August 17, 2020
To help you navigate these uncertain times, we’ve compiled timely news and resources related to small business, education and connectivity. We hope this provides both information and comfort as we continue to weather these challenges.
T.D. Jakes Foundation in Action
Texas Women’s Foundation is hosting a free educational program Virtual Viewpoints: Celebrating Black Philanthropy on Thursday, Aug. 20, from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m., moderated by Hattie Hill, CEO & President of T.D. Jakes Foundation. The event will feature a discussion about the existing impact and potential of Black philanthropy, particularly with respect to Black philanthropy’s role in advancing economic and racial justice, with a focus on current trends and opportunities to get involved. Register here to attend.
Dallas business leaders are committed to inclusion. Chairman T.D. Jakes and President & CEO Hattie Hill explain why they believe Dallas has become a progressive city, in this recent article from the Dallas Morning News.
On August 18, we will mark the 100th anniversary of women’s suffrage. Today, women are underrepresented at every level resulting in difficultly ascending to senior leadership positions and onto corporate boards. Hattie Hill, CEO & President of T.D. Jakes Foundation, has continuously advocated for women and people of color at some of America’s largest corporations throughout her more than 30-year career. Read our latest blog post to learn more about Hattie and the three steps business leaders can take to help women advance in the workplace.
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
A new initiative by the New York Jobs CEO Council, led by Dr. Gail Mellow, recent head of CUNY’s LaGuardia Community College, along with two dozen of New York City’s largest employers — including JPMorgan Chase, Ernst & Young, IBM, McKinsey & Company and Accenture—is designed to help those who are plagued by systemic unemployment. The council aims to hire 100,000 low-income residents and people of color by 2030 and will help prep them for tech jobs, including hiring and offering apprenticeships to 25,000 students from the City University of New York. Learn more.
Following the killing of George Floyd, many corporations are taking a renewed look at social responsibility, diversity and inclusion but are unsure how best to move forward. The National Association of Corporate Directors looks at four ways corporate boards can lead on racial diversity
Small Business Assistance
With the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) application process on pause, small business owners still have financial assistance options. Business owners seeking immediate relief should consider the following three options: The SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) Program, The Fed’s Main Street Lending Program (MSLP) and Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) Loans. Learn more from Forbes here.
Digital Divide
Common Sense Media reported that one in four students do not have an adequate internet connection or devices for remote learning. Laila Nasher, a Detroit high school valedictorian from a poor school district who recently was accepted into Harvard, shares her story and how remote learning is worsening the digital divide. Read the story on TODAY.
Education Update
Late last month, Dallas Schools superintendent Dr. Michael Hinojosa announced plans for the reopening of his 153,000-student district. His plan had instructors teaching from inside classrooms while students learn at home, but a majority of the teachers did not agree with this approach due to COVID-19 concerns. Since then, Dr. Hinojosa agreed to now allow teachers to apply to work from home if they had reliable internet and minimal distractions. Read the story in The Wall Street Journal.
With the 2020-2021 academic school year approaching, parents have many questions. All Dallas ISD parents have been invited to attend the Smart Restart Virtual Parent Conference on Aug. 18–20, a back-to-school teletown hall meeting with Superintendent Michael Hinojosa on Aug. 18 and 25, and a transportation information session for parents on Aug. 19. The Dallas ISD has also provided a “Reentry Playbook” for both parents and staff, find out more here.
The Dallas Morning News has published a School Guide where you can search for in-depth information on more than 1,700 schools in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, including many principals’ responses to survey questions issued by our editorial board. Learn more.
Together, we can and will get through this.
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