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LEADERSHIP COMMITMENT 
“2023 was another year of NBK's steadfast dedication to sustainable practices, which was marked by the launch of our 3-year ESG Strategy Roadmap. Our roadmap lays out key goals and commitments in areas where we can significantly contribute to a sustainable and just transition to a low carbon economy. These are designed to make positive environmental and social impacts on the communities we serve. On behalf of NBK, I extend my gratitude to all our stakeholders for their consistent support. We're confident that together, we can fulfil our ESG commitments, achieving tangible results towards a sustainable, socially fair future. Let's continue forward to seize the opportunities that our shared commitment to sustainability offers.” Hamad Mohamed Al-Bahar 
Chairman

ABOUT 2023 NBK SUSTAINABILITY REPORT

This is NBK's eighth consecutive annual Sustainability Report and factsheet focusing on the 2023 fiscal year. The report provides a detailed summary of the Bank's significant ESG and sustainability matters, threats, and performance data. Here we also covered our entire ESG policies, strategies, and pledges for the reporting period. Our report is centered around the four pillars of NBK's enhanced ESG Strategy Framework. Moreover, this report is aligned with both domestic and global sustainability or ESG reporting standards and frameworks including the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI), Sustainable Accounting Standards Board (SASB), United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UNSDG), Boursa Kuwait's ESG Reporting Guidelines, and Kuwait Vision 2035.

ABOUT NBK

NBK was established in 1952 and is the first shareholding company and a domestic bank within GCC to be locally founded. Currently, NBK is the leading conventional banking group in Kuwait. The bank also boasts about its credit ratings and brand value, positioning it among the top regional banks. NBK operates in 13 countries and boasts a network of more than 140 branches spread across 4 continents with its headquarters located in Kuwait. NBK's primary business operations include Consumer Banking, Corporate Banking, NBK Wealth and Islamic Banking (through subsidiary Boubyan Bank).

ESG AT NBK

Leadership at NBK believes that sustainability is crucial for the bank's success and is strongly committed to integrating sustainability efforts with our core business actions, risk management, services, and operations. The ESG Strategy aims to support economic growth and act as an example of sustainable development. This strategy is built around four main pillars: Governance for Resilience; Responsible Banking; Capitalizing on our Capabilities; and Investing in our Communities.

GOVERNANCE FOR RESILIENCE

NBK upholds strong ethical standards and comprehensive strategic planning, supported by transparent governance structures. Combined with our robust risk management that buffers against various risks, these key elements assure stakeholders of our powerful leadership, oversight, and accountability. In 2023, NBK launched a modular ESG governance framework with Board oversight. NBK also adopted measures to handle climate and ESG risks and opportunities. In this context, NBK institutionalized alignment with the recommendations of Taskforce on Climate-related Financial Disclosures (TCFD) during the year and developed a roadmap for adequately integrating climate-related matters in the bank’s enterprise risk management framework.

Key Highlights in 2023:

<ul><li>The Board approved the Group ESG Strategy, setting a formal implementation mandate.</li>
	<li>ESG metrics have been integrated into the Board and Executive Management's responsibilities.</li>
	<li>A Sustainability &amp; Climate Change Committee, headed by the Vice Chairman &amp; GCEO, has been established.</li>
	<li>Five Sustainability Sub-Committees have been created, delegating ESG roles to the Executive Management.</li>
	<li>NBK joined the UNGC to enhance international alignment and stakeholder engagement.</li>
	<li>Maintained a score of ‘C’ from CDP, for both the Climate Change and Forest categories.</li>
</ul>RESPONSIBLE BANKING

NBK intends to enhance sustainable finance offerings and support clients' transition to sustainable business models. NBK recently incorporated ESG metrics into their client credit assessments, covering aspects like safety, environmental protection, succession planning, and governance. Moreover, we persistently monitor and handle our energy and water usage, greenhouse gas emissions, and material usage and disposal, while also ensuring it is all accurately reported

Key Highlights in 2023:

Sustainable Finance:

<ul><li>Approximately USD 3.65 billion in Sustainable Assets.</li>
	<li>Expanded bank offerings to Eco-friendly EV and Housing Loans.</li>
	<li>Updated procurement policies to include ESG principles.</li>
</ul>Energy Management: 

<ul><li>Reduced electricity consumption by 5.75% YoY and 15.8% compared to our baseline year (2021) through proactive energy management.</li>
	<li>Installed Building Energy Management System (BEMS) in 22 local branches</li>
</ul>Climate Change and Decarbonization:

<ul><li>Reduced overall disclosed GHG emissions by 10.43% compared to baseline year (2021).</li>
</ul>Responsible Procurement:

<ul><li>NBK has revised its Procurement Policy with the inclusion of ESG, implementing a more sustainable procurement strategy and methodology.</li>
	<li>Local suppliers comprised 70% of NBK's total suppliers and 84% of the total procurement spending.</li>
</ul>CAPITALIZING ON OUR CAPABILITIES

NBK's strategy of 'Capitalizing on our Capabilities' is primarily focused on promoting sustainable business growth through organizational resilience. This starts with how we manage our workplace. Our policies, culture, practices, and programs are all designed to encourage a bank-wide transformation that aligns with our sustainability goals, achieved through extensive employee engagement and development programs. Alongside outlining our HR practices, we also state our commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives. We strive to foster health, safety, and wellbeing, and continuously work towards establishing a flexible work environment that embraces digital solutions.

