Get the latest delivered to your inbox
Privacy Policy

Now Reading

On the Rise: Investing in the Black Leaders of Tomorrow.

On the Rise: Investing in the Black Leaders of Tomorrow.

Published 03-14-22

Submitted by Stanley Black & Decker

4 college students

Realizing a more accessible and just world, where everyone has an equal opportunity to succeed, isn’t something that happens overnight.

It takes a clear roadmap, strategic partnerships and a long-term commitment to be invested every step of the way on a student’s journey from middle school and high school through college and early career.

Among the key components of our 10-point plan toward racial equity:

Creating a community-based strategy to drive equity, inclusion and economic development for Black youth and people of color

In line with those goals, we partnered with A Better Chance and other community organizations to create the RISE (Reach. Inspire. Support. Engage.) community program. The aim of RISE? Support racially and ethnically diverse students as they discover their passions, learn about our business, explore emerging technologies, pursue potential STEM career opportunities and hone their leadership skills.

Even in its early stages, our RISE program has taken off. By the close of 2021, we provided access and support to 36 middle and high school students with 97% student completion. Piloted in greater Hartford, CT, in 2022 the program will expand to Baltimore, doubling the number of participants and nonprofit partners, and committing more than $1.4 million in spend.

RISE inaugural community partners include:

Just as integral to our 10-point plan:

Collaborating with Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and making progress through the Stanley Black & Decker Leadership Scholarship

Having awarded $400,000 to 22 students at five target HBCUs, the Stanley Black & Decker Leadership Scholarship is helping the next generation.

In late 2021, the inaugural Stanley Black & Decker Innovation Challenge gave 30 students from 12 HBCUs the chance to compete for possible summer internships, prizes and awards, network with corporate partners and pitch innovate solutions to case studies. The 2.5-day intra and entrepreneurship training experience was held in conjunction with Thurgood Marshall College Fund’s Innovation and Entrepreneurship (I&E) Program. Students worked on real-world problems while developing design thinking skills and solving entrepreneurial challenges. Learn more about this event

See our 10-point roadmap toward racial equity

Stanley Black & Decker Logo

Stanley Black & Decker

Stanley Black & Decker

Stanley Black & Decker is a $14 billion revenue, purpose-driven industrial organization. Stanley Black & Decker has 61,000 employees in more than 60 countries and operates the world's largest tools and storage business, the world's second largest commercial electronic security company, a leading engineered fastening business as well as Oil & Gas and Infrastructure businesses. The company's iconic brands include Black & Decker, Bostitch, CRAFTSMAN, DEWALT, FACOM, Irwin, Lenox, Porter Cable and Stanley. Stanley Black & Decker is a company for the makers and innovators, the craftsmen and the caregivers, and those doing the hard work to make the world a better place.

More from Stanley Black & Decker

Join today and get the latest delivered to your inbox