their employability. Prior to Hatch, Liam described himself as lacking confidence and struggled to successfully engage in the first couple of workplaces he tried. Participating in Hatch changed Liam’s trajectory. Not only did he gain valuable skills and experience, but his confidence also grew exponentially and he’s ready to take on any challenge.

Celebrating our Communities of Belonging

Earlier this year, we launched two global Communities of Belonging (CoB)– SHINE, designed to empowering women throughout our KFC family, and Kentucky Fried Pride, dedicated to supporting and celebrating the LQBTQIA+ community and its allies. At the CPO conference, we popped bottles of champagne and raised a toast to the impact these communities have had in such a short time, globally and locally.

Celebrating our achievements

The conference wrapped up with an evening of awards recognizing the amazing hard work our People, Culture and Purpose teams have accomplished through heart-led leadership, courageous coaching and a winning mindset.

How do you educate people about difficult-to-talk-about, yet incredibly important, health topics? And which settings are ideal for such conversations? Those were the questions plaguing Cairns Sexual Health Service, a clinic in northern Australia, whose providers sought to reach members of the Indigenous community in their area.

The Indigenous community in Cairns has historically been disproportionally affected by HIV. In recent years, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander males have been diagnosed at a rate of almost three times that of their non-Indigenous peers. Complicating matters is the stigma around HIV and the community’s historical mistrust of healthcare professionals.

“If we just sit back and wait for the young men to come, they don’t arrive,” says Dr. Darren Russell, Program Director at the Cairns Sexual Health Service. “So we can’t teach them about sexual health and HIV prevention, and we can’t test them.”

Partnering with Fresh Start Academy
The team ultimately found the solution by connecting with Fresh Start Academy, a non-profit dedicated to teaching the barbering trade to young men. Recognizing that a barbershop could provide the type of safe environment needed to educate patrons about sexual health, the Cairns clinic collaborated with the organization to involve young local barbers in the HIV prevention effort.

“It was a lightbulb moment,” says Rob Hodge, founder of the academy. “We realized this could go a long way in normalizing the HIV conversation and demonstrating how straightforward the testing process is.”

Rob reached out to Josh Anderson, the owner of the local Cartel Collective barbershop, to structure the HIV education curriculum. As part of the program, young men get free haircuts and engage in conversations about sexual health. As Darren puts it, “They’re in the chair for a while. They talk to the barber. The barber talks to them.” Healthcare workers, meanwhile, are nearby to answer questions and offer resource referrals.

Gilead provided a grant for the innovative partnership as part of its overall efforts to advance health equity and reduce stigma and disparities in communities of greatest need. The company has a long tradition of funding innovative programs and partnering with organizations that aim to meet people where they are.

“When Dr. Russell contacted me and described the work, we both knew that Gilead was the right organization to support the initiative,” says Damien Fagan, Associate Director, Medical Affairs, HIV, Australia. “The program’s success shows that working together with communities disproportionately impacted by HIV is a crucial step to helping end the epidemic.”

Originally published by Gilead Sciences

FISHERS, Ind., August 9, 2023 /3BL/ – Land Betterment Corporation (“Land Betterment” or the “Company”), a certified B Corporation and an environmental solutions company shared today that its ekō Solutions division recently debuted its newest up-cycled shipping container commercial model – the Mobile Merchant Container.

The Mobile Merchant Container measures 20’x 8’x 8’ with a 3’ x 10’ opening featuring a flip up butcher block countertop. The container is equipped with 120v electricity for appliances, 2 fans, shelving for product display and is easily transported on a container chassis. Additional units specs include:

160 square feetAccess Area is 10′ x 5′ Cut Out Section with Reinforced 2″ x 2″ Metal TubesElectrical / Lighting:(4) Basic 120V GFI electrical outletsBarrina LED T5 Integrated Single Fixture, 4FT Sections(4) Weatherproof 15 Amp OutletsIlluminated Marquee Sign of ChoiceCommercial Epoxy Flooring with Anti-Slip Flakes

LRY Media Group, a leading event production agency based in Birmingham, Alabama purchased the Mobile Merchant Container which they will use for future events throughout the area.

