Tag: 3BL

Originally published on Aflac Newsroom

On a crisp September morning in Columbus, Georgia, the city’s bravest laced up their boots — not for duty, but for a cause. Firefighters and law enforcement officers ran shoulder to shoulder in full gear during the Firefighters 5K, a powerful show of solidarity for children facing cancer. The event, benefiting CURE Childhood Cancer, was more than a race — it was a moving tribute to courage, resilience and community.

Among the crowd was 3-year-old Charlotte Williams, a Columbus native currently undergoing treatment for leukemia. Wearing her CURE T-shirt, Charlotte watched in awe as local heroes ran in her honor. Her parents, overwhelmed with emotion, expressed deep gratitude for the support shown to their daughter and others like her. It was a moment that captured the heart of the event and the mission behind it.

CURE Childhood Cancer has long supported families in and around Columbus. Through hospital partnerships and referrals from social workers and nurses, CURE ensures that every family facing childhood cancer receives comprehensive care. This includes emergency financial assistance, counseling for patients and their families, transportation and lodging help, bereavement support, and more. Currently, CURE is actively serving 111 families in the Columbus region — families in treatment, in survivorship and those grieving unimaginable loss.

The Firefighters 5K features three divisions: firefighters in full gear, law enforcement and military, and a community division open to all. It’s a celebration of strength, unity and compassion — and a chance for the Columbus community to rally around its youngest fighters.

Aflac, a proud supporter of this event, has longstanding, unwavering commitment to children with cancer and blood disorders. Since 1995, Aflac agents, employees and The Aflac Foundation, Inc. have given more than $191 million to The Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center. Learn more about Aflac’s longstanding dedication for children and families facing these conditions by visiting AflacChildhoodCancer.org.

Together, we can be heroes for the children who need us most.

Since 2007, the United Nations Global Compact (UNGC) and global professional services firm Accenture have partnered on the largest annual global study of CEO sentiment on sustainability.

The 2025 CEO Study is based on a quantitative assessment of nearly 2,000 CEOs across 128 countries, as well as in-depth one-to-one interviews with CEOs, chairpersons, and presidents of UN Global Compact member companies. Findings from the 2025 CEO Study show that leaders are moving from sustainable ambition to action, despite economic uncertainty and geopolitical challenges. Highlights include:

• 88% of global CEOs believe that the business case for sustainability is stronger today than five years ago
• An overwhelming 99% of CEOs plan to maintain or increase their sustainability commitments, prioritizing initiatives that deliver measurable business value
• 90% of CEOs advise their successors to continue investment in sustainability initiatives

The Executive Summary of the 2025 CEO Study states that “sustainability has entered an era of pragmatism,” but adds that “pragmatism comes with a paradox.” In response to growing political and public scrutiny, only half of CEOs feel very comfortable communicating their progress publicly, with many companies having pulled back from public sustainability statements.

The UNGC was founded 25 years ago to accelerate and scale the global collective impact of business, including delivering on the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The 2025 CEO Study issues a dire warning about current progress toward achieving the SDGs, saying “only 35% of the SDG targets are on track, and 2024 marked the first calendar year to exceed the Paris Agreement threshold of 1.5°C.”

According to the 2025 CEO Study, “CEOs’ actions in the next few years will determine whether the private sector moves toward sustainable growth or defaults to scattered progress.”

The study outlines five key priorities for CEOs to unite around to ignite momentum and align public and private sectors for systemic impact—collaborating on regulation, harnessing consumer demand, expanding access to technology, upskilling for the future and leading with credibility and purpose.

The full UN Global Compact—Accenture 2025 CEO Study is available for download at the link in our Top Stories below. According to the study, CEOs have available “the necessary tools, such as renewable energy and generative AI,” to move ahead to take decisive action. “What remains to be found is the courage to act with credibility and speed.”

The United Nations is not the only global organization working to urgently drive corporate action to combat climate change. The World Resources Institute (WRI) recently partnered with the Swedish Embassy in Washington, DC, to host the Green Transition Summit 2025 aimed at educating local business, government, and policy leaders from around DC on the latest approaches to energy efficiency for buildings, smart mobility, and clean construction.

In a new G&A Institute blog post from Senior Sustainability Analyst Christina Carlton, who attended the event, the message from the summit was clear: “the clean energy transition is no longer dependent on what’s technically possible; it’s about how we actually get it done.”

