Citizens names The Equity Institute as Champion in Action for Social Equity & Inclusion
Citizens and NBC 10 provide $35,000 in funding, communications and volunteer support
PROVIDENCE, RI– The Equity Institute, a nonprofit developing and implementing innovative solutions for building more diverse, equitable, and inclusive learning and professional environments, has been named a 2021 Champion in Action® in the category of Social Equity & Inclusion. The award, announced jointly by Citizens and NBC10, includes $35,000 in unrestricted funding, as well as promotional and volunteer support for the organization’s outstanding work.
The Equity Institute is reimagining diversity, equity, and inclusion (DE&I) training to empower educators and leaders as designers in creating sustainable change for their districts, schools, and organizations. In response to the national teacher shortage and the lack of racial and linguistic teacher diversity, The Equity Institute has partnered with College Unbound and Rhode Island School for Progressive Education to launch their EduLead Fellowship. This program helps K-12 teacher assistants and non-certified, school-based professionals attain their college degree and teaching certification, so they can become classroom educators making long-term impact within their communities.
Champions in Action is part of Citizens Helping Citizens, the bank’s initiative designed to help local communities prosper. It provides support for nonprofit organizations to recognize their contributions to communities throughout Rhode Island.
“The Equity Institute is paving the way in building a future generation of educators and leaders that will bring much needed diversity into our classrooms.” said Barbara Cottam, RI Market Executive at Citizens. “Their innovative approach and program addressing diversity, equity and inclusion in our schools is what makes them a highly deserving Champion in Action.”
“The Equity Institute is on the leading edge of figuring out ways to create a more just education system in Rhode Island,” said Vic Vetters, Vice President and General Manager, NBC 10. “Their team has seized the moment to make lasting change in our community.”
“This recognition is a testament to the impact and potential of supporting and developing our school professionals,” said Karla Vigil, CEO & Co-Founder of The Equity Institute. “More importantly, it speaks to a community commitment to addressing historical inequities in educator pathway programs as we seek to recruit, develop, and retain a more racially, linguistically, and ethnically diverse educator workforce. This wonderful opportunity will directly help us expand our programming to more teacher assistants and school support professionals from underrepresented communities.”
As a Champion in Action, The Equity Institute will receive:
A $35,000 contribution in unrestricted funds from Citizens;
Media coverage and public service announcements from NBC 10;
Volunteer support from Citizens colleagues;
Public relations and promotional support.
For more information about the Citizens and NBC10 Champions in Action program, visit www.citizensbank.com/community/champions-in-action.aspx