The pandemic did not stop World Unity Inc

The corona virus was making its way to America and there was a lot of uncertainty about the impact it The pandemic did not stop World Unity Inc. from carrying on with its initiatives and mission. We however, like many organizations postponed having our live annual diversity and inclusion leadership gala for two years. This year with organizations beginning to hold live events and monitoring the trends World Unity Inc. decided to hold its 24th Annual Diversity and Inclusion Leadership Gala.

We continued to reach out to companies that have signed the pledge CEO’s Act on Diversity and Inclusion for sponsorship. Some of our sponsors included: AECOM, Berkshire Bank, Chestnut Hill Realty, Eastern Bank, Merck, PwC, Harvard, Lifespan and Wentworth Institute of Technology. We were successful in securing Pam Yanakopulos, Partner at PwC as the keynote speaker and Katrina Kincade, WBZ TV reporter as our MC.

Our sponsorship proposal invites companies to support our initiatives: 1) Advocating building the World Unity Landmark in Dorchester Bay City Development 2) Plant seeds of equality through our program Singing Equality across America and around the World 3) Plant the Sun poem in the USA and beyond through our public service message to media outlets and social media platforms in organizations and institutions and 4) Promote World Unity Inc.’s 5 Minute Leadership Dialogue.

We completed second year of interviewing leaders for World Unity Inc.’s 5 Minute Leadership Dialogue. Our leaders have included executives at Berkshire Bank, AECOM and Merck and ended the year with an interview with an executive at Pegasystems.

We continue to reach out to school districts across Massachusetts and beyond and cultivate the relationships we with schools in Arlington, Boston, Somerville, and Malden Massachusetts and in Manchester, New Hampshire and in schools in Denver, Colorado, Arkansas, and California. The impact of the pandemic on the communities has made it a challenging to receive support from corporate sponsors.
Total revenues raised: $37,110.
Total expenses: $9,144.78.

President continues to receive stipend of $24,000 and Vice-President, Treasurer and websmaster receives $6,000 to design, update and maintain website.

While we were not able to raise funds we hoped for, we ended the year on a great note! Sara gave a TED Talk focused on the Sun poem. It has been very well received. Here are some comments from supporters: Very inspiring talk, Sara!! Vince DiPofi, president SSOE “I watched the Ted Talk and it is fantastic!!!!!!! Wow!! You did a great job!!! Very impressive. That is a very difficult thing to do….a Ted Talk….effectively! You passion shined through. I loved it!!! Bravo!! Well done!!! – Matthew Boyle, Partner at AAFCPA “Just watched your TED talk, which I thought was excellent and inspirational.” - Philip Wade, Trustee