Key Highlights in 2023: Diversity, Equity &amp; Inclusion:

<ul><li>Women represent 44.0% of the workforce, with 28.8% females in managerial positions.</li>
	<li>Awarded by MEED: “Best Implementation of Diversity &amp; Inclusion Initiatives”.</li>
	<li>41.9% of new hires are female.</li>
	<li>84.5% of new hires are Kuwaitis.</li>
</ul>Employee Development:

<ul><li>Provided Sustainability Champions across the Bank with training on Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) Standards.</li>
	<li>Introduced the Sustainability Essentials Training Program Group-wide, enhancing employees' understanding of key sustainability concepts.</li>
	<li>147,701 total training hours. On average, each employee received 6.1 training hours.</li>
	<li>Over 3,300 training hours on ESG-related topics with focus on Sustainability Awareness, Sustainable Finance, and Climate Risk Management.</li>
</ul>Employee Engagement and Wellbeing:

<ul><li>Implemented an Employee Grievance Policy, accessible to all employees via the NBK Group website.</li>
	<li>Launched the Employee Engagement Survey "Your Voice Matters" in 2023 to foster a better and more inclusive workplace.</li>
</ul>Digital Transformation:

<ul><li>Introduced a new mobile banking experience titled “Tailored for You”, offering NBK Customers the latest digital services</li>
</ul>INVESTING IN OUR COMMUNITIES

Giving back to the community is an integral part of NBK's mission and therefore 'Investing in our Communities' is a critical component of our ESG Strategy. Our community investments primarily aim to offer superior customer service, promote financial inclusion, enhance financial literacy and accessibility, and provide customer security, including data privacy. In addition, NBK has an extensive history of making sizeable financial contributions to community development. We are continuously focused on maximizing the positive social impact of our Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) investments, in alignment with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UNSDG). Key Highlights in 2023: Nationalization:

<ul><li>76.7% Nationalization rate.</li>
	<li>Launched the NBK Tech Academy in 2023, offering innovative digital transformation programs for Kuwaiti youth.</li>
</ul>Community Development:

<ul><li>Community Investments totaled KD 28 million in 2023 (USD 91 million), a 22% increase from 2022.</li>
	<li>“Best Bank for Corporate Responsibility in the Middle East 2023” by Euromoney.</li>
	<li>NBK organized a Media Awareness Workshop on Sustainability and Climate Change, the first-of-its-kind in Kuwait.</li>
	<li>Committed KD 3.0 (USD 9.8) million for the restructuring of Shuwaikh Beach Waterfront in line with NBK’s corporate responsibility and sustainability principles.</li>
</ul>Financial Inclusion: 

<ul><li>Launched new designs for all our cards aligned with our inclusivity goals, including design themes especially for the visually impaired.</li>
	<li>Launched the “BANKEE” financial literacy program in Kuwait’s schools, with 15,940 students and around 3,400 teachers participating.</li>
</ul>Women Empowerment:

<ul><li>Excellence in Inclusion, Equity, and Diversity Bronze Winner for NBK RISE by SHRM.</li>
	<li>Awarded by MEED: “Best Initiative for Women in Business”.</li>
	<li>Launched “She’s Next” initiative in partnership with VISA, a global advocacy program that aims to support women-owned small businesses.</li>
</ul>The 2023 NBK Sustainability Report can be found at: <a href="https://www.nbk.com/sustainability/sustainability-reports.html" target="_blank">https://www.nbk.com/sustainability/sustainability-reports.html</a> 
The 2023 NBK Annual Report can be found at: <a href="https://www.nbk.com/investor-relations/latest-annual-report.html" target="_blank">https://www.nbk.com/investor-relations/latest-annual-report.html</a>

For additional information about NBK’s sustainability work, please contact: 
Hisham Abouali 
Sustainability Manager <a href="mailto:sustainability@nbk.com" target="_blank">sustainability@nbk.com</a> 
Tel: +965-22295188

“Bridging the Gap: Towards a More Sustainable Future”

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<a href="https://www.harman.com/career/Career-Stories/Pages/Meet-Kelly---Navigating-the-World-of-Engineering-with-Empathy.aspx" target="_blank">Originally published on Life at HARMAN</a>

The Role and Responsibilities

Kelly has been with <a href="https://www.harman.com/" target="_blank">HARMAN</a> for two years and leads the North American Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC) lab. The lab specializes in hardware validation testing of electronic products such as amplifiers and head units. Kelly's leadership philosophy centers around empathy, a quality she believes is often underestimated. "Sometimes empathy is overlooked as a leadership strength—but I'm here to challenge that," Kelly asserts. Leading a team of 10, she ensures the lab runs smoothly and efficiently and that the electrical components inside vehicles function as intended. This requires technical expertise, coordination, collaboration, and a deep understanding of her team members' needs and motivations.
<img alt="HARMAN Engineer Kelly with coworkers." data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="87ada528-da19-40ac-9b92-c0519f19ff35" src="/sites/default/files/inline-images/Harman%20Simply%20Engineer%20-%20Kelly_HARMAN_9.5.24A.jpg" width="640" class="align-center" height="675" loading="lazy" />The Power of Emotions

Kelly believes being aware and mindful of emotions is crucial for fostering innovation and problem-solving in tech. "Acknowledging emotions allows people to be as creative and open as possible and to think of solutions that may not be obvious." She strives to create an environment where her team feels safe and comfortable, allowing them to thrive rather than just get the job done. This approach encourages creativity and helps overcome roadblocks by fostering a sense of connection and collaboration.

