YWCA NASHVILLE & MIDDLE TENNESSEE EARNS NISSAN FOUNDATION GRANT TO FUND UNIQUE CULTURAL & RACIAL DIVERSITY PROGRAMMING IN NASHVILLE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASESeptember 8, 2022NASHVILLE, Tenn. – The Nissan Foundation recently named YWCA Nashville & Middle Tennessee a 2022 grant recipient. The Nissan Foundation grant will help fund the Stand Against Injustice (formerly Stand Against Racism) lunch and learn education series. The first topic of the 2022-23 webinar series is “The School to Prison Pipeline” and will take place on Thursday, Sept. 29 from noon to 1 pm CST.“This $10,000 grant is instrumental in allowing us to bring together prominent and respected voices to examine and discuss challenging issues that are confronting our society,” said Sharon K. Roberson. “We’re grateful to the Nissan Foundation for supporting this programming and the technology that’s required to deliver it to a wider community audience.”The Nissan Foundation was created in 1992 as a thoughtful response to the three weeks of violent civil unrest that occurred near Nissan’s then U.S. sales and marketing operations in Southern California following the Rodney King trial verdict. Nissan established a $5 million endowment to promote cultural diversity within southern Los Angeles neighborhoods.In the 30 years since, the Nissan Foundation has awarded nearly $14 million to more than 150 nonprofit organizations to support innovative programs that break down societal barriers and build inclusive communities through education and outreach. Grant recipients promote cultural diversity across a variety of arts, education, social and public programs in seven U.S. communities where Nissan operates.“We’re proud to award YWCA Nashville & Middle Tennessee a grant for the unique programming it’s offering community members at a time in our history when conversations about race, ethnicity, bias, education and solutions are at the forefront,” said Chandra Vasser President of the Nissan Foundation and Nissan’s first-ever Chief Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Officer.YWCA Nashville & Middle Tennessee is a 124-year old nonprofit organization whose mission is to eliminate racism, empower women, and promote peace, justice, freedom, and dignity for all. YWCA programs include Domestic Violence Services, Girls Inc., AMEND Together, Dress for Success, Family Learning Center, Career Services, and Advocacy & Social Justice. Advocacy efforts are focused on to following areas: Health & Safety, Gender-Based Violence, Racial Justice, and Civil & Human Rights.The Nissan Foundation has awarded a total of $848,000 in grants to 33 nonprofit organizations for its 2022 grant cycle. The nonprofit recipients are located in Southern California, Tennessee, Texas, Central Mississippi, Southeast Michigan and the New York and Atlanta metro areas – all locations where Nissan has an operational presence.As part its 30th anniversary commemoration, the Nissan Foundation has been profiling the work of many of its grantees through written and video storytelling. The anniversary year will culminate with a symposium bringing together Nissan Foundation grantees and thought leaders for dialogue around the foundation’s mission of building community by valuing cultural diversity.Nissan Foundation grants are awarded annually; the next grants will be awarded in June 2023. For more information about the Nissan Foundation and its application process, visit the Nissan Foundation page. ContactMichelle Mowery JohnsonYWCA Nashville & Middle TN Sr. Dir. Communications & AdvocacyMichelle.MoweryJohnson@ywcansahville.com or Parul BajajNissan Foundation Executive DirectorParul.Bajaj@nissan-usa.com ###