During Black History Month and year-round, Cambia’s Black Organization for Leadership and Development employee resource group (BOLD ERG) helps Black employees and allies connect, build community and support one another. This is done through virtual and in-person activities, including volunteering and giving opportunities to support local nonprofit partners.
Gathering together
This year, the BOLD ERG honored Black History Month by hosting a virtual fireside chat called "Building Community and Sense of Self". The program started with highlighting several nonprofits devoted to strengthening community and empowering appreciation of diversity. An in-person lunchtime mixer was supposed to follow the virtual event but, the event was postponed due to historic snowfall in Portland, Ore.
Giving back
In addition to events, all Cambia ERGs receive annual funding to support community organizations nominated by ERG members as part of their commitment to supporting our communities. The incredible nonprofits that received BOLD ERG funding include:
- Albina Vision Trust was nominated for BOLD ERG funds by Business Development and Account Executive Matty Hackl. Albina Vision Trust is a nonprofit organization dedicated to honoring the legacy of the historically Black Albina Neighborhood in Portland, Ore. The trust collaborates with private and public entities to ensure that the Albina community’s best interests are prioritized in development decisions.
- Byrd Barr Place, which helps people with utility bills, housing, food and personal finance, was nominated by Lexi Price, associate program officer at Cambia Health Foundation. When asked if there was a specific program that drew her to the organization, Price explained that she admires Byrd Barr Place’s dedication to improving birth and life outcomes for Black Washingtonians.
- Curly Me!, an organization that serves Black Utahns and their families with a focus on Black girls ages 5 to 14 years old, was nominated by Robert Korycinski, associate program officer at Cambia Health Foundation. The nonprofit holds quarterly events and group mentoring opportunities to strengthen community and educate, empower and encourage these young Black women to be their best selves. Korycinski learned about Curly Me! at a previous job and continues to be impressed with their work.
- Feed the Mass, based in Portland, Ore, was nominated by Antoinette Awuakye, senior public and regulatory affairs specialist. She serves on its board and is deeply committed to the organization's mission to empower, educate and serve the community through food. Feed the Mass carries out this mission by preparing healthy meals for the community, using excess food supply to prevent waste and educating kids on how to feed themselves well. In addition, they partner with local nonprofits to provide workforce training and internship opportunities to further empower community members to help one another.
- The Northwest African American Museum in Seattle was nominated by Linda Henson, senior policy and implementation analyst. Exhibitions and programs at the museum focus on the visual arts, music, crafts, literature and history of African Americans in the Northwest. At the beginning of the pandemic, Henson was especially impressed by how quickly the museum made resources available online.
Cambia employees are encouraged to donate time, money or other resources to local charities that are important to them. Donations to eligible nonprofits are matched by Cambia Health Foundation at 50%. In 2022, the Foundation rolled out the Dollars for Doers program, where employees receive $20 to direct to a nonprofit of choice for every hour they spend volunteering.
BOLD ERG connects and helps people inside and outside of Cambia throughout the year through monthly meetings, volunteer and donation opportunities, virtual and in-person events. Their work uplifts Cambia employees and organizations outside of Cambia in the communities where employees live and work. Read more about Cambia’s ERG community and commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion.