Doubt is Part of Being Successful​

One of Kelly's standout moments at HARMAN was her first meeting as the lead EMC engineer. Tasked with presenting validation results to a customer and negotiating deviations for anomalies observed during testing, Kelly faced skepticism about her ability to lead. She successfully led the meeting through careful preparation and coaching, building her confidence and establishing a strong working relationship with the customer. This experience was pivotal in her development as an engineer and a leader, reinforcing her ability to handle complex technical challenges and negotiations.
<img alt="HARMAN Engineer Kelly giving a high-five." data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="e37dffdf-44a4-4e7f-9ffa-ca057bd17332" src="/sites/default/files/inline-images/Harman%20Simply%20Engineer%20-%20Kelly._HARMAN_9.5.24B.jpg" width="640" class="align-center" height="675" loading="lazy" />Advice for Aspiring Engineers

If you ask Kelly, she will tell you to "Stay hungry for knowledge. If there's something you're curious about, explore it by asking colleagues or managers or conducting your research." Moreover, she emphasizes the importance of networking with a diverse range of professionals, not just within one's immediate circle. "You never know when a relationship can lead to your next career opportunity."

Life Outside of Work

Balancing a demanding career and family life, Kelly often finds herself playing the roles of Uber driver and cheerleader for her kids' extracurricular activities. Whether shuttling them to gymnastics or basketball practice, helping with homework, or cheering them on at competitions, Kelly brings the same dedication and empathy to her family that she does to her work. "It's all about finding solutions and keeping everything running like a machine," she confesses.  
<img alt="HARMAN Engineer Kelly sitting at her desk." data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="b420f558-9e2e-4fc1-9bf0-3aea3a712d6a" src="/sites/default/files/inline-images/Harman%20Simply%20Engineer%20-%20Kelly_HARMAN_9.5.24C.jpg" width="640" class="align-center" height="675" loading="lazy" />Kelly's journey at HARMAN shows that empathy and leadership are not antithetic concepts but complementary realities. Her ability to balance technical acumen with emotional intelligence sets her apart as a leader in the automotive industry. Whether guiding her team through a technical challenge or supporting her kids through their activities, Kelly's empathetic approach ensures that everyone around her feels valued and empowered.​

In a field that often prioritizes hard skills, Kelly's story powerfully reminds us that empathy and human connection are just as critical for innovation and success.
<img alt="HARMAN Engineer Kelly with her son." data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="98aad0ad-1866-4fa1-b136-36d6c9ca78b7" src="/sites/default/files/inline-images/Harman%20Simply%20Engineer%20-%20Kelly_HARMAN_9.5.24D.jpg" width="640" class="align-center" height="675" loading="lazy" />Follow us on <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/company/harman-international/posts/?feedView=all" target="_blank">LinkedIn</a>, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/harman_intl/?igsh=ZzBnMnF1aDNhNTc%3D" target="_blank">Instagram​</a>, and <a href="https://www.facebook.com/HarmanInt" target="_blank">Facebook</a> to learn more about our view on leadership and innovation driven by people who feel valued.

Meet HARMAN Engineer Kelly; Navigating the World of Engineering With Empathy

<img alt="Collage of photo's of students participating in Michigan Hospitality Foundation’s (MHF) ProStart Invitational" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="056d7294-3d55-436e-a59a-18d04af8bee6" src="/sites/default/files/inline-images/ProStartPastaComp_Whirlpool_081524.jpg" width="640" class="align-center" height="751" loading="lazy" />Earlier this year, more than 400 students from across the state participated in Michigan Hospitality Foundation’s (MHF) ProStart Invitational sponsored by KitchenAid. It’s the highest-level competition for Michigan high school students training for culinary and hospitality careers. Through this program, students had the opportunity to compete against other culinary students, with the winning teams receiving an invitation to the 2024 KitchenAid Senior PGA Championship at the Harbor Shores Golf Club in Benton Harbor, Mich. for a unique culinary opportunity.

In the pasta competition, teams of young, aspiring chefs from five high schools were recognized for their pasta creations:

<ul><li>Bay Arenac ISD</li>
	<li>RCTC Ypsilanti</li>
	<li>Gaylord High School</li>
	<li>Allegan ESA</li>
	<li>DCTC Riverview High School</li>
</ul>Last month, these five high school teams were invited to work side-by-side with professional chefs at the KitchenAid Senior PGA Championship. The teams reprised their pasta competition, this time judged by KitchenAid celebrity chefs in front of a live audience. They also had the opportunity to engage in educational sessions led by renowned chefs.

This in-depth experience helped the students gain insight into the hospitality industry and explore diverse career pathways. DCTC Riverview High School was crowned the grand champion with their Red Coconut Curry Pasta creation. Each team member from DCTC Riverview, including their educator, took home a KitchenAid stand mixer, and each participating team received a KitchenAid stand mixer for their classroom.

“The KitchenAid ProStart Pasta Competition took students beyond the kitchen and taught them critical life lessons around preparation, critical thinking, communication, flexibility and teamwork,” said Amanda Smith, executive director of the MHF. “These are all skills that directly relate to their future culinary careers, and experiences like this are invaluable at this point in their education.”

Opportunities in the industry are rapidly growing. Hospitality is currently an $18 billion dollar industry in Michigan supporting 595,000 jobs and ranks among the top 10 fastest growing sectors in the state with 20,000 current job openings. The KitchenAid brand hopes to further develop the next generation of culinary professionals across the state through impactful, hands-on education.

About Whirlpool Corporation

Whirlpool Corporation (NYSE: WHR) is a leading kitchen and laundry appliance company, in constant pursuit of improving life at home and inspiring generations with our brands. The company is driving meaningful innovation to meet the evolving needs of consumers through its iconic brand portfolio, including Whirlpool, KitchenAid, JennAir, Maytag, Amana, Brastemp, Consul, and InSinkErator. In 2023, the company reported approximately $19 billion in annual sales, 59,000 employees, and 55 manufacturing and technology research centers.  Additional information about the company can be found at <a href="https://www.3blmedia.com/track?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwhirlpoolcorp.com%2F&amp;n=28067" target="_blank">WhirlpoolCorp.com</a>.

View original content <a href="https://www.whirlpoolcorp.com/kitchenaid-brands-support-of-michigan-hospitality-foundation-competition-gives-students-invaluable-culinary-experience/" target="_blank">here</a>.

