Macy’s Honors Black Stories and Creators in Celebration of Black History Month

NEW YORK -- (BUSINESS WIRE) -- Macy’s honors the history, resilience and contributions of Black Americans through Black History. Black Brilliance. this February. Beginning February 1, Macy’s will launch a special monthlong round-up and donation campaign in stores and online at macys.com to benefit UNCF (United Negro College Fund), raising scholarship funds for promising students attending historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs). Additionally, Macy’s, through its social purpose platform Mission Every One, will spotlight Black-owned brands, hosting online shopping events, and more in its ongoing commitment to take action to empower and support diverse businesses.

“This Black History Month, we’re furthering Macy’s mission of building a brighter future with bold representation for our colleagues, customers, and communities by spotlighting and celebrating the history, accomplishments, and resilience of Black Americans throughout our stores and across our brands,” said Shawn Outler, Macy’s chief diversity, equity & inclusion officer. “Through Mission Every One, we work with our communities and UNCF to raise critical funding that will empower the next generation of leaders, enabling growth and leadership through HBCU educational opportunities.”

Community Give-Back

Mission Every One, Macy’s social purpose platform, directs social impact work to the causes and communities that help shape a brighter future for all, breaking down barriers to equity and representation and empowering young people. In celebration of Black History Month, Macy’s continues its partnership with UNCF the nation’s largest and most effective minority education organization. Chartered to serve HBCUs, youth and the nation, UNCF supports college student education and development through scholarships and educational programs, aids and strengthens its 37 member colleges and universities, and advocates for the importance of minority education and college readiness.

From now through February 28, Macy’s customers can directly impact and empower the next generation of Black leaders in local communities nationwide through a charitable round-up campaign to fund scholarships for students set to attend or already enrolled in HBCUs. Customers can donate online or round-up their in-store purchase amount and donate the extra change, up to $0.99, supporting Macy’s Brighter Futures Scholarship Fund.

Since 2021, Macy’s has raised more than $2 million for UNCF, benefiting more than 100 HBCU students through academic and emergency aid scholarships that support their degree completion. Funds generated from this campaign will continue to provide scholarship aid and academic support for Black youth across the United States.

Black Brilliance Takes Center Stage

This February, as part of that commitment to fuel accelerated growth and amplify diverse-owned brands, select Black-owned brands will be highlighted in-store and online via macys.com, in marketing and on Macy’s social.

Black-owned brands featured this February include: Aminah, a luxury shoe brand known for its bold yet feminine design aesthetic

Beauty Stat, premium quality skincare with ingredients that are scientifically proven to be effective combined with patented technology, that works fast

Buttah. by Dorion Renaud, a skincare line of products geared towards melanin-rich skin

Harlem Candle Co., a luxury home fragrance brand by Teri Johnson that specializes in scented candles inspired by Harlem’s Jazz Age and its legendary residents

Healthy Roots, a toy company by Yelitsa Jean-Charles that works to create dolls that empower young girls

Nude Barre, a bodywear collection created by Erin Car- allows shoppers to easily find and support these designers. This partnership is another avenue in which Macy’s is elevating and supporting Black-owned brands, a commitment reinforced by the company when it signed the Fifteen Percent Pledge. Since joining the long-term pact Macy’s has increased its number of Black-owned brands by eight times, with product sold nationwide.

Black History. Black Brilliance. will also be on display in Macy’s iconic Herald Square windows during the month of February. From February 3 to 27, customers can enjoy displays created for Macy’s by Harlem’s Fashion Row Designers, with images hand-painted by Brooklyn-based artist, Ashley Buttercup.

Partners for a Brighter Future

In addition to UNCF, Macy’s, Inc. will continue to create positive change for the Black community through its longtime commitment to various nationwide and local organizations focused on education, economic development and social justice. This includes providing grants to a variety of organizations like 100 Black Men of America, Inc.; Black Retail Action Group (BRAG); National Action Network (NAN); NAACP – NY Chapter; National Urban League; Thurgood Marshall College Fund; and the National Museum of African American History & Culture.

penter to reclaim and revolutionize shapewear featuring 12 unique shades that close the representational gap

OMA The Label, a jewelry line created by Neumi Anekhe to diversity fashion and beauty standards

Soap Distillery® by Danielle Martin, a sustainable line of cocktail scented soaps, candles and bath & body products that offer a unique twist on scent-based goods

SPGBK (pronounced ‘Spring Break’), a vibrant and colorful watch brand by Kwame Molden that helps customers express their authenticity.

