UC Santa Barbara community members came together last Friday ahead of Martin Luther King Jr. Day to remember his life and activism, beginning with a walk at UCSBs Eternal Flame and focused around the theme Remembering the Silence of Our Friends.

The mural at North Hall that honors the students who protested there for Black rights in 1968. Jenny Luo / Daily Nexus

Speakers, including UCSB students and community organizers, gave speeches on their personal experiences with racism, institutionalized oppression in higher education and the importance of allyship. The procession of approximately 100 then walked to North Hall, stopping at the mural that honors the students who protested there for Black rights in 1968, before ending at the MultiCultural Center (MCC) for lunch.

The event was hosted by the Martin Luther King Jr. Committee of Santa Barbara, UCSBs Educational Opportunity Program (EOP) and the MCC.

Chris Hudley, vice president of the Martin Luther King Jr. Committee, elaborated on the importance of the theme Remembering The Silence of Our Friends, which comes from the famous King quote: We remember not the words of our enemies, but the silence of our friends.

During political years, we have forgotten to have conversations, Hudley explained. We want the idea of people having conversations, learning and collaborating, to build inclusiveness and equality.

Inclusion of friends in conversation was emphasized throughout the event; participants were asked to talk to strangers during the walk about the change they wish to see in the world.

Alyssa Frick-Jenkins, president of UCSBs Black Student Union, discussed the Eternal Flame monument, where the walk begins. The Flame was donated as a gift by the UCSB Class of 1968 to commemorate peace and unity.

To me, the Eternal Flame commemorates the ongoing legacy of MLK because he lit a similar flame under Black students to take under North Hall and demand equality. I find it important for Black students and those who understand their struggle to not only see the monument as one to MLKs legacy but also one about taking up space in this institution, Frick-Jenkins said.

Frick-Jenkins ideas of self determination, Black freedom and liberation, which were recurring themes throughout the event, led to a discussion of empowerment in institutions of higher education like UCSB.

Take up space here, Frick-Jenkins told attendees. We can see ourselves within this institution that was not inherently made for the education of Black people.

Deandre Miles-Hercules, president of the Black Graduate Students Association, touched on their personal experiences as a Black, gender nonconforming individual and, similarly to Frick-Jenkins, their struggle with taking up space in academia.

This is important for me personally, because I am Black and gender nonconforming and as a scholar that is not often a comfortable place to be, and in the world that it is often dangerous and harmful to be in, Miles-Hercules said.

MLK said direct action is presenting our very bodies to the conscience of the public of our national and local communities, they explained. My presence and showing up authentically is direct action. That too is walking in Dr. Kings legacy.

While talking to the crowd, Miles-Hercules also emphasized how their presence at UCSB is statistically unlikely. In the 2017-18 academic year, only 3% of graduate students were Black, whereas 5.8% of California residents were Black, a nearly 3% difference between state and university demographics.

UC Regent Elect and UCSB graduate student Jamaal Muwwakkil, another speaker, reiterated this point.

Im not supposed to be here. Im a poor kid from Compton, California. The statistics are against me I was not supposed to gain access to the UC. The paradigm for Black students is that diversity lowers standards, that the more Black students you have, the lower the ranking of your school, he said.

Anne H. Charity-Hudley, the North Hall Endowed Chair in the Linguistics of African America and linguistics professor, encouraged attendees to discuss with others what made them come out to the event on their walk to North Hall.

Miriam Bankons, a participant who has been coming to the event for five years, was eager to share her answer to Charity-Hudleys question.

Im here in memory of all the people that came before me and walking for them, she said. Talking to other people that we dont know, that we dont see, is a way to honor King. His holiday is about a day of service, and I believe this is a way of service.

When the march reached North Hall, Charity-Hudley recounted the racism she has experienced while achieving success in academia, including being targeted by police and having drawings of lynchings painted on her wall after receiving a raise.

In many positions, people are happy to see Black people on campus until they receive raises, labs and support. Theres a level of tension when we dont stay in our place I want you to think about how we can continue to rise until you make somebody else nervous with your level of success.

Participants then walked to the MCC to enjoy lunch, celebrate successes made in the name of Black empowerment and listen to MLKs most famous speeches.

Many attendees discussed how Miles-Herculess words resonated with them, especially their ending comments.

Be a brother, a sister, be a partner in crime to equity and justice, and show up when things are hard and let go of some of that privilege that you might bear in the service of equity and justice, Miles-Hercules said.

That is how we walk in Dr. Kings footsteps and honor his memory.

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In the service of equity and justice: UCSB Community Comes Together To Honor Martin Luther King Jr. Day - Daily Nexus

Poor women in Indias villages are more likely to take up jobs if their wages can be deposited into their bank accounts and they can be trained in digital banking, a September 2019 study by the US-based National Bureau Of Economic Research has concluded. This eases patriarchal social norms and increases empowerment among the one section of Indian society with the least labour market experience, it added.

If poor, rural women can control their access to wages through bank accounts and receive adequate training for handling it, they are more likely to join or continue in the labour workforce in India, the study found. It also helped in accommodating changes in gender norms on women going to work: The study found that women who received digital deposits and training were more likely to hold female work in high regard. Although their husbands did not change their personal beliefs, they became less likely to report that husbands suffer social costs when their wives work.

