Associates in Action: Gilead Named Top Funder for HIV-Related Philanthropy

By Katie Boggs

Gilead Sciences, Inc., a CSG Associate, replaced The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation as the top funder for HIV-related philanthropy, according to the Funders Concerned About AIDS (FCAA) 19th annual report.

The 2020 FCAA’s Philanthropic Support to Address HIV and AIDS Report was the first to examine the response of HIV-related philanthropy through the COVID-19 pandemic. Results showed that there is a shrinking pool of funders for this cause, as there was only a 1% increase in revenue compared to 2019, and 67% of the funding under this analysis was derived from the aforementioned top two funders.

Gilead’s donation in 2020 had an increase of $116 million compared to the previous year. On the other hand, 13 of the top 20 funders reportedly decreased donations in comparison to the 2019 report. Data showed that other private foundations also significantly reduced philanthropic spending on HIV or removed themselves entirely.

“The concentration of funding at the top is not a new headline, but it became starker in 2020,” said Channing Wickham, FCAA’s board chair and executive director of the Washington AIDS Partnership. “A shift in resources away from HIV, or other action with economic fallout from one of these top grantmakers could devastate future funding levels.”

Regardless of the statistics, Gilead continues to advocate and spread awareness of HIV and AIDS. In 2020, amidst the height of the pandemic, Gilead shared stories of its community partners that kept going during the difficult time on World AIDS Day. Aside from philanthropy, the company’s efforts are also evident in providing resources, programs and initiatives to support the cause globally.

“Gilead’s support for community organizations is part of our enduring commitment to ending the HIV epidemic,” said Daniel O’Day, Gilead Sciences chairman and chief executive officer. “We believe that real progress is only possible through collaboration and partnership. That is why we invest in the extraordinary efforts our partners are undertaking to reach underserved populations, eliminate barriers to care and educate communities. It is inspiring to see the work that goes on across these groups and we are proud to play a role in supporting them.”

For more information, please visit www.gilead.com.

About Gilead Sciences, Inc.

Gilead Sciences, Inc. is a biopharmaceutical company that has pursued and achieved breakthroughs in medicine for more than three decades, with the goal of creating a healthier world for all people. The company is committed to advancing innovative medicines to prevent and treat life-threatening diseases, including HIV, viral hepatitis and cancer. Gilead operates in more than 35 countries worldwide, with headquarters in Foster City, California.

About the Philanthropic Support to Address HIV and AIDS Report

About the Philanthropic Support to Address HIV and AIDS Report FCAA first began its annual analysis of private funding to address HIV and AIDS in the year 2000. The current report captures data on more than 5,000 grants, awarded by 323 foundations in 10 countries, and identifies gaps, trends, and opportunities in HIV-related philanthropy. Sharing this study with funders enables them to make informed decisions about where their resources would make the most difference.

About FCAA

About FCAA Funders Concerned About AIDS (FCAA) is a philanthropy-serving organization (PSO) founded in 1987 to take bold actions and push philanthropy to respond to HIV. FCAA informs, connects, and supports philanthropy to mobilize resources to end the global HIV pandemic and build the social, political and economic commitments necessary to attain health, human rights, and justice for all.

About CSG Associates in Action

Associates in Action articles highlight CSG Associates’ philanthropic efforts and public-private partnerships throughout the states.

Associates in Action: NASPO Launches Program Supporting Member Certification

By Julie Stahl

The National Association of State Procurement Officials launched a new reimbursement program for public procurement professionals in March as part of its celebration of National Procurement Month. NASPO is a CSG Associate and nonprofit association committed to supporting public procurement leaders and promoting government excellence by delivering superior procurement solutions for public benefit.

The new NASPO program offers full reimbursement of the application and examination fees for qualified candidates in 2023 who pass the certification exams offered by the Universal Public Procurement Certification Council, or UPPCC. The UPPCC is an independent organization formed to govern and administer the Certified Public Procurement Officer and Certified Professional Public Buyer certification programs.

“Now is a great time for CSG members to encourage their procurement personnel to consider certification,” said David Gragan, NASPO chief administrative and strategic operations officer. “Those who pass the public procurement certification exams offered by the UPPCC can receive 100% reimbursement provided by the National Association of State Procurement Officials. This is another example of how NASPO strives daily to elevate the public procurement profession.”