The G&A team is available to provide counsel to CEOs and the entire C-suite to help your company take action to move your sustainability programs forward. Reach out to us at info@ga-institute.com.

This is just the introduction of G&A’s Sustainability Highlights newsletter this week. Click here to view the full issue

Sustainable Georgia Futures (SGF) received a two year, $200,000 Drawdown Georgia Climate Solutions and Equity Grant in 2024-25, and it has allowed them to add capacity into their existing work with WeatheRISE Atlanta, a collaborative effort involving the City of Atlanta, the National Association of Minority Contractors and Greenlink Analytics.

Additionally, the Drawdown Georgia grant allowed SGF to try something new. They used grant funds to pilot a pre-Certification program for local residents of marginalized communities to access training and career opportunities in the solar energy sector. The first four pre-apprentices completed their initial 7-week introduction training in August.

SGF created the program to meet the pre-apprentices where they are, and to ensure they have everything they need to succeed. They were paid to attend all of their classes, breakfast and lunch was provided, and they even had child care available to them. With their pre-apprentice tests completed and fully funded with by the grant, the first cohort of apprentices have now moved into a six-month process of certification and on the job training, while continuing to be paid to do so. They will continue to be supported with wrap around services, like childcare. Those services and the costs of their certifications with the Occupational Safety and Health Association (OSHA), the Interstate Renewable Energy Council (IREC) and the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) were also paid for from the grant funds.

Over the next few months, each apprentice will work alongside certified solar installers who are doing the same jobs, and working for the same companies that the apprentices want to work with upon completion of their training program. Companies participating in the training program include Be Smart Homes Solutions, Sunpath Solar, and Infinite Energy Advisors.

The Drawdown Georgia grant to Sustainable Georgia Futures was funded by a collaborative of foundations with roots in Georgia. Funders for this project include: The Ray C. Anderson Foundation, The Wilbur and Hilda Glenn Family Foundation, Reilly Family Fund, Tull Charitable Foundation, Ghanta Family Foundation and Atticus Fund.

About Sustainable Georgia Futures

Sustainable Georgia Futures is an Atlanta-based nonprofit that works throughout Georgia, helping BIPOC communities grow and thrive in the green industry. They focus on five key areas: organizing, climate justice education, fellowships and workshops and trainings.

Nasdaq

Sustainability leaders are under pressure to deliver accurate, auditable sustainability disclosures while navigating evolving regulations and stakeholder expectations. But what if compliance management could be more than just a checkbox? What if it could drive measurable business value?

Join Nasdaq and a guest speaker from Forrester for an exclusive webinar to learn how organizations are transforming their sustainability reporting workflows to unlock ROI, reduce costs, and strengthen stakeholder trust—all while staying audit-ready and future-proof.

Why attend:

In this session, you’ll gain insights from Nasdaq Metrio’s Total Economic Impact™ study conducted by Forrester Consulting, based on interviews with real customers who turned sustainability compliance into strategic advantage. Discover how our customers achieved:

• 5,400 hours saved over three years through automation and streamlined data collection
• $497K in quantified benefits, including reduced reporting and audit costs
• Payback in just 7 months after implementation*
• Improved data quality, stakeholder communication, and audit readiness
• Reduced reliance on external consultants and manual spreadsheets

Whichever sustainability regulation you’re preparing for, this webinar will show you how Nasdaq Metrio helps teams deliver more—with less.

Special Feature: Forrester TEI Study 

Hear directly from our guest from Forrester as they walk through the methodology and findings of the TEI study commissioned by Nasdaq. You’ll gain a clear framework for evaluating the financial and operational impact of adopting Nasdaq’s sustainability solutions.
 

^{* A FORRESTER CONSULTING TOTAL ECONOMIC IMPACT STUDY COMMISSIONED BY NASDAQ, APRIL 2025. Results are over three years for a composite organization based on interviewed customers.}

Register here

Speakers

Jeremy Taub

Head, Sustainability Standards Expert Group, Nasdaq

Jeremy Taub leads a team of sustainability experts at Nasdaq, helping organizations navigate complex sustainability and regulatory reporting through strategic, data-driven solutions that align impact with business growth. With deep expertise in emerging megatrends and product innovation, Jeremy positions sustainability as a core driver of organizational transformation and capital generation. Prior to Nasdaq, he spent over 15 years advising global companies, startups, and nonprofits on strategy, reporting, and leadership, and holds an MBA and MS in Environmental Science from the University of Michigan, along with a BA from the University of Chicago.

