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Corporate Social Responsibility
Celebrating Black history at New York Life.
New York Life | February 24, 2021
Updated January 27, 2024
As we collectively navigate our present day, it is important that we acknowledge and honor our past, while stepping powerfully into the possibilities of our future. As “Lift Every Voice and Sing” (The Black National Anthem) goes:
Sing a song full of the faith that the dark past has taught us, Sing a song full of the hope that the present has brought us; Facing the rising sun of our new day begun."
Black History Month originated nearly a century ago, as the brainchild of historian Carter G. Woodson in 1926.1 Originally a week-long celebration, it was expanded to a month on the occasion of the country's Bicentennial in 1976. Marking the occasion, President Gerald Ford urged Americans to “seize the opportunity to honor the too-often neglected accomplishments of Black Americans in every area of endeavor throughout our history”.2
Yet nearly half a century after Ford’s proclamation, there is still so much to do in recognizing the contribution of Black Americans to our culture. And businesses are well-placed to help ensure that happens. In fact, a major survey of attitudes to different institutions found that business is now more trusted than the media, government and even non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and is the only one of the four seen as ethical and competent.3
How New York Life honors Black history
At New York Life, diversity, equity & inclusion is embedded in programs across the company, and each year we engage employees in celebrating diverse groups’ history and heritages months, beginning with Black History Month. Every February, our BOLD (Black Organization for Leadership and Development) Employee Resource Group hosts many special events to celebrate Black History Month. BOLD continues to produce events and activities throughout the year.
The support for diverse communities extends beyond New York Life and into the community—we believe financial security and inclusion is vital to creating better opportunities. To that end we have more than 1,200 agents serving the African American community whose mission is not just to sell life insurance, but to help families understand the importance of building a legacy for the next generation. We also back our beliefs through actions: in the last 20 years we’ve donated more than $25 million to organizations which support the African American community.
In 2022, the Foundation announced the addition of social justice as a third focus area, joining the longstanding pillars of childhood bereavement and educational enhancement for middle school students. Inspired by a long tradition of service and humanity, the Foundation has always supported underserved and diverse communities. The formalization of this third pillar acknowledges an established commitment to address societal issues in communities across the country where New York Life policy owners, agents, and employees live and work.
We’re proud that New York Life’s diversity, equity, & inclusion efforts are recognized externally. For example, we are featured among Forbes magazine’s Best Employers for Diversity.
Learn more about the New York Life Foundation’s social justice efforts here and New York Life initiatives related to DE&I and social justice, including the company’s $1 billion impact investment initiative to help address the racial wealth gap, here. New York Life’s 2023 Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Report can be found here.
If you’d like to learn more about how we create a culture of diversity and inclusion at New York Life, learn more here.
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Media contact
Kevin Maher
New York Life Insurance Company
(212) 576-7937
Kevin_B_Maher@newyorklife.com
1“About African American History Month”. African American History Month government website. Accessed February 02, 2021. https://africanamericanhistorymonth.gov/about/
2“About African American History Month”. African American History Month government website. Accessed February 02, 2021. https://africanamericanhistorymonth.gov/about/
3“Edelman Trust Barometer 2021”. Accessed February 02, 2021. https://www.edelman.com/trust/2021-trust-barometer
4 https://www.forbes.com/companies/new-york-life/?list=best-employers-diversity/&sh=3da7b4a6355e