KitchenAid Brand’s Support of Michigan Hospitality Foundation Competition Gives Students Invaluable Culinary Experience

<img alt="Close up of a bird in flight" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="b8e6c035-3d8f-4858-8626-bc4eec7b4025" src="/sites/default/files/inline-images/GettyImages-1225473667.jpg" width="640" class="align-center" height="912" loading="lazy" /><a href="https://www.3blmedia.com/track?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.internationalpaper.com%2Freports&amp;n=1267581" target="_blank">Originally published in International Paper's 2023 Sustainability Report</a>

In 2023, the American Forest &amp; Paper Association (AF&amp;PA) honored International Paper with a Leadership in Sustainability Award for Resilient U.S. Forests. The award recognized our innovative approach to promoting forest bird awareness and conservation within the forest product supply chain in partnership with the American Bird Conservancy (ABC). This multi-year partnership aims to integrate bird conservation into our procurement operations and value chain and provide a measurable contribution towards reversing the decline of forest birds.

One of the significant outcomes of this partnership is targeted work with an iconic bird species in the Southeastern U.S.: the Swallow-tailed Kite (STKI). STKIs are one of North America’s most beautiful birds of prey, with distinctive black and white plumage and a long, forked tail. They are also long-distance migrants that spend their spring and summer months in the Southeastern forests of the U.S. and then migrate to their wintering grounds in South America.

Since 2021, working with the Avian Research and Conservation Institute, nine STKIs have been trapped and fitted with radio transmitters near International Paper mills in South Carolina, Georgia and Louisiana. This year alone, five STKIs have received transmitters. These transmitters allow us and our conservation partners to follow the STKIs’ movements across the landscape so we can further understand their specific habitat needs. Additionally, we can enter that data into our ForSiteTM mapping system to target conservation efforts and outreach in the most strategic areas.

This past year, the transmitters allowed researchers to document the amazing journey made by one of the male STKIs captured in Georgia, named Barrington. The bird’s migration started on the Altamaha River, where it led the Georgia Department of Natural Resources to a pre-migration roost of over 600 STKIs — the first of its kind outside of Florida. The trackers then followed Barrington for four months on a long and winding journey over the Gulf of Mexico, including a 48-hour stretch over water, before continuing through South America into Bolivia and central Brazil — a truly incredible flight.

Forest certification

Forest certification underpins our commitment to sustainable forest management. Our procurement systems and mills are certified to the Forest Stewardship Council® (FSC®), Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification™ (PEFC™) and Sustainable Forestry Initiative® (SFI®) chain of custody standards and the SFI Fiber sourcing standard.

To meet the growing customer demand for certified products, our internal FSC forest management group, Certified Forest Management (CFM) LLC, helps small, private landowners become FSC-certified cost-effectively. It has become the largest privately run group of certified landowners in the U.S.

Since 2012, CFM has enrolled and maintained FSC forest management certification for:

920,769 acres in 607 properties across 11 states

<a href="https://www.3blmedia.com/track?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.internationalpaper.com%2Fsites%2Fdefault%2Ffiles%2Ffile%2F2024-05%2F2023%2520International%2520Paper%2520Sustainability%2520Report.pdf%3FcacheToken%3Dkxdd2ffOwi2cxWz5&amp;n=1267581" target="_blank">Read more</a>

About International Paper

International Paper (NYSE: IP) is a global producer of sustainable packaging, pulp and other fiber-based products, and one of the world's largest recyclers. Headquartered in Memphis, Tenn., we employ approximately 39,000 colleagues globally who are committed to creating what's next. We serve customers worldwide, with manufacturing operations in North America, Latin America, North Africa and Europe. Net sales for 2023 were $18.9 billion. Additional information can be found by visiting <a href="https://www.3blmedia.com/track?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.3blmedia.com%2Ftrack%3Fu%3Dhttps%253A%252F%252Fwww.internationalpaper.com%252F%26n%3D67052&amp;n=1267581" target="_blank">internationalpaper.com/.</a>

About International Paper - EMEA

In Europe, Middle East &amp; Africa (EMEA), International Paper focuses on the production and marketing of fiber-based packaging and specialty pulp, employing approximately 4,400 people. As a leading supplier of high-quality corrugated containers for a multitude of applications, we serve customers throughout the region from our network of two recycled containerboard mills and 23 box plants in France, Italy, Morocco, Portugal and Spain. Specialty pulp is made in Gdansk, Poland. Other products available from International Paper in the region include a variety of Kraft linerboard and other pulp products.

Honored for Leadership: International Paper’s Commitment to Forest Bird Conservation

<img alt="Darby Aono-Shek" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="fe6aba86-a4be-4703-bfa2-9e44fd248870" src="/sites/default/files/inline-images/DarbyAonoShek_clorox_082324.jpg" width="640" class="align-center" height="486" loading="lazy" />More than four years ago we made a commitment — through The Clorox Company Foundation — to help fight racism and inequality. Some of our financial commitment goes toward supporting Equal Justice Works fellows like Darby Aono-Shek. Darby is working with UnCommon Law to help older incarcerated people, many of whom are Black and Latinx, challenge their illegal parole denials.

Tell me a little bit about the organization where you work and what it does.

I work at an organization called UnCommon Law. We’re based in Oakland, and we fight to ensure that people who are incarcerated in California have access to healing, justice and effective legal representation as they seek release through the parole hearing process. Our attorneys use trauma-informed legal counseling to unpack the underlying factors that contributed to a person’s crime and help them prepare a safe pathway home from prison.

In addition to representing people at parole hearings, UnCommon Law uses litigation to challenge illegal parole denials and address systemic issues within the parole system. We also partner with legislators, community members, impacted families, and loved ones to support legislation that advances the freedom and well-being of incarcerated people.