“We love this container because it can easily be modified to suite the customers’ needs. For example at the United Way of Central Alabama Centennial Celebration, where they used it as a beverage stand, they wanted the container to be painted United Way blue with the back wall painted with chalkboard paint so the participants could inscribe messages. For the next event that we are planning for another client, the container will be painted purple. It is also super convenient that it is easy to transport from event to event,” said Rashada LeRoy, CEO and Founder of LRY Media Group.

About LRY Media Group 
LRY Media Group, based in Birmingham, Alabama, is an event production agency specializing in event-based solutions. LRY has over 20 years of experience in event planning, production, and experiential marketing. Now more than ever, their mission is to bring clients closer to audiences through curated, strategic and innovative experiences that energize and unite all. LRY allows it’s clients to be fully present in every experience by taking full control of every logistical aspect of an event. Visit the website www.lrymediagroup.com and connect on Facebook Instagram YouTube.

About United Way of Central Alabama 
United Way of Central Alabama serves Jefferson, Shelby, Walker, Blount, St. Clair, and Chilton counties by providing solutions for the most critical needs in the community. Through partner agencies and community initiatives, UWCA improves lives and community conditions by building and mobilizing resources. United Way fights for the health, education, and financial stability of every person in every community. For more information, visit www.uwca.org.

About ekō Solutions 
ekō Solutions, a Land Betterment Company, is a sustainable development company utilizing innovative, low-cost, up-cycled container-based structures to provide durable, high-end solutions to the building marketplace while also maintaining the ability to be utilized in a mobile environment. ekō Solutions uses innovative ecological structures to replace legacy inefficient and ineffective methods of living, growing and working. The sustainable craftsmanship of our structures is what separates us from the alternatives. Our structures are suitable for residential, crisis recovery, commercial and recreation use. For more information visit ekosolutionsllc.com and connect with ekō Solutions on LinkedIn and Twitter.

About Land Betterment Corporation 
Land Betterment Corporation, an Indiana Benefit Corporation and Certified B Corporation, is an environmental solutions company focused on fostering a positive impact through up-cycling former coal mining and industrial sites to create sustainable community development and job creation. The Company utilizes a complete solution-based lifecycle program to restore and rehabilitate the environment and revitalize communities in need of change and opportunity. Land Betterment accomplishes this by identifying un-reclaimed, run-down and neglected coal mining sites, fixing the environment through reclamation and remediation, and then repurposing the land to support a sustainable business that serves the community. Land Betterment firmly believes that with real solutions it is possible for restoration of impacted areas to live side-by-side long term employment, while building sustainable and safe surroundings for communities and our planet. For more information visit landbetterment.com or connect with the Company on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn.

**Media Contacts:**

Mark LaVerghetta 
Chief Governance Officer, Corporate Finance 
Land Betterment Corporation 
Phone: 317.537.0492 ext. 0 
Email: info@landbetterment.com

Stephanie Conzelman 
Stakeholder Engagement Director 
Land Betterment Corporation 
Phone: 207.205.0790 
Email: info@landbetterment.com

**Source:** Land Betterment Corporation

Special Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements 
This press release contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other important factors that could cause the Company’s actual results, performance, or achievements or industry results to differ materially from any future results, performance, or achievements expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. These statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond Land Betterment Corporation’s control. The words “believes”, “may”, “will”, “should”, “would”, “could”, “continue”, “seeks”, “anticipates”, “plans”, “expects”, “intends”, “estimates”, or similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements, although not all forward-looking statements contain such identifying words. Any forward-looking statements included in this press release are made only as of the date of this release. The Company does not undertake any obligation to update or supplement any forward-looking statements to reflect subsequent events or circumstances. The Company cannot assure you that the projected results or events will be achieved.

CINCINNATI, August 8, 2023 /3BL/ – Fifth Third Bank today hosted its seventh annual Supplier Diversity Summit. With a theme of “Collaboration + Innovation = Growth,” the summit focused on helping diverse-owned businesses position themselves for growth and discover ways to expand business opportunities with larger corporations.

“Having an inclusive and diverse business ecosystem is a strategic imperative for Fifth Third to help bring more jobs and investment to our communities,” said Kala Gibson, executive vice president and chief corporate responsibility officer for Fifth Third. “Our supplier network fosters innovation and it’s a privilege to collaborate to improve the well-being of our citizens while serving our customers’ needs.”

