Jennine Bell in ‘Devoted to the Dream’.Photo:Unilever
Unilever
The film includes testimonials from those who work with TKO, praising the group for their support and making them feel welcome in the community.
“TKO was like the first time I felt like true community,” Peyton, a TKO faith program assistant, said in the film. “They just, like, took me in like I was like one of their own. Especially in a time where I really needed it. So I’ll forever appreciate them for that… and showing me what family really is.”
Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.
“It’s exciting to see the United We Stand work in its fifth year and to see the program growing not just in terms of geography, but also the style of work that Unilever is exploring with partners across the United States,” Reeves said in a statement.
Reeves added, “The move to incorporate its LGBTQ+ work through the company, including sites that are in areas where there are few protections or services for LGBTQ+ people, continues to break new ground in the way corporations can work with our community to affect actual change on the ground."
Zuri, Daquon, Myah, Dorian, Peyton, Quentin Bell, Jennine Bell, Jai’Lynn, Johnathan, Theo, Ms. Diane in ‘Devoted to the Dream’.Unilever
The UWS initiative also supports organizations in Monroe, Louisiana; Moore, Oklahoma; Clemson, South Carolina; and Cape Girardeau, Missouri. Since those cities were added, they have increased their rankings on the Human Rights Campaign’s Municipality Equality Index.
“Seeing four of the program’s initial partner cities move up the HRC Index was a great satisfaction, as it shows that change can happen if corporations are consistent and intentional in their support,” Reeves said.
Quentin Bell in ‘Devoted to the Dream’.Unilever
“It says a lot about Unilever as a company that they have invested not just in the work but also in giving my team a seat at the table to develop the program in real collaboration and partnership,” Reeves said, adding that this is what “equity in action looks like.”
source: people.com
