In today’s episode, we’ll be diving into the paper published by KPMG on paving the way for a circular economy in the consumer goods and retail industry, which provides an assessment of how different consumer and retail subsectors are transitioning towards circularity and their maturity. A fitting topic given today is Earth Day.
Tag: 3BL
In today’s episode, we’ll be diving into the paper published by KPMG on paving the way for a circular economy in the consumer goods and retail industry, which provides an assessment of how different consumer and retail subsectors are transitioning towards circularity and their maturity. A fitting topic given today is Earth Day.
What you need to know:
- Verizon announces a substantial $5 billion commitment over the next five years with the launch of a new Small Business Supplier Accelerator.
- Verizon Small Business Digital Ready launched a new grant cycle where eligible small businesses can apply for $10,000 grants (open until June 30, 2025).
NEW YORK, May 14, 2025 /3BL/ – Verizon today announced a commitment to invest $5 billion over the next five years in US small business suppliers with the launch of its new Small Business Supplier Accelerator. The program helps create a pipeline for American small businesses, many of which are owned by veterans, to work with Verizon and other large corporations. This program is designed to strengthen small businesses — the backbone of the US economy — and to help the country create a more resilient supply chain.
The Verizon Small Business Supplier Accelerator builds on the comprehensive support that Verizon has provided to small businesses and the communities they serve for years. On top of the $5B in supplier spend, the program aims to empower American small businesses to work with Verizon and other large corporations through targeted training and flexible solutions such as faster payment terms, modified insurance requirements and adjusted indemnification requirements. The goal is to make it easier for small businesses to join Verizon’s supplier network.
“Verizon recognizes that small businesses are the backbone of the American economy and a staple in our local communities,” said Hans Vestberg, CEO, Verizon. “Our long-standing commitment and investment in small businesses aims to empower local businesses and communities with financial, technology and business expertise and resources to advance economic growth and foster job creation.”
Keeping nearly 500,000 SMBs digitally ready
Verizon is further fueling small businesses through its Small Business Digital Ready program, a free online program offering small businesses nationwide the opportunity to access over 50 expert on-demand courses curated by and for small businesses; 1:1 expert coaching, online and in-person networking opportunities and access to capital.
In partnership with LISC, Verizon Small Business Digital Ready today announces another Small Business Digital Ready grant opportunity where eligible small businesses who are Digital Ready members (and complete two resources) can apply for $10,000 grants (open until June 30, 2025, at 11:59 pm PT). Since 2021, Verizon has awarded $13.5 million in grants to support small businesses.
Verizon has supported nearly half a million small businesses through Small Business Digital Ready since 2021, almost halfway to the company’s goal to equip one million small businesses with the skills and resources they need to thrive in the digital economy by 2030.
Verizon offers a comprehensive commitment to small businesses that extends beyond a financial investment, aiming to equip these vital economic drivers with the tools and resources small businesses need to grow and protect their businesses using technology.
Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE, Nasdaq: VZ) powers and empowers how its millions of customers live, work and play, delivering on their demand for mobility, reliable network connectivity and security. Headquartered in New York City, serving countries worldwide and nearly all of the Fortune 500, Verizon generated revenues of $134.8 billion in 2024. Verizon’s world-class team never stops innovating to meet customers where they are today and equip them for the needs of tomorrow. For more, visit verizon.com or find a retail location at verizon.com/stores.
VERIZON’S ONLINE MEDIA CENTER: News releases, stories, media contacts and other resources are available at verizon.com/news. News releases are also available through an RSS feed. To subscribe, visit www.verizon.com/about/rss-feeds/.
Media Contact:
Hope Armanus
hope.arcuri.armanus@verizon.com
6469834148
New practical resource is designed to help organizations explore how WELL’s strategies for health, well-being and social impact align with India’s Business Responsibility and Sustainability Reporting (BRSR) framework — Strategies in WELL can contribute to 42% of BRSR indicators
NEW YORK and DELHI, May 14, 2025 /3BL/ – The International WELL Building Institute (IWBI), the global authority for advancing healthy buildings, organizations and communities, announced today the launch of its WELL-BRSR Alignment Tool, a resource designed to facilitate a comprehensive understanding of the alignment between the WELL Building Standard (WELL v2) and the Business Responsibility and Sustainability Reporting (BRSR) framework, which was introduced by the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI). This tool aims to demonstrate how WELL v2 can complement certain BRSR disclosure obligations, while fostering health, well-being and social sustainability across buildings, organizations and communities.