The Certified Public Procurement Officer exam focuses on the six UPPCC Body of Knowledge and Competency domain areas: legal framework, procurement planning and analysis, sourcing and solicitation, contract development and management, leadership and business principles. The Certified Professional Public Buyer exam tests practice-level knowledge of the domain areas required for proficiency. The UPPCC Body of Knowledge and Competency domain areas for both exams can be found here.

NASPO provides its membership with highly beneficial programs, research, publications, innovative procurement strategies and professional development opportunities. Procurement professionals seek to serve as champions of the populace’s interests and demonstrate dedication to ethical best practices. NASPO continues to promote their mission and values by curating beneficial programs elevating the public procurement profession. For further information about UPPCC and procurement certifications, please visit uppcc.org.

Associates in Action: Hurricane Ian Relief Efforts

By Sarahi Castillo

Hurricane Ian thrashed parts of Florida’s western coast, bringing intense winds, heavy rainfall and catastrophic storm surges causing devasted damages. In the wake of Hurricane Ian, many CSG Associates have pledged to help donate and assist those in need of help. CSG is proud to highlight the excellent work that our Associates have contributed toward the relief in the wake of the catastrophic hurricane.

AARP and AARP Foundation announced a relief fund to support victims of Hurricane Ian, the relief fund will allow AARP and AARP Foundation to match contributions, dollar for dollar up to $1,000,000. All funds will be directed to organizations providing relief and assistance to those in need. To learn more, read the full story here.

Amazon and its disaster relief team have delivered supplies and basic necessities to relief organizations like Americares. Amazon has donated $1 million to Florida Disaster Fund and is providing immediate relief assistance to employees as well as deploying volunteers within the region. To read more about Amazon’s contributions click here.

American Bankers Association and its foundation have planned to collect tax-exempt contributions through its Disaster Relief Program to aid relief efforts. American Bankers Association have also pledged to donate $100,000 to the fund. The Foundation’s fundraising drive raised another $73,000 from across the banking industry. All funds raised will be directed to the Volunteer Florida Foundation to help aid and recovery efforts. Read the full story here.

The American Society of Civil Engineers’ (ASCE) Puerto Rico section is partnering with a local design firm to help deliver supplies to citizens in municipalities heavily affected by the hurricane. ASCE also continues to advise local infrastructure owner and operators on how to rebuild more resiliently to better ensure infrastructure will withstand and protect against future storms.

AT&T and the AT&T foundation are donating $400,000 to organizations supporting restoration work in the wake of Hurricane Ian. AT&T is also focusing on permanent connectivity solutions for a few cell sites that were impacted by the storm. View the full article here.

Credit Union National Association has committed $225,500 from its CUAid program, which is managing individual donations to credit union employees and volunteers in Puerto Rico, while providing financial support to those affected by it. To learn more, click here for the full story.

CVS Health has contributed $1 million in monetary donations and up to $100,000 in product donations in Florida and Puerto Rico. Contributions made by CVS Health will be made to Florida Disaster Fund, Feeding America and the World Central Kitchen.

HCA Healthcare will contribute up to $1.5 million through community organizations and colleague matching to aid in Hurricane Ian relief efforts in Florida. The contributions total $1 million to the Governor’s Florida Disaster Fund, $250,000 to the American Red Cross and up to $250,000 in colleague matching gifts to the American Red Cross. To learn more, please click here for the full story.

Hondo Motor Co Inc. is donating $500,000 in disaster relief funds to the American Red Cross to support food security and shelter issues in the areas impacted by the recent hurricanes. Honda is offering its associates an opportunity to join the hurricane relief effort through a matching fund program. View the full article on Honda Motor Co Inc. contributions here.

Pharmaceutical Care Management Association (PCMA) has provided relief effort to victims impacted by Hurricane Ian. PCMA staff and attendees have sent boxes filled with food for victims in Florida.

Procter & Gamble brings relief to residents affected by Hurricane Ian in Southwest Florida with P&G products and Tide Loads of Hope Laundry Services. P&G will also distribute free personal care kits with everyday essentials including basic hygiene needs. To learn more, read the full story here.

Target has committed $5 million to local and national disaster response partners and has also supported local first responders and nonprofit organizations in purchasing supplies. In addition, Target provided financial assistance to team members through its Team Member Giving Fund. View the full article here.

Teladoc is providing free, 24/7 general medical telehealth visits to individuals impacted by Hurricane Ian. Individuals in Florida who have been displaced or who cannot access medical care as a result of the hurricane can seek treatment from a licensed health care professional for any non-emergency illness by calling Teladoc directly at (855) 225-5032. To access the full story, click here.

