Latest news with #2024AnnualImpactReport
Miami Herald
26-06-2025
- Business
- Miami Herald
Sama Achieves B Corp Recertification and Releases 2024 Impact Report
Company's B Impact score climbed 19.9 points, while its 2024 initiatives cut carbon footprint 17.1%, shifted 23% of electricity to renewables, and deepened career-building programs for East African talent SAN FRANCISCO, CA / ACCESS Newswire / June 26, 2025 / Sama, the leader in purpose-built, responsible enterprise AI with agile data labeling for model training and performance evaluation, today announced its successful recertification as a Certified B Corporation™, marking a significant milestone in the company's commitment to balancing profit with purpose. The recertification comes alongside the release of Sama's 2024 Annual Impact Report, which details the company's progress across key environmental, social, and governance (ESG) initiatives. Sama received an overall B Impact score of 118.4 from B Corp, up from 98.5 at initial certification in 2020. The new score affirms Sama's progress across governance, workforce development, community impact and environmental stewardship, exceeding the 80-point threshold required for B Corp status and more than doubling the median score of ordinary businesses. Full results of Sama's score can be found here. B Corp companies are pioneers in establishing a fair, inclusive and regenerative economy, measured according to stringent criteria by B Lab across operations, including governance, community involvement, environmental impact and more. "We are thrilled to recertify as B Corp, which offers independent proof that responsible AI can, and must, deliver measurable benefits to both people and planet," said Wendy Gonzalez, CEO of Sama. "Raising our score nearly 20 points reflects the thousands of decisions our teams made in recent years to embed ethics, transparency and sustainability deep into our business model." Sama's recently published 2024 Impact Report details a year of accelerated stakeholder value that included: 17.1% reduction in absolute carbon emissions from the 2023 baseline, advancing the company's Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) validated targets.23% of global electricity sourced from renewables, supported by partnerships with San Francisco's CleanSF program and Kenya's Malindi Solar professional development and mentorship programs linking senior leaders with emerging talent in Kenya and Uganda, alongside the continuation of the Sama Scholarship Program for degree completion and launching key training programs to advance AI skills for digital workers.A successful Give Work Challenge, which included issuing new grants to high-potential social enterprises in East Africa through the Leila Janah Foundation. Sama was recently recognized as one of the top three Inspiring Workplaces in 2025 across the Middle East and Africa, one of only two tech companies and the sole data-annotation provider on the list. The company was also recognized by Newsweek on its Greatest Workplaces for Women and Greatest Workplaces for Inclusion & Diversity lists. About B Lab AfricaB Lab Africa is transforming the economy to benefit all people, communities, and the planet. A leader in economic systems change, our global network creates standards, policies, and tools for business, and we certify companies-known as B Corps-who are leading the way. To date, our global community includes over 9,500 B Corps in 104 countries and 160 industries, and over 6,100 companies in Africa manage their impact with the B Impact Assessment and the SDG Action Manager. About SamaSama is a global leader in data annotation solutions for computer vision, generative AI and large language models. Our solutions minimize the risk of model failure and lower the total cost of ownership through an enterprise ready ML-powered platform and SamaIQ™, actionable data insights uncovered by proprietary algorithms and a highly skilled on-staff team of over 5,000 data experts. 40% of FAANG companies and other major Fortune 50 enterprises, including GM, Ford and Microsoft, trust Sama to help deliver industry-leading ML models. Driven by a mission to expand opportunities for underserved individuals through the digital economy, Sama is a certified B-Corp and has impacted more than 69,000 people since 2008. An MIT-led Randomized Controlled Trial has validated that Sama's training and employment programs generated meaningful employment- and income-related outcomes. For more information, visit Sama Media Contact:press@ SOURCE: Sama
Associated Press
26-06-2025
- Business
- Associated Press
Sama Achieves B Corp Recertification and Releases 2024 Impact Report
Company's B Impact score climbed 19.9 points, while its 2024 initiatives cut carbon footprint 17.1%, shifted 23% of electricity to renewables, and deepened career-building programs for East African talent SAN FRANCISCO, CA / ACCESS Newswire / June 26, 2025 / Sama, the leader in purpose-built, responsible enterprise AI with agile data labeling for model training and performance evaluation, today announced its successful recertification as a Certified B Corporation™, marking a significant milestone in the company's commitment to balancing profit with purpose. The recertification comes alongside the release of Sama's 2024 Annual Impact Report, which details the company's progress across key environmental, social, and governance (ESG) initiatives. Sama received an overall B Impact score of 118.4 from B Corp, up from 98.5 at initial certification in 2020. The new score affirms Sama's progress across governance, workforce development, community impact and environmental stewardship, exceeding the 80-point threshold required for B Corp status and more than doubling the median score of ordinary businesses. Full results of Sama's score can be found here. B Corp companies are pioneers in establishing a fair, inclusive and regenerative economy, measured according to stringent criteria by B Lab across operations, including governance, community involvement, environmental impact and more. 'We are thrilled to recertify as B Corp, which offers independent proof that responsible AI can, and must, deliver measurable benefits to both people and planet,' said Wendy Gonzalez, CEO of Sama. 