Tag: 3BL

When it comes to detecting and treating heart disease, the healthcare system often tilts in favor of men.

“Heart disease is regularly undetected, misdiagnosed and undertreated in women,” said Dr. Courtney Jordan Baechler, MD, a preventive cardiologist at the Minneapolis Heart Institute and the medical director of health equity and promotion at the Minneapolis Heart Institute Foundation. “Part of the reason is that historically, clinical heart research mainly studied men. So detection, treatment and standards of care are often biased in their favor.”

For example, even though men and women generally have differing physiology, several heart disease tests are geared more toward the male anatomy, often leading to missed diagnosis in women.1

“For instance, angiograms are currently the gold standard of care in detecting obstruction of the main coronary arteries,” said Dr. Jordan Baechler. “But angiograms alone sometimes can’t see the smaller vessels and intracoronary imaging during angiogram or an MRI may be the best way to diagnose small vessel disease in women.”

Research is also finding that certain conditions specific to women impact their hearts, 2,3 and that symptoms of heart problems can be significantly different for women than men.4

But even doctors aren’t always aware of the differences, and the reasons lie in the data. Research has found that women patients are included in less than 40 percent of clinical studies.5

“The majority of the medical literature is based on evidence collected from just one part of the population—predominantly white males,” said Dr. Alan Cheng, chief medical officer of the Cardiac Rhythm Management operating unit at Medtronic. “The assumption has been that the information can be entirely extrapolated to the rest of the population, but we’re beginning to appreciate that’s not always the case.”

According to Dr. Cheng, Medtronic is diversifying the clinical research it does on its medical devices to be more inclusive. One such clinical study, involving heart valve replacement, is enrolling primarily women.

“The results from this trial will provide important clinical insight into a currently underrepresented patient population in TAVR literature,” said Dr. Jeffrey Popma, Vice President and Chief Medical Officer of the Coronary, Renal Denervation and Structural Heart operating unit at Medtronic. “As we generate new evidence, physicians will have better guidance on how to treat patient groups not included in prior clinical studies, and that will be better for all patients.”

“It’s very exciting to see healthcare looking at this issue through a more inclusive lens,” added Dr. Jordan Baechler. “We’re moving in the right direction. We need to quickly get to a place where the science standard reflects the populations that we’re serving.”

Did you know? Symptoms of heart attack can be different for women and men. Learn more.

——————————————————————————————————-

1 https://brighamhealthhub.org/heart-disease-7-differences-between-men-and-women/
2 http://secondscount.org/treatments/treatments-detail-2/risk-factor-modification-lifestyle-changes-women-c?gclid=Cj0KCQiA_bieBhDSARIsADU4zLesKePK8PDMv3-f-4s_SVPMNk1gI1S2EXo7yo9e1SaUREQtqkklF5AaAnWUEALw_wcB#.Y87G33bMJPY
3 https://brighamhealthhub.org/heart-disease-7-differences-between-men-and-women/
4 https://brighamhealthhub.org/heart-disease-7-differences-between-men-and-women/
5 https://newsroom.heart.org/news/women-still-underrepresented-in-clinical-research-science-and-medicine-that-could-save-them-from-their-no-1-killer

In celebration of Black History Month, we highlight an outstanding leader at Common Impact: Ola Dudu, Chief Operating Officer. Ola leads technology, finance, talent, and operations functions in service of Common Impact’s mission of creating stronger communities and a connected economy.

Ola describes equity as her professional north star. Driven by a passion for creating equitable spaces and opportunities for marginalized people, specifically Black and brown communities, Ola has dedicated much of her career to operational excellence in supporting those communities.

Black leaders don’t generate brilliant ideas only during Black History Month, so we can’t reduce efforts to a singular month. Supporting and amplifying the Black voice doesn’t end when the celebration ends. The work continues year-round, and leaders need resources and support to do that work.

You have a decade of experience creating and implementing operational excellence in the education and nonprofit sector. What inspired you to get into this work? Tell us about your path to leadership and your current role.

