TransUnion Associates Celebrate MLK Day with Day of Service

Each year, the third Monday in January marks MLK Day – a time to celebrate the life of civil rights leader and activist Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. In recognition of Dr. King’s legacy of education, reflection and action toward racial justice, MLK Day is a designated national day of service in the US — and is often referred to as a day on, not a day off. The holiday is an opportunity for all of us to learn about the challenges facing our communities, and take action on racial inequity and other causes.

At TransUnion, we’re proud of our associates who volunteer their time for important causes like racial justice throughout the year. To honor Dr. King’s legacy, we invited our associates to participate in a collective day of service through in-person and virtual volunteerism with TransUnion’s community-based partner organizations.

One TransUnion partner, My Block, My Hood, My City, is a Chicago-based nonprofit inspiring youth, empowering communities and building a better world, one block at a time. This year, My Block, My Hood, My City celebrated MLK Day by mobilizing volunteers in support of the Olive Branch Mission, the oldest continually operating community-based human service organization in Chicago.

Honoring Dr. King’s legacy

In celebration of Dr. King's life, My Block, My Hood, My City and Olive Branch Mission requested volunteer support to assemble care kits and collect winter weather gear and clothing — including coats, gloves, hats, scarves and socks — for people experiencing homelessness on the South Side of Chicago.

“With the help of companies like TransUnion, we can continue to serve communities and families across the Chicagoland area,” said Jahmal Cole, My Block, My Hood, My City’s Founder and CEO. “‘Do more than expected.’ That’s something we instill within our organization and also to our corporate partners. TransUnion has embodied that and more! Thank you and let’s keep building.”

Tracie Anderson, Ronald Lynch and Sandra Martinez were among the volunteers. The three TransUnion associates gathered unused winter gear from friends and family, and purchased new gloves, socks and hats to donate. By the end of the day, My Block, My Hood, My City had collected thousands of donations from volunteers all over the city of Chicago.

“Serving others is the perfect way to honor the legacy of Dr. King because he committed his life to the service of others,” said Ronald Lynch, Global Health and Wellness Program Manager. “The greatest thing we can do in this life is serve others, and it’s wonderful to work for an organization that recognizes this. It was also wonderful to see so many people volunteering and donating. It’s one of the simplest ways to impact others.”

For Sandra Martinez, president of TransUnion’s FUTURO Networking Resource Group, Dr. King also serves as a reminder of impactful leadership. “Dr. King is a great role model for all to follow,” she said. “His legacy reminds me that I have a purpose – and helping others helps reveal that purpose.”

Mobilizing to support our communities

Beyond MLK Day, TransUnion is proud to partner with My Block, My Hood, My City for their I Gotchu scholarship — a program supporting class of 2022 students in pursuing postsecondary initiatives, education or vocational training — as well as administrative support for the overall organization.

“Our partnership with My Block, My Hood, My City is a great demonstration of how our charitable contributions align with our mission to help people access opportunities that lead to a higher quality of life,” said Tracie Anderson, Principal, Strategic Planning, U.S. Markets. “Through this partnership, Ron, Sandra and I embodied our corporate mission by volunteering to help improve the quality of life for families on the South Side of Chicago.”  

TransUnion is committed to deepening our advocacy and building stronger communities, and we believe volunteerism is an important way for our people to support their favorite causes. That’s why we provide eligible associates one paid day of volunteer time off per calendar year to volunteer and support the communities in which we live and work. In 2021, our associates across the world volunteered 4,742 hours with nonprofit organizations – from providing financial education to students to volunteering at a local food pantry.

For more stories about TransUnion’s Diversity, Equity & Inclusion journey and community engagement, visit our website.