Strategies in WELL v2 can contribute to approximately 42% of the BRSR indicators, including 44% of essential (mandatory) and 38% of leadership (voluntary) indicators, according to IWBI’s analysis. In addition to highlighting extensive alignment, the tool offers companies a clear framework for leveraging WELL to help meet India’s sustainability reporting requirements.
“India’s sustainability journey is entering a new chapter—one where transparency, accountability and the well-being of people are taking center stage,” said IWBI President and CEO Rachel Hodgdon. “We are proud to introduce the WELL-BRSR Alignment Tool to support the business community in India and demonstrate how WELL helps companies to advance their health and well-being strategies to align with corporate sustainability objectives and reporting requirements.”
As sustainability reporting becomes increasingly central to corporate accountability in India, the BRSR framework highlights the need for organizations to demonstrate their impact on people and the planet. This tool supports that effort by illustrating how strategies within the WELL Standard can contribute to key BRSR disclosures—particularly those related to health, well-being and social impact.
“India is one of the fastest-growing markets for WELL adoption, with forward-looking organizations applying WELL strategies not only to individual buildings but across entire portfolios,” said Prateek Khanna, IWBI Chief Operating Officer. “This approach reinforces enterprise-level leadership in social sustainability while supporting alignment with India’s evolving regulatory expectations—backed by WELL’s rigorous third-party verification and a consistent, people-first framework.”
As BRSR continues to mature, companies in India are actively seeking structured frameworks to integrate social sustainability and employee well-being into their disclosures. BRSR places explicit emphasis on employee well-being as one of its nine core principles based on India’s National Guidelines for Responsible Business Conduct (NGRBC).
“India has taken bold steps in advancing sustainability through regulations like BRSR,” said Minjia Yang, Vice President and Head of Sustainable Finance at IWBI. “Based on IWBI’s internal review, strategies in WELL v2 may contribute to five out of the nine BRSR principles, with the strongest alignment observed across socially focused areas such as employee well-being, human rights and stakeholder engagement. This reinforces the unique value WELL brings to organizations seeking to meet regulatory expectations while advancing health, equity and people-centered sustainability.”
The WELL-BRSR Alignment Tool reflects IWBI’s commitment to better understanding the interplay between the WELL Standard and global sustainability regulations. Increasingly, governments around the world are exploring ways to support social sustainability, such as India’s BRSR framework, as well as in other international frameworks and organizational initiatives. As regulations and best practices continue to evolve globally, this tool not only aims to address alignment but also to provide insights for policy, advocacy and a holistic understanding of social sustainability to promote the thriving of our people and the planet.
The WELL-BRSR Alignment Tool was developed in close collaboration with the India team of Ideaship Inc. “In a way, WELL brings the ‘how’ to BRSR’s ‘why.’ They operate like two interlocking gears in the same engine wherein BRSR sets the direction through structured transparency, and WELL powers the motion with actionable strategies,” said Ashish Pandya, Lead Consultant, Sustainable Spaces, ideaship Inc. “While BRSR outlines the framework for human capital and well-being, WELL provides the roadmap to act on it. Together, they turn ESG from theory to experience. It is the difference between promising a great workplace and actually creating one people are proud to be part of.”
To access the WELL v2 – BRSR alignment tool and learn more about its benefits, please visit the resource page.
What our community is saying:
“With the launch of WELL-BRSR Alignment Tool, IWBI is enabling companies to elevate their ESG disclosures by integrating health and well-being metrics into respected ESG rating frameworks. This alignment strengthens transparency, drives performance on social indicators, and supports organizations in achieving higher ESG scores through credible, standard-based reporting.”
— Shavi Chawla, Chief Ratings Officer, ESG Rating Provider – CFC Finlease
“IWBI’s WELL-BRSR Alignment Tool is a game-changer for Indian companies navigating ESG transformation. At Growlity, we’ve seen first-hand how health and well-being metrics, when integrated with BRSR disclosures, can unlock deeper stakeholder value and regulatory preparedness. This strategic tool empowers the top 1000 listed companies to go beyond compliance and lead with purpose—turning ESG ambition into measurable outcomes.”