Fifth Third is committed to a diverse supply chain for the benefit of its customers, shareholders, employees and communities. Since the inception of its Supplier Diversity program, Fifth Third’s spending with Tier 11 diverse suppliers has grown from $7.5 million in 2014 to $119.6 million in 2022 and surpassed the bank’s goal of representing 10% of total supplier spending with diverse companies.

Fifth Third hosts the Supplier Diversity Summit each year to connect companies with minority, women, people with disabilities, and veteran owners and to help to encourage more business relationships with Fifth Third. It also is a way for diverse business owners to gain perspectives from each other and to network with other corporate partners. More than 175 attendees representing over 130 companies across 15 states participated.

The program featured a keynote address from Cris Carter, NFL Hall of Fame member and CEO of CB Tech. Since 1990, CB Tech has helped Fortune 500 companies with managed services in facilities maintenance. As a Middletown, Ohio native, Cris attended The Ohio State University where he studied communications and was a first-team All-American and two-time All-Big Ten football player. He has been recognized for his work with disadvantaged youth, receiving the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award in 1999 while a member of the Minnesota Vikings.

“Growing up without a lot of resources in southern Ohio presented many challenges for my family and families like mine. To grow from those circumstances to playing at Ohio State, in the NFL, becoming a Hall of Famer, to now being a prominent figure in the business community is a blessing beyond belief,” said Carter. “It is all futile if I’m not taking what I’ve learned and giving back to our communities. Being able to be a part of Fifth Third Bank’s Supplier Diversity Summit, not as a football player, but as a respected business owner is priceless. I look forward to sharing knowledge, meeting other minority business owners and to the overall fellowship.”

Other speakers included Cincinnati Vice Mayor Jan Michelle Lemon Kearney, George Simms, president of the Ohio Supplier Minority Supplier Diversity Council; Ashlee Clarke, president and CEO of Empowerment Media; Susan Thomas, president of the Fifth Third Community Development Corporation, Sahra Halpern, president and CEO of the Business Consortium Fund, and more.

This year’s Summit featured a Cincinnati Small Business Showcase of local businesses, matchmaking sessions with Fifth Third Bank leaders, a virtual pitch competition, and the first Fifth Third Bank Supplier Diversity Awards.

Through the years, Fifth Third has developed many partnerships with organizations that focus on enhancing supplier diversity efforts at businesses, including the National Minority Supplier Development Council (NMSDC)”, Ohio Minority Supplier Development Council, DisabilityIN, Women’s Business Ohio Regional Valley Council, and the Women’s Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC). In 2022, Fifth Third’s Supplier Diversity Program was recognized by Minority Business News as one of the Best of the Decade, and the bank was named a NMSDC Forefront Top 50 Corporation of the Year, WBENC Top Corporation of the Year, and OMSDC Class 2 Top Corporation of the Year.

To learn more about Fifth Third’s Supplier Diversity activities, visit www.53.com/supplierdiversity.

1 Tier 1 spending includes work with suppliers who provide products and services directly and receive payment directly from Fifth Third increased to 11.1% from a total of $88.4 million in 2021 to a total of $119.6 million in 2022. Tier 2 spending includes suppliers who provide products and services to Fifth Third and receive payment from a Tier 1 supplier for an additional $31.5 million in diverse spend in 2022.

About Fifth Third

Fifth Third is a bank that’s as long on innovation as it is on history. Since 1858, we’ve been helping individuals, families, businesses and communities grow through smart financial services that improve lives. Our list of firsts is extensive, and it’s one that continues to expand as we explore the intersection of tech-driven innovation, dedicated people and focused community impact. Fifth Third is one of the few U.S.-based banks to have been named among Ethisphere’s World’s Most Ethical Companies® for several years. With a commitment to taking care of our customers, employees, communities and shareholders, our goal is not only to be the nation’s highest performing regional bank, but to be the bank people most value and trust.

Fifth Third Bank, National Association, is a federally chartered institution. Fifth Third Bancorp is the indirect parent company of Fifth Third Bank, and its common stock is traded on the NASDAQ® Global Select Market under the symbol “FITB.” Investor information and press releases can be viewed at www.53.com

Contact

Tiffaney Hardy (Media Relations)
Tiffaney.Hardy@53.com | 513-534-8039