IO Crowned a Charter One Champion in Action

on Jan 19 in Slider by

InsideOut Literary Arts is beyond thrilled to be chosen by  Charter One and WXYZ-TV Channel 7 as the first 2012 Champion in Action® in the category of youth initiatives. InsideOut will receive a $35,000 unrestricted grant, media coverage, and extensive promotional and volunteer support for its outstanding work.

“We’re basking in our new status as one of  Charter One’s Champions in Action,” said Terry Blackhawk, InsideOut’s Founder and Executive Director. “The award is a wonderful exclamation point on 17 years of working to empower the voices of youth in Detroit. Charter One’s support allows InsideOut to guide even more youth to “think broadly and create bravely” as they find their voices as writers.  Thanks to WXYZ TV  our students’ words will have even wider wings and touch many hearts.”
The grant will be used to further engage local youth in the power of poetry and literary self-expression. Guided by professional writers in classrooms and at community workshops hosted by InsideOut, students learn that their words and ideas matter and develop critical thinking skills.

“Charter One is pleased to have InsideOut Literary Arts Project as the newest Champion in Action in the youth initiative category,” said Sandy Pierce, President, Charter One, Michigan. “InsideOut understands that when students can find their voice as a writer, they can also find their passion, what they love to do and what they can excel in.”

Charter One President Sandra Pierce salutes InsideOut Literary Arts Project's selection as a 2012 Champion in Action.

“WXYZ-TV Channel 7 is proud to recognize the meaningful work of the InsideOut Literary Arts Project,” said Ed Fernandez, Vice President and General Manager, WXYZ-TV Channel 7. “We congratulate InsideOut and look forward to working with them to help raise their profile.”
As a Champion in Action, InsideOut Literary Arts Project will receive:

  • A $35,000 contribution in unrestricted funds from the Citizens Charitable Foundation.
  • Media coverage from WXYZ-TV Channel 7, including public service announcements and television profiles over the course of six months;
  • Volunteer support from Charter One and WXYZ-TV Channel 7 colleagues;
  • The opportunity for the organization’s Executive Director to participate in a “President-to-President” mentorship with Charter One President Sandy Pierce;
  • Extensive public relations support;
  • Promotional support highlighting the Champion in Action in all Charter One branch DCN screens and on its ATMs;
  • Exposure on both Charter One and WXYZ-TV Channel 7 websites.

InsideOut Literary Arts Project Founder & Executive Director, Dr. Terry Blackhawk talks with Ed Fernandez,Vice President & General Manager, WXYZ TV, Channel 7 about IO's selection as a Charter One Champion in Action.

Launched locally in 2006, Champions in Action is a joint initiative of Charter One and WXYZ-TV Channel 7 to recognize and support nonprofit organizations for their contributions to communities in Southeast Michigan. To date, 23 local nonprofits have been recognized and received $575,000 in grants and promotional support. This year marks the 10th anniversary of the Champions in Action program that has provided more than $6 million in support to more than 245 nonprofit organizations throughout the Citizens Financial Group footprint.

Applications for the second 2012 Champion in Action in the neighborhood revitalization category are due Friday, March 2, at 5 p.m. The winner will be announced in July. Eligible nonprofits should apply online at www.charterone.com/community/champions.

Prior Michigan Champions in Action include: the Gary Burnstein Community Health Clinic; Crossroads of Michigan; Grace Centers of Hope; Elder Law; Think Detroit PAL; Operation ABLE; Turning Point, Inc.; Lighthouse CDC; Young Detroit Builders; Winning Futures; Michigan Roundtable for Diversity and Inclusion; Midnight Golf Program; Macomb County Rotating Emergency Shelter Team; Junior Achievement of Southeastern Michigan; WARM Training Center; Mercy Education Project; Kids Kicking Cancer; The Greening of Detroit; Living Arts; Jefferson East Business Association; the Baldwin Center; Woodward Avenue Action Coalition and the South Oakland Shelter.

For more information about the Charter One / WXYZ-TV Channel 7 Champions in Action program, visit www.charterone.com/community/champions or www.wxyz.com. To learn more about how to contribute to InsideOut Literary Arts Program through donations or volunteerism, call 313.577.4601 or visit www.insideoutdetroit.org.

About Charter One

Charter One is a division of RBS Citizens, N.A., operating in Illinois, Michigan and Ohio. It has 365 branches and 564 ATMs. It has 110 branches and 267 ATMs in Illinois. It has 108 branches and 118 ATMs in Michigan. It has 147 branches and 179 ATMs in Ohio. Charter One’s website is charterone.com.

About WXYZ-TV Channel 7

WXYZ-TV Channel 7, an ABC affiliate, serves the nine-county Detroit market area – reaching more than 1.9 million homes each week. Channel 7 was named “TV Station of the Year” in 2011 by the Michigan Association of Broadcasters.

There are no comments yet, add one below.

Leave a Comment