Core Points - Ponce Bank has been awarded $50,000 through the FHLBNY Small Business Recovery Grant Program to support local small businesses and nonprofits [1][2] - The grant funds have been distributed to 12 small businesses, providing essential support to help them sustain operations amid economic challenges [1][3] - Ponce Bank emphasizes its commitment to economic inclusion and community development, focusing on underserved communities [2][3] Company Overview - Ponce Bank was founded in 1960 in the Bronx by Puerto Ricans, aiming to invest in their community during a time when many financial institutions were withdrawing [4] - The bank operates 13 branches in the New York Metro area, with total assets of $3.2 billion and over $500 million in capital [4][6] - Ponce Bank is recognized as one of the largest Latino-led Minority Depository Institutions (MDIs) and Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs) in the nation [4][6] Grant Program Details - The FHLBNY Small Business Recovery Grant Program provides funds to assist small businesses and nonprofits within the FHLBNY district, which includes New York, New Jersey, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands [2] - The grant funds are intended to help businesses manage expenses such as payroll, equipment, and working capital [3] Award Recipients - The following small businesses and nonprofits received funding through the FHLBNY Small Business Recovery Grant Program: RID Trucking LLC, JC Trucking LLC, Diaz Security Services LLC, JAS Grocery, 735 Supermarket Corp., Atlantic Bagels Foods, LLC, The Great Reset Restaurant Corp, Manitos Media Group, UA3 Inc., Churches United For Fair Housing, Inc., New York Women's Chamber of Commerce, Las Panteras Negras [5]

[music] So, my name is Rafiat. I'm uh I run an organization called Footsteps. I am a social entrepreneur by profession. And being a social entrepreneur means being able to take risks.But this wasn't always in my plan. I actually had a life plan when I was young. So when I was young, my plan was to get good grades in school, go to a top IV league university, graduate with like a 4.0% perfect GPA, work at the UN for like 20 years, and then start my own nonprofit once I came back.But at the age of 17 in high s ...

[Music] [Applause] I am a poet, a storyteller. London, China. It's not even a cliche that when you educate a girl, you educate a nation.A girl does not belong to the society for domestication. She belongs to the community for developmental solution. Girls belong to society as an institution.They are not looking for a buyer. What they look for is that every child is to lift something higher. Cha.Behind every successful man, there is a woman supporting his mission. And behind every successful community, there ...

Wawira Njiru. She grew up in Kenya, where her parents, who worked in health care and were leaders at their church, taught her that if you have something, you share it, that early lesson in service shaped her purpose in life. While studying nutrition in Australia, she realized she had to help the many children back home who were going to school hungry.So she hosted a small fundraiser, cooking for 80 people, and used the money she raised to feed 25 kids. That simple idea became food for education, a movement ...

Businessman leads collection for Jamaican hometown https://t.co/Ezf2vIefSp ...

A very good afternoon. About a decade ago, my family and I moved to Holland from the New England area. We started in a small college town in New Hampshire and drove more than a thousand miles in three days.While I am not a fan of these long road trips, I have to admit that if you pay careful attention, they can give you a sense of how a community is doing. You see, our journey took us across the industrial heartlands of America, where we saw big cities and busy highways. Yet, we also saw some tired downtown ...

Core Points - The Consumers Energy Foundation announced its 2025 Prosperity Award Winners, granting a total of $500,000 to projects in Curtis Township, Lincoln Township, and the Village of Vanderbilt aimed at economic development and community welfare [1][2] - The Foundation's Prosperity Awards are part of its annual grant rounds, with a total allocation of $1.5 million in 2025, following previous awards in April and July [3][4] Group 1: Award Recipients and Projects - Curtis Township received $250,000 to revitalize a vacant downtown building into a hub for community events and local government meetings, enhancing civic engagement [5] - Lincoln Township was awarded $150,000 for the Bertha's New Beat project, which aims to improve accessibility and inclusivity at Bertha Lake Park through various enhancements [5] - The Village of Vanderbilt received $100,000 for the Gateway to the Pigeon River project, creating an inviting entrance to the community and promoting tourism and local economic growth [5] Group 2: Foundation's Mission and Contributions - The Consumers Energy Foundation focuses on strengthening Michigan communities by investing in people, the planet, and prosperity [4] - In 2024, the Foundation and its affiliates contributed over $15 million to support Michigan nonprofits and communities [4]

Community & Perception - Small towns are often defined by negative press, overshadowing the positive aspects of the community [3][4][5] - The speaker emphasizes the importance of focusing on the good press and positive aspects of small towns, rather than dwelling on the negative [2][3][6] - The speaker advocates for individuals to take responsibility for the issues in their hometowns instead of blaming others [17][18] Action & Initiative - The "We are the traffic" movement started in Albany, Georgia, to address health issues like obesity and heart attacks through community exercise [18][19][20] - The initiative began with 16 people and quickly grew to 600 participants, inspiring similar runs in 16 cities [23][24][25] - The speaker highlights the importance of individual action and community involvement in addressing local problems [9][10][17] Vision & Impact - Small towns are not behind but are the blueprint for the world [25] - The speaker's personal experience of going viral and then returning to focus on local issues demonstrates the importance of remembering one's roots [14][15][16] - The speaker believes that small towns can be special and build special people [10]

Community Engagement & Leadership - Personal growth through social interaction and leadership roles can significantly impact career trajectory [1][3][4][9] - Community support is crucial for successful initiatives, highlighting the importance of collaboration [12][17][20] - Relationships are key to successful project development and community engagement [13][15][21] Economic & Community Development Initiatives - One Sumpter Economic Development Foundation addresses local challenges through community-funded projects [11][12] - Broadband expansion project secured over $25 million in grants to improve rural access [14] - Ignite College and Career Academy received a $3 million grant to enhance education and workforce opportunities [17] - Pearly Brown Amphitheater is under construction with $1.6 million raised through collaborative efforts, aiming for economic and cultural development [19][20][21] Addressing Social Issues - Community is actively working to address youth violence and crime through collaborative efforts involving law enforcement, faith-based organizations, schools, and students [18][19]

Historical Context & Significance - The movement addressed Jim Crow society and segregation in schools and public facilities [2] - The America's Colored Hospital, founded in 1923, was the only medical facility in South Georgia for African-Americans until 1953 [4] - The City Federation of Color Women's Club purchased the hospital in 1953 for $8,000 and opened a recreation and childcare center [7][8] - In 1963, the building was used as a freedom school and center during the civil rights movement [8] Project & Funding - In 2018, a partnership was formed to house the American Civil Rights and Cultural Center in the former hospital [4][9] - The project received four grants from the National Park Service for restoration [9] - The project received $500,000 in the first year, $750,000 in the second year, and $750,000 in the third year [10] - Funding from the National Park Service has been temporarily dismantled, but the organization is confident it will continue [10] - The organization is seeking funding from other foundations to cover any shortfalls [14] Future Plans & Community Impact - The center will feature two galleries, one for local, regional, and national artists, and another for civil rights movement artifacts and African-American family history [11] - A library with over 10,000 committed books will be established [12] - A clinic facilitated by PB Sumpter will be housed in the building [13] - The building will function as a center for youth, promoting learning, interaction, and carrying on the legacies of the civil rights movement [15]