Our $1Million commitment to racial equity
In January 2021, we pledged to donate $1M over the next five years to selected not-for-profit partners around the world who are working to improve inclusivity and diversity in their local communities by supporting social change, fighting injustice and fostering development.
Since we launched our $1 million charity fund in support of racial equity, RX has contributed to nine non-profits in Australia, Brazil, France, South Africa, the UK and the USA who are working to improve inclusivity and diversity in their communities. We caught up with our partners to find out how our support is providing life changing educational opportunities to people of colour navigating systematic barriers.
ABC in Darien – providing life changing opportunities to women of colour
A Better Chance (ABC) is a national US programme that recruits academically promising and motivated students of colour from underserved areas around the country and places them in high schools that nurture their talent.
ABC (A Better Chance) in Darien provides academic and boarding scholarships for up to eight young women of color who attend Darien High School, which is located close to RX’s Norwalk office. The ABC scholars are all minority students from low-income families. The program provides life-changing opportunities for these young women by preparing them to be accepted into a four-year college/university. ABC in Darien is proud of its 100% success rate in meeting this goal, with recent scholars attending Columbia, Yale, and Tufts universities as well as other elite universities.
RX has been supporting A Better Chance since 2021. The programme relies on the generosity of local families and businesses, such as RX Global, to fund its activities. Our 2024 grant made a significant impact, enabling additional tutoring support for the scholars who were struggling.
“The students admitted to the program are bright and hard-working, but often need support to transition to the rigorous curriculum at Darien High from their local middle schools,” explained Jane Yezzi, Co-President of ABC in Darien.
“The cost of individual tutoring can be over $200 per hour and many students need the support two+ times a week. RX’s grant helped to defray these costs for the ABC in Darien scholars and helped them to excel in their classes. We are so appreciative of the grant that we received again for 2025 and want you to know that this added tutoring for our scholars really helps them in several challenging courses.”
Heritage Corner, UK – celebrating diversity through creative collaboration
2024 was the 15th anniversary of the Leeds Black History Walk (LBHW)and the 10th anniversary of Heritage Corner which are dedicated to uncovering, sharing and celebrating hidden and underrepresented histories through public engagement and the arts.
Since 2021, RX funding has helped the projects to sustain and develop projects that may not otherwise have happened, including the first Black British History Walk at Harewood House in Yorkshire. In 2023, RX donations helped to train two young people in project development and financial planning, leading to the establishment of Heritage Crew, a Community Interest Company which empowers young people to celebrate and share their creative skills. Company Manager Tshayi Hercules, who has been trained for over a year with RX funding, said: “Being part of Heritage Crew feels purposeful. My passion for growing and developing Heritage Crew comes from a strong sense of meaning and value in the work we do.”
2024 saw a near double increase in bookings for the Leeds Black History Walk and a new city centre walk which has proved very popular. Reflecting on their partnership with RX, Founder and Director of LBHW and Heritage Corner Joe Williams said: “Thanks to RX, and to Afemia Children’s Trust who managed their funding, Heritage Corner and the LBHW are more popular than ever. This could not have been achieved without the support given by RX.”
GO Foundation ‒ championing First Nations education in Australia
The Goodes O'Loughlin Foundation (GO Foundation) in Australia works to empower through education by supporting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students on their education journey from primary school through to university.
GO scholarships provide opportunities for students to learn about their cultural heritage and offer financial support and mentoring to remove any barriers to education that indigenous students face. Research shows a strong link between cultural identity and successful educational outcomes; in particular, the presence of role models is vital to driving engagement in learning and enrolment in further education.
In 2024, GO celebrated 15 years of operations by supporting 665 students on an education scholarship, including 29 university students. RX funding helped over 600 students and their families to attended Culture Connect Days, as well as deliver more Alumni events, and Year 5/6 Leadership Days.
For students like Mirriyindi Mapapalangi, Culture Connect Days are among their favourite days of the school year. “GO events are so fun,We meet new people too and it's all culturally rich. I couldn't have gone to events if GO didn’t help. Now I am more confident as a senior student in Year 6. I am school captain and that’s because GO helped me be confident in my ability as a leader.”
