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Michigan Roundtable for Diversity and Inclusion named a Champion in Action
Charter One Bank and WXYZ-TV 7 provide $25,000 grant, volunteer and promotional support in recognition of excellence in Multiculturalism and Diversity programs DETROIT (October 22, 2008) - Charter One and WXYZ-TV 7 have named Michigan Roundtable for Diversity and Inclusion as the 2008 Champions in Action® winner in Michigan in the area of Multicultural and Diversity programs. As the beneficiary of this award, MRDI will receive a $25,000 grant, public relations and volunteer support.
The Champions in Action program was launched in November 2005 by Charter One and WXYZ-TV 7 to recognize and support nonprofit organizations that champion change in our communities and work to address the needs of southeast Michigan.
The Michigan Roundtable for Diversity and Inclusion works proactively across racial, religious, ethnic and cultural boundaries to build sustainable, inclusive communities. MRDI helps foster more inclusive workplaces and institutions through diversity training, multicultural advocacy, conflict resolution, interfaith collaboration, youth leadership training and community dialogue.
Each year MRDI’s award-winning youth diversity program reaches more than 2,000 young people in over 40 schools. Last year, students designed and led diversity programming for their peers in dozens of Detroit-area high schools. In addition to this youth work, MRDI helps create positive institutional change in businesses, congregations and communities across southeast Michigan.
“MRDI helps our region better understand and embrace its socioeconomic and cultural diversity,” said Sandra Pierce, President, Charter One, Michigan. “Its extensive outreach teaches our next generation that southeast Michigan’s diversity is a competitive strength and asset to be admired.”
"WXYZ-TV 7 is proud to partner with Charter One to recognize the invaluable contributions of Michigan Roundtable for Diversity and Inclusion,” said Bob Sliva, Vice President and General Manager, WXYZ-TV 7. "We congratulate the agency and look forward to working with MRDI to help raise awareness of multiculturalism and diversity within our region.”
As the 2008 fourth quarter Champion in Action, MRDI will receive:
• A $25,000 grant in unrestricted funds from the Charter One Foundation;
• Media coverage from WXYZ-TV 7, including public service announcements;
• Volunteer support from Charter One colleagues;
• Promotional support in all Charter One branches and ATMs throughout Michigan; and
• Exposure on both Charter One’s and WXYZ-TV 7’s Web sites.
“We are thrilled to be chosen as a Champion in Action. It is a privilege to have our commitment to multiculturalism and diversity recognized and rewarded,“said Thomas Costello, President & CEO of MRDI. “We change communities by changing individuals. Whether in the workplace, schools, or among people of faith, it’s a diplomatic process – subtle change builds on other changes that leads to solutions.”
Community leaders and representatives of WXYZ-TV 7 and Charter One comprise a committee which selects a Champion in Action each quarter for its work on a particular social concern. 2008 categories include: Affordable Housing, Workforce Development, Youth Programming, and Multiculturalism and Diversity.
About Charter One
Charter One is a division of RBS Citizens, N.A., operating in Illinois, Indiana, Michigan and Ohio. It has 462 branches and more than 730 ATMs. It has 119 branches and 133 ATMs in Michigan.
RBS Citizens, N.A. is a subsidiary of Citizens Financial Group, Inc., a $161 billion commercial bank holding company headquartered in Providence, R.I. CFG’s two bank subsidiaries are RBS Citizens, N.A. and Citizens Bank of Pennsylvania. They operate a 13-state branch network under the Citizens Bank brand in Connecticut, Delaware, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island and Vermont, and the Charter One brand in Illinois, Indiana, Michigan and Ohio. CFG has non-branch retail and commercial offices in about 40 states. It is one of the 10 largest commercial banking companies in the United States ranked by assets and deposits. CFG is owned by RBS (The Royal Bank of Scotland Group plc).
Information on Michigan Roundtable for Diversity and Inclusion
(313) 870-1500
www.MIroundtable.org
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