Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Carolinas Awards Bank of America the 2022 Justice, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (J.E.D.I.) Community Partner Award

For Immediate Release

Media Contact

• Alex Lawson/Bank of America – 704-387-8291; alex.lawson@bofa.com

Charlotte, NC, August 2, 2022 — Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Carolinas announced today that it has awarded Bank of America the 2022 Justice, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (J.E.D.I.) Community Partner Award in recognition of the bank’s conscious efforts to advance racial equality and economic opportunity in the Charlotte region.

Big Brothers Big Sisters Central Carolinas is a local nonprofit organization dedicated to creating and supporting one-to-one mentoring relationships that ignite the power and promise of youth, while enabling them to achieve their full potential. Bank of America has been a supportive community partner of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Carolinas for over 20 years. Many Bank of America employees have served as mentors and as members of the agency’s board of directors. Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Carolinas was honored to receive the Bank of America Neighborhood Builders Grant in 2019.

“Bank of America’s philanthropic efforts have had an undeniable impact on our city, our region and our country,” said Donna Dunlap, CEO of Big Brothers Big Sisters Central Carolinas. “We are honored to recognize Bank of America as this year’s J.E.D.I. Community Partner and we are grateful, as an organization, for them investing in our youth to help transform lives and communities for the better.”

Big Brothers Big Sisters Central Carolinas’ mission is centered around justice, equity, diversity and inclusion and these pillars are intentionally incorporated in how it supports the children, volunteers, and families it serves.

“Our founder wanted an innovative way to change the future of the young men who were in his court room that were being placed into the juvenile justice system,” said Dunlap. “He wanted a better outcome, a different form of justice for them. Providing them with a caring adult – a mentor was a simple yet effective solution for both young men and later young women.”

“We’re honored to receive the J.E.D.I Community Partner Award from the Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Carolinas,” said President of Bank of America Charlotte Kieth Cockrell. “Mentors can truly change the lives of young people. Over the years our employees have proudly dedicated their time to influence and guide our young people here in the Charlotte community.”

The award will be formally presented at the agency’s 50th Anniversary Benefit on September 24, 2022. 

About BBBSCC: Since 1972, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Carolinas has been providing mentors (Bigs) for children (Littles) in this region. This year the organization celebrates its 50th anniversary, while serving nearly 1,000 children in   Mecklenburg, Cabarrus and York counties throughout traditional community-and school-based mentoring and innovative specialty programs that connect caring adults with local children in meaningful one-to-one relationships. Big Brothers Big Sisters is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. To learn more about Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Carolinas and get involved as a mentor, volunteer, donor, or community partner, visit www.bbbscentralcarolinas.org.

About Bank of America: At Bank of America (NYSE: BAC), we’re guided by a common purpose to help make financial lives better, through the power of every connection. We’re delivering on this through responsible growth with a focus on our environmental, social and governance (ESG) leadership. ESG is embedded across our eight lines of business and reflects how we help fuel the global economy, build trust and credibility, and represent a company that people want to work for, invest in and do business with. It’s demonstrated in the inclusive and supportive workplace we create for our employees, the responsible products and services we offer our clients, and the impact we make around the world in helping local economies thrive. An important part of this work is forming strong partnerships with nonprofits and advocacy groups, such as community, consumer and environmental organizations, to bring together our collective networks and expertise to achieve greater impact. Connect with us on Twitter (@BofA_News).