— Dr. Nitin Dumasia, President and CEO, Growlity, Inc.
About BRSR
The Business Responsibility and Sustainability Reporting (BRSR) framework, developed by the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI), mandates sustainability disclosures for India’s top 1,000 listed companies by market capitalization. Introduced as a voluntary framework in FY 2021–22 and made mandatory from FY 2022–23, BRSR represents one of the most comprehensive and regulated national sustainability reporting frameworks globally.
Grounded in India’s National Guidelines on Responsible Business Conduct (NGRBC), the BRSR framework covers nine principles that span environmental, social and governance topics. The framework is designed to drive transparency, accountability and long-term value creation across India’s corporate sector.
About WELL
WELL v2 is the latest iteration of the WELL Building Standard, the world’s premier building rating system that provides actionable strategies for health and well-being at the building, organizational and community levels. In addition to the WELL v2 – ESRS alignment tool, IWBI has also created WELL v2 alignment tools with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, GRESB, LEED, IRIS, GRI, S&P CSA.
Today, more than 74,000 commercial and residential locations in 138 countries are using WELL, representing nearly 6 billion square feet of space. In addition, more than 180 companies in the Global 500 and Fortune 500 are using WELL to demonstrate health leadership and support their annual reporting. Increasingly, WELL is being factored in sustainable finance, included in at least 12 financial instruments to date. Seventy organizations across various industries around the world have incorporated WELL into one or more of their sustainable finance frameworks and reporting mechanisms.
About the International WELL Building Institute
The International WELL Building Institute (IWBI) is a public benefit corporation and the global authority for transforming health and well-being in buildings, organizations and communities. In pursuit of its public-health mission, IWBI mobilizes its community through the development and administration of the WELL Building Standard (WELL), WELL for residential, WELL Community Standard, its WELL ratings and management of the WELL AP credential. IWBI also translates research into practice, develops educational resources and advocates for policies that promote people-first places for everyone, everywhere. More information on WELL can be found here.
International WELL Building Institute, IWBI, the WELL Building Standard, WELL v2, WELL Certified, WELL AP, WELL EP, WELL Score, The WELL Conference, We Are WELL, the WELL Community Standard, WELL Health-Safety Rated, WELL Performance Rated, WELL Equity Rated, WELL Equity, WELL Coworking Rated, WELL Residence, Works with WELL, WELL and others, and their related logos are trademarks or certification marks of International WELL Building Institute pbc in the United States and other countries.
Media contact: media@wellcertified.com
View original content here.
BOMBAY SAPPHIRE invites the world to ‘Step Into The Blue ™’ as it joins E1, the world’s first all-electric power boat racing Championship, as Official Gin Partner of the UIM E1 World Championship – a global spectacle backed by some of the biggest names in sport and entertainment
HAMILTON, Bermuda, May 14, 2025 /3BL/ – Bacardi-owned BOMBAY SAPPHIRE® is stepping into the world of sports entertainment, announcing a new global partnership with E1 Series – the world’s first all-electric race boat Championship that combines sports, entertainment and a respect for the world’s ‘natural blues.’
The partnership sees BOMBAY SAPPHIRE become the Official Gin Partner of the UIM E1 World Championship. BOMBAY SAPPHIRE branding will appear across the Championship, with teams backed by some of the biggest names in sports and entertainment, including Marc Anthony, Steve Aoki, LeBron James, Virat Kohli, Rafa Nadal and Will Smith.
Each E1 team competes with one male and one female pilot who are drawn from the worlds of motorsport and power boat racing. Beyond the racing, teams actively engage with the local communities the series races in to promote efforts to regenerate the world’s oceans and aquatic ecosystems.
Natasha Curtin, Global VP at BOMBAY SAPPHIRE, comments: “This partnership between BOMBAY SAPPHIRE and E1 is a bold new chapter in our global journey – and brings our ‘Step Into The Blue’ campaign to life on an electrifying, international stage. We’re proud to join forces with E1 to celebrate innovation, sustainability, and the awe-inspiring beauty of the world’s most breathtaking natural blues – while marking our first ever foray into global sports entertainment.
