Tag: 3BL

ATLANTA, December 11, 2025 /3BL/ – The Atlanta Braves and Truist announced that the 2025 Homers for Hank Together with Truist recipients have received important program support, including necessary on-site storage space for equipment, field improvements, access to technology, and more. With the near completion of these projects, the Homers for Hank Together with Truist initiative will fulfill its five-year, $1 million commitment to supporting baseball and softball programs at Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) across Braves Country.

Earlier this year, the Atlanta Braves and Truist announced the six HBCU recipients for the 2025 Homers for Hank Together with Truist initiative, along with the respective support each school would receive. These recipients included:

• Alabama A&M in Huntsville, AL, whose baseball program received an HD camera system for analysis and streaming.
• Albany State University in Albany, GA, whose baseball and softball programs collectively received arena-style batting cages, field improvements, new uniforms, and various new equipment.
• Benedict College in Columbia, SC, whose baseball and softball programs collectively will receive field maintenance equipment, backstop padding, a storage building, field tarps, and a batting cage.
• Claflin University in Orangeburg, SC, whose softball program received a pitching machine and equipment.
• Jackson State University in Jackson, MS, whose baseball program received a turf home plate halo and HitTrax Technology.
• South Carolina State University in Orangeburg, SC, whose softball program received a pitching machine and equipment.

Nearly all 2025 projects have been completed, with projects at Benedict College tracking to be completed by the end of 2025.

Supported by the Henry Louis Aaron Fund, the Homers for Hank Together with Truist initiative was established in 2021 by the Atlanta Braves and Truist to invest in local HBCU baseball and softball programs across Braves Country. These investments provided crucial program support needed for the development of diverse scholar-athletes to pursue their dreams both on and off the field, continuing the legacy of Hank Aaron by creating quality baseball experiences across our region. Through this initiative, Truist donated $755 for each home run hit by the Atlanta Braves throughout the season to the Henry Louis Aaron Fund, culminating in its $1 million minimum commitment across five years.

Additional HBCU baseball and softball programs supported by Homers for Hank Together with Truist to date include:

• Clark Atlanta University in Atlanta, GA, whose baseball and softball programs collectively received state-of-the-art batting cages, a Hack Attack machine, equipment bags, field cover, warms up, and unforms, as well as baseballs and softballs.
• Savannah State University in Savannah, GA, whose baseball program received new uniforms and a pitching machine, along with additional equipment.
• Tennessee State University in Nashville, TN, whose softball program received facility upgrades.
• Tougaloo College in Jackson, MS, whose baseball and softball programs collectively received new batting cage nets, field maintenance equipment, game equipment, and field improvements.
• Tuskegee University in Tuskegee, AL, whose baseball and softball programs collectively received a custom halo plate.

Progress and completion photos, as well as b-roll from both the 2025 projects and prior recipients, can be found here, courtesy of Atlanta Braves. For more information about Homers for Hank Together with Truist, visit Braves.com/HomersforHank.

Truist continues to be a trusted partner of the Atlanta Braves for years, working collaboratively across a range of initiatives aiming to create a lasting impact throughout our communities for years. Among these ongoing initiatives include the Braves Park Projects Together with Truist initiative, which provides local parks and recreation centers, schools, and youth organizations with field and ballpark improvements to level the playing field and increase playability, safety, and accessibility across Braves Country.

This year, Braves Park Projects Together with Truist supported Western North Carolina baseball and softball facilities that were affected by the impact of Hurricane Helene. On October 14, 2025, dozens of Truist teammates and Atlanta Braves staff traveled to Mountain Heritage High School in Burnsville, NC, and Elks Lodge Field in Waynesville, NC, to celebrate the completion of these projects alongside local community members, representatives, and youth players.

In addition, the Atlanta Braves recently unveiled the Hank Aaron Diamonds initiative, with Truist as one of the key partners whose generous financial investment is helping fund infield upgrades across every operating high school in the Atlanta Public Schools district.

For more information about Braves Park Projects Together with Truist, visit here. For more information about the Hank Aaron Diamonds initiative, visit here.