How did you become involved in this field?

I’ve always known that I wanted to work with people in prison, but I didn’t know anything about California’s parole process until my first year of law school, when I took a class taught by UnCommon Law founder and executive director Keith Wattley.

It didn’t take long for me to fall in love with UnCommon Law’s work. As part of Keith’s class, each student was paired with an incarcerated person who was navigating the parole process. I was in awe of the strength, courage and vulnerability that people showed going through the process. I thought, “How many attorneys get to learn from and feel inspired by their clients every day? I’d be the luckiest attorney in the world.”

I interned with UnCommon Law during my second year of law school, and I joined the team full-time as an Equal Justice Works legal fellow in 2022.

What are some examples of the challenges that UnCommon Law’s clients have faced?

In California, the parole board holds an extraordinary amount of power over people’s lives with limited oversight to ensure that it wields that power legally. As a result, in some situations the parole board denies parole for illegal reasons, keeping people in prison for years beyond when the law says they should have been released.

For example, the parole board denied parole to a 69-year-old woman suffering from Parkinson’s, early dementia and memory loss from an assault where she was knocked unconscious. Due to her memory issues, she often took pauses while answering the parole board’s questions. The parole board denied her parole, claiming that her difficulty answering questions was proof that she was “manipulative” and “lacking in sincerity.”

In California, parole denials must be challenged through habeas corpus petitions (a legal challenge to one’s imprisonment), but there is no right to habeas counsel for these cases. As a result, pro se litigants (people who represent themselves without an attorney) provide a primary check on the parole board, but systemic barriers and a lack of support make it virtually impossible for most people to do so.

How has your work addressed those challenges?

My fellowship is focused on helping older people who are incarcerated challenge their illegal parole denials. I’m taking a two-pronged approach to accomplishing this: 1) assuming a caseload through direct representation; and 2) focusing on the many people who have been denied parole but don’t have access to counsel.

I’m developing a comprehensive guide to filing habeas petitions without an attorney that will be available to people across California prisons. That way, more people can feel empowered to hold the parole board accountable, even if they can’t afford an attorney.

Clorox Equal Justice Works Fellow Spotlight: Supporting Older Incarcerated People Through the Parole Process

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Technology experts in education say signing up for T-Mobile’s Project 10Million, the company’s initiative aimed at delivering internet connectivity to millions of underserved student households, can help set children up for success in the classroom and beyond — and why it’s as important now as ever.

John Sousa, the Chief Information Officer for the East Orange School District in New Jersey, says the Covid pandemic highlighted a significant issue he had long been aware of: the digital divide among students.

“There was already an imbalance,” says Sousa, reflecting on how online state-required <a href="https://hechingerreport.org/online-testing-is-heading-to-new-jersey-schools/" target="_blank">testing</a> prior to the pandemic exposed the lack of internet access for some families. “The pandemic only exacerbated the digital divide for many of the 11,000 students in our district.”

Of course, Sousa’s school district was far from alone in this challenge. In 2020, between 15 million to 16 million U.S. students were living in households without reliable internet access, according to a <a href="https://www.cnet.com/home/internet/the-digital-divide-has-left-millions-of-school-kids-behind/" target="_blank">report</a> by Boston Consulting Group and nonprofit Common Sense.

In response to these growing challenges, Sousa reached out to T-Mobile during the pandemic to explore solutions for improving internet access for his district’s students.

“I got in touch with T-Mobile and asked how we can provide connectivity when as much as 20% of our community is in this gap that exists for families that can’t afford to provide high-speed internet to the students,” says Sousa. “And how can we make it a seamless transition between T-Mobile, the school and the students so that we don’t have overlap or confusion on the exact need we are facing”

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Sousa says that T-Mobile jumped right in and provided approximately 3,800 hotspots through Project 10Million, the Un-carrier’s $10.7 billion education initiative. Announced in 2019 and launched in 2020, Project 10Million aims to close the digital divide in education by offering free internet connectivity and mobile hotspots for up to 10 million eligible student households. Additionally, the program provides school districts with free or heavily subsidized data plans and ensures that all participants have access to affordable laptops and tablets.

By the end of last year, T-Mobile had <a href="https://www.t-mobile.com/responsibility/reporting" target="_blank">provided</a> $6.4 billion in products and services and connected nearly 6 million students across the country through Project 10Million and other education initiatives.

“The hotspots have given us peace of mind because we no longer have to worry about missing any students who still lack access,” says Sousa. “We’re largely understaffed and don’t have the resources that we would need to manage the project the way that it needed to be managed. T-Mobile’s team worked out all those details, delivered it all and helped get the broadband access out there to students that are stuck in the digital divide.”

Sousa says in a school district with many families who are homeless or living without regular access to connectivity, Project 10Million has become an invaluable service.

As students head back to school this fall, internet access is ever more critical for kids to learn and thrive in an increasingly digital world. Yet today, <a href="https://www.ntia.gov/report/2024/office-internet-connectivity-and-growth-2023-annual-report" target="_blank">24 million</a> U.S. households still lack reliable internet.

That’s why, as families make their annual <a href="https://www.t-mobile.com/news/offers/back-to-school-checklist-devices-and-gadgets" target="_blank">back to school checklists</a> for new backpacks and pencils, Sousa says he wants those in need to know that adding Project 10Million might be one of the most important things to help prepare for a successful school year.
<img alt="adult and two children on a computer" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="f554b4a7-702a-4d54-ae03-25b7ce2a7296" src="/sites/default/files/inline-images/learning_tmobile_82924.png" width="640" class="align-center" height="600" loading="lazy" />BANNER P10M Study Guide Check List

• Project 10Million is T-Mobile’s $10.7 billion initiative committed to offering free connectivity to up to 10 million eligible students across the country.