She continues: “Like BOMBAY SAPPHIRE, E1 is dedicated to inviting audiences to be part of immersive and inspiring moments – and unlocking a world of beautiful experiences that not only captivate but are also underpinned by a passion for showcasing the multisensorial beauty of the natural world.”
With E1 driving change in marine mobility and sustainability, the two partners are united by a shared passion for cherishing the beauty of the natural world. BOMBAY SAPPHIRE will become the Presenting Partner of the E1 Series Blue Impact Championship, designed to protect nature’s natural blues, and heal water and local ecosystems where the championship takes place.
As part of the Bacardi family of brands, protecting the planet is a priority for BOMBAY SAPPHIRE and has been for over 25 years. Crafted using a unique blend of 10 hand-selected botanicals from sustainably certified suppliers from around the world, BOMBAY SAPPHIRE is distilled at Laverstoke Mill in the south of England, using a signature vapour infusion process that gently extracts the botanicals’ natural flavours, creating the vibrant and versatile taste that BOMBAY SAPPHIRE is known for.
When it opened its doors in 2014, the distillery’s design was awarded “Outstanding” by BREEAM®, one of the world’s leading environmental assessments for buildings, and in 2023, the site achieved Wildlife Habitat Council certification, recognising efforts to support local wildlife and biodiversity.
Rodi Basso, founder and CEO of E1, said: “Welcoming BOMBAY SAPPHIRE as a Championship partner solidifies E1’s status as one of the most compelling commercial opportunities in global sport and entertainment. With celebrity star power, highly competitive racing, and a purpose to accelerate change, we’re the sport of tomorrow that innovative brands are backing today.
“In E1, BOMBAY SAPPHIRE has found a natural home. It is a partnership that is built on a shared passion for sustainability and we’re energised to deliver impactful change together as we redefine racing on water.”
BOMBAY SAPPHIRE will also be the Official Cocktail of E1, serving up BOMBAY SAPPHIRE and tonics and BOMBAY SAPPHIRE Sparkling Lemon cocktails to invited guests of the Ocean Club, E1’s exclusive hospitality offering.
The partnership is the first major activation from BOMBAY SAPPHIRE, since its just-launched Step Into The Blue, a new fully integrated global campaign that is being executed through-the-line. Step Into The Blue invites people to immerse themselves in a beautiful, blue world, and celebrates the brand’s role in bringing the beauty of the moment to life.
For more information on the partnership and upcoming race events, visit E1 Series or follow @BombaySapphire.
For further information, please contact the BOMBAY SAPPHIRE global press office at Ogilvy bombaysapphireglobal@ogilvy.com
About BOMBAY SAPPHIRE®
Based on a recipe that dates back to 1761, BOMBAY SAPPHIRE is crafted using a unique blend of 10 hand-selected botanicals from sustainably certified suppliers from around the world. We distil our gin at Laverstoke Mill in the south of England and it’s here that our signature vapour infusion process gently extracts the botanicals’ natural flavours, creating the vibrant and versatile taste that BOMBAY SAPPHIRE is known for. When it opened its doors in 2014, our distillery’s design was awarded “Outstanding” by BREEAM®, one of the world’s leading environmental assessments for buildings, and in 2023, it achieved Wildlife Habitat Council certification, recognizing our efforts to support local wildlife and biodiversity.
This year BOMBAY SAPPHIRE is putting its iconic blue bottle front and centre with the launch of its new brand platform ‘Step Into The Blue’. The global campaign invites people to immerse themselves in a beautiful, blue world, and celebrates the brand’s role in bringing the beauty of the moment to life.
The BOMBAY SAPPHIRE brand has been part of the portfolio of Bacardi Limited, headquartered in Hamilton, Bermuda for more than 25 years. Bacardi Limited refers to the Bacardi group of companies, including Bacardi International Limited.
@bombaysapphireuk
ENJOY BOMBAY SAPPHIRE RESPONSIBLY
BOMBAY SAPPHIRE, ITS TRADE DRESS AND STEP INTO THE BLUE ARE TRADEMARKS.
About the UIM E1 World Championship
E1 is the world’s first and only all-electric raceboat championship sanctioned by the Union Internationale Motonautique (UIM), the international governing body for powerboating activities. The UIM E1 World Championship was established to create a new, exciting and competitive on-water racing Championship using electric technologies to focus efforts on innovations that help protect and restore our urban waters and coastal areas.