About Atlanta Braves

Based in Atlanta since 1966, the Braves are the longest continuously operating franchise in Major League Baseball. Since 1991, Braves teams have earned two National League wild cards, 21 division championships, six National League pennants, and two World Series titles. Atlanta Braves games are telecast on FanDuel Sports Network South and FanDuel Sports Network Southeast. Radio broadcasts can be heard in Atlanta on 680 The Fan (AM)/93.7 (FM) and regionally on the Atlanta Braves Radio Network. Follow the Braves at braves.com, facebook.com/braves, and X.com/braves.

About Truist

Truist Financial Corporation is a purpose-driven financial services company committed to inspiring and building better lives and communities. Headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina, Truist has leading market share in many of the high-growth markets in the U.S. and offers a wide range of products and services through wholesale and consumer businesses, including consumer and small business banking, commercial and corporate banking, investment banking and capital markets, wealth management, payments, and specialized lending businesses. Truist is a top-10 commercial bank with total assets of $544 billion as of September 30, 2025. Truist Bank, Member FDIC. Learn more at Truist.com.

For further information: Karely Avila Ledesma, Atlanta Braves, 404-614-1564 or karely.avilaledesma@braves.com Truist: media@truist.com

This article is co-authored by Karin De Bondt, Senior Vice President and Chief Strategy Officer, Trane Technologies and Elena Giannakopoulou, Chief Strategy Officer, Public Power Corporation.

Today, it is estimated that 30% of electricity is being wasted in the built environment. This is much bigger than leaving the lights on; it’s the result of complex systems operating inefficiently, equating to hundreds of billions of dollars per year in waste.

As new technology changes how we produce and consume energy, suppliers and demand-side consumers need to collaborate to increase efficiency and resiliency while reducing environmental impact.

The rise of renewables

The power system is undergoing a rapid and unprecedented transformation. According to energy think tank Ember, in 2024, clean power generated more than 40% of the world’s electricity, driven by record growth in renewables, particularly solar energy.

The rapid scale-up of renewables shows no signs of slowing, driven by the cost-competitiveness of solar photovoltaics and wind, and reinforced by energy security concerns, especially in regions such as Europe. Yet, with greater renewable energy penetration, energy production becomes more volatile.

Solar output peaks at midday, wind peaks overnight and hydropower fluctuates with droughts – this is when flexibility comes into play. While this was manageable when renewable energy solutions played only a minor role in power generation, this now becomes a crucial issue when renewables form the backbone of the system.

For example, in Greece, renewables with 28.7 terawatt-hours (TWh) accounted for 55% of total electricity generated in 2024, a more than twofold increase from the 11.5 TWh and a 22% share in 2019, according to the system operator’s data.

Flexibility in the power system refers to its ability to adapt quickly to new circumstances. It comes from storage (both in the form of batteries and pump-hydro plants), flexible generation, interconnectivity, smart grids, demand-side response, energy management and digital infrastructure.

Without flexibility, the system hits a ceiling; no matter how cheap clean energy gets, its value diminishes if it can’t be fully utilized.

Flexible assets directly address this inefficiency, turning volatility into value. The case is clear: flexibility reduces curtailment, increases renewable energy penetration and lowers total system costs.

Technologies that provide flexibility are increasingly mature and highly cost-effective. Lithium-ion batteries have seen sharp cost declines with pack prices dropping just over 90% since 2010, according to BloombergNEF.

Globally, investments in flexibility are on the rise. In 2024, energy storage, for instance, saw approximately $54 billion of investments, a 35% increase from 2023, according to BloombergNEF.

A report from SolarPower Europe estimates that deploying flexible technologies alongside solar could lead to annual net system cost savings of €32 billion by 2030.

Innovation, a demand-side accelerator

Flexibility on the supply side is crucial but the demand side holds untapped potential. Smart meters, demand response programs and energy efficiency technologies are enabling businesses and consumers to actively contribute to grid stability and optimization.

Flexibility on the demand side involves adjusting energy consumption based on optimal load points, availability and price. This can be achieved through various technologies and strategies:

• Systems design and innovation: Buildings are large energy consumers. Advanced thermal systems in buildings that integrate heating, cooling and controls can greatly improve efficiency and flexibility. All-electric systems use three to four times less energy than conventional methods, cut costs and boost returns. Storage systems such as ice storage can also lower bills by shifting energy use to off-peak hours.
   