• T-Mobile also works with school districts by giving them free connectivity and subsidized data plans. Plus, everyone in the program has access to affordable laptops and tablets.

It’s easy to get started! Check eligibility and sign up for Project 10Million at: <a href="http://www.t-mobile.com/Project10Million" target="_blank">www.t-mobile.com/Project10Million</a>

Connecting Classrooms: How T-Mobile’s Project 10Million Powers Student Learning

<img alt="A volunteer and another person looking at a cell phone." data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="c5e9868f-5a80-4df6-b597-a26a48afed64" src="/sites/default/files/inline-images/summerbills_entergy_082924.jpg" width="640" class="align-center" height="800" loading="lazy" />LITTLE ROCK, Ark., September 9, 2024 /CSRwire/ - Extreme heat can increase electricity use and costs, and the past two summers have brought record-level temperatures and higher electricity usage by our customers. Entergy Arkansas is committed to helping our customers stay cool and save money this summer with a variety of bill management tools and customer assistance resources.

Entergy’s newly launched online <a href="https://billtoolkit.entergy.com/" target="_blank">Bill Toolkit</a> connects customers to bill management, energy efficiency and financial assistance resources. This new resource helps our customers explore simple ways they can lower their electricity use and costs.

“In the face of extreme temperatures, we’re doing all we can to keep costs down for customers with some of the lowest electricity rates in the country,” said Ventrell Thompson, vice president of customer service for Entergy Arkansas. “We know our customers are seeing higher prices on their monthly purchases and expenses and we want to help where we can. Our customer bill toolkit can help them take control of their budget and save money this summer by monitoring their energy use, managing their bills and finding financial assistance.”

Besides the Bill Toolkit, another new offering by Entergy Arkansas is <a href="https://app.singlestop.org/entergy/" target="_blank">Single Stop</a>, which builds pathways out of poverty by helping connect customers to existing resources available to them in a one-stop shop. It goes beyond just utility assistance. Its technology leverages existing financial resources with opportunities for education, counseling, training and support.

Track your energy use

Bill management tools like <a href="https://www.myentergy.com/s/login/" target="_blank">myAdvisor</a> empower our customers to set electricity usage alerts and monitor how much energy they use each day. Tracking electricity use over time can help customers identify habits that contribute to higher use and budget their monthly expenses. With their myAdvisor dashboard, customers have access to usage and cost details, bill history, bill projections and analyzer tools and more.

Manage your bills your way

Entergy Arkansas offers several flexible payment options so customers can choose when, where and how they receive their bills.

<ul><li><a href="https://www.myentergy.com/s/pickdate" target="_blank">Pick-A-Date</a> allows customers to pay their bills when it works best for them.</li>
	<li><a href="https://www.myentergy.com/s/levelbill" target="_blank">Level Billing</a> allows customers to “level out” seasonal energy use fluctuations, making their bills more consistent every month.</li>
	<li><a href="https://www.myentergy.com/s/paperfree" target="_blank">PaperFREE</a> billing allows customers to get their bills emailed as soon as they post and instant access to two years of billing history.</li>
	<li><a href="https://www.myentergy.com/s/autopay" target="_blank">AutoPay</a> allows customers to avoid late fees, writing checks and paying for postage by having bills automatically deduct from their bank accounts.</li>
</ul>Entergy Arkansas encourages customers who may need additional payment options to reach out. To see if customers automatically qualify for deferred payment arrangements or payment extensions, they can visit <a href="https://www.entergy.com/app/" target="_blank">our mobile app</a> or <a href="https://www.myentergy.com/s/" target="_blank">myEntergy</a>.

Find financial assistance

For customers needing assistance to pay their bills, Entergy Arkansas is here to help. Throughout this summer, Entergy Arkansas is implementing a series of measures through its “Beat the Heat” program focused on helping our low-income customers and communities stay cool and pay their bills. The program provides bill payment assistance, fans and energy efficiency kits and support from local community partners to help hundreds of residential customers across the state. 

In addition, Entergy Arkansas partners with local and state organizations to connect qualifying customers with financial assistance including:

<ul><li><a href="https://billtoolkit.entergy.com/" target="_blank">Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program</a> provides financial assistance for energy bills and other energy-related expenses.</li>
	<li><a href="https://www.entergy.com/care/" target="_blank">The Power to Care program</a> provides emergency bill payment assistance to older adults and customers with disabilities.</li>
	<li><a href="https://app.singlestop.org/entergy/" target="_blank">Single Stop</a> makes it easy for customers to quickly and confidentially check their eligibility for federal, state and local financial assistance.</li>
</ul>For more ways to save energy and money, customers can visit <a href="https://billtoolkit.entergy.com/" target="_blank">BillToolkit.entergy.com</a>.

About Entergy Arkansas

Entergy Arkansas, LLC provides electricity to approximately 730,000 customers in 63 counties. Entergy Arkansas is a subsidiary of Entergy Corporation, a Fortune 500 electric company. Entergy powers life for 3 million customers through our operating companies in Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas. We’re investing in the reliability and resilience of the energy system while helping our region transition to cleaner, more efficient energy solutions. With roots in our communities for more than 100 years, Entergy is a nationally recognized leader in sustainability and corporate citizenship. Since 2018, we have delivered more than $100 million in economic benefits each year to local communities through philanthropy, volunteerism and advocacy. Entergy is headquartered in New Orleans, Louisiana, and has approximately 12,000 employees. For the latest news from Entergy Arkansas, visit the <a href="https://www.entergynewsroom.com/our-companies/arkansas/" target="_blank">Newsroom</a> and connect with <a href="https://www.entergynewsroom.com/social/" target="_blank">@EntergyArk</a> on social media.