T-Mobile has continued to support regional recovery through ongoing network deployments. The organization is helping residents who are working to assess damage and supporting federal, state and local organizations with addition capacity, hotspots, devices and more. Click here for the full story.

Verizon Communications has deployed its response team across the Southeast to provide mission critical communications support to public safety agencies. Verizon will also be providing unlimited calling, texting and data to their consumer and small business customers who were impacted by the storm. View the full article on Verizon Communications here.

Walgreens is supporting storm relief efforts in communities across Florida, Puerto Rico and other areas impacted by Hurricanes Ian and Fiona by contributing $1 million in aid, including $500,000 to both the Florida Disaster Fund and the American Red Cross Hurricane Fund. To learn more, visit here to read the full story.

Wells Fargo and Wells Fargo Foundation will be donating $1 million to aid four statewide organizations: American Red Cross, Feeding Florida, Florida Housing Coalition and Volunteer Florida providing urgent relief In Florida. In addition, Wells Fargo will also provide customer accommodations and employee support for those directly impacted by the storm.

Associates in Action: Visa Inc. on Fighting Poverty and Homelessness

By Sarahi Castillo

Visa Inc., a CSG Associate and a global payment technology company, and Visa Foundation work with charitable organizations to support underserved communities. In May, Visa Inc. and Visa Foundation directed resources to Tipping Point Community, a nonprofit organization in San Francisco Bay Area.

Visa Foundation announced a $12 million grant for Tipping Point Community to address and prevent youth homelessness in six San Francisco Bay Area counties. The grant will support a broader three-year $16 million total combined initiative, which includes $4 million in funding from Tipping Point to local services that support at-risk youth or youth currently experiencing homelessness, while strengthening the service providers and systems designed to meet their unique needs.

The new program announcement builds on a $7.5 million commitment from Visa Foundation supporting Bay Area organizations working to address chronic and youth homelessness since 2019, including an initial $3 million Visa Foundation grant to Tipping Point.

It is estimated that over 3,500 youth are experiencing homelessness in San Francisco’s Bay Area on any given night, making it one of the highest rates of youth homelessness in the nation. In addition, LGBTQIA individuals and minorities experience greater rates of homelessness than their peers. Recent estimates also show that more than 35,000 homeless people live in all nine Bay Area counties — a 24% increase from 2017 — and 1.7 million people in the Bay Area are unable to meet their basic needs. In some communities, only three in 10 students graduate from college and three-in-four homeless youth come from foster care or the juvenile justice system.

 “Homelessness in the Bay Area is the defining issue of our time for our community. It is happening on our watch, and we all need to do our part to solve it, we are committed to working to reduce the tragic number of families and youth experiencing homelessness,” said Oliver Jenkyn, president of North America Visa and member of the Tipping Point board of directors. “As broad and complicated as the issue is, we are committed to working to reduce the tragic number of families and youth experiencing homelessness. Visa and Visa Foundation are ready to roll up our sleeves with Tipping Point to have an impact.” “Visa Foundation and Tipping Point recognize that no single institution acting alone can prevent or address youth homelessness in the Bay Area,” said Graham Macmillan, president of Visa Foundation. “It is through an aligned and coordinated effort across service providers and systems that we can effectively direct resources to address youth homelessness where they have the greatest impact.”

Associates in Action: CSG Associates Support Eastern Kentucky Flood Relief Efforts

By Sarahi Castillo

Several rounds of heavy rain moved across Eastern Kentucky from July 26 to July 30, causing torrential flooding and devasting damage. In the wake of the flooding, many CSG Associates have pledged to help donate and assist those in need of help. CSG is proud to highlight the excellent work that our Associates have contributed toward the relief in the wake of the catastrophic flooding.

AARP Kentucky has compiled a list of nonprofit organizations, government agencies, shelter organizations by county and helpful links to other groups that are accepting donations, organizing volunteers and offering supplies to victims and their families. Anyone affected by the storm can access AARP’s link via https://states.aarp.org/kentucky/disaster-response-resource-guide.

Amazon’s Disaster Relief Team responded to requests from- Save the Children, Feeding America, The American Red Cross and local organizations to donate over 580,000 relief items, including ready-to-eat meals, water, shelter items, solar chargers, lights, backpacks, pack-and-plays, strollers, baby tubs, baby carriers and diapers.