• Utilization of AI to optimize efficiency: Digital tools and artificial intelligence (AI) can enhance heating and cooling systems, making them smarter, more flexible and more efficient. By using data from buildings and weather forecasts, AI optimizes energy use, cuts costs and reduces electricity demand across multiple buildings. AI-driven energy management systems in commercial buildings can reduce energy consumption by up to 20%.

Electrification and AI are part of the equation, helping relieve pressure on the grid at peak times. Thermal management systems are helping to decarbonize buildings large enough to have their own zip code, and they can work in smaller buildings to save energy and cost.

Research into physics-informed neural networks, automated control and data infrastructure will accelerate energy optimization and sustainable impact. These innovations make economic sense and there is reason for optimism.

Making energy more affordable and resilient

Every megawatt-hour of energy, especially clean electricity, is too valuable to waste – doing so is a missed opportunity for efficiency, growth and climate action. Flexibility in both energy supply and demand not only helps consumers reduce energy and costs but also supports grid security and sustainability.

To fully realize the benefits of flexibility, regulatory frameworks must incentivize its monetization. Dynamic pricing of electricity better captures system variability and rewards the fast response of flexibility sources.

Grid modernization and digitalization are crucial for integrating distributed resources, while planning processes must prioritize system-wide efficiency. This will reveal the true value of flexibility, reduce fossil fuel dependence and improve the resilience of modern power systems while delivering affordable electricity to consumers.

With exciting progress in innovation and research, and the technology, talent and commitment to solve these challenges together, we can create a more flexible, efficient and resilient energy ecosystem.

This article originally appeared on the World Economic Forum blog.

At Southern Company, we believe in being a force for good.
In the latest episode of Big Topics, Tiny Mic, Southern Company Gas Vice President of Corporate Responsibility Serena Levy explains how we’re investing our time and resources back into the communities we serve.

Southern Company believes that simply by being part of a community, it has a responsibility to make it better. And that impact isn’t just aspirational, it’s real and measurable.

Through Corporate Foundations and employee-led giving, Southern Company turns that commitment into action. In 2024 alone, Southern Company and its operating companies invested more than $85 million in grants, sponsorships, and impact initiatives. These investments fuel scholarships in STEM, workforce development and job training, public safety programs and so much more, creating opportunities and strengthening communities across the Southern Company footprint.

We are proud to announce that our Jáltipan plant has been selected as a recipient of the Veracruz State Quality Award, granted by SEDECOP. This award represents the highest recognition from the Government of Veracruz for organizations that demonstrate excellence in quality management, continuous improvement, competitiveness, and customer-focused processes.

This achievement reflects Jaltipan’s operational excellence and strong commitment to social and environmental responsibility, all of which were essential factors in earning this award. Through collaborative efforts, the plant is creating meaningful change by strengthening communities and restoring ecosystems. Highlights of these initiatives include:

• Partnering with the Gulf of Mexico Fund to restore nearly 200 acres of land along the lower Coatzacoalcos River, working closely with NGOs like Sembrando Semilla Sagrada AC to provide training and seeds for community nurseries that promote biodiversity. This collaboration resulted in the planting of 50,000 plants along riverbanks and streams, benefiting 40 families and engaging 30 volunteers in the effort.
• Supporting over 1,400 organizations through projects such as painting and beautifying schools and gardens and celebrating the first graduation at Covia’s Jáltipan Primary School.
• Other efforts included improving infrastructure and water access by repairing streets, sewer systems, and reinforcing drinking water networks with containers and pipes. Additionally, Covia provided support to local police and other emergency services.

The awards ceremony took place on December 5, marking a historic moment for our team. Carlos Gomez, Executive Vice President, Mexico, shared: “This achievement is a proud moment for our team, highlighting the discipline, commitment to our customers, and teamwork that define Jáltipan. It reflects Covia’s dedication to quality, environment, safety, and performance, and our drive to adopt best practices that meet the highest standards.”

