M&T Bank’s Post

Celebrating Excellence: In Tampa, Florida, 100 Black boys from Icon Preparatory School, dressed as kings, were recognized for their achievements and potential. The boys were honored during the annual B.U.B.B.A.’s Sons in Suits Community Awards, an event that aims to inspire young boys and men of color while honoring those who've made significant strides in their personal and academic endeavors. The sight of these young kings standing tall served as a powerful reminder of the impact positive reinforcement and representation can have on young lives, illuminating a path toward a brighter, more inclusive future. This event is a triple win for the Black community, as Icon Preparatory School is a Black-owned non-profit corporation founded in 2018 by predominantly HBCU graduates. With campuses in Tampa, Florida, Jacksonville, Florida, and Cleveland, Ohio, Icon Preparatory School embodies a commitment to providing quality education and empowerment to all students. Learn more at IconPrep.org. Furthermore, Brothers United Building Brothers Alliance (B.U.B.B.A.) stands as a beacon of support for men and boys, offering mentorship, academic assistance, and community empowerment initiatives. Discover more about their impactful work at BubbaofTampa.org. At Going Public PR, we're dedicated to showcasing uplifting moments like this, which empower and inspire our communities. Follow us for more stories of empowerment and the latest industry trends. Together, let's celebrate those who make a difference. #GoingPublicPR #BlackExcellence #YoungKings #IconPrep #BUBBASonsInSuits #CommunityImpact #InspiringStories #BlackOwnedBusiness #ExcellenceInPR

When I see a post of some company that historically do not have products or a line of makeup for women of color; of whom I have never see a Black sales associate nor employee; however, want to make an impact in one month out of 12, I’m interested in what they do for 12 months not what they say for one month. After listening to the video included in EsteeLauders post, I must point out that all efforts to build up/honor melaninated people is a short lived topic. The term “Inclusion” now overrides the right of just and equal treatment and human rights for those of Diaspora. The inclusion of women, LGBTQ and immigrants still migrating into the US, of which all people deserves equal human rights; that should not even be the question or up for debate. However, the merging of these groups under the same label is a ploy and attempt to futher kick Diaspora’s under the bus by taking precident over Melaninated people and taking focus from the real issue—Reperations. Black Girl Freedom Week is an insult. Until America and the world repent of their false inclusion agenda, matrix and biased mindsets, those of Diaspora will continually be marginalized and forced to the back of the line. #RestitutionMustBeMade #ReperationsMustBePaid #BlackHistoryEveryMonth #EsteeLauder #BlackGirlFreedomWeekisAnInsult #BlackGirlFreedomFund #GrantmakersforGirlsofColor

📣 Today National Committee for Responsive Philanthropy released "Cracks in the Foundation: Philanthropy’s Role in Reparations for Black People in the DMV". This comprehensive and powerful body of work was led by my coworker Katherine Ponce, MBA, MS alongside countless others who have stewarded this work for over two years. I encourage you to read it!📣 Institutional philanthropy's systemic underfunding of Black communities and Black-led institutions has been called out by activists and advocates in the movement for racial justice for decades. Folks in the movement for reparations have also long highlighted that increased funding to racial justice work, while critical, is not the same as reckoning with the harms caused to specific Black people and communities by the founders of philanthropic institutions as they generated their philanthropic capital. "Cracks in the Foundation" compiles, contextualizes and publishes the historical connections between philanthropic wealth origins, past harms, and modern-day racial disparities to provide an invitation and a roadmap for philanthropy to exercise responsibility for past harms by finding ways to repair, heal, and restore local communities harmed by the actions and decisions that created charitable wealth.  #DCReparations #ReparationsMatter #DMVHistory  #ResponsivePhilanthropy #RacialJustice