I came into operations somewhat by accident. When I went to business school in 2007, I knew I wanted to change my career path and move into nonprofit management, but I was still determining what that would look like. Growing up, the ideas I connected most with were the belief in education being a gateway to the world and wanting economic justice for the people in my country. During business school, I completed an internship in Malaysia that fueled my interest in economic justice. After business school, I joined a microfinance fund providing micro-loans to folks in my community. I loved the engagement with our clients and making some of their economic dreams a reality, but I didn’t love the other parts of the job. During that time, I had a friend involved in the charter world in NYC. He suggested I apply for an operations role at a few charter schools. That small suggestion launched my career to date. I got the operations bug when I joined an entrepreneurial team to open a new charter school in Brooklyn, NY. I loved the experience of building structures and systems that help education come alive. Creating something that impacts my community daily, focused on a cause I believe in, is what inspires me. That began in economic justice and moved to education over the last decade.

As I reflect on my career to date, the common thread is my commitment to equity, which is why I was interested in Common Impact. When I read the website and spoke with the team, it was clear that we shared a commitment to social impact work and specifically to focusing that impact work on equity.

February is Black History Month, a time to celebrate and elevate Black strides and equity in all forms. In the spirit of our theme, “Black History. Black Futures,” what actions can corporate professionals, social entrepreneurs, or philanthropists take to support and amplify the work of Black-led organizations beyond Black History Month?

I think the most pivotal action is including and referring to Black conversations. The Black leaders doing the work are a part of their communities. They are on the ground daily and know the most urgent community needs. We must center their voices in conversations around equity in the Black community and amplify those voices and ideas. Black leaders don’t generate brilliant ideas only during Black History Month, so we can’t reduce efforts to a singular month. Supporting and amplifying the Black voice doesn’t end when the celebration of Black History Month ends. The work continues year-round, and leaders need resources and support to do that work.

Can you share any lessons from your leadership experience that you would like to pass on to current or aspiring nonprofit leaders?

Here are two pieces of advice for folks in leadership: The first is to rely on your team. You can’t do it alone. You need folks in your organization to contribute their talents to achieve success. They are working on the ground, so they have the most relevant experience. Seek and trust their input in your decision-making. Inclusive practices will take you far. Show up as your whole self, flaws and all. When you stop dedicating energy to keeping up a façade, you can transfer that energy fully to your goals.

Additionally, when you show up as your whole self, you allow your teams to do the same. When folks see you succeed or stumble, they are given permission to do the same. It will build invaluable trust and commitment to their mission and to you as a leader.

About Common Impact

Common Impact is a national nonprofit that works to build a society in which individuals and businesses invest their unique talents towards a shared purpose: strengthening the local communities in which we live and work. Founded in 2000, Common Impact has partnered with Fortune 500 companies and hundreds of the country’s leading nonprofit organizations to create transformational change through skills-based volunteering. Learn more about Common Impact’s services, impact, and clients.

BASKING RIDGE, N.J., March 2, 2023 /3BL Media/ – Verizon announced that a new grant funding opportunity for small businesses, totaling $500,000, is now available via Verizon Small Business Digital Ready. In partnership with partners Next Street and LISC, the Verizon Small Business Digital Ready online resource is designed to give small businesses the tools they need to thrive in today’s digital economy. Small businesses can access, for free, personalized learning through over 40 courses, mentorship, peer networking, 1:1 expert coaching and incentives such as grant funding.

“Small businesses are the backbone of our communities,” said Rose Stuckey Kirk, Chief Corporate Social Responsibility Officer at Verizon. “We developed the Verizon Small Business Digital Ready portal to give small businesses tools and resources that can help them succeed and, ultimately, help benefit their local economies.”