Entergy Arkansas is committed to helping our customers stay cool and save money this summer with a variety of bill management tools and customer assistance resources.

Bill Management Tools Help Entergy Arkansas Customers Keep Cool and Save Money This Summer

<figure role="group" class="align-center"><img alt="Clover" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="3b7d76ca-8231-4a03-8789-e4af0597d30d" src="/sites/default/files/inline-images/Clover_ScottsMiracle-gro_081424.jpeg" width="640" height="800" loading="lazy" /><figcaption>Image courtesy of Livingetc</figcaption></figure><a href="https://www.livingetc.com/advice/grass-alternatives" target="_blank">Originally published by Lilith Hudson on Livingetc</a>

Last summer <a href="https://www.livingetc.com/advice/how-to-care-for-a-clover-lawn" target="_blank">clover lawns</a> took off as a gardening trend, and if you still want a luscious green feel on your lawn, they really are one of the best alternatives to grass. Besides being a far cheap and more low-maintenance lawn option, they're also far prettier too.

"Clover plants make good grass alternatives due to their hardy nature, requiring less mowing and water than typical grass species," explains <a href="https://lawnlove.com/blog/author/lawnlove/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Jeremy Yamaguchi</a>, lawn expert and owner of Lawn Love. "Clover lawns create thick, lush carpets of green foliage and they also produce white flowers and attract beneficial insects such as bees and butterflies."

From a practical point of view, these types of lawns can also provide natural nitrogen fixation for your soil, helping other plants in your garden to grow healthily. "To plant clover, sow seeds in spring or fall directly into the soil," adds Tony. "Clover thrives with regular watering until it's well-established, after which it can tolerate periods of drought."

"Clover is also low-maintenance and requires less frequent mowing as it grows low and spreads horizontally," says Matthew Koch, plant expert and Director of Biotechnology, Genetics, and Seed at Scotts. "Additionally, clover has the ability to fix nitrogen from the atmosphere which enriches the soil and promotes healthier plant growth."

If you’re looking to add clover to your lawn, <a href="https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://scotts.com/en-us/shop/grass-seed/scotts-turf-builder-clover-lawn/18013A.html__;!!N96JrnIq8IfO5w!hPCpKwMSwWEdz-iE671T5G-tkf7RcOGKd03yK_bsCBW3bgqpkahDkwYJu2geURSyWekVHZ9yi7CMwarOILeFui7jw-pL%24" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Scotts Turf Builder Clover Lawn</a> is a low-maintenance grass alternative that doesn't require a lot of water and can withstand short-term drought conditions.

Continue reading <a href="https://www.livingetc.com/advice/grass-alternatives" target="_blank">here</a>

Last summer clover lawns took off as a gardening trend, and if you still want a luscious green feel on your lawn, they really are one of the best alternatives to grass. Besides being a far cheap and more low-maintenance lawn option, they're also far prettier too.

<img alt="A group of kids in matching shirts talking and smiling, seated at a long table." data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="65799924-a099-4ab7-8fb5-0419aa05eccd" src="/sites/default/files/inline-images/YEA_dukeenergy_090324.jpg" width="640" class="align-center" height="420" loading="lazy" />By <a href="https://illumination.duke-energy.com/biographies/page-leggett" target="_blank">Page Leggett </a>| illumination Contributor

Unless students have a family member who works at a utility, they may not think of Duke Energy as a viable career path. It’s the sort of thing that motivates Melvin Philpot – both in his 43 years at the company and in his role as community outreach committee chair for the <a href="https://www.aabe.org/" target="_blank" title="American Association of Black Engineers’">American Association of Black Engineers’</a> (AABE) Florida chapter.

“When middle schoolers walk down their streets and see lineworkers atop utility poles, we want them to think of the energy industry for potentially high-earnings jobs,” said Philpot, products and services manager in Lake Mary, Fla.

More than a decade ago, Philpot attended an AABE-sponsored youth career forum with Duke Energy Managing Director Malcolm Barnes; they liked the idea of introducing students from diverse neighborhoods to viable, good-paying jobs in the energy sector and wondered if Duke Energy could offer something similar.

Michael Lewis, then-EVP of a Duke Energy predecessor company, encouraged them to add a craft and technical component to the curriculum for students who may not be college-bound. And with a $2,000 donation from AABE to help launch the new initiative, the <a href="https://aabefl.org/youth-energy-academy/" rel="" target="_blank" title="Youth Energy Academy">Youth Energy Academy</a> – YEA, for short – was born.

Through hands-on activities and live demonstrations, YEA proactively gains the interest of an emerging workforce by <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b9_0K42marE" rel="" target="_blank" title="educating young people about the opportunities that exist">educating young people about the opportunities that exist</a>. The annual career readiness program also aims to advance diversity, equity and inclusion within the energy sector and related STEM fields by engaging eighth through 12th graders who may not have the same opportunities as other students.

“When you’re 15 and 16, you’re sort of looking for someone to tell you what the future holds. That’s where we come in,” said Chiquita Clark, supervisor of South Coastal Work Management at Duke Energy’s Clearwater Operations Center. “We can turn to our community’s youth and say: We’re people who look like you. Let us show you what we do, and if it looks interesting, we can help get you here.”
<figure role="group" class="align-center"><img alt="&quot; &quot;" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="0a52a71a-74af-46cc-a2f3-20d17ce885f4" src="/sites/default/files/inline-images/aquarobotics_dukeenergy_090324.jpg" width="640" height="560" loading="lazy" /><figcaption>Students learn about aqua robotics, technology used for underwater infrastructure maintenance, environmental monitoring and more.</figcaption></figure>So many career paths

Clark, a member of AABE Florida, helped plan the 2024 St. Pete Youth Energy Academy, hosted at a Duke Energy power plant in <a href="https://illumination.duke-energy.com/articles/a-new-way-to-harness-the-suns-power" rel="" target="_blank" title="Bartow, Fla">Bartow, Fla</a>. Close to 60 students – the maximum – attended the two-day event.

