United Way Of The Greater Triangle And Truist Partner With United States’ First National Youth Poet Laureate To Spread Message Of Unity

At a time when America is confronting historic health, social and economic upheaval, a new television and social media advertising campaign by United Way and Truist Financial Corporation, one of the nation’s largest financial services companies, aims to spark hope and optimism for the future and the importance of working United to build stronger communities.

The campaign features an original poem, “Live United,” penned by America’s inaugural National Youth Poet Laureate, 22-year-old Amanda Gorman, and inspired by United Way and all that can be achieved when we unite for our communities.

“Live United” gives voice to the on-going partnership and shared commitment between Truist and United Way to build better lives and communities. Ms. Gorman’s clarion call to “. . .dare to care, to be hope-sided” drives home a powerful and hopeful message about the opportunity ahead to build a better America, where every person is respected, every voice is heard, and every community thrives.

With more than 22 years of partnership to support United Way of the Greater Triangle’s mission to eradicate poverty and increase social mobility, the two companies have a long history of partnership to support programs and activities that help build stronger, more resilient communities.

Truist’s and United Way’s shared commitment to helping communities recover from and rebuild stronger and more resilient in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic is underscored by the $7 million grant to United Way Worldwide’s COVID-19 Relief Fund, which in turn provided $300,000 to support United Way of the Greater Triangle’s Rapid Response Fund, as part of the financial services company’s Truist Cares initiative. Truist Cares is a cooperative effort between Truist Financial Corporation, the Truist Foundation, and the Truist Charitable Fund to pledge $50 million of philanthropic support to provide communities, organizations and individuals disaster relief and assistance during the pandemic.

The company’s commitment to community doesn’t stop there. Through the Truist Foundation, the company also recently contributed an additional $5,000 to support United Way of the Greater Triangle’s upcoming virtual telethon benefiting the Anti-Racism Community Fund.

“Truist is a purpose-driven company, and our partnership with United Way is a natural extension of our commitment to inspire and build better lives and communities,” said Gray Reed, Triangle Regional President for Truist. “We are grateful to have such a thoughtful partner on the ground making change happen.”

“Live United” launched nationally in July and is airing in 13 markets across Truist’s corporate footprint (Charlotte, Atlanta, Orlando, Washington DC, Tampa, Miami, Baltimore, Nashville, Dallas, Greensboro/Winston-Salem, Norfolk, Raleigh, Richmond) through mid-August.

“Truist employees care deeply. That’s evident not just in how they give back to support our mission of eradicating poverty and increasing social mobility in the Greater Triangle as a top 10 campaign partner, it’s also evident in how they step up in times of crisis,” explained Eric Guckian, United Way of the Greater Triangle’s President and CEO. “Truist continues to show that they’re community partners both when and where it matters. We’re very grateful.”