'Raising our score nearly 20 points reflects the thousands of decisions our teams made in recent years to embed ethics, transparency and sustainability deep into our business model.' Sama's recently published 2024 Impact Report details a year of accelerated stakeholder value that included: Sama was recently recognized as one of the top three Inspiring Workplaces in 2025 across the Middle East and Africa, one of only two tech companies and the sole data-annotation provider on the list. The company was also recognized by Newsweek on its Greatest Workplaces for Women and Greatest Workplaces for Inclusion & Diversity lists. About B Lab Africa B Lab Africa is transforming the economy to benefit all people, communities, and the planet. A leader in economic systems change, our global network creates standards, policies, and tools for business, and we certify companies-known as B Corps-who are leading the way. To date, our global community includes over 9,500 B Corps in 104 countries and 160 industries, and over 6,100 companies in Africa manage their impact with the B Impact Assessment and the SDG Action Manager. About Sama Sama is a global leader in data annotation solutions for computer vision, generative AI and large language models. Our solutions minimize the risk of model failure and lower the total cost of ownership through an enterprise ready ML-powered platform and SamaIQ™, actionable data insights uncovered by proprietary algorithms and a highly skilled on-staff team of over 5,000 data experts. 40% of FAANG companies and other major Fortune 50 enterprises, including GM, Ford and Microsoft, trust Sama to help deliver industry-leading ML models. Driven by a mission to expand opportunities for underserved individuals through the digital economy, Sama is a certified B-Corp and has impacted more than 69,000 people since 2008. An MIT-led Randomized Controlled Trial has validated that Sama's training and employment programs generated meaningful employment- and income-related outcomes. For more information, visit Sama Media Contact: [email protected] SOURCE: Sama press release
Associated Press
18-02-2025
- General
- Associated Press
Apex for Youth Empowers Thousands of AAPI Youth Throughout NYC and Online
Over 33K Hours of Mentoring, Mental Health Services, and Athletic Programs Address Socioeconomic Barriers to Success, According to Annual Report NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK / ACCESS Newswire Apex for Youth, one of the largest organizations in the country serving primarily Asian American youth, today announced the results of its 2024 Annual Impact Report, highlighting key achievements and ongoing challenges faced by Asian American youth in New York City. The report underscores the organization's commitment to empowering underserved youth through mentorship, mental health services, and for Youth In 2024, Apex reached a significant milestone, with 933 volunteers providing over 33,000 hours of programming to 2,564 youth across Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, and online. These volunteers were critical in supporting the organization's mission of empowering Asian American youth from low-income and immigrant backgrounds. According to the report, 92% of Apex youth reported a stronger sense of self, with the ability to embrace their strengths and identities after a year of participation in Apex programs. Furthermore, 91% of high school graduates said they feel more confident speaking up for themselves when it matters most. With 84% of students expressing satisfaction with their college or career pathways, Apex is making a measurable impact in shaping the futures of young people in one of the most underserved communities in the city. Despite these successes, the report also highlights the disproportionate challenges facing the Asian American community in New York. Nearly half of all Asian American youth in NYC live in or near poverty, and the community remains severely underfunded in terms of service contract dollars, despite comprising 18% of the city's population. Additionally, the report notes that 20% of Asian American youth live in homes where no one over the age of 14 speaks English fluently, further exacerbating barriers to opportunity. Jiyoon Chung, Executive Director of Apex for Youth, commented on these disparities, stating, 'In a city where 1 in 2 Asian American youth lives at or below the poverty level, the need for targeted, culturally adept services is urgent. Our community must receive the funding and resources it deserves to address systemic inequities. At Apex, we believe in the power of transformative relationships through mentorship and programs that holistically address the needs of youth based on their age, racial identity, and socioeconomic status. We are inspired by the families we serve as we strive to unlock youth potential today, providing access to critical resources that otherwise would not be available, while opening a world of opportunity for tomorrow.' The findings of the 2024 Annual Impact Report also draw attention to the mental health challenges faced by the community. Asian Americans have the lowest rate of any racial group in seeking mental health services, contributing to the disturbing statistic that suicide is the leading cause of death among Asian American youth. Apex remains steadfast in its mission to provide not only educational opportunities but also emotional and mental health support for youth navigating these complex realities. Despite these obstacles, Apex continues to offer essential programs that foster leadership, academic success, and personal well-being for Asian American youth. The organization remains a vital resource for the community, and its Annual Impact Report serves as a call to action for continued support from the community as well as a thank you to the staff, volunteers, and board members responsible for making 2024 a powerful year for AAPI youth. To learn more about Apex for Youth and how you can support their mission, visit: About Apex for Youth | Apex for Youth Apex for Youth empowers Asian American youth from low-income and immigrant backgrounds to unlock their potential today and a world of possibility tomorrow. With 1 in 2 Asian American youth living in or near poverty in NYC, our holistic approach is expertly tailored to our youth's age, racial identity, and socioeconomic status. Our programs combine impactful mentorship with access to critical resources for our youth and their families that would not have otherwise been available. Apex creates systems of support for youth from elementary school to young adulthood. Based on shared identities and experiences, we foster transformative relationships with a community of caring adults - from mentors and therapists to athletic coaches and career guides. Through Apex programs, low-income Asian American youth have the resources and support to break through socioeconomic and racial barriers, creating their own future with a sense of agency, belonging, and confidence. We are building a world without limits for all Asian American youth. Jennie Mazur Jones
