- Dr. Lorin R. Carter
- Jul 4, 2024
- 3 min read
"We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness."
Preamble to the Declaration of Independence
As we celebrate 5 years of business, we are excited to take time to share some of the ways we have partnered to create more freedom within our business and the partners that have helped us reach that goal.
OVERVIEW
The Elevate Together Grant is sponsored by the ODP Corporation (Office Depot's parent company) in partnership with the National Urban League and U.S. Hispanic Chamber of Commerce to "address systemic discrimination and historical racial disparities in business growth and profitability in Black and Hispanic communities." The program is managed locally by the Dallas Black Chamber of Commerce to engage and support businesses in the DFW region.
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In November 2023, C-Suite Equity Consulting was honored to be one of the inaugural recipients of this grant in celebration of our work in equitable development, use of social determinants of health principles to increase overall health & wellness, and dedication to drive positive change in urban centers. We were awarded a monetary grant, matched with a business mentor, and invited to join the ODP Supplier Diversity Network to gain the additional support and exposure necessary to continue to serve as the nexus where innovation meets impact.
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The grant award supported our firm operations as we expanded our service offerings creating more trainings and solutions for corporations, nonprofits, and governmental entities, updated our company messaging, and navigated the political minefield consisting of the repeal of Affirmative Action, anti-DEI legislation and rhetoric, and legal attacks on programs working to support Black-owned businesses, especially those owned by Black women. Our Mentor, with over 30 years supporting multinational corporations as a trusted partner and consultant, serves as a sounding board and advisor as we diversify our consulting practice, and the Supplier Diversity Network continues to increase our firm's visibility beyond our immediate backyard in Texas. It has been one of the many ways we have sought to grow our leadership, business, and reach.
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THE OPPORTUNITYÂ
Now, we are happy to report the Dallas Black Chamber has opened the second round of the grant application to businesses in Dallas. The application closes July 5th and will offer awards ranging from $5,000 - 10,000. For more information and to apply, please visit the Elevate Together grant page.
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We were also honored to be a part of the Fox 4 News story covering the grant and two initial recipients. The story can be viewed here or by clicking below. Â
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SPECIAL NOTE FROM DR. CARTER
The fight for freedom is not over. We have yet to see the realization of the ideals our Founders set forth in our founding documents. Our firm remains committed to our work with mission-focused organizations, local government entities, and business enterprises to invest their budgets and profits into the communities and people they serve, increase overall health and well-being, and ensure that everyone has meaningful access to opportunities to improve their economic and social standing in life. Our name may have updated, but our commitment remains the same. CSEC is the firm working to make urban spaces equitable places to live, work, and play. Let us be the partner where innovation meets impact for you.
We hope you enjoyed this trip down memory lane with us! We will be sharing more about our past work, latest updates, recent projects, and new offerings with you over the next few months. We look forward to the ways we will partner to create new opportunities and spaces where innovation meets impact.
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