Tag: 3BL

Every year, Gildan’s summer internship program invites aspiring students and recent graduates to go beyond the simple t-shirt and discover the full breadth and scale of the organization. This year, Gildan welcomed over 30 interns across offices in Canada, Barbados, and the United States, providing them with opportunities to support various functions, hone their skills with experienced mentors, and network with professionals from the various regions where Gildan operates.

“Our summer internship program is a great chance to introduce Gildan to passionate students,” says Shannon Preston, Vice-President of Human Resources at Gildan. “Moreover, it is an opportunity for us to inspire responsible and strong leaders of tomorrow, both for Gildan and beyond.”

We asked some interns about their experience with the program and interesting things they learned along the way. Here’s what they had to say:

On why they chose Gildan:

“I first heard about the internship program from a past Gildan intern and was impressed by his experience. Upon doing some further research, I learned about Gildan’s commitment to producing apparel responsibly, and knew that this was the kind of company I wanted to work for.

Imagine my excitement when I learned that there was a Customer Service internship opening for the 2024 season. It was the perfect opportunity for me to combine my passion for speaking with people with my degree in tourism and hospitality. This role offered me the chance to gain some practical experience and test my customer service skills in a global company stationed across multiple regions.”

– Kecia Alleyne, Customer Service Intern

On what surprised them about Gildan:

“I hadn’t fully grasped the breadth of Gildan. It was only when I began working in the SOX Compliance team and collaborating with different stakeholders from across the Company that I realized the true scale of the organization. 

Throughout my internship, I had the chance to understand the work of many different departments, including external reporting, commodities, and treasury. Also, the internship cohort itself consisted of people from HR, Communications, Legal, etc., exposing me to multiple roles. 

Eventually, I began to see the bigger picture. I realized that there’s so much that goes into making a company like Gildan, and so much that goes into making a simple t-shirt!” 

– Sergio Henao, Corporate Accounting Intern

On the most rewarding part of the internship:

“I worked on many projects this summer – from writing long-form articles and creating marketing brochures, to working on social media content and updating our websites. What was really rewarding for me was taking ownership of these projects from inception to closure.

I also had the opportunity to work with stakeholders from across Gildan and build meaningful connections with marketing and communications professionals, all the while gathering valuable feedback on my projects. It was incredibly rewarding to see my projects evolve from the very beginning to the end, ultimately contributing to shaping Gildan’s narrative.”

– Gabrielle Webb, Corporate Marketing and Communications Intern

On their key takeaways from this experience:

“From technical and professional skills, to building meaningful relationships, there are so many things I have gained. In law school, I often read many court cases and doctrinal writings, but it was a completely different experience to see how law plays a role in real life. 

But more than technical skills and knowledge, my biggest takeaway is the relationships I built here. From the get-go, my supervisors and colleagues created a welcoming and supportive atmosphere, making me feel like a valuable addition to the group. I always felt comfortable asking questions, presenting my opinions, and even discussing my career progression. It was a pleasure getting to know the team and I know these relationships will go far beyond my internship here.”

– Xuan He, Legal Intern

On their most memorable moment:

“There were so many! The HR team had planned many exciting activities for us, including lunch and learns with leaders, personal branding and LinkedIn workshops, and we even got to celebrate the Company’s 40th anniversary. 

But if I had to pick, I’d choose the two lunch and learn events we had with Chuck Ward, President of Sales, Marketing, and Distribution, and Rhodri Harries, Executive Vice-President Chief Financial and Administrative Officer at Gildan. It was incredibly exciting to learn about their diverse career journeys and have the opportunity to ask them questions. Their stories gave me a lot of perspective and helped me see my own career as ever-changing and evolving.”

– Adara Mohammed, Human Resources Intern

On their favourite project:

“One of my favourite projects this summer was creating playbooks for Gildan’s HR processes. This project involved a lot of research and collaboration with stakeholders, and after weeks of work, it is very satisfying to know that these documents will act as useful resources for Gildan’s HR teams.

But what I truly loved most about this internship was the dual role I often played – I was both an intern and was heavily involved in supporting the local Montreal internship program. For instance, I helped organize many of the lunch and learn events, while attending them myself too. This dual perspective really helped me glean into the nature of HR, preparing me for my future as an HR professional.”