Magali David

Director of Metrio Sales, Nasdaq

Magali David oversees sales of Nasdaq Metrio, a sustainability reporting platform specifically designed to support companies at every stage of their journey—from carbon accounting to ESG performance disclosure, all the way to CSRD/Omnibus reporting.

With over 20 years of experience in SaaS sales and implementation, and holding a certificate in sustainability from HEC Montréal, Magali has guided dozens of companies through the deployment of Nasdaq Metrio. Her approach combines strategic vision with hands-on support, ensuring clients implement tailored and high-performing solutions.

Sarah Lervold

Consultant, Forrester

Sarah Lervold is a Consultant with Forrester’s Total Economic Impact practice. In this role, Sarah helps clients evaluate and articulate the business value of various technology solutions, based on the costs, benefits, flexibility, and risk associated with specific investments.

Register here

October 29, 2025 /3BL/ – Alongside the launch of our 2024 Sustainability Report, “Built to Last,” we marked World Environment Day (WED) with a Company-wide period dedicated to sustainability. WED is a vital global observance that reminds us all of the importance of protecting our environment—not just one day a year, but every day.

For Crown, sustainability isn’t a one-time initiative—it’s a mindset. It is embedded in our corporate values and reflected in our ambitious Twentyby30™ goals. Our commitment to environmental responsibility continues to shape how we operate, innovate, and engage.

A key driver of our progress is our people. We’re proud of how our employees across the globe have dedicated their time, ideas and energy to sustainability-focused projects. These efforts go beyond compliance—they reflect a genuine investment in a better future and demonstrate how sustainability can be seamlessly woven into both professional practices and personal habits.

We’re grateful for our employees’ passion and want to take a moment to spotlight just a few of their inspiring contributions. Their work not only advances our Twentyby30 program but also strengthens a culture of proactive, responsible action.

As we move through the rest of the year, Crown will continue to support and expand these initiatives—working together to drive real, lasting impact.

Sustainability Activities Across Crown’s Footprint:

Americas

• Owatonna, MN: Continued its focus on reducing water usage in its operations, achieving a 59% reduction since Q1 2024. The team made this progress through changes including eliminating seal water flushing by converting from double-mechanical seals to single mechanical seals, reducing the nozzle sizes on three washers and eliminating leaking diaphragm values by installing GF air actuated ball valves.
  Brazil: Provided educational material that addresses the importance of WED, the processes in which the team uses water, the evolution of water resource consumption, and the sharing of Twentyby30™ program goals. The team also created an interactive game based on the content of its training.
• Colombia: Organized an engaging event featuring themed spaces for each pillar of its sustainability program, with a special focus on Water Management. Employees participated in the interactive “Sustainability Route,” collecting signatures from pillar representatives and earning a reward. The celebration saw active involvement from all levels of staff, highlighting the company’s ongoing commitment to environmental responsibility.

Asia Pacific

• Danang, Vietnam: Replaced manual handwashing faucets with automatic shut-off faucets to reduce overall water consumption at the site. The team also displayed WED materials to encourage engagement and innovative ideas.
• Dongnai, Vietnam: Developed a water map to easily identify leakage locations and promptly fix them. The team also held leadership discussions to troubleshoot these leaks and identify effective solutions for water management.
• Hanoi, Vietnam: Held public awareness campaigns on environmental protection, water conservation, water source protection—and guides on making bio-enzyme cleaners, which the team continues to utilize in the facility to help reduce chemical runoff into the environment. Wastewater from using these cleaners does not carry dangerous chemicals, easing the burden on water treatment facilities and nurturing a healthier, more balanced ecosystem.
• SMPV: Held water saving and conservation training sessions to reinforce the importance of resource preservation with employees.
• Thailand: Invited staff to participate in a water-related scavenger hunt, involving seeking out water leakages around the plant and receiving prizes for effective identification. The team also replaced manual handwashing faucets with automatic shut-off faucets to reduce overall water consumption at the site.
• Vung Tau, Vietnam: Replaced manual handwashing faucets with automatic shut-off faucets to reduce overall water consumption at the site and held water conservation and preservation awareness training sessions.