The GO Foundation started small, but the growth and impact it has had on the Indigenous community has been huge. We are thrilled to have played a part in that and to continue our funding in 2025, helping 112 students to complete year 12 and five more students to graduate from university. You can read more about our partnership with the GO Foundation in their 2024 Impact Report which is released on– 26 January 2025.
The Adus Institute – Supporting Brazilian refugee integration
The Adus Institute in Sao Paulo supports refugees and victims of forced migration to reduce the obstacles they face and help them integrate into Brazilian society. The institute offers Portuguese classes, access to professional qualification courses, and help to enter the job market.
In 2024, RX support helped to fund Portuguese classes for immigrants. It also generated income and employment for immigrant professionals by funding the provision of English language classes for RX employees. RX’s donation paid for the immigrant teachers’ services, travel, and training.
“Relying on support from the private sector is essential for us to continue and develop our work,” said Marcelo Haydu, CEO. “Thanks to an increase in RX funding in 2024 we were able, in addition to maintaining English classes for RX employees, to support our Portuguese teaching program, a crucial point so that immigrants can have more effective tools for socialization and employment. In a country where the number of immigrants seeking refuge is increasing, and funding for institutions that support refugees remains scarce, the continued support of RX it is a breath of hope for all of us."
18twenty8® ̶ empowering young women in South Africa
18twenty8® is an award-winning, women-led non-profit organisation that empowers young women (aged 18 to 28) to lead by developing strategies for their educational and personal development.
In a country with high levels of inequality and rising living costs, university education remains prohibitively expensive for the majority of Black, female students. Since 2021, RX has contributed $86,142.00 to 18twenty8®’s Financial Assistance Programme which funds the higher education costs of young women at accredited institutions across South Africa and pays for their laptops, tuition fees, living allowances, accommodation, stationery and textbook costs.
This support enables the beneficiaries to focus on their studies without worrying about financial challenges and helps them to start their careers without the burden of student loan debt. When young people take educational loans which they are unable to repay, adverse credit scores make it even harder for them to find work in a country with high youth unemployment because credit checks are part of the employment process.
With RX’s support over the last four years, three young women have successfully completed their studies and gone on to full time employment, postgraduate study and an internship. In 2024, twin sisters, Reaobaka and Orefile Motshelanoka, started the first-year at Regenesys Business School, and RX’s ongoing support will help them to complete their second year of study in 2025.
Reflecting on their partnership with RX, 18twenty8® Founder and Director Refiloe Seseane said: “We are honoured to be part of the RX family and are grateful to have such a committed, and generous, ally for our vision of a South Africa in which girls are educated and empowered to lead.
Iniciativa Empresarial – promoting racial equality in Brazil
Iniciativa Empresarial (The Business Initiative for Racial Equality) unites more than 80 large companies in Brazil who are committed to bridging the gulf between Black and White professionals by promoting racial inclusion and overcoming racism. Together they represent 800,000 employees and have a combined revenue of R$1.3 trillion.
As a sponsor signatory to the initiative, RX Brazil not only helps to fund its important work, but we have pledged to adhere to ten commitments on the inclusion, promotion, and enhancement of racial diversity within our organisation. To track our progress, RX Brazil participates in Iniciativa Empresarial’s annual Index on Racial Equality in Companies to understand how we are performing against other signatories.
In 2024 we partnered on a number of initiatives, including discussions on actions to support our Diversity Committee. We were invited to attend the International Forum on Corporate Racial Equity in São Paulo. And we were delighted to record an interview at our São Paulo International Book Fair with Raphael Vicente, Professor and Leader at Zumbi dos Palmares University and General Director of Iniciativa Empresarial, on the role of events in helping to promote racial equity.
Rêv’Elles – helping young women achieve their dreams
Based in Paris and Lyon, Rêv’Elles inspires, motivates, and supports young women from underserved communities to thrive both personally and professionally. Since 2013, the association has empowered girls aged 14 to 20 to build self-confidence, define their career goals, and pursue their dreams within a strong community of committed women, including coaches, role models, and alumnae.