AT&T and the AT&T Foundation donated $50,000 to the Team Eastern Kentucky Flood Relief Fund and Volunteers of America. Their retail employees also provided phones and charging resources for use by residents who are housed at area shelters like Jackson command post, as well as hygiene kits. AT&T volunteers are supporting the Crisis Cleanup Hotline and FirstNet Response Operations Group by connecting residents with local relief organizations and first responders. Their FirstNet team deployed a combined total of 12 temporary mobile towers and generators to several Eastern Kentucky communities including Buckhorn Lake State Park in Perry County and the Knott County Community Center in Leburn to serve displaced residents and first responders. To further help individuals and families in the area, a text-to-give campaign was launched to collect donations for the Foundation for Appalachian Kentucky Crisis Fund. AT&T is also waiving overage charges to provide unlimited talk, text, and data for affected customers.

HCA Healthcare has committed $400,000 for Kentucky flood relief efforts. They will contribute $100,000 to the American Red Cross, $100,000 to the Team Eastern Kentucky Flood Relief Fund, $100,000 in colleague matching gifts and relief grants to Galen College Nursing students with disaster needs and $100,000 through in-kind donations to meet critical community needs.

Procter & Gamble’s Response Team, in partnership with Matthew 25: Ministries, is mobilizing the “Tide Loads of Hope Mobile Laundry Unit” to support relief and recovery efforts by providing free, full-service laundry as well as distributing free personal care kits with everyday essentials such as cleaning products and hygiene products in affected areas.

Teladoc will be providing free, 24/7 general medical telehealth visits to residents, first responders and others. However, individuals who are displaced within the area due to the flooding can seek treatment from a licensed health care professional for non-emergency illness by calling 855-225-5032.

The American Bankers Association, or ABA, will be contributing $25,000 to support flood relief efforts in Kentucky. ABA is donating the $25,000 to the Kentucky Bankers Relief Fund established by the Kentucky Bankers Association and encouraging its members to donate as well. Money from the fund will assist flood victims including more than 20 bank employees directly affected by the disaster. This marks the second ABA contribution to help victims of natural disasters in Kentucky in less than a year. ABA contributed $50,000 to relief efforts after devastating tornadoes in Kentucky last December.

International Paper, McKesson Corp., Microsoft Corp., and Wells Fargo have donated as members of the Red Cross Annual Disaster Giving Program and the Disaster Responder Program, which helps enable the American Red Cross to prepare communities for disasters big and small, respond whenever and wherever disasters occur and help families during the recovery process.

Associates in Action articles highlight the philanthropic efforts and public-private partnerships of members of the CSG Associates Program, our consortium of private-sector entities, national trade associations and nonprofits that support the work of The Council of State Governments.

Associates in Action: Neurocrine Biosciences Honors Fifth Annual Tardive Dyskinesia (TD) Awareness Week

By: Victor Montgomery

Neurocrine Biosciences, a CSG Associate, recently recognized the fifth annual Tardive Dyskinesia (TD) Awareness Week to help elevate the voices and experiences of people living with tardive dyskinesia. This May, for the first time ever, all 50 states and Washington D.C. joined Neurocrine Biosciences and mental health advocacy organizations nationwide to shine a light on those affected by TD. More than 25 iconic landmarks across the nation – from Niagara Falls to the Portland Morrison Street Bridge to the entire Balboa Park complex – were lit up blue to elevate awareness in the community around TD. By recognizing TD Awareness Week, Neurocrine Biosciences, advocacy organizations, legislators, and the community raised awareness around:

  • The impact TD can have on a person’s physical, emotional and social well-being
  • The signs and symptoms associated with TD
  • The importance of working with one’s doctor to manage the condition, including talking about available treatment options

Tardive dyskinesia is a condition that affects approximately 600,000 people in the United States. The disorder causes uncontrollable movements affecting the face, torso, and/or other body parts and may develop after a few months of taking certain medications (antipsychotics) to treat bipolar disorder, depression, schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder. The uncontrollable movements of TD can significantly reduce the quality of life for those affected, impacting daily tasks such as eating, sleeping, drinking and even leaving the house.

TD can also have emotional and social consequences. Data from the RE-KINECT study, the largest real-world screening study of patients with clinically confirmed possible TD, demonstrated that 75% of the 204 participants affirmed feeling self-conscious or embarrassed about involuntary movements caused by TD. By acknowledging and recognizing these symptoms as part of a real, chronic condition, TD Awareness Week provides important education and encouragement to connect patients with necessary support and potential treatment.