It also comes at a historic time— Jáltipan celebrated its 70th anniversary earlier this year, which was the perfect opportunity to recognize the plant’s successes over the years as well as its legacy of safety as the foundation of everything we do, supported by teamwork and driven by innovation.

We extend a special congratulations to Baldemar Salinas, VP of Operations & Mexico, and Francisco Mayo, Jáltipan Plant Manager, for their exceptional leadership in earning this award. We also congratulate the entire Jáltipan team for setting the bar high and making this achievement possible!

By Eric Best, Staff Writer

Families and businesses have been rebuilding since severe wildfires devasted the Greater Los Angeles area in January 2025.

Immediately following the disaster, Wells Fargo supported organizations on the ground. However, more needs to be done. Customers, employees, and communities still need more resources to support their long-term recovery and to help them become more resilient to future disruptions.

That’s why the Wells Fargo Foundation has upped its initial $2 million in grants to relief organizations to $5 million, broadening support to homeowners and the small business community. These additional grants are helping families return home, and they’ve helped businesses reopen so they can continue to serve their communities.

“The Wells Fargo Foundation has been there from day one, immediately asking how they could help and what more they could do,” said Los Angeles County Supervisor Kathryn Barger, whose district includes communities like Altadena that were impacted by the recent Los Angeles Wildfires. “This is what community looks like — showing up and standing with us when we need it most.”

Helping Los Angeles families return home

Thousands of wildfire survivors lost their homes during the Eaton and Palisades wildfires. For the past year, these families have planned their next steps to return home, but interim housing resources are set to end for many people.

The nonprofit LA4LA recently unveiled a housing showcase of modular and prefab homes to give much-needed and timely paths forward to wildfire survivors, many of whom are dependent on rental assistance via their homeowner’s insurance that may expire soon.

“Having access to an affordable place to live is a priority for Wells Fargo because every community needs housing to thrive,” said Darlene Goins, president of the Wells Fargo Foundation. “We’re proud to support this showcase to bring together innovative housing solutions and critical recovery resources to help give wildfire survivors more options to return home.”

Homeowners can use LA4LA’s prefabricated and modular housing options as a replacement for their single-family home or as an accessory dwelling unit, or ADU, on their property while rebuilding their house. The showcase also featured financing options, also supported with Wells Fargo Foundation grants, and onsite case management.

Supporting local businesses affected by wildfires

Nowhere is the resilience of Los Angeles entrepreneurs more visible than Mariposa Junction.

This commercial corridor in Altadena was devastated by the Eaton Fires, destroying the storefronts of small businesses like Café de Leche and Amara Kitchen. Now, part of the block is reopening with five businesses to kick off the holiday shopping season, a crucial time for affected small businesses, with the help of a Wells Fargo Foundation grant to Pasadena City College Small Business Development Center.

“Following the Eaton Fire, we saw incredible resilience from the business owners of Mariposa Junction, but we knew they would face a long road to recovery,” said Donald Loewel, director of the Pasadena City College Small Business Development Center.

Wells Fargo also hosted the Build to Thrive Summit, a free event in Pasadena that saw more than 100 small business owners and community leaders building connections and learning practical ways to grow their business. They gained access to entrepreneurial coaching, resilience planning resources, and support in securing financing to grow, repair, or relaunch their business.

Boosting wildfire relief in Los Angeles

The $5 million in support for wildfire rebuilding included these organizations:

• The American Red Cross
• The California Community Foundation’s Wildfire Recovery Fund
• The Pasadena Community Foundation’s Eaton Canyon Fire Relief and Recovery Fund
• The Los Angeles Fire Department Foundation
• The Southern California Grantmakers’ LA Region Small Business and Worker Relief Funds
• LA4LA
• San Gabriel Valley Habitat for Humanity
• Neighborhood Housing Services of LA County
• Pasadena City College Small Business Development Center

Wells Fargo also provides ongoing support to the American Red Cross’ Annual Disaster Program and Team Rubicon’s Ready Reserve Fund. Wells Fargo employees affected by the wildfires were able to get help via We Care Fund, which supports colleagues facing sudden, unforeseen financial hardships.