– Gabrielle Boulanger, Human Resources Intern

On advice for someone considering an internship at Gildan:

“To anyone considering applying for the internship program at Gildan, I’d say, ‘go for it!’ As a student from Jamaica applying for an internship in Barbados, I wasn’t sure what my chances were of being accepted to the program. And yet, here I am! Over the last two months, I’ve built long-lasting professional relationships and enhanced my skills in digital marketing which has been a huge value addition to my professional journey.

So, take it from me – apply, because it is an enriching experience to work at a global company alongside encouraging mentors and a passionate group of interns.”

– Shian Scarlett, Digital Marketing Intern

Find out more about Gildan’s summer internship program here.

The GRI Academy – the world’s leading education portal for sustainability reporting professionals – has broadened its curriculum to reflect the latest trends in the reporting landscape.

With four new training courses covering diverse topics and sectors, the platform provides a comprehensive, interactive learning experience tailored to user needs. The learning includes both theory and practical examples, delivered through self-paced modules that can be accessed 24/7. The new courses are:

Transparency for Tomorrow: Decoding the Sustainability Reporting Landscape: This updated course overviews alignment between the main sustainability reporting instruments, describing how they can be used in conjunction with the GRI Standards to enhance reporting. It has been revised to include new content on the most recent updates from the evolving global reporting landscape.Sustainability Reporting for the Coal Sector: Navigating the GRI 12 Sector Standard: This course delves into the GRI Coal Standard, examining its structure, as well as the sector’s context and impacts. GRI 12 sets robust expectations for coal organizations to disclose how they respond to the pressing need to transition to a low-carbon economy, and how they manage their impacts along the way.Reporting with GRI 13: Agriculture, Aquaculture and Fishing Sectors 2022: Offering a detailed examination of GRI’s third Sector Standard, the course overviews the likely material topics for the coal sector, explaining how to use it to report in accordance with the GRI Standards. GRI 13 aims to increase the completeness and comparability of sustainability information for all organizations in crop cultivation, animal production, aquaculture or fishing. Sustainability Reporting for the Mining Sector: Navigating the GRI 14 Sector Standard: This course explores the structure and unique context and impacts of the mining sector. Using real-world examples, the training shows how GRI 14 can be effectively applied in the reporting process. The most recently released Sector Standard, GRI 14 reflects broad stakeholder expectations for transparency, enabling any mining company to use a common set of metrics to disclose their impacts.  

Paul Broekhof, GRI Head of Education said:

“As the sustainability reporting landscape continues to change and GRI releases new Sector Standards, the GRI Academy has added more courses to help professionals stay updated with the latest knowledge and skills. These training courses offer a practical, focused learning experience and aim to help professionals deliver clear, high-quality impact reports that meet the public’s expectations in different sectors.”

Visit GRI Education for information on the duration, content and how to access these new courses together with 18 other training modules. Learn more about the GRI Professional Certification Program and explore options for instructor-led learning delivered locally with Certified Training Partners.

Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) is the is the independent nonprofit organization that is the architect of the common global language to assess and report on environmental, social and economic impacts. GRI provides standards, tools and training that empower organizations of all sizes to create sustainable, long-term value and unlock positive change in the world.

On this episode of Healthy Outcomes, Baker Tilly host Mark Ross interviews Celia Van Lenten, Principal with the law firm of Miles & Stockbridge. Together, they discuss several hot topics related to the healthcare regulatory environment, such as mergers and acquisitions (M&A) and more.

Topics of discussion include:

M&A activity in the healthcare provider sector and related regulatory perspectives.Healthcare staffing-related regulatory developments.The ongoing evolution of artificial intelligence and thoughts on a legal framework that healthcare providers should be aware of when they evaluate their use of AI-enabled technology.The reasons for the increase in occurrences of cyber breaches in the healthcare industry and what healthcare providers should be doing to be better prepared to handle one.Futuristic thoughts related to the regulatory environment and regulatory scrutiny that healthcare providers will likely be subject to.

Connect with a Baker Tilly healthcare team member to learn more. 