Researchers used randomised control trials to study the effects of channelling womens wages under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme, into their individually-controlled bank accounts, and not the account of the head of their family, typically a man.

Women who received digital wage deposits as well as the training to use their bank accounts, were found to be working more, as we said earlier, in both jobs generated by MGNREGS and the private sector. This increase occurred even though the market wage remained static.

The study was conducted in collaboration with the Madhya Pradesh state government and the rural development ministry in socially conservative areas in the northern pockets of the state Gwalior, Morena, Sheopur and Shivpur.

Despite robust economic growth, the female labour force participation rate has declined from 37% in 1990 to 28% in 2015, making Indian women some of the least employed in the world, the study noted. Indias growth trajectory and the well-being of its population, will depend on how well it uses public policy to lower barriers to female employment, it said.

Policy, when appropriately designed, can empower women in homes and even dilute common patriarchal norms, said Charity Troyer Moore, co-author of the study and director for South Asia Economics Research at The Whitney and Betty MacMillan Center for International and Area Studies at Yale University.

By working with women to open accounts, training them on how to use the accounts, and linking those accounts to NREGS so they could receive their wages as mandated, we see important improvements in womens financial activity, paid work, especially in the private sector, and views on women and work, she said.

While global gender parity will not be attained for 100 years, India has fallen four spots to 112 among 153 economies since 2018, as per the World Economic Forums Global Gender Gap Report 2020.

The economic gender gap runs particularly deep in India, the report noted. Only one-third of the gap has been bridged. Since 2006, the gap has gotten significantly wider. Among the 153 countries studied, India is the only country where the economic gender gap [ranked 149th] is larger than the political gender gap.

Only one-quarter of women, compared with 82% of men, engage actively in the labour market [working or looking for work] one of the lowest participation rates in the world [145th] and estimated female income is a mere one-fifth of male income, which is also among the worlds lowest, the report noted.

Indias gender issue is a jobs issue womens overall well-being has fallen as access to work outside their homes has declined, and especially as women move out of agriculture in rural areas, said Moore. There is a multitude of challenges to helping women access employment, but increasing demand in sectors that suit womens practical circumstances seems to be key here.

Many of the policy efforts undertaken to support women focus on their specific role as a household caregiver or mother. Though important, it should not be given at the expense of other efforts, like hiring more local women to serve in frontline work to support their communities development, and encouraging employment for young women who are out of school and not yet married, Moore added.

The study conducted randomised control trials in 197 gram panchayats, and in 67 of these, womens bank accounts were linked to their MGNREGS wages and provided basic financial training to ensure they understand how to use their accounts if they decided to work. The study was conducted between 2013 and 2014, prior to the start of Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana targeting Indias unbanked population. Follow-up surveys were then conducted in 2015 and 2017.

The study then compared outcomes for women who only received only bank accounts with those who additionally received direct deposit of MGNREGS wages and bank account training direct deposit and training. Low levels of engagement with the formal banking sector beyond simple withdrawals and deposits by women and marginalised communities suggest that universal account ownership does not necessarily translate to financial inclusion or the ability to use banking services effectively, IndiaSpend reported on May 17, 2018. In 2015-16, 53% of women used a bank account in their own name, according to the fourth National Family Health Survey data.

The intervention found long- and short-term benefits in the group. Three years after the intervention, women used their accounts more frequently and more women were able to go to a bank to operate their accounts.

Women living in gram panchayats where training was offered to operate bank accounts worked more, as we said earlier, than those who only had individual bank accounts opened for them. Further, the impact was more among women who had least or no work experience in the study, those who had never worked for MGNREGS. These women have been classified as socially constrained to reflect that they are less likely to work, less empowered, and that their husbands are more likely to oppose female work.

The transfers to individually-controlled bank accounts empower women to assert themselves in their families, the authors surmise. So giving a woman better outside options to the status quo may help her bargain and assert her preferences, which can result in increased mobility, said Moore.

Three years later, in 2017, socially constrained women reported an increased ability to spend and greater freedom to move about. After three years, their empowerment score was increased, effectively closing the empowerment gap between constrained and unconstrained women.

The study found that, compared to women who were given only bank accounts, those women who received digital deposits and training were more likely to hold female work in high regard. Although their husbands did not change their personal beliefs they became less likely to report that husbands suffer social costs when their wives work, the study reported.

Gender norms became more progressive in families where women controlled their wages, the study found. The actual norms average personal beliefs about women and work of women who received direct deposit and training were more progressive than those of women in accounts-only areas. Moreover, on average, the community was more accepting of working women.

Although husbands actual norms remained unchanged, perceived norms among men in the community were significantly liberalised, with greater perceived acceptance of working womens husbands, suggesting that women may in part be held back from working by mens misperceptions of the stigma they would suffer, the study said.

There are signs of womens increased decision-making and financial independence, but that does not necessarily come at a cost to men, said Moore. The results on decisions hinge around whether women report higher involvement in either deciding or helping decide how to spend money and whether to work outside the home so an increase in womens power here would not necessarily mean mens influence declined, since they could be making more joint decisions.