For Los Angeles-area residents and businesses in need of help rebuilding their finances following the wildfires, Wells Fargo also partnered with Operation HOPE to bring free disaster recovery credit and money management coaching to affected areas across the city. Business owners can work with a financial coach on FEMA applications, Small Business Administration (SBA) loans, insurance claims, working with creditors, building a recovery budget, and more. See Operation HOPE Inside Disaster to learn more.

In a recent episode of The Bridge, Military Family Advisory Network (MFAN) CEO Shannon Razsadin spoke with Leidos Health & Civil Sector President Liz Porter about the challenges military families face—and how technology and empathy can help strengthen military family well-being. 

Drawing on her experience as both a corporate leader and retired military spouse, Porter discussed how innovation and public-private partnerships are advancing solutions that enhance military family readiness, resilience, and quality of life.

Porter and Razsadin explored several pressing challenges for military families today:

• Accessing resources: Support exists but navigating it can feel like “a labyrinth.” Porter said improving care coordination and navigation—enhanced by tools like telehealth—can help individuals move more smoothly through each stage of their care journey, from identifying needs to accessing timely, specialized support.
   
• Mental health stigma: Awareness is growing, but stigma still discourages many from seeking help. Expanded access to behavioral health and telehealth services can create more approachable entry points – offering private, flexible ways to begin care, stay engaged, and sustain progress toward recovery.
   
• Spouse employment: With military spouse unemployment around 20%, according to 2024 Department of Defense data, Porter called on employers to embrace flexibility and remote work. “Military spouses are an untapped resource,” she said. “They’re resilient, resourceful, and ready to contribute.”

Listen to the podcast

NORTHAMPTON, Mass., December 10, 2025 /3BL/ – Companies doing sustainability well are seeing measurable returns.

The gap between what research shows and what business leaders actually do is stark. Companies that integrate sustainability well achieve substantial financial gains:

• 36% increase in firm value
• 21% boosts in profitability
• 57% reduction in employee turnover

Yet many organizations remain skeptical. Steve Rocklin, founder and CEO of Impact ROI and lead author of the Project ROI Report series, has watched this skepticism persist for decades:

“I’ve been in the field for almost thirty years, and it’s sort of like back to the future for me because we’re hearing the same debate that I entered the field with. The argument goes: the business of business is business. Sustainability is not conventional business. It’s either taxation or regulation under a different name. And by definition, it does not create financial value.”

The data contradicts this narrative entirely.

What This Means Right Now

In today’s economic environment, companies face a critical choice: double down on sustainability as a competitive advantage, or cut back to preserve margins.

Most are cutting. Most are wrong.

The best financially performing companies actually lean into environmental and social performance during downturns, not away from it. They do this when facing huge competition and needing to differentiate. When the business cycle goes down and they need to climb back up, they lean in.

Why? Sustainability investments drive brand differentiation, employee retention, and stakeholder trust.

Get the Full Conversation

We’re offering early access to this exclusive conversation to business leaders, sustainability professionals, and corporate communicators who want to understand what actually works, and what doesn’t.

GET EARLY ACCESS HERE

The interview features:

• Steven Rochlin, founder and CEO of Impact ROI.
• Dennis Duquette, Head of Community Responsibility, President & CEO of MassMutual Foundation.
• Mo McNally, Head of Engagement and Systems of Mass Mutual.
• Mary Mazzoni, Executive Editor of TriplePundit.

About 3BL
3BL is the leading sustainability and social impact communications partner, connecting organizations’ stories of purpose and progress with the audiences who matter most.

3BL partners with over 1,500 companies – from global corporations and mid-sized enterprises to NGOs and nonprofits – to elevate their reputations as players in the world of responsible business. We do this through unrivaled news and content distribution, bespoke storytelling support, and our digital media division, TriplePundit.

For years, the conversation around sustainability has revolved around ambition.

We’ve talked about goals, commitments, and net zero promises by pending timelines. But ambition alone doesn’t cut it anymore; not for brands, not for manufacturers, and certainly not for the planet.

The real shift now underway is about measurement. Because what we measure, and how, is what drives real progress.