CLEVELAND, September 30, 2024 /3BL/ – Today, KeyBank announced that it has funded more than $1 million in KeyBank Neighbors First Credits, helping 200 clients achieve their dream of homeownership in areas where the program is available. This milestone is the latest KeyBank has achieved since launching this program in July 2023.

The KeyBank Neighbors First Credit1 is a Special Purpose Credit Program that provides $5,000 toward closing costs and other pre-paid fees that may come with financing a new, owner-occupied home to homebuyers for the purchase of eligible properties. Additional costs include mortgage, flood and hazard insurance, escrow deposit, real estate taxes, and per diem interest for eligible properties.

KeyBank’s 2024 Financial Mobility Survey found that many Americans believe homeownership is out of reach due to rising costs. Of those people (20%) who are not currently in the market to purchase a home and haven’t purchased one in the past year, 69% believe the dream of owning a home is not very attainable.

“At a time when many feel they simply can’t afford a home, KeyBank’s efforts, specifically with our Neighbors First Credit, are erasing doubt and helping our clients see what is possible when they partner with their bank,” said Dale Baker, Head of Home Lending at KeyBank. “Whether they are looking to buy a new home or improve the home they are in, KeyBank is committed to working with our clients to help them achieve their dreams and goals.”

Some of the communities KeyBank’s Neighbors First Credit has made a difference in include:

Cleveland, OH: 47 credits funded for $235,000Columbus, OH: 25 credits funded for $125,000Dayton, OH: 11 credits funded for $55,000Albany, NY: 9 credits funded for $45,000

The KeyBank Neighbors First Credit is one of three special purpose credit programs (SPCPs) from KeyBank. The KeyBank Homebuyer Credit2 provides up to $5,000 in credits toward closing costs and other pre-paid fees that may come with financing a new home to homebuyers for the purchase of eligible properties in eligible communities. The Homebuyer Credit launched in September 2022. Through this program, Key has funded more than $2.4 million in credits, helping 533 clients.

In addition, the Key Opportunities Home Equity Loan3 provides affordable terms for borrowers with qualifying properties to refinance their primary residence to a lower interest rate, consolidate debt, finance home improvements, or tap into their equity when needed. This loan features a fixed rate, with no origination fee, and a first or second lien option for loans up to $100,000. Since the program began on March 1, 2023, through September 19, 2024, KeyBank funded $13 million in loans, helping 259 clients secure loans for their primary home in designated communities.

“Making homeownership more affordable, accessible and, most importantly, sustainable is a critical part of KeyBank’s purpose of helping the communities we serve thrive,” said Rachael Sampson, Head of Community Banking for KeyBank’s Consumer Bank. “Block by block, neighborhood by neighborhood, we are committed to helping our clients build wealth and grow by providing them with resources and programs that help make homeownership possible.”

Learn more about KeyBank’s home lending opportunities and programs, determine whether a property qualifies for Special Purpose Credit Programs, or get started on the journey to homeownership by visiting key.com/communitylending. For details on the current state of local markets and to answer any questions you may have, including whether a property qualifies for Key’s Special Purpose Credit Programs, KeyBank Mortgage Loan Officers are available to help.

ABOUT KEYCORP 
KeyCorp’s (NYSE: KEY) roots trace back nearly 200 years to Albany, New York. Headquartered in Cleveland, Ohio, Key is one of the nation’s largest bank-based financial services companies, with assets of approximately $187 billion at June 30, 2024. Key provides deposit, lending, cash management, and investment services to individuals and businesses in 15 states under the name KeyBank National Association through a network of approximately 1,000 branches and approximately 1,200 ATMs. Key also provides a broad range of sophisticated corporate and investment banking products, such as merger and acquisition advice, public and private debt and equity, syndications and derivatives to middle market companies in selected industries throughout the United States under the KeyBanc Capital Markets trade name. For more information, visit https://www.key.com/. KeyBank Member FDIC.

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NMLS #399797. KeyBank extends credit secured by residential real estate without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, handicap, or familial status. All credit products are subject to collateral and/or credit approval, terms, conditions, availability and are subject to change.

CFMA #240925-2801809

1Available on primary residence first lien purchases only. Property must be located in an eligible community in KeyBank’s retail footprint or Florida. Eligible communities are determined by KeyBank and subject to change without notice. Additional terms or restrictions may apply. Ask us for details.