EMEA

• Agoncillo, Spain: Advocated for employee awareness and education on sustainability efforts by increasing signage and engagement at the plant.
• Custines, France: Organized a team session to discuss ongoing efforts the plant has made toward water conservation, including a 30% reduction in consumption per every 1,000 cans produced, and to reinforce the need to continue innovating and revisiting processes to find areas of improvement.
• Korinthos, Greece: Helped to clean local waterways in the area, removing debris and other items that could impact the quality of the water or environment.
• Dammam, Saudi Arabia: Hosted a blood drive to enable employees to give back to their local community, boosting the blood supply for healthcare facilities and patients in need.
• Jeddah, Saudi Arabia: Created a plant-wide employee celebration sharing strong facility performance in electricity and water consumption reductions and reinforcing the importance of the team’s continued efforts.
• Osmaniye, Turkiye: Organized a beach cleanup to remove debris from the coastline, making the beach a safer environment for animals and visitors, as well as reducing the risk of ocean pollution.
• Tunis, Tunisia: Held brainstorm to identify potential solutions for reducing water consumption in the plant, through efficiency upgrades to more active equipment monitoring. 

View original content here.

EMERYVILLE, Calif., November 5, 2025 /3BL/ – SCS Global Services is proud to announce its selection by B Lab as an approved assurance provider for companies pursuing B Corp Certification. Under B Lab’s newly released standards, SCS will focus exclusively on delivering assurance services for medium to very large enterprises.

With over 40 years of experience in third-party auditing across diverse industries, SCS Global Services brings deep technical expertise and a reputation for excellence in customer service to the B Corp community. The integration of third-party assurance into the B Corp Certification process raises the bar, ensuring consistent application of the standards and enhancing credibility for companies committed to using business as a force for good.

“SCS is thrilled to provide neutral, third-party assurance for certified B Corps and applicants seeking B Corp Certification,” stated Veronica Vazquez, Technical Manager at SCS Global Services.“ Assurance will bring even more credibility to this well-known certification and SCS is proud to add this prestigious scheme to our portfolio of auditing services.”

“The introduction of independent, third-party assurance marks a pivotal evolution for B Corp Certification,” says Erik Kivimäki, Director of Certification Program Development at B Lab Global. “By partnering with leading providers like SCS Global Services, we’re ensuring that certification is a globally recognized mark of verified integrity, providing consumers, investors, and employees with independent verification of B Corps’ social and environmental commitments.”

For more information on B Lab or B Corp Certification, visit https://www.bcorporation.net

About SCS Global Services 

SCS Global Services is a global leader in third-party environmental and sustainability verification, certification, auditing, and standards development, currently celebrating its 40th year of services. Its programs span a cross-section of industries, recognizing achievements in climate mitigation, green building, product manufacturing, food and agriculture, forestry, consumer products, and more. Headquartered in Emeryville, California, SCS has representatives and affiliate offices throughout the Americas, Asia/Pacific, Europe, and Africa. Its broad network of auditors are experts in their fields, and the company is a trusted partner to companies, agencies, and advocacy organizations due to its dedication to quality and professionalism. SCS is a California-chartered Benefit Corporation, reflecting its commitment to socially and environmentally responsible business practices. SCS is also a Participant of the United Nations Global Compact and adheres to its principles-based approach to responsible business. For more information, visit www.SCSGlobalServices.com.

About B Lab 

B Lab is a nonprofit transforming the global economy to benefit all people, communities, and the planet. A leader in economic systems change, our global network creates standards, policies, tools, and programs for business, and we certify companies, known as B Corps, that are leading the way. To date, our community includes 1,000,000 workers in over 10,000 B Corps across 102 countries and 160 industries. To learn more, visit bcorporation.net.

About B Corp Certification

Certified B Corporations, or B Corps, are companies verified to meet B Lab’s standards of social and environmental performance, transparency, and accountability. Based on stakeholder input, research, and established best practices, B Lab’s standards are the basis for B Corp Certification requirements and B Lab’s impact management tools, and they inform the network’s programs and collective action initiatives.

Media Contact:
Berliot Bolanos
Marketing Manager, SCS Global Services
bbolanos@scsglobalservices.com

NORTHAMPTON, Mass., Nov. 5, 2025 /3BL/ – 3BL’s Publishing Partner Network is an exclusive collection of sustainability-focused websites and publications that connects brands with purpose-driven, influential audiences across industries.

So far in 2025, we’ve distributed over 3,800 stories, helping organizations take a smarter, more strategic approach to impact communications. Through 3BL’s real-time feed of videos, articles, and other digital content from more than 1,500 companies and NGOs, brands can reach the audiences that matter most, sharing their stories in the right context, at the right time. This year, we’ve expanded the network even further, adding new partners that bring additional reach, influence, and credibility to sustainability, finance, and social impact storytelling.

