The center’s mission is to address racial inequities, provide injustice-related civic engagement education and civil rights navigation. The center will be staffed with a community advocate familiar with existing resources for citizens whose civil rights may have been compromised. The community advocate will guide clients in following proper protocols to seek justice or resolution of issues regarding access to fair housing, discrimination, policing or other injustices. Additionally, the advocate will be experienced in community organizing and in communicating effectively with stakeholders on laws and policies.
The center also will conduct educational workshops on combating racial inequities and injustice, including inequities and injustice in the corporate workplace. These workshops will provide corporate executives and other participants with a better understanding of racial bias/institutional racism toward employees and citizens in communities where they live and do business.
“We are so honored to receive this game-changing donation from Cadence Bank”, says Judson W. Robinson III, HAUL President and CEO. “HAUL seeks to engage people in civil rights, social justice issues and policy change which impact the lives of individuals, neighborhoods and the Greater Houston community. Efforts are aimed to educate and empower individuals to participate in creating a “just” and equal society for everyone.”
Cadence Bank’s Chief Diversity Officer Myra Caldwell added: “Cadence Bank strives to make a lasting, positive impact on the communities we serve, and we firmly believe the HAUL Center for Social Justice and Education will be instrumental in effecting meaningful change through education and action. We are honored to be a part of this positive progress toward equality.”
ABOUT THE HOUSTON AREA URBAN LEAGUE
The Houston Area Urban League, founded in 1968, is a United Way agency affiliated with the National Urban League whose mission is to help African Americans and other minorities to secure economic self-reliance, parity and civil rights. As a voice for poor and disadvantaged people of all races, the Houston Area Urban League has a long and distinguished record as an agency that offers tangible, lasting benefits to all members of the community without regard to age, sex, race, physical limitations, or ethnic background.
ABOUT CADENCE BANK
Cadence Bank is a leading regional banking franchise with $18.9 billion in assets as of June 30, 2020, and 99 branch locations in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Mississippi, Tennessee and Texas. Backed by 133 years of financial expertise, Cadence provides corporations, middle-market companies, small businesses and consumers with a full range of innovative banking and financial solutions. Services and products include commercial and business banking, treasury management, specialized lending, asset-based lending, commercial real estate, SBA lending, foreign exchange, wealth management, investment and trust services, financial planning, retirement plan management, personal and business insurance, consumer banking, consumer loans, mortgages, home equity lines and loans, and credit cards. Clients have access to leading-edge online and mobile solutions, interactive teller machines, and more than 55,000 ATMs. The Cadence team of 1,800 associates is committed to exceeding customer expectations and helping their clients succeed financially. Cadence Bank, N.A. is a subsidiary of Cadence Bancorporation (NYSE: CADE). For additional information, visit cadencebank.com. Cadence Bank, N.A. Member FDIC. Equal Housing Lender. NMLS#525022.
Media Contacts:
Cadence Bank
Danielle Kernell
Cadence Bank
713-871-4051 direct
713-392-7709 mobile
danielle.kernell@cadencebank.com
Cadence Bank
Sheena Cochran
Cadence Bank
713-871-4072 direct
281-740-4366 mobile
danielle.kernell@cadencebank.com
Houston Area Urban League
Elmer Rogers
Houston Area Urban League
(713)393-8765
elmerr@haul.org