Urban League of Broward County selected as Verizon Racial Justice grantee to Advance Racial Equity and Social Justice Initiatives
Urban League of Broward County selected as Verizon Racial Justice grantee to Advance Racial Equity and Social Justice Initiatives
Selected as one of two grant recipients in South Florida
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla., Oct 19, 2021 - The Urban League of Broward County is pleased to announce a $165,500 grant from Verizon to build its capacity to work with internal and external stakeholders to lead conversations about racial equity in the workplace, business, and community. The contribution will be leveraged to develop programming within the Urban League that will focus on racial equity, diversity and inclusion (REDI) leadership training, civic engagement, and advocacy. The grant is part of Verizon’s commitment to uplift underserved communities while strengthening local leadership to drive impactful change.
The new funding significantly boosts the Urban League’s ongoing efforts to address historic inequities that exist across its six service verticals of Education, Entrepreneurship, Jobs, Justice, Housing, and Health. “We are thankful to Verizon for this visionary investment,” said Urban League of Broward County President and CEO, Dr. Germaine Smith-Baugh. “By making this responsive and timely contribution to the Urban League, they send a powerful message about our shared commitment to advance this critical movement-building work.”
In addition to providing financial support, Verizon will help bolster and amplify the Urban League’s REDI Initiative to advance racial equity for business leaders in the areas of Diverse Talent & Pipeline Development, Workplace Culture, Community Investment, and Supplier Diversity.
“Verizon is committed not only to a brand purpose of moving the world forward but also to helping ensure we move it forward for everyone,” said Merdochey LaFrance, Verizon’s Director of Local Engagement in South Florida. “Through our investment in the Urban League of Broward County’s REDI work, we commit to being a force for change and live up to the highest ideals of equality and justice. A better, more just future is within our reach if we can come together and amplify the voices that need to be heard.”
The Urban League’s partnership with Verizon began last year when Verizon contributed $50,000 to the Urban League to launch the Advocacy in Motion (AiM) Initiative which empowered residents of Broward County to take an active role in shaping the policies that impact their communities through activism, engagement, and service. The Urban League also produced a Virtual Leadership Chat Series, Morning Tea with Dr. G; a five-part virtual series that featured Broward leaders in business, health, education, and community justice.
For more information on how to support this initiative and other community programs, please contact the Urban League of Broward County at (954) 584-0777 or visit ulbroward.org
About the Urban League of Broward County
The Urban League of Broward County is a not-for-profit organization founded to empower communities and change lives. Our mission is to enable African Americans and others in historically underserved communities to secure economic self-reliance, parity, power, and civil rights. Our ADVANCE programs uplift nearly 14,000 people every year through affordable housing initiatives, youth development, and diversion, employment and training, entrepreneurship, health, and civic engagement. Learn more about the Urban League of Broward County by visiting www.ulbroward.org or follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn.
Verizon
Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE, Nasdaq: VZ) was formed on June 30, 2000 and is one of the world’s leading providers of technology, communications, information and entertainment products and services. Headquartered in New York City and with a presence around the world, Verizon generated revenues of $128.3 billion in 2020. The company offers data, video and voice services and solutions on its award-winning networks and platforms, delivering on customers’ demand for mobility, reliable network connectivity, security and control.