The Verizon Small Business Digital Ready portal was created with and for small businesses, with a specific focus on helping diverse and under-resourced business owners. Starting today, March 1, until May 12, 2023, small businesses can unlock the application for this round of grant funding by first registering on Verizon Small Business Digital Ready, available at www.verizon.com/smallbusinessdigitalready, and completing at least two of the following, in any combination: courses, live coaching or community events. Small businesses that complete the application will be eligible to receive a $10,000 grant.

“We had taken a Verizon Small Business Digital Ready course on social media and wanted to invest in digital marketing. And we were fortunate to receive a Verizon Small Business Digital Ready grant,” said Joe Alvarez, co-founder of iCareClean. “With the grant funds, we funded marketing projects and placed ads in online search results and on social media, all of which have significantly helped our sales efforts.”

Verizon Small Business Digital Ready includes courses designed to provide essential knowledge and tools, including topics such as developing a marketing strategy, marketing with influencers, creating a content calendar, and the basics of building your business website. The free portal also includes access to mentorship, providing small business owners with the opportunity to obtain ongoing advice and support from experienced professionals who can help them overcome business challenges. Spanish language course offerings, coaching from experts and community events are also available.

This initiative is part of Verizon’s goal to support 1M small businesses by 2030 with the resources to thrive in the digital economy as part of its responsible business plan, Citizen Verizon. Visit CitizenVerizon.com to learn more about the company’s responsible business efforts.

Tags:

Citizen Verizon, Verizon Small Business Digital Ready

COLUMBUS, Ohio, March 2, 2023 /3BL Media/ – Bread Financial (NYSE: BFH), a tech-forward financial services company that provides simple, personalized payment, lending and saving solutions, today announced that it joins 483 other public companies as a member of the 2023 Bloomberg Gender-Equality Index (GEI), a modified market capitalization-weighted index developed to gauge the performance of public companies’ commitment to reporting gender-related data. The index measures gender equality across five pillars: leadership & talent pipeline, equal pay & gender pay parity, inclusive culture, anti-sexual harassment policies, and external brand.

The 2023 GEI represents 45 countries and regions, and includes firms headquartered in Luxembourg, Ecuador, and Kuwait for the first time. Member companies represent a variety of sectors, including financial services, technology and utilities, these three of which continue to have the highest company representation in the index from 2022.

“We are again pleased and proud of this third-party validation of our intentional efforts to foster and report on our diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives at all levels of our company,” said Ralph Andretta, president and chief executive officer, Bread Financial. “Bread Financial is committed to sustainable business practices that fuel our long-term success and make our culture strong, and this recognition reflects those efforts.”

“Congratulations to the companies that are included in the 2023 GEI,” said Peter T. Grauer, Chairman of Bloomberg and Founding Chairman of the U.S. 30% Club. “We continue to see an increase in both interest and membership globally, reflecting a shared goal of transparency in gender-related metrics.”

Bread Financial submitted a social survey created by Bloomberg, in collaboration with subject matter experts globally. Those included on this year’s index scored at or above a global threshold established by Bloomberg to reflect disclosure and the achievement or adoption of best-in-class statistics and policies.

Both the survey and the GEI are voluntary and have no associated costs. Bloomberg collected this data for reference purposes only. The index is not ranked. While all public companies are encouraged to disclose supplemental gender data for their company’s investment profile on the Bloomberg Terminal, those that have a market capitalization of USD1 billion are eligible for inclusion in the Index.

About Bread Financial™ 

Bread FinancialTM (NYSE: BFH) is a tech-forward financial services company providing simple, personalized payment, lending and saving solutions. The company creates opportunities for its customers and partners through digitally enabled choices that offer ease, empowerment, financial flexibility and exceptional customer experiences. Driven by a digital-first approach, data insights and white-label technology, Bread Financial delivers growth for its partners through a comprehensive product suite, including private label and co-brand credit cards, installment lending, and buy now, pay later (BNPL). Bread Financial also offers direct-to-consumer solutions that give customers more access, choice and freedom through its branded Bread CashbackTM American Express® Credit Card and Bread SavingsTM products.