The Championship sees teams featuring both a male and female pilot. Racing on the water in iconic cities around the world including Jeddah, Doha, Monaco, and Miami, teams are owned by some of the biggest names on the planet. These already include LeBron James, Will Smith, Marc Anthony and Steve Aoki from the world of entertainment, Rafael Nadal, Tom Brady, Virat Kohli and Didier Drogba from the world of sport and Marcelo Claure from the world of business.
E1 pilots navigate tight and technical circuits behind the wheel of the electric E1 RaceBirds. For the latest news and updates, follow us at @E1Series on Facebook, X and Instagram. #ChampionsOfTheWater
On the morning of Thursday, April 10, FedEx Puerto Rico employees teamed up with the nonprofit organization Operation Warm to deliver 330 pairs of brand-new shoes to children at Jesús María Sanromá Public School in Carolina. The initiative aims to ease the financial burden on families in the community while promoting the health and well-being of students through play and outdoor activities. This is the third consecutive year for the collaboration in Puerto Rico.
This event is part of a larger joint effort between FedEx and Operation Warm, which, throughout the spring season, will provide over 13,000 pairs of new shoes to students at more than 30 schools across the United States, Canada, Puerto Rico, and South America.
Since 2008, FedEx and Operation Warm have collaborated through the global FedEx Cares community engagement program, connecting the passion and expertise of FedEx team members with the resources of nonprofit organizations to meet the needs of local communities.
Through initiatives like this, FedEx reaffirms its commitment to driving positive change in the communities where its team members live and work, as part of its global Drive Forward, Give Back campaign—an initiative that inspires extraordinary actions with a meaningful impact on the world.
Click here to learn about FedEx Cares, our global community engagement program.
Published by Action Against Hunger.
Contact media@actionagainsthunger.org for inquiries.
By Diana Sharone Tumuhairwe.
I met Justine Sukirana in her garden while she tended to her flourishing onion plants. As we spoke, a shy smile played on her face, blending hope and anxiety across her features. Throughout our conversation, one thing became clear: Justine’s goal in life is to educate her children. The beautiful thing was that she found a way to do this — but it has been the fruit of much hard labour.
In 2006, Justine and her husband fled the Democratic Republic of Congo with their first two children, taking up residence in the Nakivale refugee settlement in Uganda. Back in Congo, Justine had been a subsistence farmer, and her husband had sold clothes. In the refugee settlement, however, they relied on donations, food aid, and whatever work they could find. Justine and her family live in Kisura C of the Nakivale refugee settlement. Kisura C is a peaceful neighbourhood, but prolonged dry spells cast a shadow of uncertainty over the otherwise vibrant community. “The long dry spells make us prone to hunger and food shortages,” Justine explained. September and October 2024 were brutally dry months. Justine’s attempts at large-scale farming ended in heartbreak as her maize and bean garden succumbed to the drought and all her livestock died from a disease outbreak. Her food and livelihood vanished, leaving her and her family to face hunger.
Justine’s biggest hope lay in the small plot of land Action Against Hunger allotted her as part of its Rwoma block farm. The new garden venture felt like a lifeline for her. Justine joined Action Against Hunger in 2023, and she obtained onion and tomato seeds and training from Action Against Hunger. The training equipped her with the knowledge she needed to grow the crops; for example, she learned how to make and use organic fertilizer that boosted her crop yields. Constant water supply from the block farm’s irrigation scheme offers vital protection against dry spells. “Vegetable farming isn’t typical here,” Justine explained. “Tomatoes and onions need a lot of water, and water has always been a problem. Our previous crops always died. That is why I am so thankful for the irrigation scheme. It is truly an answer to my prayers.”
Onions and tomatoes are labour intensive. Luckily for Justine, farming is a family affair. She and her husband worked side-by-side, dividing the difficult tasks of onion and tomato cultivation as well as domestic work at home. With ten children to feed, it takes a joint effort to make ends meet.