They heard, by video, from <a href="https://www.instagram.com/speedyj/?hl=en" rel="" target="_blank" title="Erin Jackson">Erin Jackson</a>, a former STEM student and speed skater from Ocala, Fla., who competed in the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics. Jackson is a former AABE scholarship recipient who became the first Black woman to win a Winter Olympic gold in an individual sport in 2022; before that, she earned an engineering degree from the University of Florida.

Other sessions included a plant tour, “A Day as a Line Tech” workshop, an electric vehicle (EV) demonstration and a career panel that brought together a diverse group of employees at all stages of their careers.
<figure role="group" class="align-center"><img alt="&quot; &quot;" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="72af3bb3-2c45-4d64-b325-9cdcef6457ad" src="/sites/default/files/inline-images/cyclecontrolroom_dukeenergy_090324.jpg" width="640" height="560" loading="lazy" /><figcaption>A Youth Energy Academy student views the dashboard of the Bartow Plant Combined Cycle Control Room.</figcaption></figure>The power of partnerships

YEA started small; the first academy attracted eight students. Vice President of Operations Dave Maxon encouraged Duke Energy’s African American employee resource group (ERG) to help develop the concept. Then Mikel Gordon, supervisor for energy efficiency services, joined the effort.

Bringing in partners to provide financial or in-kind support has helped YEA expand. Duke Energy and other neighboring utilities have signed on to help, as have community colleges, schools and nonprofits across the state.

Now it’s grown geographically to include six regions, including Ocala and Tallahassee. Three years ago, an academy was started in Lake Wales, Fla., at the majority Hispanic <a href="https://mclaughlinacademy.polkschoolsfl.com/" rel="" target="_blank" title="McLaughlin Academy of Excellence">McLaughlin Academy of Excellence</a> – the only remaining public middle school in Polk County.

“YEA would not have grown as it has – or been as successful – without its primary funder,” Philpot said. “And that’s the <a href="https://illumination.duke-energy.com/articles/duke-energy-foundation-powers-positive-change-over-40-years" rel="" target="_blank" title="Duke Energy Foundation">Duke Energy Foundation</a>.”

Since 2016, Duke Energy and its Foundation have provided over $120,000 to AABE to support the academy.

‘Their goals are attainable’

At St. Petersburg College (SPC) – another YEA partner – more than 115 students in eighth through 12th grades have expressed an interest in STEM careers. Most are from underserved or low-income neighborhoods and are part of the College Reach Out Program (CROP), which aims to show these students they are college material, said Program Coordinator Keisha Blue.

That message is reinforced for CROP students who attend the academy. “Our students are meeting people who look like them,” Blue said. “They see themselves reflected back – and they get to see that their goals are attainable.”

Nearly all high school students who participate in CROP will graduate from high school, Blue said, and many will enroll at SPC.

"We’re dedicated to staying at the forefront of technology,” said Professor Chad Mairn, founder of SPC’s Innovation Lab. “We introduce artificial intelligence, virtual and augmented reality, cybersecurity and many other emerging technologies to support and enhance the curriculum, which is relevant to contemporary STEM careers but also anticipates and prepares students for careers of the future – even careers that may not exist yet.”
<figure role="group" class="align-center"><img alt="&quot; &quot;" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="d02c6175-424d-4704-aeea-8c8b9b601b6e" src="/sites/default/files/inline-images/robotbuild_dukeenergy_090324.jpg" width="640" height="560" loading="lazy" /><figcaption>Students pair up to build robots for the St. Petersburg College aqua robotics demonstration.</figcaption></figure>It’s what you know and who you know

Some of the jobs YEA students may land after high school or college are unheard of now. Virtual reality developers, drone operators and sustainability managers didn’t exist a decade or so ago, and all are in demand today.

Bottom line: Students need to be ready for the STEM jobs that have yet to be created. And they need teachers, mentors, role models.

Philpot knows that mentors matter. As one of seven siblings from a single-parent family, he was going to work on railroad cars until a counselor encouraged him to go to community college. He earned his degree at night while working in customer service – “the one job that gives you a full view of the entire company.

“Working on the Youth Energy Academy has been gratifying because, I guess, I’ve helped to plant some seeds and be an ambassador for a great company,” Philpot said.

Clark, too, likes promoting Duke Energy. She joined the company as a contractor in 2014 and as a full-timer the following year. “From the beginning, it’s been like a big family,” she said. “The company is invested in developing employees. All you really have to do is have a desire to succeed.”

The department you start in, she’ll often tell students, doesn’t have to be the department you stay in.

“At Duke Energy, you can start as an admin or office manager and progress to a community relations manager,” she said. “We want students to understand just how many options they have here.”

When these students see a diverse workforce – and a diverse leadership team – they realize there’s a place for them at Duke Energy, too. Perhaps as a lineworker.

But not necessarily.

“Many students assume a Duke Energy career refers only to lineworkers,” Clark said. “And while we do talk about their indispensable work, we also showcase engineers, arborists, chemists, drone operators, helicopter pilots, the corporate communications team. While lineworkers play an essential role in keeping the lights on, there are so many other functions that help ensure our customers are served and our communities are thriving.”

View original content <a href="https://illumination.duke-energy.com/articles/working-with-youth-to-spark-interest-in-energy-careers" target="_blank">here.</a>

Clark, a member of AABE Florida, helped plan the 2024 St. Pete Youth Energy Academy, hosted at a Duke Energy power plant in Bartow, Fla. Close to 60 students – the maximum – attended the two-day event.

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