The study is significant for programmes such as MGNREGS which aim to include and empower women through employment, offering them equal wages, the study says. Policies that cause women to increase engagement with those outside their families are likely to change social norms, especially as more conservative men change their beliefs about the consequences of adopting or accommodating progressive behaviours.

One thing our study didnt speak to is that limited mobility also reflects individual and household concerns about safety and violence against women, which are valid concerns, said Moore. This is where policy can play an important role. It can work to ensure public spaces are safe and open to both men and women, she added, to improve responsiveness to reports about harassment and violence, and to be responsive to womens inputs on these issues.

This article first appeared on IndiaSpend, a data-driven and public-interest journalism non-profit.

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What women in rural Madhya Pradesh want: Jobs with direct access to their wages - Scroll.in

Aerie launches initiative to award $400,000 to 20 real-life changemakers who are making a difference in their communities

NEW YORK American Eagle Outfitters, Inc. (NYSE: AEO) today announces that Aerie will welcome actor Lana Condor, actor and writer Beanie Feldstein, actor and writer Hari Nef, Tony award winning actor Ali Stroker, sustainability activist Manuela Barn, founder of Smile On Me Dre Thomas, DJ and wellness advocate Tiff McFierce, and scientist and CEO Keiana Cav as #AerieREAL Role Models. These eight inspiring women will be joined by current Role Models Aly Raisman, Iskra, Brenna Huckaby, Molly Burke and Jenna Kutcher.

#AerieREAL Role Models spread the brands mission to love your real selfinside and out. They empower and inspire the Aerie community to be the change they want to see in the world through leadership, advocacy, workshops and philanthropic partnerships. As one of the fastest growing brands in the apparel industry, Aerie is equally committed to creating exceptional merchandise collections for its customers while positively influencing the way women see themselves and treat others.

Through the #AerieREAL Change Initiative that launches today, Aerie and the Role Models are taking action and changing the game. Its time to get up, get out and get involved. Aerie will award 20 real-life changemakers with $20,000 to help them on their journey in making the world a better place.

Six years ago, Aerie took the game-changing leap to stop airbrushing its modelswhich ignited a body positivity movement that has empowered women around the world to let their real selves shine, commented Jennifer Foyle, Aerie Global Brand President. We believe everyone has the power to be a changemaker. Together with our incredible Role Models, we cannot wait to award $400,000 to 20 fierce and inspiring members of the #AerieREAL community.

About the #AerieREAL Role Models:

About the #AerieREAL Change Initiative

About #AerieREAL

About Aerie

Aerie is a lifestyle brand offering intimates, apparel, activewear and swim collections. With the #AerieREAL movement, Aerie celebrates its community by advocating for body positivity and the empowerment of all women. Aerie believes in inspiring customers to love their real selves, inside and out. Retouching-free since 2014. Visit http://www.aerie.com to learn more. Let the Real You Shine.

About American Eagle Outfitters, Inc.

American Eagle Outfitters, Inc. (NYSE: AEO) is a leading global specialty retailer offering high-quality, on-trend clothing, accessories and personal care products at affordable prices under its American Eagle and Aerie brands. Our purpose is to show the world that theres REAL power in the optimism of youth. The company operates more than 1,000 stores in the United States, Canada, Mexico, China and Hong Kong, and ships to 81 countries worldwide through its websites. American Eagle and Aerie merchandise also is available at more than 200 international locations operated by licensees in 25 countries. For more information, please visit http://www.aeo-inc.com.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200123005191/en/

Contacts

Matthew Owens SHADOW Phone: 212.972.0277 Matthew@weareshadow.com

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Aerie Introduces Eight New #AerieREAL Role Models to Inspire You to Make 2020 the Year of Change - Financial Post

They call it "compassion fatigue," the burnout that people in our line of work experience. In the nonprofit sector, we work for more than a paycheck, opening our hearts and minds to the needs of others. And sooner or later, that takes a toll.

Mental health has become a huge challenge in all sectors. An estimated 83% of U.S. workers report significant work-related stress, costing businesses as much as $300 billion per year in absenteeism and treatment-related expenses.

Its worse for professional do-gooders. Driven by passion, nonprofit workers put in long hours for significantly less than they would earn in the private sector because they believe in the cause. Those who work closely with vulnerable and at-risk populations can experience "vicarious trauma," the emotional residue that comes with witnessing trauma and taking your work personally. In Calgary, Canada, one study observed people who worked with the homeless and found that 25% were suffering from burnout, while 36% showed symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder.

The risks of compassion fatigue are never far from mind in our household. I have spent 25 years working in the charitable sector. My partner, Leysa, works with nonprofits and healthcare professionals, teaching them how to cope with stress and vicarious trauma as a mindfulness coach. Weve both learned how to be more mindful at home and at work, and we strive to share those practices.

When it comes to employee wellness, nonprofits dont usually have the resources to install full-time yoga studios and smoothie bars in our offices like big tech companies do. Nevertheless, there are cost-effective measures nonprofit employers can implement to avoid compassion fatigue and promote employee well-being. Here are a few steps you can take:

Create a mindful team

Stress management and self-care are learned techniques. Offer your team a basic level of mental health literacy to help them spot the signals that their well-being, or that of a co-worker, is at risk. Like all skills, these things must be taught.