These brands’ unique stories will also be featured as part of Macy’s ongoing Black History. Black Brilliance. showcase via macys.com/purpose. In addition, “Macy’s Live” will host a live shopping event on February 14 highlighting an array of Black-owned products, co-hosted by Dorion Renaud, owner of Buttah Skin.

Alongside this month’s featured product, Macy’s will launch rotating product pavilions in 275 stores nationwide, highlighting the company’s social purpose work through Mission Every One. The pavilions will feature product from diverse owned brands throughout the year. Product on display in February will bring Black History. Black Brilliance. in-store by featuring exclusive products from Black-owned brands, Coco Michele and Puzzle Huddle.

In partnership with Harlem’s Fashion Row, Macy’s and Bloomingdale’s have joined the organization’s new shopping directory called HFR&Co., which provides curated lists of emerging Black and Latino-owned designers for consumers to shop. By providing a list of brands, the platform

New this year, Macy’s has also committed $50k to support a survey piloted by The Steve Fund, an organization dedicated to supporting the mental health and emotional well-being of young people of color. In partnership with UNCF the survey will address emerging needs, themes, and priorities on HBCU campuses.

Additionally, Macy’s Future of Style Fund, an initiative promoting bold representation in design, styling and sustainability, is supplying Clark Atlanta University with a $100k grant to provide deserving students with scholarships. The grant will also provide total programming support including funding hands on learning experiences, and updated technology.

Authenticity is at the heart of all Macy’s social impact work. Leadership Development and representation are engrained into Macy’s culture by the Black Employee Resource Group (ERG), ONYX. Serving as an important resource for the Black colleagues at Macy’s, ONYX promotes career development while supporting company business priorities, objectives, and brand values. With a focus on the recruitment of premier talent and the retention/mentorship of Black executives, ONYX is committed to community service and volunteerism impacting Black communities.

This February, Macy’s colleagues will have the opportunity to participate in an in-person learning event focused on leadership skills and colleague development, attend panel discussions on Macy’s initiatives including S.P.U.R. Pathways - a funding program to advance entrepreneurial growth, close wealth gaps and shatter systemic barriers faced by diverse-owned and underrepresented businesses-, partake in volunteer mentoring opportunities with Figure Skating in Harlem, and join a discussion with JOY Collective on Black Beauty and The Crown Act.

For more information and to shop the collections visit macys.com/purpose.

‘A Wonderful World’ Coming to Chicago

Broadway In Chicago, along with producers Thomas E. Rodgers Jr., Renee Rodgers, Andrew Delaplaine, and Martian Entertainment (Carl D. White and Gregory Rae), are thrilled to announce A Wonderful World, A New Musical about the Life and Loves of Louis Armstrong will play a pre-Broadway engagement in Chicago this fall with Tony Award® winner James Monroe Iglehart (Aladdin) starring as Armstrong. Mirroring Armstrong’s own musical path from New Orleans to Chicago, A Wonderful World will premiere at the Saenger Theatre in New Orleans, LA from October 1-8, before coming to Chicago for a strictly limited engagement from October 11-29, at Broadway In Chicago’s Cadillac Palace Theatre.

A Wonderful World will be part of the 2023 Fall Season and will go on sale to subscribers later this spring. Tickets are available now for groups of 10 or more by calling Broadway In Chicago Group Sales at (312) 977-1710 or emailing GroupSales@BroadwayInChicago. com. Individual tickets for A Wonderful World will go on sale at a later date. For more details, visit BroadwayInChicago.com.

A Wonderful World is the singular story of jazz legend, Grammy Award® winner, and American icon Louis Armstrong, as told by the women in his life. Armstrong’s innovative musicianship and incredible charisma as trumpet player and vocalist would lead him from the early days of jazz in his native New Orleans to five decades of international stardom.