2Available on primary residence first lien purchases only. Property must be located in an eligible community as determined by KeyBank. Eligible Communities are subject to change without notice. Additional terms or restrictions may apply. Ask us for details.

3Loan features reduced interest rate and no origination fees. Available on existing primary residence and loans up to $100,000. First or second lien only. Loan must close in a branch. Property must be located in an eligible community in KeyBank’s retail footprint. Additional terms or restrictions may apply. Ask us for details.

Our Culture and the Employee Experience

Through our annual employee culture and engagement survey, we gather confidential feedback to learn and act on how we can continue to create and improve our culture and the employee experience. All levels of management receive aggregated results of strengths and opportunities to develop an action plan to address their team’s needs. Understanding and acting on that feedback has been worthwhile as in our 2024 survey we achieved our highest overall score in the previous four years ― exceeding the national benchmark by 6%. We sustained or improved scores for all questions outpacing the national benchmark by seven basis points.

Encouraging Well-Being

We provide wide-ranging options to support employees’ health and well-being, including an Employee Assistance Program that provides confidential counseling, personal financial guidance and resources, legal support and work-life assistance. As many of our employees are remote and need flexibility in meeting their health and wellbeing needs, we offer a suite of convenient, easily accessible tools to keep our employees well wherever they may be. Our Wellness Community of Interest and our Accessibility Employee Resource Group provide a social way for employees to connect with each other about health and wellness while also providing useful learning and educational sessions.

Employee health and safety is always paramount to our business and to our employees’ well-being. We encourage employees to participate in health and wellness initiatives, and actively work to prevent workplace hazards.

Philanthropy

Not surprisingly, the good our company does begins with our employees. Our employees embrace SAIC’s legacy of community involvement and philanthropy. Giving both their time and money, our employees volunteered 29,000 hours in FY24, an increase of 10% over the previous year and almost 40% over FY22.

Including employee contributions, SAIC donated just over $3.2 million in FY23 to causes important to our mission.

Community Partnerships

SAIC serves the communities in which we live and work through our lasting relationships with community partners. We primarily contribute to our four focus areas: military and veteran resiliency, STEM education, community wellness and diversity. We added a diversity and inclusion focus this year as diverse and inclusive companies are more innovative and deliver stronger business results.

Military and Veteran Resilience

Building Homes for Heroes 
To honor our veteran relationships, SAIC partners with Building Homes for Heroes, a national nonprofit organization that builds and modifies houses and then gifts them mortgage-free to injured veterans and their families. By the end of FY24, we helped donate 16 homes to our military heroes through this partnership, which began in 2013 and continues into our current fiscal year with one additional home already delivered and two others scheduled for later in the year.

USO 
For over 20 years, a senior executive of SAIC has served on the board of directors of the USO. The company supports their annual fundraising gala that provides acts of caring, comfort and connection for America’s military and their families. Each year, SAIC employees support USO’s Project Elf and provide holiday gifts for hundreds of junior enlisted children every year. In 2023, we provided 250 military families with gifts to help make their holidays brighter.

Astronaut Scholarship Foundation 
Since 2017, SAIC has provided STEM scholarships through the Astronaut Scholarship Foundation, created to ensure that the United States maintains leadership in science and technology by supporting some of the very best STEM college students. To date, SAIC has provided 22 scholarships in helping to inspire future generations. SAIC serves on the Neil Armstrong® Award of Excellence selection committee, an award given to an Astronaut Scholar Alum that exemplifies personal character and professional achievement mirroring the core values of its namesake, Neil Armstrong.

Alabama School of Cyber Technology and Engineering 
SAIC supports the Alabama School of Cyber Technology and Engineering’s mission of educating – tuition-free – the cyber technology and engineering workforce of the future. Today, SAIC continues its financial and community support for the school and its students pursuing STEM education. In 2022, SAIC committed $1.5 million towards Alabama’s leading magnet schools in STEM education.

Community Wellness

Feeding America 
We’re in our tenth consecutive year of helping combat hunger in America through our partnership with Feeding America. During Hunger Action Month in September 2023, SAIC raised $311,908 with the help of donations and fundraising efforts by SAIC employees – an equivalent of 3.1 million meals for people facing food insecurity.

