The Coca-Cola Foundation announced on May 2 a $1 million multi-year award to the National Council of Negro Women (NCNW) to support its operating infrastructure and NCNW’s Economic and Entrepreneurial Development Center, which provides technical assistance and business development assistance to more than 4,000 women annually.
Muhtar Kent, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, The Coca-Cola Company, made the surprise announcement at the retirement celebration of Ingrid Saunders Jones, Chair of The Coca-Cola Foundation and Senior Vice President, Global Community Connections for The Coca-Cola Company. Jones will retire May 31, 2013, after 31 years of dedicated service. Last year, Jones was elected Chair of the National Council of Negro Women.
“Ingrid has always had a passion for serving others, lifting them up, and making a positive difference,” said Kent. “At the same time, Ingrid has a special affection and passion for helping women, economically disadvantaged individuals, and people from an African-American background.
NCNW was founded by Mary McLeod Bethune in 1935 as an umbrella organization to lead, develop, and advocate for women of African descent through research, advocacy, and national and community-based services and programs dedicated to health, education, and economic empowerment. Under the leadership of Dorothy I. Height, who led NCNW for more than four decades, NCNW grew to reach nearly four million women annually.
Empowering women to thrive in business is a global commitment for The Coca-Cola Company, which in 2010 announced its 5by20 initiative to empower 5 million women entrepreneurs by the year 2020. The Company also developed the Global Women’s Initiative, an internal/external program, led by Kent to advance women to leadership positions within the company and throughout its external value chain.
Since its inception, The Coca-Cola Foundation has awarded more than $500 million to support global sustainable community initiatives, including water stewardship, community recycling, active healthy living, and education.
 For more information about The Coca-Cola Foundation, please go to www.thecoca-colacompany.com/citizenship/foundation_coke.html