Conceived by Drama Desk Award winner and Tony Award nominee, Christopher Renshaw (Broadway’s The King and I, Taboo), and novelist Andrew Delaplaine, A Wonderful World has an original book by author Aurin Squire (“This is Us,” “The Good Fight,” “Evil”) and features songs recorded and made popular by Armstrong. Wife and husband team Annastasia Victory (Caroline, or Change; Once on This Island) and Michael O. Mitchell (MJ the Musical, Motown), provide original music, arrangements, orchestrations and music direction. Renshaw directs the production, with choreography by Rickey Tripp (Associate Choreographer for Broadway’s Once on This Island and Choir Boy). Christina Sajous serves as Associate Director and Aurelia Michael as Associate Choreographer.

Iglehart won the Tony Award for Best Featured Actor for his comedic turn as the Genie in Disney’s Aladdin and has appeared on Broadway in Chicago, Hamilton and Freestyle Love Supreme. His television and film credits include the Netflix series “Maniac,” “Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt,” “Elementary,” “Law & Order: SVU,” “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel,” Disney’s Disenchanted. Iglehart has lent his voice to many animated characters for Disney, Nickelodeon and Apple TV. Iglehart has written stories for Marvel Comic Books and lent his voice to many animated characters for Disney, Nickelodeon, DreamWorks, and Apple TV.

Casting is by Duncan Stewart CSA, Stewart/Whitley, Consulting Producer is Irene Gandy with General Management by Martian Entertainment. Additional casting and design team will be announced soon.

Miami New Drama (Artistic Director Michel Hausmann; Managing Director Nicholas Richberg) produced the World Premiere production of A Wonderful World on December 11, 2021 at the Colony Theatre in Miami Beach, FL.

For tickets and more information for both New Orleans and Chicago engagements, please visit www.louisarmstrongmusical.com.

Nicor Gas commits $250,000 to support National Energy Education Development Project’s “Energizing Student Potential” initiative

NAPERVILLE, Ill. – Expanding on its commitment to enable economic opportunity through educational programming and early interest in the energy industry, Nicor Gas is committing $250,000 over five years to support the National Energy Education Development Project’s (NEED) “Energizing Student Potential” (ESP) initiative in Illinois, bringing science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) subjects to local classrooms.

As one of the founding partners of the Illinois initiative to encourage elementary and middle school students to discover their own path to innovation, Nicor Gas has provided $350,000 in grant funding since 2015. With this support, NEED has worked with nearly 400 schools, 700 teachers and more than 91,000 students across Illinois over the last seven years.

“At Nicor Gas, we believe that educating students about careers in STEM fields, and in the energy and natural gas industry in particular, should begin at an early age,” said Pat Whiteside, senior vice president of Operations at Nicor Gas. “With our support over the next five years, NEED will have the ability to support approximately 280 additional schools, 450 teachers and 65,000 students across our Northern Illinois service territory and across the state.”

Through the ESP initiative, NEED brings interactive and compelling STEM-based, energy-focused activities that educate students on a variety of energy sources, electricity generation, natural gas, climate science, energy efficiency and more.

“Thanks to the support of our founding partners like Nicor Gas, we are able to reach more Illinois teachers and students with exciting, hands-on opportunities that bring the energy industry to life,” said Mary Spruill, executive director of NEED. “With this donation, we can ensure that our balanced and multidisciplinary education programs continue to open the minds of children to the potential of STEM careers from a young age.”

Recently, Nicor Gas hosted more than 100 teachers at its headquarters in Naperville for a workshop on the science of energy and careers in the field. Participants also had the opportunity to visit the company’s state-of-the-art technical training center where employees learn how to respond to any potential natural gas service situation safely and effectively.

To learn more about Nicor Gas’ commitment to educational initiatives, as well as free resources for teachers and students, visit: www. nicorgas.com/company/workforce-development.

Nicor Gas is one of four natural gas distribution companies of Southern Company Gas, a wholly owned subsidiary of Southern Company (NYSE: SO). Nicor Gas serves more than 2.3 million customers in a service territory that encompasses most of the northern third of Illinois, excluding the city of Chicago. For more information, visit nicorgas.com.

Southern Company Gas is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Atlanta-based Southern Company (NYSE:SO), America’s premier energy company. Southern Company Gas serves approximately 4.3 million natural gas utility customers through its regulated distribution companies in four states, as well as approximately 600,000 retail customers through its companies that market natural gas across the country. Other nonutility businesses include investments in interstate pipelines and ownership and operation of a natural gas storage facility. For more information, visit southerncompanygas.com.