If you have the resources, enroll your team in a mindfulness-based stress reduction course, such as the one developed by the University of Massachusetts. There are also cost-free resources (and it doesnt hurt to ask for a charitable discount). Our staff at WE used "Teach" mental health literacy and care resources developed by the University of British Columbia, a free program.

To ensure that self-care is more than a one-time thing, ask two or three people to volunteer for training as instructors, and have them conduct mindfulness sessions throughout the year as an ongoing resource for their co-workers.

Build connections

Loneliness and isolation contribute to mental health issues. You can combat them by boosting interpersonal connectedness in your work environment. But that takes more than awkward holiday office parties once a year.

Go out for lunch as a team. Host mini-events like Taco Tuesday or Waffle Wednesday to bring a little low-pressure fun and interaction to the office. At WE, our teams celebrate "workaversaries" and made it part of our culture to give shout-outs or notes of gratitude when someone meets a milestone with the organization. Instituting these practices interdepartmentally or in larger meetings can help different teams better understand what the others do, further improving overall organizational cohesion.

Create safe spaces

WE created an anonymous online reporting system and conducts annual staff surveys (also anonymous) with comprehensive questions about job satisfaction and workplace challenges. Its a safe space to share concerns. Survey responses help the organization identify areas for improvement so we can create a better -- and less stressful -- work experience.

When possible, give everyone a chance to speak up and share whats on their minds during team and organizational meetings.

Remember: Time is well-being

Mental health breaks and me time arent just expressions; theyre wellness tools. After a particularly intensive or stressful project or activity, give your staff some paid time off. Our WE Day staff spends weeks on the road every year, working long days around each of our 18 youth empowerment events in stadiums across North America and the U.K.. We give them all a day off after every event to rest and reenergize.

Wellness time is also essential when front-line staff works with vulnerable individuals or traumatic situations. If a staff member handles a bad case of domestic violence or experiences the death of a homeless client theyve worked with, they need healing time. Keep a list of local counselors and other support services if they need it, and update the list regularly.

In general, a flexible workplace enables your team to work around time challenges in their personal lives. Parents who are not on leave should be welcome to bring their babies to work from time to time. If schools close for inclement weather and parents cant find childcare at the last minute, WE invite our staff to bring school-aged children to the office should they choose.

Integrate wellness from Day 1

Include mental health and well-being in your onboarding process for new staff members. Walk them through all of the policies, programs and other mental health-related initiatives at your organization. Let them know that wellness is part of your culture.

They say that giving starts at home. Well, so does well-being. As nonprofits, we care about the well-being of the world we live in. That begins with ensuring the well-being of those passionate individuals who work with us.

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How To Avoid Compassion Fatigue: Care For Your Staff So They Can Care For The World - Forbes

IDPs

Barkin Ladi (Plateau) The Justice Development and Peace Commission (JDPC), of the Catholic Archdiocese of Jos, on Saturday donated improved seedlings to 50 Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) at Ban, Barkin Ladi Local Government Area (LGA), of Plateau.

Presenting the seedlings, Rev. Fr. Polycarp Gana, the Assistant Coordinator of the NGO, said the gesture was aimed at alleviating the sufferings of the IDPs.

Gana, who said the gesture was supported by the Irish Aid, added that it would also encourage the IDPs, particularly those of them who are farmers to have more and better yields.

He said by supporting displaced persons to go into farming, it would enable them fend for themselves and increase their personal income; as well as that of the state.

We were here shortly before Christmas and donated food items to you, today we have come again, but to support you with some improved seedlings and seeds to support your farming activities.

We all know that majority of you are farmers, and now that you are gradually returning to your homes, we feel it is right to support you with these to encourage your farming activities.

We cannot continue to feed you forever, but teaching or encouraging you to feed yourselves is better and more rewarding.

So, after a careful assessment, we have selected 50 farmers among you to start with, and have come with improved seedlings of Irish potatoes, seeds of tomato, cabbage, and maize to give them, he said.

The Assistant Coordinator urged the beneficiaries to ensure the seedlings were put into good for their personal benefit, and the community at large.

He warned that anyone caught selling the seedlings would be blacklisted and denied any further support from the organisation.

Meanwhile, the organisation also donated sundry items to 340 displaced households in Bokkos LGA camps.

Gana, who presented the items, also said the gesture was aimed at encouraging them to maintain personal hygiene and sanitation.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), reports that the items donated include bathing and washing soaps, body creams, detergents, towels and blankets, among others

He said poor personal hygiene and sanitation accounted for the continued spread of communicable diseases, particularly among rural dwellers.

In separate responses on behalf of the beneficiaries, the camp leaders, Mr Irimiya Magit and Mr Mandong John, thanked JDPC for the gesture and assured the organisation that the items would be used judiciously.

They called on government to support them in rebuilding their communities as they were eager to return to their homes.

