Lilly pledges $25M, 25K volunteer hours against injustice
June 15, 2020By The Associated Press
INDIANAPOLIS — Eli Lilly and Co. and the Lilly Foundation announced a pledge of $25 million and 25,000 employee volunteer service hours over five years Saturday to ease the burden of racial injustice and its effects on local and national communities of color.
The Lilly Foundation’s financial commitment over five years is aimed at finding solutions to racial inequity and social injustice primarily in Indianapolis, its surrounding counties and nationally, Lilly said in a news release. It will include grants to improve educational, health, criminal justice and social mobility outcomes for people of color.
“We are committed to action in addressing the systemic injustices in America that disadvantage people of color every day, with a special responsibility to Indianapolis, home of our headquarters for 144 years," said Tiffany Benjamin, president of the Lilly Foundation.
“This is personal for me and for the whole company,” said David Ricks, Lilly chairman and CEO. “We commit to bringing people and organizations together to acknowledge the trauma of racial injustice in its many forms and create a call to action for lasting change.
Lilly's pledge came amid local protests over the shooting death of a black man, Dreasjon Reed, by an Indianapolis police officer and the police killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis.
The commitments were made in conjunction with the Indy Day of Solidarity-We Stand Together. The virtual event was sponsored by Lilly in partnership with the Indianapolis Recorder, Indianapolis’ oldest African American newspaper; Radio One, Indianapolis’ largest urban radio station; and WISH-TV, the city’s largest minority-owned television station.
More on DuboisCountyHerald.com
-
Charlie's Purpose
Four-year-old Charlie Schnarr of Jasper was diagnosed with rhabdomyosarcoma, a rare type of... -
Group encourages all to read and share
Susan Gossett wants more people to be able to go to faraway places right in the comfort of their... -
Fundraiser launches for historical marker at ISP post
Out of all eight Indiana State Police posts created when ISP was formed in the 1930s, the Jasper... -
County sees 44 new COVID-19 cases
The Indiana State Department of Health reported Friday 44 new COVID-19 cases in Dubois County. -
Forest seeks info on Buffalo Springs area
The Hoosier National Forest seeks information from the public about an area south of Paoli in... -
County records 50 more COVID-19 cases
The Indiana State Department of Health reported Thursday 50 new COVID-19 cases in Dubois County. -
Jasper fire department celebrates 125 years
The Jasper Volunteer Fire Department celebrated its 125th anniversary Wednesday. -
County sees 52 new COVID-19 cases
The Indiana State Department of Health reported Wednesday 52 new COVID-19 cases in Dubois County.