Gillette sharing in the Urban League of Eastern Massachusetts’ commitment to the community!
Boston, MA November 9, 1999 — The Gillette Company has taken an initiative to boost the academic achievement of minority youth by investing $1million to support the National Urban League’s campaign for African-American Achievement. Gillette is one of four companies being honored at the National Urban League’s Equal Opportunity Day (EOD) Dinner being held tonight in New York City. The Gillette donation will support the Urban League affiliates in Hartford and in Boston. The Urban League of Hartford’s YDMI (Youth Development Mobilization Initiative) Program and the Urban League of Eastern Massachusetts’ CMEP (Community Mobilization Empowerment Project) are the major recipients of the Gillette grant. Both programs are earmarked to support the National Urban League’s commitment to the community and to education. "This grant is important to us", said Ed DeGraan, Gillette Executive Vice President for Global Business Management, "because it allows us to support our community partners who have the staff, facilities and expertise to make a difference in the lives of at-risk urban African American youth."

A major portion of the Gillette funding is focused on the Urban League of Eastern Massachusett’s CMEP program. CMEP is an attempt to mobilize resources to enhance the educational and social development of minority children. The purpose of CMEP is to develop a model of strategies to facilitate parents’ access to schools and educational services and to increase parental understanding of school district procedures and practices. "CMEP is a powerful group that allows a lot of flexibility as far as helping parents and helping us to understand the Boston Public School system," says Barbara Jones, a parent involved with CMEP. The CMEP meets once a month to exchange information regarding the concerns and issues that parents would like resolved through CMEP assistance.

"Gillette’s contribution to the Urban League is a true sign of their realization of the importance of academic achievement and ULEM’s dedication to the community. We are very appreciative of this grant and know that it will help us make a real impact within the community" says League CEO, Dr. Joan Wallace-Benjamin.

The Urban League of Eastern Massachusetts is an interracial, non-profit, community-based organization, which provides programs of service and advocacy in the areas of education, career development and employment for African Americans and other residents of color.

The Gillette Company is a globally focused consumer products company that manufactures and markets quality, value-added personal care and personal use products. Major lines include blades and razors, Duracell consumer batteries, toiletries and cosmetics, stationery products, Braun electric shavers and small appliances and Oral-B care products.