SAIC employees embraced the company’s Give A Meal Team Challenge, participating in a variety of activities that included events to raise funds, along with volunteering at their local food banks. Their generosity, time and dedication resulted in more than $131,000 in direct contributions, which the company matched. Over the past 10 years, SAIC has helped provide approximately 25 million meals to people in need through our partnership the nation’s largest hunger-relief organization. For every dollar given, Feeding America provides at least 10 meals to those facing hunger.

Diversity and Inclusion

Thurgood Marshall College Fund 
SAIC supports the Thurgood Marshall College Fund, the nation’s largest organization exclusively representing the Black College Community offering financial assistance to outstanding students attending one of funds member-schools that include 47 publicly supported Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and Predominantly Black Institutions (PBIs). In partnership for four years, SAIC works with the Thurgood Marshall College Fund to help provide scholarships and research initiatives as the organization is a source for top employers seeking talent for competitive internships and good jobs. SAIC CEO Toni Townes-Whitley has served on their board of directors since 2019.

Learn more about community partnerships and employee volunteering in SAIC’s 2024 Corporate Responsibility Report

PARIS, September 26, 2024 /3BL/ – The Consumer Goods Forum’s (CGF) Sustainable Supply Chain Initiative (SSCI) is pleased to announce that the Ethiopian Horticulture Producer Exporter Association (EHPEA) has submitted its Code of Practice for Sustainable Flower Production application for the SSCI benchmarking.

This marks a significant milestone for EHPEA as it seeks SSCI Recognition, demonstrating its alignment with industry expectations for third-party social compliance programs within the SSCI’s Primary Production scope for social sustainability.

To date, the SSCI has recognised five schemes, and EHPEA joins five additional schemes currently in progress for recognition. Through this benchmarking process, SSCI continues its commitment to building trust in sustainability standards by recognising programmes that uphold key criteria set by leading industry stakeholders.

Ethiopian Horticulture Producer Exporters Association (EHPEA) is a business membership organisation which was established in 2002. It is an organisation meant to promote the interest of its members who are engaged in the production and export of cut flowers, fruit, vegetables, herbs, cuttings as well as vegetable seeds.

Currently, EHPEA has 126 members and it has been relentlessly contributing to the horticulture industry boom in Ethiopia and effectively representing the interests of its members locally and globally.

The Ethiopian Horticulture Producer Exporters Association Code of Practice is the result of an initiative taken by the sector to introduce a voluntary system of continuous professional and technical development, monitoring and self-regulation into the sector and is designed to address market and civil society concerns about standards for social and environmental performance in the sector and also to guide the sustainable development of the sector.

It consists of three levels of excellence allowing Ethiopian flower and ornamental plant farms to be rewarded at each stage of their process towards developing more sustainable management practices within the chain. Each level will be recognised by EHPEA through a certificate.

Mr. Tewodros Zewdie, Executive Director of EHPEA, said, “The Ethiopian Horticulture Producer Exporters Association (EHPEA) has emphasized the significance of the SSCI Benchmark as a rigorous process designed to uphold sustainability standards. The benchmark involves self-assessments, independent expert reviews, audits, and public consultations, ensuring a high level of transparency and accountability. By adhering to these global standards, EHPEA seeks to enhance the international credibility of Ethiopian horticultural products while promoting sustainable practices across the industry”

The SSCI Benchmark is a comprehensive process that recognises which schemes cover key sustainability criteria and apply relevant verification practices. The process revolves around a first self-assessment undertaken by the scheme, followed by a review by an independent expert, office visits, and a public consultation. The methodology also includes opportunities for the applicant to take corrective actions if and when needed.

At the SSCI, we welcome this positive step from EHPEA and look forward to reviewing its alignment towards industry values on transparency, social responsibility and sustainability. To monitor the process of its evaluation, and other schemes undergoing the benchmarking, visit https://recognition.tcgfssci.com/.

Learn More and Apply

Third-party auditing and monitoring schemes and programmes are invited to apply for SSCI Recognition and demonstrate their commitment to industry-defined expectations for social responsibility. Learn more about the SSCI Benchmark and download the application kits at benchmark.tcgfssci.com.