Headquartered in Columbus, Ohio, Bread Financial is powered by its 7,500+ global associates and is committed to sustainable business practices. To learn more about Bread Financial, visit BreadFinancial.com or follow us on Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter and Instagram.

About Bloomberg

Bloomberg is a global leader in business and financial information, delivering trusted data, news, and insights that bring transparency, efficiency, and fairness to markets. The company helps connect influential communities across the global financial ecosystem via reliable technology solutions that enable our customers to make more informed decisions and foster better collaboration.

For more information, visit Bloomberg.com/company or request a demo.

Media Contacts 

Rachel Stultz, Bread Financial 
Rachel.Stultz@breadfinancial.com

GEIComms@bloomberg.net, Bloomberg

The numbers are concerning, if not staggering.

In the United States, alone, more than 100 million tons of wasted food are generated annually, with about 50% going to landfills or incinerators.

As wasted food decomposes, it creates methane. Estimates, in fact, identify wasted food as creating about 10% of greenhouse gas emissions globally.

Enbridge and Divert Inc. have unveiled plans to join forces and develop more facilities that turn wasted food into renewable natural gas (RNG). It’s a historic collaboration for Enbridge that aims to help tackle both important issues—wasted food and greenhouse gas emissions.

Concord, MA-based Divert, founded in 2007, creates advanced technologies and sustainable infrastructure to eliminate wasted food. Their solutions prevent waste by maximizing the freshness of food, recovering edible food to serve communities in need, and by converting wasted food into renewable energy.

The synergies are obvious. In short, Enbridge sees growing RNG supply as a key pillar to its energy transition strategy and Divert, with its technical and logistical expertise that includes connections to RNG feedstock from within the food sector, is expanding into RNG.

Details of the new arrangement, discussed by Enbridge at its annual investor conference today in Toronto, include the following: Enbridge is acquiring a 10% stake in Divert Inc., which describes itself as an impact technology company on a mission to Protect the Value of Food™ and is expanding into RNG to help major food retailers manage their wasted food more sustainably, for US$80 million. The agreement includes further investment opportunities to develop wasted-food-to-RNG projects across the U.S. providing line of sight to greater than $1 billion of new capital growth, which will be underpinned by long-term take-or-pay contracts. Enbridge expects to close the transaction in March 2023.

Divert also issued a news release about the partnership and in it, Caitlin Tessin, Enbridge’s Vice President of Strategy and Market Innovation, offered comments from the Enbridge perspective. “Divert has emerged as a leader in creatively managing wasted food and our partnership aligns with Enbridge’s priorities in pioneering RNG as an effective solution to achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions,” Tessin said.

Said Ryan Begin, CEO and co-founder of Divert: “The infrastructure development agreement with Enbridge marks a major turning point in the battle against the wasted food crisis. For 16 years, Divert has been at the forefront of efforts to prevent wasted food nationwide and this new funding will serve as a catalyst to address this pervasive problem at scale. As one of North America’s largest energy infrastructure companies, Enbridge will play a critical role in the continued development of our transformative technologies and infrastructure.”

By Kim Borges

The Bottom Line:

“Truth be told, there’s a real good chance I’d be back in prison already if it weren’t for this program.”

The Good News:

John R. is on a road to redemption. He knows he has Jobs Partnership Peoria to thank for it. And he’s doing the hard work to keep it going.

We’re calling him “John R.” to help protect his privacy. Getting back on your feet after incarceration can be tough. Very tough.

Still, John R. wanted Regions Bank to help share his story – because he wants people everywhere to know second chances are for real.

The Saving Grace:

“John is a legitimate go-getter,” said Vicky Eckhardt, a financial opportunities coach who’s worked with John to build his credit – and his finances – since 2021. “He follows up. If you talk about something, John actually goes and does it.”

Eckhardt and her Jobs Partnership Peoria colleagues are there not just for John, but for hundreds of other people in Illinois through their organization’s effective Reentry Program. The nonprofit is another example of good work supported by Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC) Central Illinois.