In January 2025, Justine and her husband reaped the fruits of their labour. From their garden, they harvested 2.4 tons of onions, earning $2,614, and 13 tons of tomatoes, earning $4,466. The couple’s proximity to the refugee settlement camp allowed easy access to a market for selling their produce, and middlemen often seek them out directly to facilitate sales. Justine’s projections show that her income from this smaller plot of land will soon surpass what she had previously earned from a much larger plot of maize and beans.
Over the three agricultural seasons she spent with Action Against Hunger, she learned about nutrition in addition to farming. She learned that smaller portions of nutritious food are better at preventing malnutrition than large portions of just one staple food. “Before, we ate just one type of food,” she said. “But now, especially with growing children, we strive for a balanced diet.”
Farming provides the means for Justine to achieve her dream of sending her kids to school. All ten of her children attend premium private schools in the Nakivale refugee settlement. The eldest two attend Kabahinda Secondary School where she pays a staggering 650,000 Ugandan shillings ($177) per child, per school term. The other four are in Canaan primary school.
When asked why she prioritizes investing in her children’s education, Justine’s answer was simple: she wants to give them a better future. Justine’s own education had been cut short. She had dropped out, not for lack of funds, but because she felt self-conscious about her age and physical maturity and thus opted for marriage instead. Then, she saw how her educated peers easily secured decent jobs and earned stable incomes in Uganda. “I want my children to be useful people in the community,” Justine said. “Of the people I came with from Congo, the ones who were educated got labor contracts.” Their stability is a perpetual reminder of the value of education, and it fuels Justine’s determination to provide her children with the opportunities she denied herself. As she tends her thriving crops, Justine knows she is not just growing vegetables; she is growing a future for her children.
***
Action Against Hunger leads the global movement to end hunger. We innovate solutions, advocate for change, and reach 21 million people every year with proven hunger prevention and treatment programs. As a nonprofit that works across over 55 countries, our 8,900 dedicated staff members partner with communities to address the root causes of hunger, including climate change, conflict, inequity, and emergencies. We strive to create a world free from hunger, for everyone, for good.
Episode Summary
With 2.7 billion people lacking access to waste management, this essential step in advancing a circular economy poses a significant challenge. In this opening episode for season 4 of Plastics Unwrapped, we look back on the previous 5 meetings of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC) and discuss how we can find middle ground between industry and policy to end plastic pollution for good.
Host: Maithreyi Seetharaman
Show Producer: Lisa Desai
Sound Production: Dow Creative Element
Artwork: Dow Creative Element
Episode Notes
With 2.7 billion people lacking access to waste management, this essential step in advancing a circular economy poses a significant challenge. In this opening episode for season 4 of Plastics Unwrapped, we look back on the previous 5 meetings of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC) and discuss how we can find middle ground between industry and policy to end plastic pollution for good.
Did you know that packaging waste accounts for nearly 30% of total U.S. waste annually, according to the Environmental Protection Agency? That’s a staggering number—and it doesn’t even begin to capture the global scale of the problem.
As businesses large and small continue to explore more sustainable practices, one area that’s increasingly under the microscope is product packaging. From e-commerce retailers to industrial distributors, packaging has become more than just a protective layer—it’s a reflection of your values.
On this featured episode of the RENEWables podcast, we had the pleasure of sitting down with Saloni Doshi, CEO and proud “Chief Sustainability Geek” of EcoEnclose, the world’s most eco-friendly packaging company.
Why Packaging Matters More Than Ever
Saloni shares powerful insights into how packaging impacts the environment and why it should be a core part of any sustainability strategy. With growing consumer expectations, ESG commitments, and government regulations, sustainable packaging is quickly transitioning from “nice to have” to non-negotiable.
What You’ll Learn in the Episode
- How EcoEnclose redefines sustainable packaging using recycled, recyclable, and naturally biodegradable materials.
- Actionable steps companies can take to transition away from virgin plastic and traditional packaging materials.
- The ripple effect of sustainable packaging—from reducing carbon footprint to influencing supplier practices.
- Real-world success stories of companies that have embraced eco-forward packaging solutions.
A Call to Action for Climate-Conscious Businesses
Whether you’re running a DTC brand, managing industrial logistics, or leading ESG efforts at a large company, this episode is a must-listen. Sustainable packaging is more than a box—it’s a bold statement about your company’s commitment to the planet.
Click here to listen to the full episode.