For more information about the SSCI, please visit www.tcgfssci.com or contact the SSCI team at ssci@theconsumergoodsforum.com

Qurate Retail Group’s Global Impact focus seeks to embed inclusion, sustainability, and social responsibility into all aspects of our business. We do this by inspiring a more sustainable way to retail through actions that accelerate business growth and positively impact employees, customers, communities, business partners, and the planet. As a result, we continue to make significant advancements towards our public goals and the critical role we play in protecting the environment, championing empowerment and belonging, and curating product responsibly.

“At Qurate Retail, one example of a more sustainable way to retail is one that intentionally cultivates an inclusive work culture, promotes employee well-being, and drives positive impact for team members, entrepreneurs, and communities where we operate,” said Virginia Nguyen, Chief Diversity & Impact Officer, Qurate Retail GroupSM. “We’re immensely proud of the strides we’ve made, and we acknowledge the journey is ongoing. That’s why our Corporate Responsibility commitments continue to remain a core focus as it not only benefits all company stakeholders – it also reinforces that responsible business is good business.”

As part of Qurate Retail Group’s championing empowerment & belonging pillar, there are strategic imperatives around Community & Social Impact and Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion. Read on for highlights around the initiatives, programs, and achievements that have shaped our journey and made a meaningful impact towards our future progress.

Community & Social Impact

Through focused cause marketing and giving programs, which embrace our responsibility to our stakeholders and society at large, our 2023 Global Contribution Summary Report demonstrates the many impactful ways we collectively made a difference last year. Highlights include:

Generated over $33.8+ million for more than 1,423 charities worldwide in 2023.$9.6+ million towards women’s empowerment & entrepreneurship resulting in $41+ million total contributions towards such causes since 2020, bringing us closer to our 2025 target of $50 million.With the addition of our total giving this past year, we’ve been able to contribute over $148 million to causes since 2020, surpassing our commitment to reach $100M between 2020-2025.

Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion

Our inaugural 2022-2023 Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DE&I) Report represents Qurate Retail Group’s unwavering dedication to an inclusive environment, to equity, and to a sense of belonging for every team member, business partner, and customer. Our comprehensive DE&I strategy includes a holistic approach focused on four strategic pillars: Our People, Our Culture, Our Consumers & Marketplace and Our Communities. We’re proud of the progress we’ve made against our stated goals, including achieving several ahead of schedule. Highlights include:

Goals already achieved around team member inclusion, spotlighting small businesses, supplier diversity and more.In March 2023, QVC launched a dedicated Accessible & Adaptive category – with hundreds of products spanning fashion, home, electronics and beauty – making QVC one of the first U.S. retailers to curate the full lifestyle of accessible products into a single multi-category offering.Key highlights from our Small Business Spotlight (SBS) program in 2022 include:95 businesses featured; $2.9m in airtime; 2,040 hours volunteered; 92% experienced benefits1; and a diverse mix of small business owners: 28 Black-owned, 19 Disability-owned, 19 Latino- or Hispanic- owned, 18 LGBTQ+-owned, 16 Veteran-owned, 67 Women-owned and 20 Asian American/Pacific Islander-owned.Expanded our Team Member Resource Groups (TMRGs) from four to 40 TMRGs in under two years. Additional TMRG highlights include:2,500~ active members globally; 200+ leaders engaged in TMRGs; 150+ global TMRG events in 2023; 50+ consumer/marketplace initiatives supported; and 20+ non-profit/charitable organizations supported.

To learn more about Qurate Retail Group’s Corporate Responsibility initiatives and summary reports, visit: www.qurateretailgroup.com/lp/corporate-responsibility.

1The figures included as a breakdown of participants will not total 95 as some participants identified as members of more than one group.

1Per SBS participant reporting pre-and post- program business metrics, submitted by 52% of our 95 SBS participants.

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Recently, Ringo Yu, manager, Manufacturer Climate Action Program (MCAP) at Cascale, presented information about the program at TÜV Rheinland’s series of sustainability-focused events. These included a virtual webinar for stakeholders in Thailand, another for those in Vietnam, and an in-person workshop in Shanghai, which was hosted by TÜV Rheinland.