How Regions Bank Comes In:

Regions supports LISC Central Illinois and its nonprofit community partners as they reach people who are underserved and connect them with career development, financial coaching and more. In December 2022, the bank presented LISC Central Illinois with its latest gift of $20,000.

Bart Rose, Regions’ Commercial Banking leader and market executive for Central Illinois, serves on LISC Central Illinois’ Local Advisory Committee.

“The results are changed lives,” Rose said. “This is thoughtful, strategic work. LISC and groups like Jobs Partnership Peoria are investing in people – and they are doing so in ways that bring about self-sufficiency, restored confidence, and restored futures.”

This is thoughtful, strategic work. LISC and groups like Jobs Partnership Peoria are investing in people – and they are doing so in ways that bring about self-sufficiency, restored confidence, and restored futures.
Bart Rose, Regions’ Commercial Banking leader for Central Illinois

Results that Last:

John R. was incarcerated for 18 months last time. And he’s determined that it will, indeed, remain the last time.

“I’ve been to prison five times,” he said. “I’ve been locked up right around ten years all together.”

His history as a repeat offender isn’t unusual.

Why Successful Reentry Programs Matter:

At the end of 2020, more than 1.8 million Americans were incarcerated.600,000-plus people are released from state and federal prisons, and 9 million are released from local jails annually, according to Harvard Political Review.Of those released, two out of three are rearrested, and more than 50% are incarcerated again within three years.It’s estimated criminal recidivism reduces the annual U.S. Gross Domestic Product (GDP) by $65 billion.

But Work Like This Can Help:

“One of the biggest barriers our clients face is they are sometimes starting over with no identification, no Social Security card, nothing,” Eckhardt explained. “We’re helping them navigate the basics like, ‘Where are you staying tonight?’ They’re starting from ground zero. One thing clients often tell me is things are moving so fast, they don’t have any foundation underneath them. They go from everything being dictated in prison to complete freedom, sometimes literally overnight. We want them to know that at Jobs Partnership, you have someone to walk through this with you.”

Hence the strategic, step-by-step guidance Eckhardt provides.

Consider the success she’s already built with John R.

“John went from no credit score to a credit score of 707 in a year and a half,” said Eckhardt. “He’s also saved a significant amount of money and is taking homebuyer classes. John has maintained employment, saved the money, and built his credit. He’s setting himself up for what he wants to do and for success.”

We want them to know that at Jobs Partnership, you have someone to walk through this with you.
Vicky Eckhardt, Jobs Partnership Peoria financial opportunities coach

Another Result of a Reentry Program – Lasting Gratitude:

“Vicky has helped me with a lot of different things,” John said. “My credit score is now in the mid-700s and I’m hoping to buy a house in the next year.”

Eckhardt sees additional opportunities for John on the horizon.

“I feel like John’s just really beginning to understand that he can do this … that this is all really possible for him,” she said.

The excitement of those possibilities bubbled over during a recent conversation the two had.

“The last time I talked with John, I said, ‘You’re really doing it, I’m so proud of you,’” Eckhardt said. “I wanted him to know that he is actually doing what so many only talk about. I could tell by the way he received it that it really meant something to him.”

Moving Forward:

John R. has now held the same job for two years and is working toward being four years drug and alcohol free.

They all add up to one discovery he’s made:

“It’s never too late to start over.”

Having someone like Eckhardt working with him makes hard days easier.

Having community partners like Jobs Partnership Peoria, LISC Central Illinois, and Regions Bank sharing resources and services makes it possible.

Learn more about Jobs Partnership Peoria and its reentry program on their website.

As a way to support those impacted by Monday’s devastating earthquake in Türkiye and Syria, the Gilead Foundation is donating $1 million for on-the-ground relief efforts. The donation will be divided evenly between the International Medical Corps and Direct Relief, two organizations that we have long supported.