(NAN)

MTN empowers 2,000 Nigerian with Kiosk as a Service scheme

FRSC doctorates 25 newly promoted officers in Nsukka

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NGO donates improved seedlings, other items to IDPs in Plateau - SundiataPost

KUWAIT: Gulf Bank is committed to maintaining a robust sustainability program and plays a vital role in contributing to the markets in which they operate in ways that extend well beyond finance. Throughout the years, Gulf Bank has been a leader in shedding light on major global challenges. By spearheading multiple corporate social responsibility initiatives, Gulf Bank has not only inspired local and regional enterprises, but is also leading by example on an international level with its unique approach to sustainability.

In 2019, Gulf Banks corporate social responsibility initiatives went hand in hand with international efforts, aligning with the United Nations 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Also known as the Global Goals, the SDGs were adopted by all United Nations Member States in 2015 as a universal call to action to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure that all people enjoy peace and prosperity by 2030.

Gulf Bank proudly spearheaded a number of corporate social responsibility efforts in 2019, with an approach that consists of three pillars: community sustainability, economic sustainability, and environmental sustainability. Through a combination of efforts on all of these fronts, Gulf Bank proudly met a majority of the UNs Sustainable Development Goals.

Commenting on Gulf Banks ongoing commitment to sustainability and corporate social responsibility, Lujain Al-Qenaei, Assistant Manager for External Communications at Gulf Bank, said: Much like how the United Nations is shedding a spotlight on major global challenges, we recognize how important it is for larger enterprises to do their part on a local and national level. At Gulf Bank, we are not only aware of our role, but we are proud to take it on.

We also believe that the UNs 17 SDGs are all interconnected, and that long-lasting development must strike a balance between community, economic and environmental sustainability. We are proud to see so many of our initiatives moving hand in hand with international efforts, and are looking forward to paving the way for even more initiatives to come in hopes for a more sustainable future for our beloved Kuwait.

Community Sustainability Throughout 2019, Gulf Banks community sustainability efforts aligned with the following UN Sustainable Development Goals: 2) Zero Hunger, 3) Good Health and Wellbeing, 4) Quality Education, 5) Gender Equality, 8) Decent Work and Economic Growth, 9) Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure, 11) Sustainable Cities and Communities, and 17) Partnerships for the Goals.

As one of the most important social sporting events in the country, the annual Gulf Bank 642 Marathon aims to raise the level of health awareness and encourage the local community to adopt a healthier lifestyle. By partnering with Kuwait Red Crescent Society this year, Gulf Bank was able to assist in bringing medical aid to those who are unable to afford medical treatment. This years marathon attracted more than 9,300 participants representing over 100 nationalities from around the world, and more than 300 volunteers.

Gulf Bank is also keen on promoting a message of inclusion and diversity when it comes to hiring. Gulf Bank this year proudly employed 10 people with special needs among various branches, taking into account the unique needs of each individual. The Bank continues to strive to ensure to achieve gender equality and empowering women throughout the organization to deliver on the Banks mandate. Currently there are 43 percent female staff in comparison to 57 percent male staff. The bank was one of the first Banks in Kuwait to become a signatory of the Womens Empowerment Principles (WEPs) initiative by the United Nations to promote gender equality and womens economic empowerment.

The Bank has a strong focus on developing Kuwaiti professionals. In terms of human capital initiatives, the Banks graduate development program AJYAL is widely recognized for its intensive training to shape the future of banking in Kuwait. Accepting 21 applicants, AJYAL spans six months and aims to help candidates develop key banking skills, cultivating holistic bankers that have shown growth potential on both a personal and professional level. Since the programs inception in 2014, five generations have graduated with a total of 85 employees, to date.

Gulf Bank also demonstrated its commitment to preserving Kuwaiti heritage and traditions by sponsoring the production of Memoirs of a Sailor, an epic musical comprised of poems from the Kuwaiti poet Mohammed Al-Fayez. The production took place during the second quarter of the year at the Sheikh Jaber Al-Ahmad Cultural Center.

During 2019, the bank also hosted a number of family fun activities, including a Reading Fun Day for children to encourage reading and learning, in collaboration with That Al Salasil. Gulf Bank also held a Bring Your Kids To Work for their employees and their children. Throughout the year, Gulf Bank also participated in and sponsored Qout Market.

As part of Gulf Banks commitment to supporting and empowering Kuwaiti youth, Gulf Bank also sponsored the annual National Union of Kuwaiti Students (NUKS) Conference in the United States. During the summer, applications for Gulf Banks summer internship program were also available to interested student applicants. Gulf Bank also organized a mobile photography training workshop for aspiring photographers in collaboration with mobile accessories store, Cavaraty.

Gulf Bank also spearheaded other charitable activities during the holy month of Ramadan, including partnering with the Kuwait Food Bank and Saveco to distribute maachla foodstuff boxes to local families in need. Gulf Bank also launched a social media activation in recognition of the importance of maintaining a healthy lifestyle during the holy month. The community initiative, titled Ten Minutes, consisted of a series of short social media episodes highlighting unique tips on how viewers can live a healthier lifestyle by enhancing their nutrition, mental health, fitness, and general well-being in only ten minutes.