At all three events, Yu shared information about MCAP, an integral part of Cascale’s Decarbonization Program, which supports Cascale members and non-members to drive industry transformation through decarbonization. He explained that MCAP unites manufacturers worldwide to combat climate change across the consumer goods industry, driving sustainable change through science-aligned targets (SATs). Critically, he detailed how industry stakeholders must act collectively to achieve a 45 percent reduction in GHG emissions by 2030, in line with science-based targets, limiting the temperature increase to 1.5°C as compared to pre-industrial levels.

At the in-person “Broader Multilateral Cooperation, Better Green Future” event in Shanghai, the focus was on how MCAP unlocks and enables collective action decarbonization opportunities for manufacturers in China. It included overviews of the Worldwide Responsible Accredited Production (WRAP), Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS), and Zero Discharge of Hazardous Chemicals (ZDHC) programs. The workshop was held to address increased challenges faced by the textile and chemical industries, driven by global sustainable development and energy saving/emissions reduction strategies. As international brands transform and upgrade their global supply chains, comprehensive and systematic social responsibility reports and/or certificates are critical to manufacturers.

Brian Hui, director of operations, Greater China, WRAP, introduced the latest trends in socially responsible supply chain and WRAP certification.Then Yu shared how MCAP is especially relevant to manufacturers in China, where corporate environmental, social, and governance (ESG) disclosures will become mandatory by 2030 as part of the country’s efforts to improve economic sustainability, increase EGS reporting, and fight climate change. Yu concluded his presentation by inviting new recruits for the second cohort, which will begin onboarding this month, before passing the mic to Jimi Wang, global project manager, TÜV Rheinland, who shared details of GOTS Scope 4 and ZDHC Certification.

PHILADELPHIA, September 27, 2024 /3BL/ – Comcast announced the premiere of award–winning documentary, Wade in the Water: A Journey into Black Surfing and Aquatic Culture, a film that dismantles the racial barriers of conventional surf culture, available now on Comcast’s Black Experience on Xfinity channel and the Xumo Play free streaming app.

Watch the Trailer Here

Launched in 2021, Black Experience on Xfinity features the ultimate in Black storytelling from Black programming partners and film studios and has released a variety of original documentaries, like Wade in the Water, showcasing diverse talent and content creators.

“We are thrilled to collaborate with award-winning director David Mesfin, and his team, to bring this compelling documentary to the Black Experience on Xfinity channel,” said Loren Hudson, SVP & Chief Diversity Officer, Connectivity and Platforms, Comcast. “Our goal with this channel is to facilitate the discovery of impactful films like Wade in the Water while providing a platform for emerging content creators and talent to reach wider audiences.”

Directed by David Mesfin, an award-winning creative director and multidisciplinary designer, the film dives into the 1,000-year-old tradition of Black surfing. Through a blend of historical accounts and modern-day testimonials, Wade in the Water explores the rich, often overlooked, legacy of Black surfing and pays tribute to its current movement, inspiring a new generation of Black surfers.

The documentary’s journey across the globe has not only garnered critical acclaim but has also sparked conversations about diversity and inclusion within aquatic sports. Mesfin’s directorial debut shines a light on the vibrant yet underrepresented world of Black surfing, offering viewers an insightful and moving narrative that challenges the status quo.

“Wade in the Water is more than a film; it’s a movement,” shared Director David Mesfin. “Our objective is not just to tell a story but to inspire change. We aim to ignite a passion for surfing within the Black community, challenge preconceived notions about who can be a surfer, and celebrate the rich history and culture of Black surfing.”

The film’s release represents a pioneering step towards a community-based and disruptive independent film distribution model. By making Wade in the Water accessible to a global audience, Mesfin’s team hopes to continue the dialogue on Black aquatic culture, provide opportunities for surf and outdoor Black communities, and pave the way for a more inclusive future.

For more information about the film, please visit www.wadeinthewaterproject.com.

Black Experience on Xfinity is a first-of-its-kind destination of Black entertainment, movies, TV shows, news and more. Available at home on Xfinity X1 and Flex, and on-the-go with the Xfinity Stream app, the Black Experience on Xfinity features original and high-quality content from Comcast NBCUniversal and other major studios, in addition to content from many of Xfinity’s existing network partners, at no additional cost to Xfinity customers.