About Gilead Sciences

Gilead Sciences, Inc. is a research-based biopharmaceutical company that discovers, develops and commercializes innovative medicines in areas of unmet medical need. The company strives to transform and simplify care for people with life-threatening illnesses around the world. Gilead has operations in more than 35 countries worldwide, with headquarters in Foster City, California.

Women entrepreneurs are breaking down barriers and succeeding in business, all while boosting their local economies and paving the way for others to do the same. According to GoDaddy’s Venture Forward research initiative, there has been a 26% shift in the share of startups toward women compared to men. Women founded 59.6% of businesses started since the pandemic compared to 47.3% of businesses started before 2020.

Black women are the fastest growing segment of entrepreneurship. Venture Forward research reveals that the share of Black women starting businesses surged more than 100%, jumping from 10.7% of all businesses started before 2020 to 21.5% of all businesses founded since the pandemic.

While women’s entrepreneurship is on the rise overall, those who were surveyed noted that marketing and getting online effectively were among the top challenges faced when starting a business. This is one of the reasons, in 2017, GoDaddy created Empower by GoDaddy, the company’s global social impact program equipping entrepreneurs from underserved communities with training, tools and peer networks to accelerate their journeys. Together with nonprofit and community partners, Empower by GoDaddy focuses on supporting the unique needs of entrepreneurs with customized neighborhood-based programs, mentorship and digital skilling.

GoDaddy asked six program graduates – and powerhouse women entrepreneurs – to share their best advice for the next generation of entrepreneurs and some of the most rewarding parts of being an entrepreneur. Here’s what they had to say:

Cherilyn Yazzie, Co-Founder & Owner, Coffee Pot Farms: “I’ve found that being a small business owner is a lot like farming. You put blood, sweat and tears into harvesting something you’re proud of. However, the work never stops. I like to tell new business owners that bad things are teachable moments. Don’t get too caught up in the negative because if you continue to put in the time, action and energy into your goals, there will always be something positive out of the bad times.”
 Chong Mi Land, Founder & Owner, Land of Moon: “It’s so important for small business owners to have a digital presence – especially when shopping for products and services these days is mostly done online. As a costume designer, having a compelling visual component to complement my business is critical and something as simple as an eye-catching website can go a long way. To me, inclusive entrepreneurship is all about leveling the playing field for starting a business. It’s supporting and empowering minority groups to build businesses and ultimately grow their communities. My business, Land of Moon, is named after my daughter, Arya Moon Land. My goal is to show her that turning your dreams into reality is possible, no matter the obstacles.”
 Consuelo Rosales, Founder & Owner, Conseulo’s Cleaning Services: “My biggest piece of advice for the next generation of entrepreneurs is to never stop believing in yourself. It’s during difficult moments that I feel like I’m propelled forward. I’m falling but I get back up stronger. Having my own business has helped me to believe in myself. It’s helped me to have extra time to spend with my kids, and most importantly, I’m showing my kids that they too could choose to work for themselves someday.”
 Jaz Erenberg, Founder & Lead Artist, Jaz Erenberg Art LLC: “It is so important to find your community of colleagues and mentors but just because they found a way that works for them and what they do, doesn’t mean it will translate to what you do, even in the same field. Be creative with your solutions and follow your intuition, after all it got you this far.”
 Kimberly Muhammad, Co-Founder & Executive Designer, Zuri’s Circle: “Be willing to learn! We don’t and won’t know everything on our own and can learn a great deal from those that come before us. If we just push pride aside, we can thrive.”
 Tanika Nelson, Owner & Head Designer, Nika’s Cupcake Bar: “The most rewarding part of being an entrepreneur is being able to take an idea from my brain, put it on paper and then do the work to make it come to life. Everyone tells you when you are a child that you can be whatever it is that you want to be, and you can do whatever you want to do. It’s true and I am proof.”