In 2019, Gulf Bank also launched Al-Tijouri, an entertaining escape room competition in which teams from all across the country joined together to solve puzzles and compete for cash prizes. The activation, which took place in Phase 3 of The Avenues over the course of three days, resulted in a total of three winning teams, each of whom took home a KD 300 cash prize for solving the escape room in the least amount of time.

For Breast Cancer Awareness Month, the bank launched a series of initiatives, including partnering with Mowasat Hospital and other local hospitals to provide special offers, exclusively for Gulf Bank clients, that aim to make the process of getting checked more convenient and more accessible. Throughout the month, the Bank also lit up its head office branch in Kuwait City in pink in an effort to encourage everyone to learn more about breast cancer.

Economic Sustainability In the past year, Gulf Banks economic sustainability efforts also aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals of: 4) Quality Education, 5) Gender Equality, 8) Decent Work and Economic Growth, 9) Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure, and 17) Partnerships for the Goals.

In keeping with annual tradition, Gulf Bank extended its support to INJAZ Kuwait, a non-profit, non-governmental organization for education and training in workforce readiness, financial literacy and entrepreneurship. As part of our strategic partnership with INJAZ, Gulf Bank sponsored numerous educational and entrepreneurial courses for high school and college students across both the public and private sectors.

To date, Gulf Bank has participated in five INJAZ Al-Arab programs, two INJAZ Kuwait Job Shadow Days, seven INJAZ Kuwait Innovation Camps and four INJAZ Kuwait Entrepreneurship Master Class workshops. Additionally, 282 Gulf Bank staff members have volunteered their time and efforts at numerous schools and universities across Kuwait, inspiring over 3,275 students.

This year, Gulf Bank has also extended its economic sustainability role to social media. In an effort to promote financial literacy and create a culture of financial awareness, Gulf Banks Economic Research Unit prepares weekly videos on topics including fintech, investment, saving, and general tidbits about the state of the economy. The one-minute tips are delivered by Tareq Al-Saleh, Deputy General Manager of the Economic Research Unit at Gulf Bank, and are aired across Gulf Banks various social media channels.

Gulf Bank also participated in a number of other activities as part of its ongoing efforts to improve the local business environment. In October 2019, Gulf Bank hosted a real estate market focus group to discuss the current state of the real estate market and its latest developments. Gulf Bank also sponsored the Central Bank of Kuwaits annual International Banking Conference.

In collaboration with the Manpower Restructuring Program, Gulf Bank also held the first-ever career fair for people with disabilities in Kuwait. In January 2019, Gulf Bank employees also participated in the Fikra Program, designed to equip Kuwaiti youth with the essential business skills and knowledge required to transform their ideas into businesses.

Environmental Sustainability Gulf Bank is committed to environmental conservation and sustainability with its community sustainability efforts in 2019 going hand in hand with the following UN Sustainable Development Goals: 12) Responsible Consumption and Production, 14) Life Below Water, 15) Life On Land, and 13) Climate Action.

In 2019, the bank partnered with Omniya, a nationwide recycling initiative founded in 2015 by young Kuwaitis aiming to raise awareness for waste recycling. Through this partnership, the Bank committed to recycling paper and plastic waste, and strategically distributed recycling receptacles in front of Gulf Banks Head Office. By placing the recycling receptacles in one of the most visible locations in the heart of Kuwait City, Gulf Bank is raising awareness for recycling not only with its employees, but also with members of the local community.

The bank also held a beach cleanup at the Kuwait Towers as part of its commitment to Earth Day. A non-profit NGO provided an awareness session on the hazardous effects pollutants have on our environment and assisted Gulf Bank employees in cleaning the beach. The Bank also joins global community efforts in reducing power consumption during Earth Hour, a worldwide initiative that encourages individuals, communities, and businesses to turn off non-essential electric lights.

With multiple CSR initiatives throughout the year, Gulf Bank is setting an example for local and regional players to make even more progress in line with international efforts by the United Nations. Through a combination of efforts promoting community, economic and environmental sustainability, Gulf Bank is proud to wrap up 2019 with an impressive round-up of CSR initiatives and activities, with even more initiatives to come in 2020.

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Gulf Bank's 2019 sustainability efforts progress in line with global efforts by the United Nations - Kuwait Times

If you have been feeling down lately, the key to getting out of the slump may be health related. According to the Harvard Medical School, one in 10 adults in the United States struggle with depression. Research shows that exercise is an effective way to treat the condition and can even work as well or better than antidepressants.

Common symptoms of depression include reduced energy, appetite changes and increased pain perception.

So, how do you find the motivation to get into a new routine and change your mental mindset? Experts at Harvard suggest starting slowly to get your body used to being active before increasing your level of physical activity.

Here is some motivation to get started and keep the momentum going.There is a happier version of you waiting to get active.

How does exercise improve moods?

Physical activity is an important contributor to positive mental health. The JED Foundation, an emotional health nonprofit for teens and young adults, offers these benefits of becoming active.

Improves mood and mental health by releasing endorphins through your body to reduce anxiety and depressed moods while enhancing self-esteem.

Boosts energy and brainpower by delivering oxygen and nutrients to the brain and various tissues.

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Find motivation for better health - STLtoday.com

How do you find your work mojo now that your holiday halo has started to dim?

