Together, these partners pledged a minimum of $750,000 towards economic and workforce initiatives over the next three years in the Promise Zone.
On Monday, April 29th, the Promise Zone expanded its network and its resources. SMUD, along with UC Davis Health, Blue Shield of California, Sacramento Housing and Redevelopment Agency and the Sacramento Black Chamber of Commerce partnered with five other Sacramento organizations on a long-term effort to revitalize Sacramento’s Promise Zone.
Together, these partners have pledged a minimum of $750,000 towards economic and workforce initiatives that will be implemented over the next three years within the Promise Zone. Work in the Promise Zone will exceed today’s pledged amount by leveraging partnerships within the community.
“What is unique about this group of partners is they are making a significant local financial investment which will attract and leverage additional corporate, philanthropic, state and federal dollars to enhance the lives of Sacramento residents” stated Tyrone Roderick Williams, Director of the Sacramento Promise Zone. He continued, “The Promise Zone provides the ideal platform and infrastructure for expanding opportunities in underserved neighborhoods.”
The Promise Zone Collaborative includes SMUD, UC Davis Health, Blue Shield of California, Sacramento Housing and Redevelopment Agency, Sacramento Black Chamber of Commerce, SAFE Credit Union, Roberts Family Development Center, Greater Sacramento Urban League, United Way and Sacramento Area Council of Governments. Its mission is to coordinate resources, build capacity and create public-private partnerships through shared goals to drive revitalization in Sacramento’s most underserved communities.
The Promise Zone Partnership will be anchored by the following key initiatives and projects:
SMUD’s Sustainable Communities Initiative will focus on improving economic, social, and environmental condition through multiple energy savings and electric vehicle installation projects in the Promise Zone. These projects will educate and train future workforce in Del Paso Heights and South Sacramento. The Initiative will provide energy efficiency savings to customers while also improving local air quality through increased access to EV infrastructure. SMUD has been working closely with Roberts Family Development Center and the City of Refuge on projects that further serve the local community.
The UC Davis’ Aggie Square Project is in the center of the Promise Zone and will work to embed education, workforce training and inclusive community spaces including shared workspace, and active recruitment of community members for job opportunities. Additionally, the National Society of Black Engineers Junior Programs provide students from underrepresented groups access to high-level STEM curriculum to enhance diversity and inclusion in engineering and medicine.
The Sacramento Black Chamber of Commerce and Blue Shield of California are collaborating on a health and wellness training program. The Community Economic Wellness Training and Entrepreneur Academy and Health Training Programs will develop community health workers through STEM education at locations throughout the community.
“For years the Sacramento Black Chamber of Commerce has understood the importance and need for collaboration,” said Azizza Davis Goines, CEO of the Sacramento Black Chamber of Commerce. “We welcome the opportunity to work through SHRA and the Promise Zone with SMUD, Blue Shield, UC Davis and our other community partners. It has been our mission to work in Sacramento’s underrepresented communities. Having the partnerships of these businesses and community partners is humbling and so very much appreciated.”