On Tuesday, February 11, AEO Inc. announced its ongoing commitment to the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) with a $100,000 donation to expand the No Place for Hate program in schools across the Pittsburgh region and throughout Allegheny County.
AEO’s contribution will accelerate the future expansion of the school certification program, which teaches young people how to identify and respond to hate. The program is currently operating in 24 schools across Allegheny County, reaching nearly 17,000 students and 1,200 educators. It is the second $100,000 commitment from AEO in the past two years, enabling the anti-bias program to more than double its impact in the region following the Tree of Life tragedy in October 2018.
AEO’s purpose is to show the world that there’s REAL power in the optimism of youth. We are honored to partner with the ADL to support a program that empowers teens and young adults to celebrate inclusivity and acceptance. The average age of AEO’s 50,000 associates is 22, so it is important to us to support both our customers and our people.
AEO also has partnered with the ADL to teach associates how to be the change they want to see in the world through anti-bias training on our corporate campuses. This initiative is fueled by the work of AEO’s associate-driven Inclusion and Diversity Alliance.
We are passionate and aspire to make a difference. Together, we can all help to build a better world.
About No Place for Hate®
ADL’s No Place for Hate ® initiative is a school climate improvement program that provides K-12 grade schools with an organizing framework for combating bias, bullying and hatred, leading to long-term solutions for creating and maintaining a positive and equitable climate. Since 1999, No Place for Hate ® has helped promote anti-bias education in more than 1,600 public and private schools across the country.
No Place for Hate ® schools receive their designation in the following ways:
- Building inclusive and safe communities in which respect and equity are the goals and where all students can thrive.
- Empowering students, faculty, administration and family members to take a stand against bias and bullying by incorporating new and existing programs under one powerful message.
- Sending a clear, unified message that all students have a place where they belong.
No Place for Hate has already made a substantial difference in Pittsburgh. Currently, 16,750 students are enrolled in greater Pittsburgh NPFH schools for the 2019-2020 school year, reaching nearly 5,000 more students than the previous school year. Thanks to American Eagle’s ongoing support, ADL will be able to reach as many as 30 schools in the 2020-2021 school year.