RX France was proud to support RVL Ton Potentiel, one of Rêv’Elles’ flagship programmes in 2024, in which seven RX France colleagues participated. Taking place three times a year during school holidays, the programme combines group workshops, individual coaching, and immersive corporate days. In 2024, our partnership contributed to the empowerment of 134 young women in the Île-de-France region, helping them build confidence and chart their professional futures.
In addition to RVL Ton Potentiel, RX France also supports Rêv’Elles' Mentorship programme, which fosters meaningful relationships between mentors and mentees, providing ongoing support and guidance as the young women work towards their personal and professional goals.
Another highlight of our collaboration was introducing fifteen girls from Rêv’Elles to the world of photography and events at Paris Photo. This special day allowed the group to explore the photography industry, meet RX France teams and external providers, and gain valuable insights into the complexity of event organization. The girls were truly amazed by the coordination and effort involved.
Reflecting on her journey with Rev’Elles last year, one young woman said: "Today, I stepped out of my comfort zone by speaking up multiple times. Thanks to Rêv’Elles, I’m getting better at expressing myself. Hearing my role model’s story taught me that it’s never too late to change directions and that confidence is something you build through experience and perseverance. We’re often told to push ourselves, but no one explains how. Thank you, Rêv’Elles, for showing us the way."
Research in Color – Building a more economically inclusive world
The Research in Color Foundation (Research in Color) is a US-based, nonprofit organisation which is dedicated to increasing the number and retention of Ph.D. scholars of colour in economics through mentoring and financial support. RIC does this by matching historically excluded scholars looking to pursue doctoral degrees in these fields with seasoned economists and quantitative social scientists who serve as mentors.
RX has partnered with RIC since 2023, helping to fund US$2500 first-year fellowships to all former Research in Color mentees who have successfully completed the mentorship programme, and have gone on to start a PhD programme in economics or an economics-adjacent field. These fellowships aim to improve the retention of historically underrepresented scholars in economics by helping with costs associated with starting a PhD programme (such as moving costs, books, and other resources), as well as supporting RIC scholars with their applications and through their first year.
RIC mentees have had top placements in PhD programmes from Harvard to MIT and many more. For more insights into RIC’s inspirational work, and the First Year Fellows who successfully completed their RIC mentorship programme in 2023/4 with the support of RX, visit Research in Color’s website.
Olivers Village – a pillar of support for disadvantaged South Africans
Supporting local disadvantaged communities in Benoni on the East Rand, Oliver’s Village is an NGO focusing on education, early childhood development, food security and enterprise development. Their mission is to provide a caring and supportive environment where young people are inspired to learn and empowered through education and skills training.
Over the past four years, RX funding has touched every faced of the programme, from laying the foundations of early education in the preschool and providing nourishment through the soup kitchen, to nurturing growth and learning in the Computer Training Centre.
Established to equip community members with critical digital skills, the Computer Training Centre plays a pivotal role in opening doors to employment opportunities and career growth. RX’s support has enabled Oliver’s House to design and implement a structured, inclusive curriculum that meets the needs of learners at every stage of their digital literacy journey, from beginners to advanced.
Many graduates have gone on to secure employment across various industries, achieving financial independence and contributing to their family’s well-being. Among them is Siboniso Zwane whose remarkable journey stands as a beacon of hope and inspiration. Siboniso was eager to acquire new skills to improve his prospects and after successfully completing the introductory course at the Centre, he secured employment. While working, he pursued further education and successfully earned a Bachelor of Law degree, showcasing the incredible heights that can be achieved through perseverance and access to the right resources.
“RX’s unwavering support has been key to realizing these aspirations” said Lola Wortley of Oliver’s House. “Their generosity has fuelled the success of our projects, allowing us to broaden our impact and reach more individuals in need. Beyond their financial contributions, their belief in our mission motivates us to aim higher and achieve more. Together, we are fostering a stronger, more connected community where everyone has the tools and opportunities to thrive. With dedicated partners like RX, we look forward to creating even greater success.”
At RX we're passionate about supporting and promoting inclusion and diversity within our organisation and across the communities we serve. Visit our website for further information about our global I&D programmes and initiatives, and be sure to check out Part I of our story about how our $1 million charity funding is helping more partners to support social change, fight injustice and foster development.
Built with Shorthand