TD Awareness Week kicks off the first full week of May, otherwise known as Mental Health Awareness Month – an initiative established in 1949 by the National Association for Mental Health. Mental Health Awareness Month acknowledges the one in five U.S. adults living with a mental illness and who may be at highest risk of developing TD.

Neurocrine Biosciences is a neuroscience-focused biopharmaceutical company dedicated to discovering, developing and delivering life-changing treatments for people with under-addressed neurological, endocrine and psychiatric disorders. For nearly three decades, Neurocrine Biosciences has specialized in targeting and interrupting disease-causing mechanisms involving the interconnected pathways of the nervous and endocrine systems.

For more information on TD Awareness Week, please visit: TalkAboutTD.com

Associates in Action: Western Governors University and North Dakota Community Colleges Formalize Partnership for Affordable Education

Western Governors University (WGU), a non-profit online university and CSG Associate, signed a memorandum of understanding on March 17 with the North Dakota University System’s five community colleges. The agreement will provide graduates and staff of Bismarck State College, Dakota College at Bottineau, Lake Region State College, North Dakota State College of Science and Williston State College with an affordable pathway to earning their bachelor’s or master’s degrees through WGU. The institution offers over 60 undergraduate and graduate degree programs covering business, IT, K-12 teacher education and health professions including nursing.

In addition, students transferring from North Dakota community colleges to WGU will now be eligible to apply for scholarships including WGU’s Community College Partner Scholarship Program and Online Access Scholarship. The Community College Scholarship Program is valued at up to $2,500 and is applied to WGU’s low, flat-rate tuition of about $3,800 per six-month term – making educational expenses even more accessible. Meanwhile, applicants in need who lack access to affordable, high-speed internet can receive a stipend for internet installation, monthly internet access costs for the duration of study and devices.

“We are delighted to provide continuing education options to the graduates and staff of North Dakota Community Colleges,” said Dr. Angie Besendorfer, Regional Vice President of Western Governors University. “WGU values the important role community colleges play in upskilling the workforce and is pleased to provide North Dakota residents with pathways to higher education and career advancement.”

North Dakota Governor Doug Burgum first announced the memorandum of understanding between North Dakota Community Colleges’ five presidents and WGU during his 2022 State of the State Address. During his speech, Governor Burgum highlighted the crucial need to provide North Dakotans with access to high-quality education to prepare for in-demand careers that will strengthen and diversify the state’s economy.

“In North Dakota, we’re focused on ensuring that every resident can thrive in the 21st century economy and reach their fullest potential,” Governor Burgum said. “To be successful, we must be better at aligning our degree offerings with the needs of North Dakota businesses. This new partnership with Western Governors University will provide North Dakotans with seamless access to one of the nation’s most innovative higher education institutions to continue their education as they pursue their career goals and pathways to opportunity.”

WGU’s connection to North Dakota stretches back to the university’s founding in 1997, when then-Governor Ed Shafer joined 18 other U.S. governors in a mission to expand access to exceptional, affordable higher education by signing WGU’s charter. Since then, WGU has become the leading national competency-based university, making it possible for students to accelerate degree progress on subjects they know well to save both time and money. The university now serves more than 131,000 students nationwide and has more than 257,000 graduates in all 50 states as a leading influence in changing the lives of individuals and families and preparing the workforce needed in today’s rapidly evolving economy.

More information on the partnership between WGU and North Dakota Community Colleges can be found at: www.wgu.edu/ndcc.

Associates in Action: CVS Health Provides 10,000 Free Lyft Rides to CVS Pharmacy Locations and Community Clinics 

by Victor Montgomery 

CVS Health, a CSG Associate, recently released a report highlighting the value it brought communities in 2021 through its enterprise response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Among other efforts, CVS Health partnered with Lyft’s universal vaccine access campaign to provide approximately 10,000 free rides for underrepresented minorities to vaccination appointments. Lack of transportation access and an inadequate number of pharmacies are the main practical barriers fueling health disparities in communities of color, according to health experts and research from the CDC. 

To help reduce travel times to clinics and pharmacies, CVS Health used the CDC’s Social Vulnerability Index to identify historically underserved areas and closely collaborated with nonprofit organizations, including Easterseals, the Black Church Network and the YMCA to establish 14 community clinics and 18 “pop-up” clinics across nine states. Thanks to these efforts and others, CVS Health leads the nation in both COVID-19 diagnostic testing and vaccination, with approximately 32 million tests and 59 million vaccinations administered in 2021. 

