Amalgamated Bank named official social responsibility partner of the WNBPA

Two months ago, I officially began my tenure as the new CEO and President of Amalgamated Bank. I am extremely grateful and excited to take on this opportunity to work for a bank that has a positive impact on social, economic, and environmental change, while prioritizing justice and sustainability to build a thriving economy.

Since my start date on June 1st, I have been welcomed by a passionate team ready to propel the growth of America’s socially responsible bank. I have enjoyed getting to know my new colleagues and look forward to continuing our work together, especially on large-scale projects that showcase the significance of values-based banking.

Today, I am proud to share that Amalgamated Bank has been named the official social responsibility partner of the Women’s National Basketball Players Association (WNBPA), a first-of-its-kind partnership to promote social justice reform. This alliance is incredibly important for us as we raise awareness and work together on actively addressing some of the key issues we care about with the help of WNBA athletes-advocates Sue Bird, Natasha Cloud, and Elizabeth Williams. 

As part of this unique collaboration with these players, we created a series of videos entitled “Shout Outs” that starts off our joint campaign by shedding light on issues of racial justice, voting rights, and gender justice. Each player shares her own personal journey and explains the work they are involved in to tackle these issues, in a powerful video series that we hope will inspire others to join our community, join our larger movement for social justice, and help us achieve positive change in these areas.

Sue Bird, a four-time WNBA champion with the Seattle Storm and vice president of the WNBPA, has been a proponent of gender equality and LGBTQ+ rights. WNBA champion with the Washington Mystics and member of the Board of Player Representatives, Natasha Cloud has been a champion for racial justice. Atlanta Dream All-Star and secretary of the WNBPA, Elizabeth Williams has worked to combat voting suppression. We are inspired by the dedication each player has shown in their work on these critical issues.

For our part, as social responsibility partner of the WNBPA, we have selected several organizations that Amalgamated Bank will be donating to through our new dedicated fund. The WNBPA Social Impact Fund has been established by the Amalgamated Foundation and the WNBPA to support organizations working for social, racial, economic and gender justice, issues that are crucial and timely priorities for both institutions. Grantees from this fund will include organizations like SisterSONG, GLITS, TLDEF, New Georgia Project, the National Council of Negro Women, Black Voters Matter, among others. Grants will be distributed by Amalgamated Bank's charitable partner, the Amalgamated Foundation, which has sole discretion over grants distributed from this fund. 

Amalgamated and the WNBPA share a deep alignment. Our joint legacies of standing up for what is right provides the perfect platform for Amalgamated to become the official social responsibility partner of the WNBPA. The union representing the women’s professional basketball players in the WNBA has historically fostered opportunities to amplify the voices and leadership of its member players, most recently working with the WNBA to launch The Justice Movement and the Social Justice Council, a first in sports, which promotes conversations about race, voting rights, LGBTQ+ advocacy, public health, and gun control among other critical issues.

Dollars deposited at Amalgamated Bank go directly towards values-aligned businesses and organizations that address these issues of social, racial, and environmental justice, as well as economic reform. Our alliance with the WNBPA was a natural fit, and we are thrilled to unify our voices, our resources, and our platforms to lead the movement for positive social change and advance racial justice, voting rights, and gender justice. 

As we kick-off this historic partnership, I'd like to recognize the hard work of the Amalgamated team to put this campaign together and thank the players union for their valued collaboration!