New Additions to the 3BL Publishing Partner Network

IR Impact
Formerly IR Magazine, IR Impact is a global leader in investor relations intelligence, providing professionals with insights, data, and connections to navigate evolving capital markets.

Concordia
A premier global convener of heads of state, government officials, C-suite executives, and nonprofit leaders, Concordia drives cross-sector solutions to the world’s most pressing challenges.

WSLA Alumnae Group
A 501(c)(3) charitable organization, this community brings together past Women in Sustainability Leadership Award winners—over 135 trailblazing women shaping a more sustainable future.

Green Bronx Machine
Founded by South Bronx educator Stephen Ritz, this school-based urban agriculture program transforms students, schools, and communities into healthier, more inclusive environments.

Zero Circle
A climate fintech platform addressing the “$10 Trillion Missing Middle Gap” in supply chain decarbonization, Zero Circle builds data infrastructure that makes sustainability bankable for mid-market companies driving the net-zero transition.

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.

Learn more at 3BL.com

Watch Season 5 Episode 10: Rebuilding The Future: The New Circular Blueprint

The world is waking up to a new reality: recycling alone won’t fix our waste problem. To build a truly sustainable future, we need to go circular – rethinking how we design, use, and recover the materials that shape our lives. We can beat the endless downcycle by designing smarter, innovating materials, and even dreaming up new consumption models. This isn’t recycling 2.0. It’s the blueprint for a new economy, one that preserves value, reduces strain on natural resources, and transforms waste into opportunity. 

A new circularity definition

In this episode, hosts Scott Tew and Dominique Silva are joined by Jenelle Shapiro, Circularity Leader at Trane Technologies; Julia Gisewite, Chief Sustainability Officer, and Nelson Russom, Waste and Circularity Program Manager, both at Turner Construction Company. Together, they explore how circular design is reshaping everything from manufacturing and supply chains to construction and the built environment, and why collaboration and innovation are key to keeping materials in play, not throwing them away.

Featured in this Episode:

Hosts:
Dominique Silva, Marketing Leader EMEA, Trane Technologies
Scott Tew, Vice President Sustainability and Managing Director, Center for Energy Efficiency and Sustainability, Trane Technologies

Guests:
Jenelle Shapiro, Circularity Leader, Trane Technologies
Julia Gisewite, Chief Sustainability Officer, Turner Construction Company
Nelson Russom, Waste and Circularity Program Manager, Turner Construction Company

About Healthy Spaces

Healthy Spaces is a podcast by Trane Technologies where experts and disruptors explore how climate technology and innovation are transforming the spaces where we live, work, learn and play.

This season, hosts Dominique Silva and Scott Tew bring a fresh batch of uplifting stories, featuring inspiring people who are overcoming challenges to drive positive change across multiple industries. We’ll discover how technology and AI can drive business growth, and help the planet breathe a little bit easier.

Listen and subscribe to Healthy Spaces on your favorite podcast platforms:

Apple Podcasts 
Spotify 
YouTube 
Amazon Music

How are you making an impact? What sustainable innovation do you think will change the world?

Share your story with us and learn more about the Healthy Spaces Podcast.

Entergy Arkansas is investing in the next generation of leaders — and the state’s future workforce — through new partnerships with four of Arkansas’s Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs).

During a press conference held at Philander Smith University in Little Rock, company leaders officially announced the Arkansas launch of Power of Prosperity, a multi-year, $20 million initiative designed to expand opportunities for students and strengthen communities across Entergy’s four-state service area.

The program supports Arkansas Baptist College, Philander Smith University, Shorter College and the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff with resources that include scholarships, internships, financial literacy education, and campus improvement grants.

“This effort is about more than scholarships — it’s about creating opportunity,” said Laura Landreaux, president and CEO of Entergy Arkansas. “When we invest in students and institutions like our state’s HBCUs, we’re not just powering homes and businesses — we’re powering the next generation of leaders who will shape Arkansas’s future.”

The Power of Prosperity program is a key part of Entergy’s broader mission to power life and create pathways to prosperity for the communities it serves. Through this initiative, students gain access to education, career readiness, and financial tools that help them achieve long-term success.

Ventrell Thompson, vice president of customer service for Entergy Arkansas, said the partnerships help build a pipeline of talent that’s critical to Arkansas’s continued growth.