Click here to view all RENEWables podcast episodes.
RENEWables, A Sustainability Podcast is a new podcast focused on the energy landscape of today. Everything from emerging renewable energy technologies to sustainability practices to why brands are changing the way they think, RENEWables is a source for current and dynamic conversation.
For young people today, technology isn’t just a tool—it’s a gateway to opportunities for connection, growth, and learning. Whether through innovative STEM education or the interactive world of esports, providing youth with new, hands-on learning experiences offers them a space to build community, sharpen problem-solving skills, and even explore future career paths. Recognizing this potential, Lenovo and Boys & Girls Clubs of America teamed up to provide young learners with out-of-the-box STEM education that would truly resonate, and access to cutting-edge technology.
Most recently, the collaboration came to life at the second annual Tackling STEM event on March 12th. In partnership with the Dallas Cowboys and Science of Sport, Lenovo and Boys & Girls Clubs of America brought more than 150 youth from the greater Dallas area together for an interactive day merging sport and STEM.
Attendees had the unique opportunity to run drills alongside Dallas Cowboys players including Cooper Beebe, Jalen Brooks, Buddy Johnson, Ryan Flournoy, Princeton Fant, Brevyn Spann-Ford, and Kelvin Harmon, while exploring how STEM principles are utilized in football. From interactive stations on passing, catching, kicking and more, the event aims to ignite a love for STEM fields for the next generation by combining the thrill of sports with the power of education.
Lenovo’s partnership with Boys & Girls Clubs of America extends beyond one-off events – since 2017, the organizations have collaborated on a variety of initiatives designed to empower youth with greater access to technology, namely esports. Last year, Lenovo provided dozens of Clubs nationwide with the equipment, tools, and resources needed to scale a successful esports program—a timely initiative designed to address a decline in teen membership that many Clubs experienced during the pandemic.
The esports sector has seen explosive growth, especially among young people. Lenovo recognized this as an opportunity to create meaningful engagement for teens in an environment where they can build both social and technical skills. By aligning with Boys & Girls Clubs of America’s mission to enable all young people, especially those who need it most, to reach their full potential, this esports initiative is creating new avenues for personal development and belonging.
Here are a few success stories that illustrate how the far-reaching partnership is making a real difference for teens across the country:
Isaac’s journey to becoming the professional sports photographer of his dreams
As a 16-year-old from the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Dallas, Isaac’s photography journey began at 13 when he won a Club photo contest that gave him the opportunity to participate in a photography bootcamp and sparked his passion. Fast forward to 2024: Isaac was invited to document the first-ever Tackling STEM event. More than 150 local Club members attended the event to learn how STEM intersects with sports, and Isaac was there to capture it all with his lens.
“With sports photography, you can never get the wrong shot – You’ve got so much motion, so much action, and it really tells a story,” says Isaac. “I feel grateful that my Club continues to help me explore my passion with new and exciting opportunities like Tackling STEM.”
Using new devices gifted to him by Lenovo, Isaac has also had the opportunity to explore video shooting and editing. His dream now? To become a professional sports photographer.
A thriving esports community in Rockford, IL
In Rockford, Illinois, the local Boys & Girls Club has seen a remarkable esports transformation. Just five years ago, only a handful of teens were attending regularly. Since receiving Lenovo Legion gaming devices, the Club’s esports program has flourished. Today, around 30 teens participate daily, and growing demand has led to a waitlist as the Club hopes to expand its program.
One teen, Aidan, was introduced to the Club through esports. After participating in a nationwide Club tournament and winning in his favorite game, Super Smash Bros, Aidan took home a Lenovo Legion Go. He’s now able to livestream his gaming sessions and hopes to continue his esports journey in college. He draws inspiration from Jeremy, a Rockford Club alum who earned an esports scholarship and continues to mentor local teens at the Club.
A lasting impact
The meaningful partnership between Lenovo and Boys & Girls Clubs of America goes beyond one-off events or new gaming devices—it’s about building futures. By combining technology and education, the program continues to help teens like Isaac and Aidan unlock their full potential. With each new opportunity, Lenovo and Boys & Girls Clubs of America make strides in their shared mission of ensuring young people across the country have access to the tools they need to succeed—in esports, STEM, and beyond.