January is the most popular month to give your job the flick (and to file for divorce apparently - but this is outside the scope of our show!). We talk motivation with sports and organisational psychologist Dr Travis Kemp and Chris Low, head of vibe at Canva which has twice been named Australia's best place to work.

We discuss why things come to a head in January - just what's going on in our brains? Plus why personal values trump free beer, why money isn't our primary motivator, and how eating breakfast and lunch together helped online graphic design business Canva become a unicorn company (a privately-owned start up worth more than a US one billion dollars).

Chris also refers to the importance of psychological safety in the workplace. To hear more about this, listen to our previous show on this topic:

After ramp up your motivation, you might want to tackle one of the toughest challenges in the workplace and have that difficult conversation. Karen Gately from Corporate Dojo gives us her very practical and imminently doable take.

Producer: Maria Tickle

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Workplace motivation isn't just about pizzas and beer (although that helps) - ABC News

To have some of the mostrespected musicO.G.sincluding Quincy Jones, Stevie Wonder and David Fosterin your corneris no small feat, especially in today's highly saturated, internet-led space. Soulful songstress Shela has all this and morein 2012 she performed for the at the White House for Barack and Michelle Obama, for examplebut she values celebrating her heroes and inspiring the next generation above personal accolades and achievements.

At the first of the educational events during the GRAMMY Museum's special GRAMMY Week programming, the singer/songwriter/keyboardist treated students to a powerhouse performance, an informative interview by the Museum'sSenior Education CoordinatorSchyler O'Nealand thoughtful answers to the students' questions.

Read: 11 Things We Learned About Larkin Poe At The GRAMMY Museum

To start things off, Shela sang two songs"Summertime," the 1930's jazz number first popularized by Billie Holiday, and Bill Withers'1971 GRAMMY-winning classic, "Ain't No Sunshine." During the latter song, she encouraged kids to snap in time with her, and they all did; a few even kept the rhythm going when others took a break to soak in her powerhouse high notes.

"You're the future, so it's an honor to spend time with you," she said to the smiling group of students, consisting of high schoolers from four local Los Angelesschools.

When O'Neal asked how she got to where she is today, the "City of Angels" singer said, "I've been true to myself this whole journey," which required a lot of faith, honesty and heart. She also talked about working with and becoming friends with Wonder in recent years, who she's been a fan of since she was very young.

She collaborated with the 25-time GRAMMY-winning legend on "Love Fell On Me," the title track to her 2013 debut album, and "Pretty World," the first song off of her 2019 tribute album to GRAMMY-winning songwriter power couple Alan and Marilyn Bergman. She also shared that she has another song with Wonder on the way via his forthcoming project.

When the questions were opened up to the audience, the kids followed up with some great questions. One of the most moving ones came from Oscar, a senior who bravely shared he's struggled with anxiety and self-doubt for much of his life. He wanted to know if Shela had any advice that could help him overcome these difficult emotions that he knew were holding him back. She reminded him, and everyone in the audience, to remember "You're not alone," as many other peopleincluding successful, creative peoplealso face these feelings.

Related: Christina Bell On "Going" & Playing Twinkie Clark In The 'The Clark Sisters' Biopic

Shela also highlighted the importance of having the people closest to youlift you up and hold you accountable to your goals in a compassionate way. Even if it's just one person, she stressed, having someone "that will do it in love, in a way that will resonate with you" is a great way to stay motivated and grounded. Underscoring that it can take time to find these people in your life,Shela pointed out thatit's equally important to champion yourself, citing how affirmations have helped her. "Affirmations set to music are song formation," Shela noted before reciting some with the group. Hearing "I am enough" echo through ourselves and the theater was a powerful moment for everyone there.

Explore 'Beyond Black: The Style of Amy Winehouse' Kicks Off At The GRAMMY Museum

The final student question came from a girl who wanted to know what the biggest moments in Shela's job were, to which she replied,"This is why I do what I do, to give to the next generationYou're going to go above and beyond what I'm doing. That's real, the realest thing."

Another very brave student, Isaiah, volunteered to take the stage for a special mini-vocal coaching lesson with Shela. He chose to sing Alicia Keys' GRAMMY-winning bop "If I Ain't Got You" and with some guidance and encouragement, was able to drop into his body, move past some of his nervousness and hit a higher register.

Finally, the "Because Of You" singer wrapped up the event with a songBob Dylan's oft-covered 1997 track "Make You Feel My Love"before taking a group photo and selfies with the smiling students.

The GRAMMY Museum's jam-packed GRAMMY Week programming continues with more student-centered educational programs, like Music Of Hawaii and Careers In The Music Industry, as well as all-ages events with The Cranberries and Linda Perry. Visit the Museum's programming page for more info on what you can attend.

And stay tuned toGRAMMY.com, where you'll getmore behind-the-scenes looks at 2020 GRAMMY Week events, including the 62nd GRAMMY Awards, airing live on Sunday, Jan. 26 on CBS.

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Shela Serves GRAMMY Week Motivation: "This Is Why I Do What I Do, To Give To The Next Generation" - Recording Academy | Grammys

The last time the Toronto Raptors visited the AT&T Center, bedlam ensued.