“Our goal is to help students develop the skills and confidence they need to thrive in their careers — and to do it right here at home,” Thompson said. “This collaboration is about investing in people, in potential, and in the state’s future.”

The program’s reach extends beyond the classroom. Through Entergy’s partnerships with Stackwell Capital and Single Stop, students and families gain access to tools that promote financial health and connect them to essential support services.

The initiative also builds on Entergy’s ongoing work with the Accessing Careers in Energy Summit (ACES), a regional workforce program designed to introduce students to the wide range of opportunities in the energy industry. This year, the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff joined ACES for the first time, further linking students to meaningful career pathways in energy, technology, and engineering.

Power of Prosperity represents Entergy’s belief that when communities thrive, so does the company. By partnering with institutions that have long been pillars of educational excellence and access, Entergy is helping ensure that Arkansas’s future is bright, inclusive, and full of opportunity.

To learn more about Entergy’s Power of Prosperity program and its commitment to education and workforce development, visit here.

View original content here.

Mía Lee knows the power of connection. As a contemporary painter and textile designer, she treats each of her pieces not just as a work of beauty but as a bridge between people, communities and shared experiences.

“My characters act as anchors for empathy, giving form to emotions we all understand,” she says.

Lee has garnered several accolades in the art world and beyond. She has worked with the musician Chance the Rapper and Nike, was showcased in the Los Angeles County Museum of Art — the largest museum in the western U.S. — and just partnered with Metro by T-Mobile for The Metro Drop’s first collab, dubbed “The Price Drop Drop:” a streetwear exclusive that turned Metro’s lowered plan prices and 5‑year price guarantee on talk, text and data into wearable art. Lee’s drop was an immediate success as crowds packed the pop-up, and the collection sold out within hours.

The Metro Drop celebrates the culture, creativity and everyday energy of the neighborhoods that inspire Lee and Metro. She designed sold-out limited-edition graphic tees, statement hats and socks for The Price Drop Drop inspired by the energy that raised her on Chicago’s South Side: from the colors to the spirit.

“Capturing the vibrant energy of the block — the people on their lunch breaks, the street vendors, even the fire hydrants — allows me to paint a complete picture and offer a transparent glimpse into my world,” Lee says. “Partnering with Metro felt natural because they show up the same way I try to — with honesty, intention and a deep love for where we come from. This collab with Metro isn’t just about fashion. It’s about being seen, being heard and showing pride in where you’re from.”

We talked with Lee about the importance of connection, technology and the legacy she’s building — one piece of art at a time.

Mía, you have a very distinct style and work in different mediums, from canvas to clothes. How do you define your art?

It’s a means of storytelling rooted in narrative, personal experience and empathy. Visually, my pieces are bright and feature characters with relatable expressions. This approach helps me tell stories across all kinds of mediums, from traditional paintings to textiles.

The Metro Drop’s philosophy is to turn Metro’s brand promise into a celebration of culture and connection through something people can see, feel and wear. How important is connection to your community, to the world around you and even to other artists when creating art?

Connection is essential, especially since my art is all about visual stories. Growing up in Chicago, I built a community of artists who inspired each other. It’s the same now that I live in Brooklyn; my neighbors are artists, their friends are artists, and we are all part of one big creative community where we feed off each other.

How does technology help you stay connected to those groups?

Sometimes a little too well, but technology is vital. It keeps me connected to people in my community who live all over the world, letting us share glimpses into each other’s lives. As an artist, I also use technology to help me unplug and focus on my work, like playing music. I try to maintain a healthy balance.

Can you tell us about a time when your phone was an important tool in your artistic process?

Like many creators on social media, I use my phone to record and edit videos of my paintings. I used to be intimidated by it, but I learned you can create professional, high-quality content without expensive equipment. Recently, I’ve been making painting videos that feel like short films. It’s been fun to share my process with people who ask about it a lot.

What do you want people to take away from your collaboration with Metro, the Price Drop Drop?

This collaboration was a true labor of love. We poured our hearts into more than just the apparel; the entire campaign was dedicated to authentic storytelling. Going into the heart of the community to shoot the campaign made this project the most fulfilling part of the entire journey.

What legacy are you hoping to leave in your community?

I want to help guide a narrative that people all over the world can appreciate. The talent in Chicago, especially from the South Side, is incredible. The big thing for me is seeing the next generation take the reins and keep pushing this story with their art. But most importantly, I just want to make my family proud.

Check out The Price Drop Drop here.