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BITS

GIVING BACK

L’Oréal USA is one of the six inaugural donors involved in the launch of Ascend’s Impact Fund. As the largest,

non-profit PanAsian organization for business professionals in North America, the fund was created to focus on raising

awareness of the history and prevalence of anti-Asian racism through expanding advocacy, allyship, education and community

engagement to generate meaningful and sustainable change.

The fund has received six-figure commitments from inaugural donors EY US, U.S. Bank, Electronic Arts, L’Oréal USA, Pfizer and

Verizon. This Fund will accelerate change by continuing Ascend’s 16-plus years of work building holistic Pan-Asian leaders

and expanding the focus of its 5-Point Action Agenda, launched last year in partnership with over 150 organizations and

companies. “We believe that corporate leaders have a pivotal role to play right now to foster a workplace culture that actively breaks down the ‘model minority myth,’ a term used to refer to a minority group perceived as particularly successful, and in a manner that contrasts with other minority groups, and stem the rising tide of anti-Asian sentiments,” says Anna W. Mok,

president and executive board chairman of Ascend. “Companies and communities can only succeed over the long term if

they promote an environment of inclusivity and belonging, and act as champions for underrepresented members and those of diverse heritages. Along with our partners we have been doing the work, but we recognize we still have more to do.”

The Impact Fund encourages corporate members and peer allies to work together in creative ways to engage with local communities and promote greater racial equity and harmony in the workforce. In addition to spreading awareness and encouraging action, the Fund will support the Ascend Foundation’s data-driven research to measure the progress of Pan-

Asians and other underrepresented groups in leadership roles and identify the factors that contribute to leadership, workforce

and population gaps.

For more information, visit www.ascendleadershipfoundation.org.

REP RAP

StyleCraft/Gamma+ of Pompano Beach, FL, the manufacturer and distributor of premium high-tech appliances, announces the appointment of Gerry Udell, Inc. as their northeast representative. According to

Austin Russo, co-founder, “The Udell Group, with its long successful history in the professional beauty business, has been

instrumental in helping appliance companies become leaders in the industry. Gerry Udell, Inc.’s expertise in selling clippers, trimmers, dryers, shavers, curling irons, flat irons and accessories will be invaluable in cementing our position in the professional

beauty and barber field as leaders in technology, design, performance and innovation. Our company has been fortunate to

have exponential growth over the past two years, enabling us to expand our footprint nationally and internationally.”

Industry icon and StyleCraft/Gamma+ co-founder Ken Russo told BIR that they will be moving to much larger facilities in the fall to accommodate their explosive growth. “We feel very fortunate to represent StyleCraft/ Gamma+, as they have a wide selection of high-quality appliances that have been meticulously crafted to fit the needs of today’s barbers and hairstylists.

Our group is amazed at what StyleCraft/Gamma+ has accomplished in such a short time.” Gerry told BIR, “An important factor

in StyleCraft/ Gamma+’s success is that they are an entrepreneurial company that is family owned—just like Gerry Udell, Inc.! Our group is very enthusiastic and highly motivated, as StyleCraft/Gamma+ is leading the field in producing new and

innovative styling tools.”

Contact austin.russo@stylecraftus.com or gerry@gerryudell.com for more information.