A sold-out crowd, thirsty for blood that was hopefully only metaphorical, booed lustily from the opening tap. Fans taunted and jeered, and at the end of a 125-107 Spurs victory on Jan. 2, 2019, that stood as the most satisfying of last season, they erupted in raucous, sneering applause.

DeMar DeRozan, a Raptors castoff who recorded what remains the only triple-double of his All-Star career that night, remembers the occasion well.

It was extremely fun, DeRozan said.

Of course, most of the juice that night was supplied by the return of Toronto forward Kawhi Leonard, who the summer before had spurned the Spurs and orchestrated a trade that landed him north of the border.

As the Raptors return to San Antonio on Sunday afternoon, Leonard will be 1,300 miles away in Los Angeles, preparing to lead his newest new team, the Clippers, in a game against Orlando.

Facing the defending NBA champion Raptors sans last seasons Finals MVP, the Spurs will be left to manufacture their own motivation.

That often has been easier said than done this season for a Spurs team that cant seem to piece together a winning streak longer than three games.

Weve just got to be consistent, guard Derrick White said. Thats been the moral of the story all year. Just consistency and being ready to play whoever is out there in front of us.

The past three weeks have been an exercise in head-scratching for a Spurs squad that has shown both the ability to beat some of the best teams in the league and lose to some of the worst.

In that span, the Spurs have beaten each of the top four clubs in the Eastern Conference, including a 105-104 victory in Toronto that involved a comeback from 18 points down.

They also have dropped narrow decisions at home to Atlanta and Phoenix, teams that would be lottery-bound if the postseason began today.

Victories over the leagues upper crust have allowed the Spurs to remain firmly in the mix for the eighth and final playoff spot in the Western Conference. Losses to the leagues dregs have kept them from running away with it.

I think we are learning stuff every game, guard Patty Mills said. No matter if we win or lose, there is stuff we are finding out about ourselves as a group. We talk about putting it in the bank, and at some point it will pay off in the long run.

Against the Suns, the Spurs lost 103-99 mostly because they couldnt find a way to make the ball go in the basket.

The Spurs finished 5 of 25 from the 3-point line, including 1 of 7 in the fourth quarter.

It was a far cry from the 17 of 31 the Spurs buried Monday night in Phoenix on the way to a 120-118 victory.

The Spurs 3-point clang-a-thon against Phoenix represented their worst shooting night from distance since a Nov. 27 loss at Minnesota, when they converted only 17 percent.

All told, it resulted in the end of a three-game winning streak, one victory shy of a season high.

If we hit those 3s, its a different story, White said.

In the meantime, the Spurs aim to control what is controllable.

Coach Gregg Popovich continues to cajole his team into approaching each game with the same focus. Appropriate fear, he calls it.

Weve never concentrated on one game, Popovich said. Its always about getting better, executing and competing for more of the 48 minutes than your opponent. Thats your goal every single night. It doesnt matter who you are playing.

It might not hurt the Spurs attention span that the Raptors even with Leonard plying his All-Star trade in sunny California remain a good team.

Second-year coach Nick Nurse has kept Toronto in the thick of the Eastern Conference race, tied for second with Miami at 31-14.

The Raptors enter today on a six-game winning streak, which roughly coincides with All-Star forward Pascal Siakams return from the injured list. Toronto hasnt lost since Jan. 12, when the Spurs absconded from Canada with a one-point triumph.

Were just ... comfortable in every situation, Toronto point guard Kyle Lowry said. We understand what to do, and weve been here before.

The Spurs are expecting Torontos best shot, much as they took Phoenixs best shot Friday.

Four days after the Spurs squeaked out a two-point win on the Suns home floor, Phoenix held on for a four-point revenge triumph at the AT&T Center.

The Suns were clearly motivated, DeRozan said.

Small things like that you dont forget as a team, and you try to come out (the next time) and you want to get a victory, said DeRozan, who scored 30 points in the loss. Thats the league. Any given night, especially when you are fresh off playing a team, they are going to be ready.

The Raptors, like the Suns, owe the Spurs one.

Two weeks ago at Scotiabank Arena, the Raptors led by as many as 18 points in the third quarter and 82-69 headed to the fourth.

A 19-5 run to start the fourth quarter led mostly be DeRozan, who finished with 25 points in his second return to Toronto helped lift the Spurs to an improbable victory.

At the time, it seemed as if that would be the latest stirring outing that would at last allow the Spurs to turn a season-long corner.

Two nights later, they dropped a 106-100 decision at Miami. Two nights after that, the basement-dwelling Hawks stole a 121-120 win at the AT&T Center.

For the searching Spurs, todays game against Toronto could be a jumping-off point. Again.

We just played them, and they are going to try to come in and beat us on our home floor, DeRozan said. All these games are important now. Weve got to be ready to go from the jump.

jmcdonald@express-news.net

Twitter: @JMcDonald_SAEN

Jeff McDonald began covering the Spurs for the San Antonio Express-News in September 2007, three months after the team's fourth championship.

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San Antonio Spurs face new challenge in healthy, motivated Toronto Raptors - San Antonio Express-News