HCA Healthcare Commits $250,000 in Support of Kentucky Tornado Relief Efforts

Associates in Action 

By Victor Montgomery 

Associates in Action articles highlight CSG Associates’ philanthropic efforts and public-private partnerships throughout the states. 

 
HCA Healthcare, a CSG Associate, recently announced a contribution of $250,000 to fund organizations providing tornado relief services to Kentucky communities devastated by severe tornadoes. Kentucky was the state hit hardest by a chain of severe tornadoes that carved a path across six states in early December, leaving thousands without homes, electricity, and supplies. Recipients include the American Red Cross Southern and Midwest Tornadoes Relief Fund ($100,000), United Way of Southern Kentucky Tornado Crisis and Recovery Fund ($100,000), and Governor Steve Beshear’s Team Western Kentucky Tornado Relief Fund ($50,000).  

As one of the nation’s leading providers of healthcare services, Nashville-based HCA Healthcare has a history of supporting disaster relief efforts. HCA Healthcare has provided over $4.6 million to the Red Cross for disaster relief efforts over the past five years, providing financial support in the aftermath of tornadoes that struck Middle Tennessee in 2020, the Texas winter storms in 2021, and Middle Tennessee floods in 2021. Over the last three years, HCA Healthcare has further supported the Red Cross through a $500,000 annual contribution to the organization’s Annual Disaster Giving Program (ADGP). HCA Healthcare’s philanthropic efforts help the Red Cross respond immediately to disasters, support families during the recovery process, and prepare communities for future emergencies. 

HCA Healthcare affiliated hospital TriStar Greenview Hospital is located in Bowling Green, Kentucky and serves many of the state’s hardest-hit areas. In the wake of the storm, TriStar Greenview Hospital and TriStar Skyline Medical Center in Nashville, Tennessee cared for injured patients and hosted blood drives to respond to the increased need for blood. Meanwhile, HCA’s Healthcare Hope Fund—an employee-run, employee-supported 501(c)(3) charity – provided additional financial aid and resources to employees. The HCA Healthcare Hope Fund is designed to protect colleagues in this and other disasters after an extended illness, injury, or other special situation. In 2020 alone, the Fund provided more than $10.6 million in grants to over 4,900 families. 

Endeavor Stands Up for Racial Equality Through #ChangeFashion Initiative

Associates in Action

By Victor Montgomery 

Associates in Action articles highlight CSG Associates’ philanthropic efforts and public-private partnerships throughout the states. 

Endeavor, a CSG Associate, has partnered with Color Of Change, Joan Smalls, and the Black In Fashion Council through its subsidiary IMG to launch #ChangeFashion. This initiative aims to eradicate racism in the fashion industry, restore equity and advance racial justice. Announced in February 2021, #ChangeFashion emphasizes the need for companies to move beyond conversation and embrace structural change by acting.

IMG, the Black in Fashion Council and Joan Smalls combined their deep industry knowledge with Color of Change’s racial justice and corporate accountability expertise to create an industry-specific Roadmap with the following five universal actions: 

  • Invest in Black Talent and Careers to restore the dignity and presence of Black artists, models, designers, talent, and the diversity of coverage on Black life and culture. 
  • Commit to Transparent Reporting and Equal Representation of Black People for complete and accurate data collection on Black workers in the fashion industry at every level. 
  • Invest in Content That Advances Racial Justice by prioritizing accurate and authentic content about social issues and Black life as told by Black people. 
  • Invest in Black Safety by reassessing relationships with police and security within the industry. 
  • Invest in the Growth and Prosperity of Black Communities by investing in Black communities, promoting civic advocacy, and taking a stand on issues that affect Black people. 

“In order to create real and lasting change, we must first identify the systems that cause inequity, exclusion and misrepresentation and then work to find solutions to fix the system. We’re proud to be partnered with Color of Change in building and providing individuals and companies practical tools for systemic change across the Fashion, Music and Entertainment industries,” according to Romola Ratnam, Senior Vice President of Social Impact at Endeavor. 

The Roadmap and additional resources on #ChangeFashion can be found online at https://changeindustries.org/changefashion/. 

ChangeFashion is the third entry into Color of Change’s multi-industry racial justice accountability franchise #ChangeIndustries. WME and Endeavor Content, sister companies to IMG within the Endeavor network, first partnered with Color of Change and Michael B. Jordan to release #ChangeHollywood in July of 2020. Color of Change announced the second initiative in partnership with Recording Academy® in December 2020.