Xfinity customers can access the Black Experience on channel 1622 or simply say “Black Experience” into the Voice Remote to instantly enjoy the ultimate in Black storytelling.

Cody Clegg turned his passion for fixing motorcross bikes as a child into a successful career as a diesel technician, now working for Marathon Petroleum maintaining transport trucks and ensuring safety on the road.Clegg emphasizes the importance of safety in his work, taking pride in making sure that every vehicle he repairs is roadworthy.Beyond putting his skills to good use, Clegg values Marathon Petroleum for its supportive work environment, enabling him to provide for his family and care for his children.

From police cars to bulldozers, Cody Clegg has repaired them all. He started out working on motorcross bikes in his garage at the age of six, and since then he’s turned his passion into a successful career.

“I raced motorcross until I was 22, and when something broke on my bike, I was fixing it,” said Clegg. “I was in the garage with my brother and my dad. He had hot rods, and we were always tinkering.”

Clegg grew up in Heber City, Utah. His first job after high school was on a shop floor changing tires, replacing brakes and performing alignments on big trucks. Through his employer, he completed the Cummins Diesel Mechanic School Program. Today, he’s found success specializing as a diesel technician working for Marathon Petroleum in Roosevelt, Utah, maintaining and repairing transport trucks, tankers and semi-trailers that haul crude oil to the Salt Lake City refinery.

“My favorite thing about this work is using my knowledge and resources to get the job done,” said Clegg. “I have the confidence that a 130,000-pound truck I fix is going to be safe when it’s back on the road. It’s a challenge I take very seriously.”  

Focus on Safety

The diesel mechanics in the Marathon Petroleum Roosevelt shop work Monday through Friday, and they also rotate on-call shifts in case there is an emergency breakdown when a driver is transporting products. The team always prioritizes safety when planning their jobs.

“Safety is always number one,” said Clegg. “It doesn’t matter if we are behind schedule. If a vehicle is deemed unsafe, it does not go on the road. Even if we are out on a road call, and I find something that wasn’t part of the original problem. We don’t leave until the problem is addressed.”

Clegg knows that just one mistake can cause major problems for transport drivers and others on the road.

“Marathon hires top notch technicians, because they know the potential risks if someone doesn’t know what they are doing,” said Clegg. “They expect us to bring our A-game every day.”

His leaders recognize Clegg’s dedication to the job.

“He and his peers work tirelessly to ensure the company’s Utah Crude Operations have safe and compliant transports in one of the Transport and Rail organization’s most challenging environments due to the landscape and weather,” said Marathon Petroleum Transport Maintenance Manager Edward Davis.

Tech Progression Program

Clegg has also been working on his next steps with the company. He’s exploring his options through the Marathon Petroleum Tech Progression Program, which was designed to create transparency, ownership and accountability in the diesel technician workforce regarding their careers with Marathon Petroleum.

“Cody was selected because of his positive attitude, approach to difficult situations, the care and ownership of his work, and the care and support he exhibits to his peers,” said Davis. “Cody is dedicated to supporting his fellow technicians and learning from them. He is always approachable, quick to share his experience and works to ensure others have what they need.”

Benefits of the Benefits

Clegg said he’s most proud that he’s able to provide for his family through his career at Marathon Petroleum. He and his wife are raising four children in Roosevelt. He spends his time outside of work hunting, fishing, riding horses and being a dad.

“My wife stays home with our children,” said Clegg. “We have a house and acreage and animals. It’s incredible that I can provide for my family in this way. It means everything to me.”

Marathon Petroleum offers competitive compensation, annual bonuses, health insurance, retirement benefits and more.

“My daughter has some health issues, and there is never a question from management when something comes up, and I need to be there for my family,” said Clegg. “The answer is always ‘Get out of here.’ That’s the type of company I work for. I get paid well, and my leaders treat me well and understand what it means to me to be a dad.”

Interested in a career?

“If you are a dedicated mechanic that produces quality work, not just quantity, then this is a career for you,” said Clegg. “This is much more than a job.”

Marathon Petroleum is hiring diesel mechanics and drivers.

Learn More