Year-round, GoDaddy is proud to support its more than 21 million customers globally as part of its mission to make opportunity more inclusive for all. Learn more about how GoDaddy empowers entrepreneurs everywhere: https://www.godaddy.com/godaddy-for-good/empower 

The University of North Texas Health Science Center at Fort Worth (HSC) teamed up with Remote Area Medical (RAM) to host a pop-up clinic in Dallas, Texas, in December. RAM is a nonprofit provider of free pop-up clinics with a mission of preventing pain and alleviating suffering by providing free dental, vision and medical services to underserved and uninsured individuals. Quest Diagnostics was tapped to provide no-cost lab testing for the event.

Quest Diagnostics, through the Quest for Health Equity (Q4HE) initiative, supported the medical services team by providing clinical laboratory tests at no cost for event attendees, including well-woman screenings. More than 500 local community members received healthcare services; approximately 140 persons received lab testing at no cost. These healthcare screenings and services will help provide insights on personal health strengths and risks to support those community members in taking more control of their health. 

The 2-day event took place at the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center. In addition to full medical evaluations, including well-woman exams, participants had access to full dental workups, eye exams with prescription and selection of glasses onsite, and free HIV testing.  Additional community resource organizations were in attendance as well, providing toys and pajamas for children, free books for all ages, and bags full of toiletries and personal care items. RAM estimated that the value of donated services for the 538 participants seen was nearly $2.1 million!

Several Quest employees volunteered their time to support this important community event, including Executive Sales Director David Dale. 

To learn more about HSC, visit www.unthsc.edu, and for more information about RAM, visit www.ramusa.org.

Originally published on U.S. Bank company blog

Tracy Egerson saw a pattern emerge when she and some of her fellow U.S. Bank colleagues recently represented the bank’s mortgage business at an event in Milwaukee focused on advancing Black homeownership.

“I was at the table with three colleagues and noticed that as people approached us, it was always me that they asked questions,” Egerson said. “I think there’s a safe and familiar feeling in seeing someone that looks like them, and that’s why they approached me.”

That safe and familiar feeling is one reason U.S. Bank has a focus on increasing Black representation in mortgage loan officers as part of its Access Home initiative, which is designed to increase Black homeownership through key pillars that also include partnering with nonprofit organizations and providing financial education and community outreach programs.

Egerson is one of 12 employees across the country who are part of the bank’s first-ever training and development program designed to deliver on Access Home’s commitment to creating future mortgage leaders who represent all the communities the bank serves, starting with Black consumers. Mortgage experience wasn’t required to participate.

“It’s a yearlong program for the cohort,” said Egerson, who joined U.S. Bank in September to take part in the program. “I have a mentor who I shadow and we’re doing a lot of intensive training. We’re on month five now and it’s going well.”

The program’s concentration on increasing homeownership among people of color was a big draw for Egerson, who has been in banking since 1990.

“I think there’s a safe and familiar feeling in seeing someone that looks like them.”

– Tracy Egerson 

“There’s definitely a big gap in the percentage of Black versus white homeownership rates and I wanted to be part of fixing that gap,” she said.

One of the keys in addressing the issue, Egerson said, is giving people access to the information and resources they need when navigating the homebuying process.

“A lot of people think it’s more difficult to purchase a home than it really is,” Egerson said. “So many people believe you have to have 20 percent down to buy a home, and that’s not the case. Folks also feel that if they have the slightest blemish on their credit score, they won’t qualify for a loan, or they won’t qualify if they’ve ever filed bankruptcy, and those aren’t true, either.”

As part of the training program, Egerson and others are working with community organizations to help address those misconceptions and let potential homebuyers know about tools and programs that can help them become homeowners.

“We are learning how to guide folks on how to be prepared for a mortgage and show them that we are valued partners they can count on to dispel the myths around credit score and down payment assistance,” she said.

Egerson said it’s very meaningful to her and her peers in the mortgage loan officer development program that they can help create sustainable homeownership, which can be key in building wealth and legacies, for the communities they represent.

“It’s so great to see people’s faces when they start to realize that they can buy a home with as little as 3 percent down, and that they may be able to receive down payment assistance,” she said. “It starts to sink in that homeownership may be in their reach.”