From Afterthought to Engine

Measurement has often been treated as the last step in the process: collect the data, report the results, and move on. But in truth, it should be the first. When you start with measurement — with visibility and credible data — you create the foundation for meaningful change.

That’s why the latest update to the Higg Facility Environmental Module (Higg FEM) matters. Released by Cascale earlier this month, the 2025 version introduces sharper emission factors, improved verification guidance, and new facility categories. It’s more than a technical update — it’s a reflection of where the industry needs to go: better data, better insights, better decisions.

The Regulatory Shift

Meanwhile, policy frameworks like the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) and the Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD) are tightening expectations across the apparel and consumer goods sectors. They’re not just about ticking boxes; they’re about showing impact.

Soon, large brands operating in the EU will need to prove how they’re managing risks, engaging suppliers, and cutting emissions, with data that stands up to scrutiny. And that means upstream manufacturers and suppliers will need to be part of that proof chain.

The question isn’t whether our industry will have to measure and report on progress. It’s whether we’ll measure well enough to turn the need for compliance into strategic outcomes that drive business value.

Aligning Data with Action

This is where the conversation gets interesting. Because if we can continue to align measurement tools like the Higg Index with regulatory readiness, we move from compliance to competitiveness. (Read about our efforts to map the Higg BRM with the European Sustainability Reporting Standards (ESRS), as another strong indication).

The 2030 vision is closer than we realize. Instead of an industry scrambling to meet disclosure deadlines, we can become one that utilizes credible data to drive smarter sourcing, targeted investment, and collaborative action. While it’s not always glamorous work, it’s the kind of work that builds resilience — in companies, in supply chains, and in the industry as a whole. Isn’t that a goal that benefits us all?

A Communications Perspective

From where I sit — leading marketing and communications at Cascale — an integral part involves storytelling through data. For too long, sustainability communication has leaned on grand ambition. Now it’s time to tell the story of progress: how we measure, how we improve, and how we make it meaningful.

The more transparent we are about the process, the more credible and impactful the message becomes.

Looking Ahead

At Cascale, our role is evolving with the industry. We’re not just providing tools. We’re helping brands and manufacturers connect the dots between measurement, regulation, and action. Because when measurement becomes the engine, and not the afterthought, sustainability stops being a side project and starts becoming business as usual.

Read More from Lee

Originally published by Derbyshire Times

Alfreton Park School has opened its new library – designed to allow students to discover the joy of reading, develop their literacy skills, and build confidence.

The official opening ceremony was held at 10am on Wednesday, November 26, when members of Griffith Foods delegation cut the ribbon with a help of Alfreton Park School students.

Griffith Foods donated £7,000 to help with the project, and the library has already put first of many smiles on pupils’ faces.

Continue reading the original article here.

Note: The library is designed for children with special educational needs, provides a calm and focused environment where students can discover the joy of reading and build confidence.

After two years, six continents, and more than 800 miles of swimming, cycling, and running, Ariana Luterman achieved what no woman has accomplished before: setting the world record for completing six Ironman triathlons on six continents in a single year.

But for Ariana, it was never about the record, the finish line, or the spotlight.

Her pursuit was defined by the process: the discipline, the growth, and the discovery along the way.

Like the entrepreneurs GoDaddy supports, Ariana didn’t just chase results; she built something lasting – a stronger, truer version of herself.

Ariana’s story is a reminder that success is not measured solely by achievements, but by the transformation that comes from the journey itself.

GoDaddy celebrates Ariana Luterman’s remarkable accomplishment and the spirit of perseverance she shares with entrepreneurs everywhere – those who build, evolve, and redefine what’s possible every day.

Ready to start your own journey?

Discover the tools, guidance, and support to bring your ideas to life at teamariana.godaddy/worldrecord

About GoDaddy

GoDaddy helps millions of entrepreneurs globally start and scale their businesses. People come to GoDaddy to name their idea, build a website and logo, sell their products and services, and accept payments. GoDaddy Airo^®, the company’s AI-powered experience, makes growing a small business faster and easier by helping them to get their idea online in minutes, drive traffic and boost sales. GoDaddy’s expert guides are available 24/7 to provide assistance. To learn more about the company, visit www.GoDaddy.com