🎓 Excited to share my journey to higher education! 🚀 In the fall of 2011, my path to higher education began, but it was far from typical. As an undocumented student, I faced numerous hurdles that added layers of complexity to my college experience. It was a journey marked by challenges, hope, and resilience. Back in 2012, financial aid for undocumented students was practically non-existent. However, in 2013, Assembly Bill 131 came into effect, opening doors for undocumented AB 540 students like me to access private financial aid totaling approximately $88 million in scholarships and grants. Additionally, AB 130 empowered colleges and universities to award institutional scholarships to qualified undocumented students under AB 540. Simultaneously, DACA, initiated in 2012, offered temporary lawful status to young unauthorized immigrants brought to the U.S. as children. This policy shift infused hope into the hearts of many Dreamers, myself included, reigniting the possibility of immigration reform or amnesty. Yet, despite these glimmers of hope, navigating the higher education system remained a daunting task. The system wasn't designed for individuals like me—those juggling full-time work, family responsibilities, and the challenges of being a first-generation college student with limited resources. Fast forward to 2018, and Rivet School emerged as a beacon of hope. Their commitment to student success, personalized support, and flexibility in earning a Bachelor's degree renewed my confidence. Rivet not only helped me achieve my Bachelor's degree after a decade of perseverance but also opened doors to further opportunities. Through Rivet School, I discovered Presidio Graduate School, where I secured another scholarship, unlocking the possibility of pursuing not one but two master's degrees. This opportunity is beyond what I ever imagined, and it's a testament to the transformative impact of organizations Rivet and Presidio. Soon, I'll proudly become the first member of my family with two master's degrees, a milestone made possible by the unwavering support and opportunities provided by these incredible institutions. #HigherEducation #UndocumentedStudents #Dreamers #RivetSchool #PresidioGraduateSchool #TransformativeEducation

Want to help Black kids get a great education? Check out our latest article for easy ways to help! From donating to scholarships to supporting programs, every little bit counts.  👉 https://lnkd.in/eaxY_vDN #SupportEducation #BlackStudents #MakeADifference #EducationForAll #realimpact

Cracks in the Foundation: Philanthropy’s Role in Reparations for Black People in the DMV details how the disparities in areas like education, income, employment and housing for Black residents in the District of Columbia, southern Maryland, and northern Virginia areas (commonly known as the DMV) are not random or natural occurrences but are a string of conscious choices that repeatedly harmed communities. Using publicly available quantitative and qualitative research, the report details how the great wealth that made local philanthropy possible harmed the region’s Black residents in four distinct sectors: media, housing, employment, and healthcare. It also provides a framework for foundations to not only understand their past, but how they may start acknowledging and addressing these harms with community residents. The report is available for download at https://bit.ly/liRI24

🌟 MLK Day of Service Project: Calling All PLAN4SUCCESS College Cohort and College Success Guides! 🌟 Hey PLAN4SUCCESS Family! As we approach MLK Day, it's time to embody the spirit of service and civic engagement that defines our community. We're inviting all our College Cohort members and College Success Guides to participate in an MLK Day of Service Project. 🙌 🔍 Find Your Project: Check out opportunities hosted by your university's Black Student Unions, Student Services, or Multicultural Centers. Look for local non-profit organizations in need of volunteers. Embrace this chance to make a difference and honor the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. 📸 Capture & Share Your Moments: After participating, we'd love to see and share your experiences! Take photos of your involvement in these service projects and share them with the PLAN4SUCCESS community. Your actions inspire others and showcase the impact our students are making across the nation. 📲 How to Share: Use the QR code provided to easily upload and share your photos and stories with us. Let's flood our network with images of service, unity, and positive change! This MLK Day, let your actions speak volumes about the values we uphold at PLAN4SUCCESS. Your participation not only honors an incredible legacy but also strengthens our community bonds. #PLAN4SUCCESS #MLKDayOfService #CivicEngagement #CommunityImpact 👉 Scan the QR Code to Share Your Service Story! 🌐

There are many leaders in the nonprofit sector and social justice sectors who are Black Canadians, as we wrap up #BlackHistoryMonth, here a look at some of the profiles of these prominent leaders. https://loom.ly/xBU48rY #Nonprofit #SocialJustice #CanadianNonprofits

https://lnkd.in/gXHQrMdp (Info from Autistic Self Advocacy Network website:) Mini grants are small amounts of money given out by a group. For example, governments, schools, and nonprofit organizations like ASAN run mini grant programs. These grants are for self-advocates who are interested in changing the world. Mini grant projects should try to make the world better for people with disabilities. Mini grants are best for people or groups who have past experience doing advocacy. 

🎯"We seek to cultivate trust in authentic conversations, including gathering feedback on experiences of those involved with the CORE Collective to provide insights useful for our continued CORE programming and beyond, especially as advocates and the philanthropic sector explore ways to support and enhance the collaboration that leads to real results for students." ❇️Check out this new blog via CEP, The Center for Effective Philanthropy, where our colleagues, Lange Luntao, Director of External Relations, and Esmeralda Marcial, Manager of External Relations, share more about the impact of one of EdTrust-West's signature programs, the Communities Organizing for Racial Equity in Education (CORE) Collective. 🔗Read it here: bit.ly/3BuBv9z