WASHINGTON, Nov. 5, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- The Caterpillar
Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Caterpillar Inc. (NYSE: CAT)
and a founding donor of the Smithsonian National Museum of African
American History and Culture (NMAAHC), is proud to announce a new
collaboration with NMAAHC and the creation of the first-ever
Caterpillar Curator of African American Innovation and
Entrepreneurship through a $2 million
grant.
The grant will support the creation of a new NMAAHC museum
position named the Caterpillar Curator of African American
Innovation and Entrepreneurship. This position will direct
initiatives to help NMAAHC advance new conversations and
understanding of diversity and inclusion through the lens of
African American innovation and entrepreneurship in science and
technology. The grant will also establish an endowment for
permanent funding to support creating and maintaining collections,
exhibits and programs that highlight and preserve the history and
culture of African Americans and the contemporary traditions of
innovation and entrepreneurship in the African American
community.
"Entrepreneurship has created opportunities for African
Americans often when there were none," said Kevin Young, Andrew W. Mellon Director of the
Smithsonian's National Museum of African American History and
Culture. "Those innovators have changed the ways that people
experience the world today and forged a way for future generations
to follow. We're excited to share their work through this
collaboration with the Caterpillar Foundation as we continue to
share the efforts of African Americans and their impact on American
history and culture."
"Caterpillar's commitment to diversity and inclusion extends
beyond our workforce. The Caterpillar Foundation's ongoing
partnership with the museum provides a platform for thought
leadership and best practice sharing," said Caterpillar Chairman
& CEO Jim Umpleby. "The
Caterpillar Foundation is pleased to support sharing lessons
learned from generations of African American changemakers,
providing tools and perspectives to inspire current and future
innovators, and build resiliency among individuals and
communities."
September marked the five-year anniversary of the NMAAHC and 10
years that the Caterpillar Foundation has partnered with the
Smithsonian Institution through strategic grants and the matching
gifts program.
About Caterpillar Foundation
Founded in 1952,
Caterpillar's philanthropic organization, the Caterpillar
Foundation, has contributed nearly $810
million to help make sustainable progress possible around
the world by building resilient communities that thrive in a
rapidly changing world. To learn more about the global impact of
the Caterpillar Foundation, visit caterpillar.com/foundation. To
connect with us on social media,
visit caterpillar.com/social-media.
About Caterpillar
With 2020 sales and revenues of
$41.7 billion, Caterpillar Inc. is
the world's leading manufacturer of construction and mining
equipment, diesel and natural gas engines, industrial gas turbines,
and diesel-electric locomotives. Since 1925, we've been driving
sustainable progress and helping customers build a better world
through innovative products and services. Throughout the product
life cycle, we offer services built on cutting-edge technology and
decades of product expertise. These products and services, backed
by our global dealer network, provide exceptional value to help our
customers succeed. We do business on every continent, principally
operating through three primary segments – Construction Industries,
Resource Industries, and Energy & Transportation – and
providing financing and related services through our Financial
Products segment. Visit us at caterpillar.com or join the
conversation on our social media channels at
caterpillar.com/social-media.
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SOURCE Caterpillar Inc.